The Troutman Town Council opened its agenda briefing on Monday by praising the Parks and Recreation Department and other town staff for their work during the recent Party in the Park, Independence Day Parade, and Independence Day Festival.
Town Manager Ron Wyatt said it was impossible to choose an employee of the month for July because all staff went above and beyond for these events as well as during the transitions in utility billing and trash/recycling services.
Wyatt also shared several updates, saying that applications and interviewing for the code enforcement and planning department positions were underway.
He informed council that the house at 135 Ruffin Loop, slated for demolition by the town, has been sold and will be demolished by the new owner.
The transition to a new utility billing company in July suffered some hiccups because of employee vacations at that company, causing water bills to be delayed. Wyatt said the bills have been mailed, with most customers receiving them by this past weekend.
Because of the delay, Wyatt said “the due dates have been adjusted accordingly.”
REPUBLIC TRASH CART REMOVAL
Many town residents have been frustrated by Republic Services’ failure to pick up rollout carts following the switch to Waste Pro on July 1. Some residents have had the carts at their curbs awaiting pick up for weeks.
The town made the change after Republic sharply increased rates with no notice after last year’s budget had already been set, causing the town to absorb the costs.
Wyatt said staff has fielded over 700 calls about the cart pickup issue and has contacted Republic, whose representative said its staff was “overwhelmed” with the task of retrieving them.
Republic also mistakenly picked up some rollouts that were on business or county residents’ properties, which do not receive town waste services. Wyatt said they would have to contact Republic to get their rollout carts returned.
Wyatt is talking with the Town Attorney Gary Thomas about the legality of the town picking carts up and disposing of them if they are not picked up by a set time and charging Republic a fee for doing so.
Republic committed to have all carts picked up before July 1, and Wyatt is concerned about possible public health hazards from garbage sitting in rollouts for weeks.
Wyatt praised Waste Pro for its customer service and responsiveness in the transition.
CEDAR STUMP PUB
After an hour-long discussion, the council voted 4-0 (Felina Harris absent) to request that Cedar Stump Pub immediately cease and desist use of town property after concerns of town liability continue. Wyatt had issued a cease and desist order in April to take effect on June 1.