Council removes Village Woods conveyance from agenda after public criticism over costs and conflict concerns

Summary

A councilmember criticized a prior special-called vote approving the Town—s purchase of the Village Woods community water system, saying the deal violates local water rules, will produce an annual loss and creates a conflict of interest; council instead voted to remove further discussion of the conveyance from tonight—s agenda.

Councilmember Stone sharply criticized the Town—s planned acquisition of the Village Woods community water system and urged the council to keep the item on the agenda for public discussion, saying the deal violates town water rules and shifts costs to other customers. The council instead approved a motion to amend the agenda that removed the Village Woods conveyance and several related items and added a closed session under North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3).

Stone told the council the Village Woods system is owned and operated by Environ Links and that, as presented by the Water Advisory Committee, the system—s annual operating cost is $16,100 for 18 homes. He said the town would collect $12,960 a year from Village Woods residents under the proposed arrangement and accept an annual shortfall of about $3,140 that would be borne by other water customers, specifically Honeycutt Reserves.

"In other words, the town knowingly purchases a system,…

Council removes Village Woods conveyance from agenda after public criticism over costs and conflict concerns

Summary

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