Big crowd at Andrews Town Council
Frank Bradley Sentinel Writer

There wasn't an empty seat in the house when the Andrews Town Council met last week. The council discussed a number of issues inviting participation by the local folks who showed up, most of whom had a thing or two on their mind, about all of it constructive.

Plans are underway for Andrews to work with Murphy and the county to work out a common standard for a flood plain ordinance. Currently, all three are a variance which can cause problems.

The council is requesting an audience with the county for all parties to get together to determine at what level is to be set. To work out a new ordnance, perhaps using a sample ordinance provided by the NC Attorney General's office.

Stressing the importance of taking care of this, County Manager Bill Green said, "If there is one set of rules, then there is no question. If it is done correctly, it will save property and possibly lives. I've lived here long enough to know that we will have flooding."

There is a state deadline to have the ordinance in place by November 1st, 2008. Green was asked to set up the meeting. That motion passed.

The council also passed a resolution appointing the Andrews Valley Initiative, AVI, as the lead organization to apply for grants.

The board voted to give McGill & Associates a $12,000 feed up front for a preliminary work plan and to oversee construction of a $500,000 project.

The Farmers Market, which had recently been allowed to operate by the board, was a major topic of discussion. A pilot program had been established to test it out for the previous three weeks, and those members involved thought things had gone well.

Pat Love, a local resident, raised some objections to the market out of concern for safety and the compliance with North Carolina laws and regulations regarding Farmers markets.

Love said she wasn't opposed to the idea, in fact she supported it; however, she was concerned that enough thought hadn't been given to what all the requirements were to make sure it was done safely and in compliance with the law.

After much discussion, Attorney Ellen Davis said she felt the board's role was not in overseeing how the market was to be run and how the applicable rules were to be enforced, but rather was to provide an unencumbered area and set a time for the market and that it was up to the individuals to make sure they were in compliance.

The board agreed to provide a space from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays for the market. Eric Carlson and Vickie Milsaps, who are coordinators of the event were charged with working with individuals to see the laws and rules are complied with.

Several people congratulated the town on its fireworks display for the 4th of July. The town thanked the fire department, who provided certified folks to put on the show. The cost of the fireworks display was placed at about $6,500 according to Green. He urged the council to place an order early for next year's event because it is expected to be more difficult to obtain them. The board agreed and voted to use the same company and to place the order early.

There was an announcement of six new benches and six new trash cans along the walking track at the park. Also, it was pointed out that a new fishing pier had been completed that is accessible for handicapped persons.

The board agreed to a recommendation to allow pool tables in the Loft Game Room at the Methodist Church. Mayor Brown said, "We need something for our young people to do."

It was also pointed out that this game room was well supervised and that pool tables were like ping pong tables. The board accepted the amendment to the ordinance.