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By Rose Hooper
While one board member claimed she has "heard nothing but
conjecture," the Dillsboro mayor and town clerk maintain
they followed all the steps for STEPS.
The Small Town Economic Planning Strategy for developing the Monteith
property generated the controversy during Monday's (Nov. 10) Dillsboro
town board meeting.
Board members voted in March to offer a $1,000 deposit to purchase
14 acres of the Edna Monteith estate. A large portion of the property
could be developed into additional town parking, they agreed.
Other potential plans for the property, which is located northeast
of the U.S. 23 Business-Hometown Place intersection, include a
performing arts center.
Monday night when Mayor Jean Hartbarger asked board members to
consider a resolution between the town and the Local Government
Commission concerning the property, Emma Wertenberger objected.
Wertenberger wanted to know when town representatives had met
with the LGC and what they had discussed to come to the point
of a resolution.
When Hartbarger asked her if she had not read the STEPS reports
given to each board member, Wertenberger replied she had but that
they were not "detailed enough."
Wertenberger further asked for an accounting of all expenses incurred
thus far on the Monteith property.
"This is probably the largest project Dillsboro has undertaken.
If we don't know what the project is going to cost us, how can
we proceed? I've heard nothing but conjecture," Wertenberger
said.
Town Clerk Herb Nolan said the resolution on the table "was
only one of intent" and not meant to encumber funds.
In addition to the $1,000 deposit, Hartbarger said board members
had previously approved spending money for an appraisal and survey,
both which came in way under budget, she said.
Jason Walls, economic developer with Duke Power who has been assisting
the town on the project, had estimated the appraisal and survey
to each cost $3,000, Hartbarger said.
The town paid $500 to Blue Ridge Appraisers for the appraisal
and the bill for the survey is $1,900, Nolan reported.
"Before we can go to any bank, we have to have an appraisal
and survey in hand," he said.
"I want to know what data was presented for review concerning
the town's debt/fiscal management procedures and policies,"
Wertenberger said.
"It's our responsibility as board members to know,"
she said. "We have to be fiducially responsible to the taxpayer."
"I have followed all the procedures," said Nolan. "For
these things you are now requesting, I suggest you get a town
manager. Until then, I am turning the Monteith property project
over to you," he told Wertenberger as he handed her the files.
"I have relied on the mayor and the town clerk to lead us
on this project," said board member Jim Cochran. "I
accept what Jean and Herb have done. I, personally, don't want
to get bogged down in all the details."
"I can see both sides on this," said board member Bud
Smith. "I feel this project is important to the town, too
important to abandon. It seems like all Emma is asking for is
the paper trail."
The board discussed the possibility of hiring a project manager
for this project. They are currently working with the Asheville
engineering firm of McGill and Associates and decided to set a
meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, to discuss that possibility
with them.
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