By: BladenOnline.com

By Joy Warren

Bringing in the new year with a flurry of cold temperatures, the Elizabethtown Town Council held their rescheduled January meeting Tuesday evening. A pinning and swearing-in ceremony was conducted for newly promoted Fire Captains Hollis Freeman and Chad Sholar. Surrounded by family and fellow firefighters, Freeman and Sholar received their accolades. Chief Nick West acknowledged their commitment during the six week process and stated that both captains “show a high standard for leadership.”

The Council made quick work of their administrative matters, delcaring three Reznor propane heaters as surplus property and authorizing the sale through GovDeals.com as well as agreeing to donate other deemed surplus property to the Town of White Lake, Paul R. Brown Academy, Bladen Community College, and East Bladen and West Bladen Fire Academies.

In other business, Council reappointed Mark Gillespie and Clint Hester to the Recreation Commission. Financial matters approved included awarding the low bid of $1,452,686.32 with Trigon of Whiteville, Inc., for the construction bid for the taxiway project at the airport; an agreement with Data Talk for online bill pay system; the fiscal year 2018-19 budget calendar and date of budget retreat set for February 27th at Cape Fear Vineyard, as well as approving tax releases and monthly financial report. The annual Fire District Agreement was also accepted as presented.

Council approved the grant agreement for site work for the new terminal building at the airport. The project is being funded through a $126,000 grant from the NC Division of Aviation.

Town Manager Eddie Madden reminded Council of the upcoming MLK Holiday on January 15th as well as the annual MLK Parade scheduled for 11 a.m. that day.