The City of Hamlet will unveil the newly remodeled Depot Museum on July 30 at 10 a.m.

City Manager Marchelle Adams-David said that the installation is 95 percent complete and that the designers and fabricators will be back this week to finish the job.

“A special thanks goes to Bobby Moser for being able to coordinate all of this,” David said.

Last week the council was also presented with what could be the new entrance signs into Hamlet. The model has a photo of the newly remodeled Depot Museum.

“I have been kicking around this idea for years,” said Dean Lawrence of Carolina Signworks. “What I am presenting to you is change. Some people go with it and some like to stay the same.”

The signs that were done by Lawrence in 1994 are still up.

“They have stood their time and I am very proud of them,” Lawrence said.

The council was able to see in their packets the variety of his work. Lawrence would like to put the four by 10 foot signs on 177 and 74 to replace the four by eight foot signs.

“This could generate interest of the residents and could present a wonderful first impression to the visitors,” Lawrence said.

He went on to say that Jack Carroll of Carroll Saw Service will allow the city to put an entrance sign on his property.

“If you put the sign on the Carroll property that may not work very well,” said Councilman Bill Bayless. “You would have to pass through the city limits of Dobbins Heights to get there.”

“In doing this sign I will do it the same way that I did it in 1994,” Lawrence said. “I want to give you a bang for your buck that lasts a long time.”

He is asking that a minimum of three signs be ordered. Mayor Jeff Smart said the Council will look over it and get back to him.

David Lindsey, president of the Friends of Hamlet, asked the council for funds in addition to applying for a Cole Foundation grant for new additions and upgrades to the Hamlet Park. Councilwoman Abbie Covington said that this is something that needed to be addressed.

“I believe that this was our top priority this year,” said Councilwoman Diane Honeycutt.

Lindsey will meet with City Manager Marchell Adams David to come to an amount that the city will put into the project.

In other business:

The Council approved the recommended application for Bert Russ to the Hamlet Depot Museum Board.

The City was awarded a $500,000 grant for the Capital Project Ordinance for the Water Lake Dam repairs. According to Mayor Jeff Smart a possible completion would be June 2011.

The Council approved the annual tax settlement for the 2009 taxes. The collection amount was at 96 percent. David says that by the time the fiscal year is closed it will reach 97.5 to 98 percent .

Police Chief John Haywood, Patrolman Woodrow Walters, Captain Amory Griffin and Patrolman Brandon Fuller were recognized for their work.

Smart and David have met with Progress Energy in hopes of getting lighting for the City Lake walking trail.

The next Hamlet City Council meeting will be Aug. 3 at the City Hall.

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