SPENCER — The Spencer Board of Aldermen on Tuesday agreed to tip their hats to a “great pillar in the community,” Bill Stanback.

Stanback had ties to Spencer, along with the rest of his family. The Salisbury philanthropist passed away on Feb. 7 due to complications from a fall. He was 95.

On Tuesday, Mayor Jim Gobbel suggested the board take action to honor his memory.

“I think it would be fitting,” he said.

Gobbel suggested a donation to Shelter Guardians, a nonprofit group that is raising money to build a dog wing for the Rowan County Animal Shelter. Shelter Guardians is one of many organizations Stanback supported.

The board unanimously agreed to donate $500 to the project.

But Alderman Mike Boone suggested taking it a bit further. Several of the historic buildings in downtown still have painted ads for products such as Coca-Cola and Stanback Headache Powder, whose maker was founded by the Stanback family. Boone suggested giving them new life and a fresh coat of paint.

“It would be a nice tribute to the Stanback family if we could have those signs repainted,” he said.

The board agreed to discuss the possibility at an upcoming retreat.

In other business, the board:

• Appropriated $10,800 to demolish four structures flagged by code enforcement.

• Received an update on Park Plaza. According to Town Manager Reid Walters, the Phase 2 environmental study will begin Monday.

• The board will hold a planning retreat from 4 to 8 p.m. March 6 in Town Hall.

• The board will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 in Town Hall to discuss further Park Plaza updates.