SPENCER — Town leaders are slicing up the pie of county meetings.

At Monday’s Board of Aldermen meeting, Mayor Jim Gobbel said one of the board’s goals for the upcoming year is to venture outside the town’s borders.

“We’re gonna try to be an advocate for our community,” Gobbel said.

The board made the decision at a planning retreat held March 6.

In order to help better the town, the aldermen determined that it is necessary to attend the meetings of other elected bodies that have an impact on Spencer — such as the Rowan County Board of Commissioners or the Housing Authority.

On Monday, the aldermen divvied up schedules, volunteering to attend specific upcoming meetings this month.

Several aldermen said they could make it to some meetings, such as those of the county commissioners or the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education — a move Gobbel said would probably work out in the town’s favor.

“County board meetings and school board meetings, I think it would help if we all go in force,” he said.

Gobbel said the board hopes to stay informed on issues that affect Spencer and also to advocate for the town’s needs and to let other boards know that they’re there and are eager to be involved.

“They need us, and we need them,” Gobbel said.

In other business, the board:

• Passed a resolution of intent to reimburse for the Park Plaza projectin the amount of $240,000.

• Heard from Police Chief Mike James that Spencer now has a no-tolerance policy on larceny.

• Were reminded by Town Manager Reid Walters that there is a medication disposal bin at Town Hall, and that the device is available to any person who wants to safely dispose of prescription or over-the-counter medication.