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A public hearing on a text change concerning the Manteo zoning ordinance addressing education facilities produced no public comment at the November meeting of the Manteo Board of Commissioners. The text change that modifies restriction for college, university and community college is expected to be passed later this month. Although the ordinance changes encompass all educational facilities, it specifically clears the way for the construction of a new College of The Albemarle campus in the town.

A second public hearing on an ordinance change that would allow boat lifts with size and safety restrictions at town marinas also went without public comments. The ordinance change would not allow the boat lifts along the historic district boardwalk. A vote on the zoning text amendment will be held on November 18.

In other actions, the board appointed a special events committee. At the urging of Mayor Pro-tem Betty Selby, two African American candidates were included in the selections. Selby said she was elected to bring fresh faces and more diversity to the town. Necy Morris and Nichol Thrash will join Jamie Anderson, Dana Lisenby, Ruth Stetson, Tim Teeple and Carl Woody on the Town of Manteo Special Events Committee.

Commissioners also approved a mid-year bonus for employees in the amount of $350 per employee. Commissioners also voted to award a $500 bonus to employees to recognize their service during the declared emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioners approved an appropriation of $43,000 for a 50-foot channel dredging project in Shallowbag Bay. The matching grant was needed to keep the project on schedule. The board also approved a $10,000 expenditure to support the Dare County Arts Council Cultural Affairs Funding.

Two presentations were made during the meeting, one on transitional housing by the Dare Minority Coalition and another with an update on the town-sponsored Christmas celebration that will be virtual this year due to pandemic concerns.

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