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Resident alleges Town of Hertford is 'holding properties illegally' and asks council to release them
Summary
During public comment at the March 14 meeting Elder Frank Elvin Norman III said he obtained humanitarian aid through MULE CDC in 2020 and demanded the town return properties he says it is holding illegally; the minutes record his written statement but show no council response or formal action on his demand.
Elder Frank Elvin Norman III used public comment at the Town of Hertford's March 14 meeting to accuse the town of holding properties he says should be returned to him and to describe his humanitarian work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I am here to make my last request to the TOH to release all properties being held illegally by the town back into my care so I can continue working to the benefit of the region," Norman told the council, according to the minutes. Norman said he organized and delivered aid in 2020 under the auspices of MULE CDC after learning of COVID-19 risks and that town resources were not used in his effort. He recited a biblical passage (I Timothy 5:8) to frame his remarks and said he would use "every means necessary" to recover the properties if they were not released.
The minutes record that Norman's written statement is attached to the official record. The council minutes do not record any response from council members or staff to his request, and no formal referral, investigation or action is recorded in the meeting minutes. The public-comment allegation therefore remained unresolved in the meeting record.
Norman identified himself in the record as "Elder Frank Elvin Norman III." The minutes note his remarks during the citizens-concerns portion of the agenda; they do not specify which parcels he referenced or provide documentation of the town's holdings. The town did not record a reply during the meeting; any follow-up would appear in subsequent meeting minutes or administrative records if pursued by the commenter or staff.
The council continued with its agenda after public comment and took several unanimous votes on contracts, permits and budget amendments. Norman's allegation was recorded as part of the official minutes but the minutes do not indicate further action was taken at that session.
