Kenly council appoints David Pope to planning board and reviews staff reports on utilities, parks and police

Kenly — At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Town Council appointed David Pope to the Kenly Planning Board and received routine staff reports covering utilities, parks and recreation, the police department and the library.

Appointment: Interim Town Manager Tony Sears and Interim Planner Dale Holland recommended David Pope as the sole applicant for the planning board seat; the council approved the appointment unanimously (Motion: Mark Smith; Second: Keith Davis; Vote: 4-0).

Utility adjustments: Council Member Keith Davis raised concerns about the town’s policy limiting utility adjustments for leak-related billing to a single adjustment per leak regardless of duration. Council scheduled further discussion on the matter for February.

Parks, police and library: Parks and Recreation Director Dana Youst announced indoor soccer starting in February, a new 10-and-under basketball team and spring youth-sports registrations. Police Chief James Ayers reported 23 incidents in the reporting period, eight criminal summonses, three misdemeanor arrests and two other arrests; investigators are pursuing a series of car break-ins with some property recovered. Library staff outlined creative social groups and an adult book club.

Why it matters: The appointment fills a planning-board seat and the staff reports flag operational issues — in particular the utility adjustment policy and ongoing police investigations — that have direct effects on residents.

Next steps: The council will revisit the utility adjustment policy in February; police investigations remain active.