Good business for Foxfire Resort & Golf means good business for Foxfire Village and -- in the spirit of that mutual interest -- the Mayor and Council approved an open letter of welcome and support to Brown Golf Management during their Tuesday, November 13 monthly meeting.
“We wish them great success and pledge the Council’s cooperation with them in our goal to make Foxfire a better place for all of our citizens,” said Mayor George Erickson.
He noted that he had visited the clubhouse and introduced himself to the new Food and Beverage Manager and also the new Golf Pro.
“Whatever we can do make them successful, makes everybody successful,” Erickson said.
Debt service still tops list of concerns
The recent sale of two former municipal well site lots drew attention from MaryAnne Lauer during public comment.
In particular, she questioned whether the proceeds from that sale would be used for debt reduction, noting that the purchase of a new police vehicle had been paid for – at least in part – by the recent three cent tax increase.
Speaking for Finance Director Leslie Frusco, who was unable to attend the meeting, Erickson said each of the Village-owned lots had been sold for $18,000 and he anticipated that revenue would be moved from the Water Fund to the General Fund.
Erickson also asked Lauer to put her specific concerns in writing for the Council to discuss at an upcoming work session.
In a related discussion on debt service and real estate, Erickson distributed an email from Village Attorney Michael Brough that addressed several questions that have come up regarding the much larger 160-acre Village-owned property currently for sale.
Erickson explained that he met with the listing agent, Robert Edwards, to discuss questions that have been raised by prospective buyers.
“I hope this information [from Brough] will be helpful to Edwards, so that these properties can be sold and built on,” he said.
Rick Rhyne Memorial
Suggesting that a memorial to former Police Chief Rick Rhyne was needed in Foxfire Village, Angie McKew recommended that a plaque be placed at the Village Green Park and, possibly, a second memorial at the Town Hall or Village administrative offices.
“There has been recognition for Rick at other places, but not here in Foxfire where he served longest,” she said.
Rhyne was killed in the line of duty last December, while serving as a Deputy with the Moore County Sheriff’s officer. Admired for his dedication, he was mourned by hundreds from across the state. Rhyne’s name has been added to law enforcement memorials in Raleigh and Washington, DC, in addition to a plaque honoring his service with Pinehurst Police. In June, the Moore County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved naming the new public safety facility in Carthage as the Rick Rhyne Public Safety Center.
However, it was in Foxfire Village that the well-respected lawman spent the majority of his professional career -- twenty-six years -- serving as Chief of Police.
Mayor Erickson agreed that a local memorial was fitting and asked Public Safety Councilman Mick McCue to work with McKew to develop ideas.
Surplus police vehicle donated to WEFR
The Board unanimously approved donating an older Foxfire Police car no longer needed for service to West End Fire & Rescue, as an administrative vehicle.
“We could sell it, but the benefit it gives to West End Fire far outweighs any money we might receive,” explained Councilman McCue.
He noted that the decommissioned police car is much more fuel efficient for any routine tasks and will be used for administrative runs between the Foxfire facility and the primary West End station; however, once properly outfitted, the vehicle may be used for emergency calls as well.
New community website
Noting that one of the primary objectives of the Long Range Planning Committee is to improve communication, Councilman McCue offered appreciation for the newly revamped Foxfire Village website.
“This is a great way to keep yourself informed about what is going on in the Village,” he said.
The new site went live nearly two weeks ago, and McCue urged residents to click on the email notification button which allows an account to opt in for various news and notifications including calendar events, meeting agendas, and minutes.
Mayor Erickson said he was very pleased with the new website and credited Village Clerk Lisa Kivett for her efforts on the project.
“It is really a very functional website the Village can use,” he said.
Finance
As of October 31, the General Fund unrestricted accounts totaled $809,582, with additional restricted accounts of $7,703 in the Powell Bill fund and $21,000 held in the Stonehills Pines account, reported Deputy Finance Officer Sharon Sanchez.
The Water Fund stood at $297,059 in an unrestricted account; with an additional $135,745 held in escrow for a new well.
Bank loan payments made in July 2012 included $26,192 from the General Fund toward the Village Green Park loan, and $41,144 from the Water Fund for new water lines and water department improvements.
In April 2013, Woodland Circle extension project loan payments due include $173,526 from the General Fund and $14,904 from the Water Fund.
Streets and drainage
Repair of damaged road edges and potholes is underway, reported Councilman Vic Koos, though he noted inclement weather has slowed production of asphalt. Patching work is being completed with unused funds in the streets account.
“Mowing was only done as needed this year, so we have a little bit leftover from those weeks when mowing wasn’t necessary,” he explained.
Koos said if there is still funding once the road edges and potholes are repaired, he will address crack filling work. He also reported that a sinkhole at Woodland Circle has been addressed, and the leaking underground pipe causing the problem has been sealed.
Speaking from the floor, a resident asked about drainage on Sunset Lane, near the golf course.
Koos responded that he is familiar with the area, and promised he would take another look to see if there was something more that can be done. He cautioned the resident that, oftentimes, the problem has been caused by pine straw that has been landscaped onto the right-of-way.
“The Village could remove that pine straw, but I don’t like to do that because people like the way it looks,” he said. “But when the straw backs up the drains; we will go out and discuss the issue with residents; and, possibly, will remove it,” said Koos.
Voluntary annexations approved
By unanimous consent, the Council extended the corporate limits to encompass two properties that petitioned for voluntary annexation into Foxfire Village.
Both properties are located in the Grande Pines subdivision and had sought annexation for the primary purpose of municipal water access.
Mayor Erickson said new water lines were installed by the community’s developer and were inspected by Foxfire Water Department staff.
Council work sessions
Approving a request by Councilman McCue, the Council shifted future work session start times from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
The next Foxfire Village Council Work Session is scheduled for Thursday, November 29.
