Benson board approves zoning, contracts, event closures and appointments; MOU passes 3-1

The Town of Benson Board of Commissioners moved through a busy Sept. 10 agenda, approving zoning changes, contract amendments, event road closures and appointments. Key actions taken at the meeting are summarized below.

Rezoning and ordinance actions - TXT-2024-01 (stormwater ordinance amendment): Staff and the Planning Board recommended incorporating new stormwater procedures and agreements with Johnston County; the board approved the ordinance amendment (motion by Commissioner Holley; VOTE: 4-0). - RZ-2024-07 (107 S. Wall St.): The board found the rezoning to Highway Business (B-3) consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and recommended approval (VOTE: 4-0). - RZ-2024-08 (304 S. Market St.): The board approved rezoning to Highway Business (B-3) after the applicant described plans for a pre-engineered building (VOTE: 4-0).

Contracts, amendments and funding - Mingo Interceptor change orders (Wooten Company): The board approved Amendment to increase the original contract from $901,700 by $21,600 to a new total of $923,300 (VOTE: 4-0). Jay Murray presented the change orders. - Amendment #4, On-Call Engineering Services with WithersRavenel: The board approved a one-year extension from Oct. 19, 2024 to Oct. 19, 2025 (VOTE: 4-0). - SRF loan closings: Staff reported the town will not use two SRF loans and will instead use state appropriations for the Lead Service Line Inventory and the 2020 Wastewater System Improvement; the board approved closing the loans (VOTE: 4-0).

Events and operational items - Cycle NC road closure (Oct. 10): Approved closing Railroad St. (Main to Parrish) for Cycle NC with an estimated 900–1,000 riders (VOTE: 4-0). - Veterans Day road closure (Nov. 2) and Hallofest road closure (Oct. 25): Both approved (VOTE: 4-0). - Lease with Enterprise Fleet Management for a 2024 RAM 2500: Approved; truck budgeted in FY2025 and funded from Water/Sewer (VOTE: 4-0).

Boards and appointments - Advisory board appointments: Sidney McCarther (at-large) and Tonya McCarther (District 3) were appointed to the Police Advisory Board (VOTE: 4-0). - Cultural Arts Advisory Board: The board approved combining the Library and Museum boards into a Cultural Arts Advisory Board, contingent on ordinance amendments to be considered at the Oct. 8 meeting (VOTE: 4-0).

Intergovernmental agreement - MOU for the Alliance and selection of members: The board approved the Memorandum of Understanding for the Alliance (motion passed 3-1; Commissioner Dean McLamb voted against). Commissioner Max Raynor was nominated and approved as the board representative; the community-member seat was tabled until Oct. 8 to allow time to identify a minority candidate.

Procedural notes - Many items were acted on with unanimous votes and little public opposition; the meeting included informational presentations and routine project updates. The board adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

For specific vote counts and the staff reports referenced for each item, see the meeting record and staff materials entered into the record at the Sept. 10 meeting.