Residents packed the Mount Olive Town Board meeting Monday night, many of them there to question a recent Office of the State Auditor report laying out findings and recommendations involving the town’s Water Department and Municipal Airport. (Georgia Martin Dees|Mountolivetribune.com)
Mount Olive resident Joe Hatch addresses the town council Monday night. (Georgia Martin Dees|Mountolivetribune.com)
Mount Olive council member Delreese Simmons listens to town residents during Monday night’s town council meeting. (Georgia Martin Dees|Mountolivetribune.com)
With almost every seat occupied, tension and frustration were obvious throughout the Mount Olive Board of Commissioners meeting Monday night.
This was the board’s first meeting since the Office of the State Auditor released a report in August noting several findings and recommendations involving the town’s Water Department and Municipal Airport. Town officials have asked for the public’s patience as they work to rectify the problems.
During the meeting’s public forum, speakers raised a wide range of questions and concerns, then learned they would have to wait a little longer for answers.
Mayor Jerome Newton said every issue raised was valid, adding the board and staff would investigate and respond to each one.
“In order for us to gain trust … the leadership needs to be transparent,” he said. “It would be irresponsible for us to not respond to your questions and concerns.”
Topics raised by the citizens who spoke included airport operations, budget oversight, water quality, waste management, contracts, taxes and the effects of the town’s ongoing sewage moratorium.
During his report, interim Town Manager Glenn Holland noted several needs for infrastructure improvements, including streets, water and sewer. He also mentioned a staffing shortage, difficulty locating numerous files and records that should have been kept by previous town management and the expected arrival of new water meters.
In other business, the board approved:
•A resolution to allow engineering firm TRC to prepare a funding application for water treatment system renovations;
• A request to contract with Beverly Stroud, CPA, to reconcile bank statements and bring financial records current; and,
• The sale of a 2024 Freightliner truck that didn’t meet the town’s needs, for $164,000.
The board also voted to schedule a special called meeting later this month to consider the TRC grant administration, engineering agreements and project ordinances and to move the November meeting date to Nov. 10 due to elections.
