The City of Hamlet continues their efforts to enhance their appearance.

Gail Strickland, administrative assistant for zoning, gave an update Tuesday on the home at 516 Pine St. in Hamlet.

“I have been informed that the home is down, but I have not been informed by the contractor that he has completed it,” she said.

She went on to say that, 16 new properties have been added to the demolition list.

Mayor Pro-Tem Pat Preslar questioned the number given that the city has just $20,000 earmarked for demolition.

“So, if the bids are at about $8,000 (each), does that mean we can only do two properties a year?,” he asked.

Strickland replied that when faced with demolition, some property owners take action to fix the property.

She also announced the banners for the Seaboard Festival are scheduled to arrive next week.

Mayor of Hamlet Jeff Smart made a proclamation that will honor the bi-annual reunion of Capital Highway School and Monroe Avenue High School on Sept. 3-5.

“The City of Hamlet, extends a warm welcome to all those associated with this reunion,” Smart said. “We look forward to that weekend. They always bring a lot of folks through town.”

The schools were operational from 1929-1968 prior to the integration of the Richmond County Public Schools.

In regards to the Hamlet Depot Museum, City Manager Marchelle Adams-David said that they had record numbers that weekend.

“Again we are working to tell our story through the oral history and trying to display the rest of the artifacts,” she said.

David went on to say that they are seeking men and women to be on some of the city boards.

Positions are available for the Hamlet Planning and Zoning Board and there will be an upcoming vacancy on the ABC board.

The council has a month to a month and a half to review the code of ethics policy review. Various examples were placed in the packet for the council to look over.

“No decision has to be made on this; this is just to remind you that the staff will be doing this over the next few months,” Smart said.

In other news:

Diane Smith was re-appointed by Smart to the Hamlet Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

Cheerleading and football sign up will be from Aug. 30 to Oct. 8.

Trash pick up will not be collected on Sept. 6. If you need a pick up on Friday please call, Hamlet Public Works at (910) 582-7987.

The next Hamlet City Council meeting, will be Sept. 14.

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