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Aberdeen approves Hometown Heroes banners, opens 15-foot Thomas Avenue right-of-way and accepts $100,000 library grant
Summary
At its March 10 work session the Aberdeen Town Commission approved an American Legion Hometown Heroes banner program with an initial five banners funded by the town, authorized opening a 15-foot right-of-way off Thomas Avenue with a maintenance agreement to allow driveway access, accepted a $100,000 Canon Foundation grant for library improvements, and approved employee retention bonuses and a budget amendment.
Aberdeen, N.C. — The Aberdeen Town Commission voted March 10 to approve a Hometown Heroes banner program proposed by American Legion Post 72, authorize opening a 15-foot public right-of-way off Thomas Avenue with a maintenance agreement, accept a $100,000 grant from the Canon Foundation for library improvements, and approve retention-bonus payments for town employees.
A town presenter showed a mockup and described the program as an initial set of five banners to honor local military service members and first responders. The presenter said the town would fund the five-banner startup and that American Legion Post 72 would maintain the banners when not displayed and seek family sponsorships for follow-on banners. "These are the exact same size banners that we do currently have throughout downtown," the presenter said, noting the cost estimate came to roughly $500 for five banners, taxes excluded. Mr. Palmer of American Legion Post 72 joined the discussion and offered candidate names and suggestions for locating historic photos.
The commission voted to approve the banner program following brief discussion on display dates and logistics. A commissioner moved to approve the American Legion Hometown Heroes Banner program; the motion was seconded and passed with no recorded opposition.
On a separate item the board considered Resolution No. 2505 to open a 15-foot public right-of-way off Thomas Avenue and to authorize the town manager to sign a RightWay maintenance agreement. Town staff explained the lane appears on a 1928 plat but was never formally opened; the agreement would allow property owners to construct a private driveway at their expense while making clear the town would not be responsible for maintenance. "She is essentially landlocked," property owner Kathy McNeil told the board, describing attempts to negotiate access with adjacent owners. Commissioners discussed surveying, maintenance responsibility and the complications of abandonment or sale; they approved opening the right-of-way and authorizing the maintenance agreement.
Town staff also notified the commission of a $100,000 grant from the Canon Foundation for library improvements. Staff said the award is to the town, with Friends of the Library assisting administratively, and that the check is likely a one-time up-front payment to be placed into the Capital Management trust account and applied to the library project when spent. A motion to accept the grant carried.
Finally, the board approved a tiered retention-bonus program for eligible full- and part-time town employees and a budget amendment to allocate the funds from salary-savings accounts. Town staff said the bonuses are intended to help compete for and retain employees and that the program would be funded within already-budgeted dollars.
Votes at a glance: the commission approved the Hometown Heroes banner program (motion carried), approved Resolution No. 2505 to open the Thomas Avenue right-of-way and authorized execution of a maintenance agreement (motion carried), scheduled and approved a March 24 public hearing for a plan-development amendment for Aberdeen Station (motion carried), accepted the Canon Foundation $100,000 grant (motion carried), and approved retention bonus payments and the associated budget amendment (motions carried).
Next steps: staff will coordinate banner installation logistics with American Legion Post 72, execute the RightWay maintenance agreement and notify affected property owners, deposit Canon Foundation funds into the library capital account once received, and implement the retention payments effective April 1, 2025.
