Bethania weighs bridge and trail rehab plans; town attorney to research spending on state land

Commissioner Kenneth Wolff presented revised quotes for bridge and trail maintenance and said he met with Nature Trails to update the Laurel Creek Bridge quote. Wolff told the board that if volunteers remove the old bridges, $6,000 may be subtracted from Proposal 1527. The board discussed bridge specifications, locations and how to get equipment to the sites.

Commissioners expressed concern about spending town funds on portions of state-owned land that lie inside the City of Winston-Salem. Attorney Dovel advised the board that the town should research whether spending on that state land is appropriate and lawful and recommended the board check state and city rules before committing municipal funds. He told commissioners that many procurement requirements are triggered when a contract exceeds $30,000 and that while sealed bids or a public hearing may not be required below that threshold, a record of all bids should be kept.

As next steps, Attorney Dovel will research whether Bethania can lawfully spend money on state land within Winston-Salem’s boundaries and how to approach the City of Winston-Salem about potential annexation of the state land. Mayor Brent Rockett will draft a letter to the Department of Cultural Resources outlining the proposed trail rehab, bridge and maintenance work as it pertains to the town’s memorandum of understanding. The board noted three bids have been received for the bridge project but did not select a contractor during this meeting.