In other business
At Tuesday’s meeting, Spencer aldermen:
• Passed a resolution asking the state to reopen the Wil-Cox Bridge, a southbound U.S. 29/70 bridge in Davidson County that brings traffic into Spencer from Lexington. Businesses in the northern part of Spencer are suffering with the bridge’s closure, aldermen said.
Although the bridge has been repaired after inspectors found exposed rebar, deteriorating concrete and deep cracks in 2010, regional officials have discussed leaving the bridge closed because it’s too narrow to support two-way traffic, Town Manager Larry Smith said.
Alderman Reid Walters suggested installing traffic signals at either end, allowing one-way traffic in each direction, alternately.
“We don’t need this to be the nail in the coffin for those businesses,” Walters said.
• Learned the state has extended a security contract between the N.C. Transportation Museum and the town through December for police protection at the museum. The $26,256 annual contract had been canceled due to a budget crunch.
Smith said the town and museum staff are working to get the state to extend the contract even further.
“We are still fighting to get January through June,” he said.
• Passed a new flood hazard regulation at the request of Rowan County defining the reference level in the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
• Passed new parking fines. Parking in a handicapped space goes from $25 to $50, fire lane from $5 to $10 and other violations from $1 to $5.
• Received the first Powell Bill payment from the state of $51,000. The town will receive another payment in the spring.
• Learned the town made $3,700 on the sale of two surplus police cars. Electronic auctions have been more lucrative than local ads, Town Manager Larry Smith said, bringing in $22,000 in three years.
• Waived the fee for Library Park for the community Thanksgiving celebration Nov. 20 and Christmas celebration Dec. 2.
• Rescheduled the November meeting to Nov. 7 to avoid conflict with the election.
Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.