If you own more than one property, this means they have separate meters and you have to pay for them separately even if you aren’t using them. This matter was discussed at the Tuesday meeting of the Hamlet City Council. The next meeting is June 8.

Steve Adams has a home on Charlotte Street that has three apartments in it. Since he is not using two of them he would like the fee for those to be waived.

“I have my grandson staying in one and I would only like to pay for the one meter that I am using,” said Adams. He has had problems with tenants before regarding drug usage.

“The best thing to do is to make sure council is update with the policies,” said Jeff Smart mayor of Hamlet.

The council, along with the city manager, will make a decision and give a response in written form to Adams.

The council ruled in favor of the delay of the previous order to demolish a building at 516 Pine Street.

“After a year of speaking with the daughter of the homeowner, she has meetings with contractors to get the home up to code,” said Gail Strickland zoning administrator. “The exterior of the building is what we are more interested in, more so that the interior.”

The home was burned several years ago. It needs a new roof and the upstairs windows need to be replaced. The extension is until May 31. Some progress has to be made and the fines in the amount of $13,250 must be paid. A contract must be provided to prove that the work will be done.

The home on High Street has a deed of trust on it and a lien on it. Contact has been made with the owner and it can now be demolished the board was told. The final matter will be discussed at the next meeting.

A decision on setting the date for a public hearing on the 2010-11 budget will be addressed at the next meeting.

“We have been working on the process for the past two to three months and are putting on the final touches,” Smart said.

The council plans to apply for a North Carolina Rural Center Grant in order to update the capital improvement plans. The grant funds are available to rural communities in need of water and waste water infrastructures.

“The maximum amount of the grant is $40,000 and we have a 25 percent match,” City Manager Marchell Adams David said.

David brought up the proposal to purchase a Bobcat loader for the city.

“The ticket price of $90,000 did not include tax, and the final amount is $94,572.18,” David said. The council has to agree to this increase. It will be used to clear right-of-ways and brush, something the city had been contracting for.

With the weather warming Council Tony Clewis wanted to remind residents of the swimming ordinance. “The swimming ordinance states that any structure for swimming or recreational bathing more than 24 inches requires a fence.” This includes hot tubs and spas as well.

Operation In As Much cleaned up the city parks in the area on April 24 but could not paint the structures due to the weather.

The city offices are closed on Monday May 31, and this does not effect garbage pick up. If you foresee a problem contact Public Works, and they can do a pick up on May 29.

Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mailing at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com.