GRANITE QUARRY — The Granite Quarry Board of Aldermen voted 4-0 Monday night to use ADP for the town’s payroll services, replacing Paylocity.

During the first year with ADP, the town’s cost will be $4,803. The annual price after that will be $4,701, according to Finance Officer Shelly Shockley.

During the recently completed fiscal year, Shockley reported, the town spent more than $12,000 on payroll services with Paylocity.

“This would be an immediate savings of over $7,000,” Shockley said of switching to ADP. “I believe this will be the most cost-effective and the best use of employee time, while ensuring that payroll taxes, deductions and garnishments are accurate and time-sensitive reports are filed accordingly.”

Before the aldermen’s vote for the change to ADP, Mayor Pro Tem Jim LaFevers noted how the makeup of the town staff has turned over in recent years, and if the staff recommends the change, “we should go with it.”

Shockley provided the board background in previous meetings on how ADP’s payroll services might be easier for her and the rest of the employees to use.

Interim Town Manager Larry Smith gave the board an update Monday night on various town goals. He noted critical deadlines are approaching in the documentation process for a $437,793 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for Granite Lake Park and a $277,800 state grant for utility extensions at Granite Industrial Park.

The town staff also is trying to get information together on what sidewalk improvements the town could make downtown in connection with a scheduled repaving of U.S. 52.

According to Smith’s report, the town has “rough-sketched the curb cuts and street needs,” secured a preliminary engineering estimate and scheduled a meeting with the state Department of Transportation’s division engineer so he can advise the town on what else is needed.

Smith reported a high priority is being given to hiring a code enforcement officer and bringing back to life the Community Appearance Commission.

An Aug. 2 deadline is approaching to submit a request for a DOT bicycle and pedestrian planning grant.

Meanwhile, someone has offered to purchase the town property at 316 S. Main St., and aldermen have been discussing that matter in closed session.

An update of town ordinances is underway, and a new informational sign at Town Hall and new steps at Granite Lake Park will be in place soon.

Grading has started for the new State Employees’ Credit Union branch on North Salisbury Avenue.

The infrastructure work continues on the first phase of Village at Granite, a residential development planned off Faith Road.

Town Planner Steve Blount reported the work includes roads and sewer and storm collection systems. Plans also have been approved for a playground in the development.

Blount reported a zoning permit has been issued for an addition at Christiana Lutheran Church and conditional-use permit requests have come to Town Hall for an electronic-gaming venture behind M&K Barbecue and from the new owners of Sides Auto Sales on U.S. 52.

After meeting in closed session Monday night, aldermen voted to hold a called meeting at 3:30 p.m. July 25 at Town Hall for another closed meeting.

The purposes of the July 25 executive session will be to consider annual performance reviews of Smith and Town Clerk Tanya Word.

The board also voted to hold a public hearing during its Aug. 5 meeting to consider an incentive request for “Project Profile Trail.”

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.