Norman to use ARPA funds to repair community center

NORMAN — The Norman Town Council will be using $38,000 of their American Rescue Plan funds to restore and repair their community center.

Richmond County received more than $8 million as part of the State and Local Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund. The municipalities received the first half of those funds on June 15, 2021, and the second half of those funds will be available exactly one calendar year later.

West End resident Charles Pope was present at the meeting to offer his handyman services to deep clean the community center. There must be three bids for the work on the center before a contract is finalized.

Town Council members stated that corrective work needs to be done to repair damage caused by a former wood pallet business that operated in the center. Specific issues include getting rid of all of the pallets and removing a thick layer of sawdust in the center.

During the meeting, three council members and Pope traveled to the community center to check it out.

Long-term repairs that also need to be accomplished with the funds include adding insulation in the walls and addressing any leaks in the ceiling.

Council members also inquired whether Pope could help replace their town Christmas tree, which was run over by a vehicle last December.

Store to occupy former BP station

Lyndoll Parks and Carlos Gonzalez will operate Escamilla’s Mexican Store LLC, selling fresh vegetables, fruits, dairy and meats, along with basic toiletry items. The Town Council held a called meeting last month to confirm that the Mexican Store would operate out of the former BP station and to begin that partnership.

When Parks first pitched the concept at Norman’s March meeting, she cited the high percentage of Hispanics in the Norman area who could be potential customers.

An official contract is still being worked on. The Council is working with their attorney to finalize the details and confirm the language that will be in the contract, including a potential clause regarding illegal activity happening at the building that would make the contract null and void.

Council members are also in the process of purchasing a water pump for $500 for the building. The previous pump was stolen.

During the excursion to the community center, council members asked Pope to check the ceiling of the BP station for any leaks.

Norman may revisit charter suspension

Town Clerk Glenda McInnis and Councilwoman Nancy Paxton informed the town council about a recent meeting they had with the Lumber River Council of Governments.

During that meeting, McInnis said that Executive Director David Richardson told them that the LGC “is really pushing for us to surrender our charter.”

The North Carolina General Assembly can vote to suspend a town’s charter, similar to what took place in East Laurinburg.

“[David Richardson] said that if we initiate [a charter suspension,] we could determine if we want the buildings that town owns to go to the Norman Fest funds,” Paxton said. “[Richardson] said they would be receptive to hearing that.”

McInnis added that this is not an issue that needs to be addressed immediately and that the County’s allocation of $30,270 — which was granted to the town following the 14-month dispute over the county’s switch to an ad valorem sales tax distribution — helps them out.

“If [the county’s allocation] stops, we need to be proactive,” Paxton said.

“If the new commissioners come in and reverse [ad valorem sales tax distribution] and give us back our tax money, then we wouldn’t have anything to worry about, but we don’t know if that’s going to happen,” McInnis said.

Both Paxton and McInnis said that in their conversation with Richardson, they decided to wait until the results of the county commissioner elections before planning any further steps.

“If we work with the LGC, there’s the possibility that we could keep the town hall, and the stage, and the community center…” said McInnis, with Paxton adding, “…And put it in the Norman Fest Account as a non-profit.”