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For the last time, Manteo’s Board of Commissioners heard department head reports in person at its Nov. 16, 2022 meeting.

The commissioners have decided to meet at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Instead of requiring presentations from department leaders, reports will be delivered in the agenda packet. If something needs explaining, the department head will be asked to attend a board meeting.

However, the board’s Dec. 7, 2022 meeting will not follow the new schedule.

The board at 1 p.m. will continue the quasi-judicial hearing on a request for a special use permit for parcel no. 025820000 in Manteo. The property is adjacent to the Peninsula Subdivision.

The developer has named the project Salt Meadow Landing and proposes to build 22 multi-family housing units and 37,000 square feet of commercial space in seven three-story buildings.

The board then meets at 6 p.m. for its regular meeting which includes a public hearing to amend the B-1 Village Business District.

The two hearings/meetings will be held at Manteo Town Hall located at 407 Budleigh Street, Manteo.

For additional information on the two hearings, contact town planner Matt Farmer at 252-473-4110.

And the commissioners will not conduct a meeting on Dec. 23, 2022, the third Wednesday of December.

Frankie Woodley, director of the Town of Manteo’s Public Works Department, received recognition for 10 years of service at the Nov. 16, 2022 Board of Commissioners meeting. The plaque was presented “in deep appreciation and heartfelt thanks for 10 years of dedicated and loyal service to the Town of Manteo.”

The board approved an amendment to the interlocal shared use agreement regarding the Government and Education Access Channels update with attendance policy of entity representatives.

The board also approved budget amendment no. 2 appropriating not to exceed $84,464 from fund balance for providing electrical infrastructure to the new Shallowbag Bay Sewer Pump Station and relocating electrical infrastructure “that is in conflict (sitting on top of compromised stormwater pipe) with repairing a section of the Town’s stormwater system that is in need of repair to complete the parking lot located at the Shallowbag Bay Pump Station Project.”

The pump station is 80% complete, because of significant supply chain delays, town manager Melissa Dickerson explained. The expected completion date is now Dec. 23, 2022.

Department reports for October

Manteo Police Department: Chief Vance Haskett reported on classes attended by officers. He listed officer participation in several community events such as Trunk or Treat at College of The Albemarle, Bicycle Safety Course at Manteo Elementary and the Rock and Roll event at Manteo Elementary. Six officers assisted with the Manteo Homecoming Parade and all staff worked 2022 Halloween events.

Criminal and traffic reports show 10 collisions, 16 arrests, 57 citations, 12 people with no driver’s license and 19 speeders.

Investigations numbered 25. Six driving while impaired cases were closed by arrest. In separate incidents, two dead on arrival incidents were reported. Haskett said in a telephone interview that the two people had passed away before the officers arrived. The cases were “closed by other means” stated the report.

In the department’s September report, a rape was reported. Haskett said the case is still active and under investigation. He reported that the complainant knew the offender.

Public Works: Department crews cleaned up after Tropical Storm Ian by removing a fallen tree from the bike path on Wingina and debris from downtown. Employees built a stage for the Christmas tree lighting; cleaned a drop inlet at Fernando St. and Queen Elizabeth; installed lights at the pergola at Town Commons; retrieved an office chair from the sound near Festival Park Bridge with assistance from Waterfront operations manager Barry Wickre; continued picking up trash along causeway and edging sidewalks on Hwy. 64.

Water and Sewer Department: Josh O’Brien reported that the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Water Distribution System were compliant and free of violations for October. No sanitary sewer overflows occurred.

Service location calls numbered 140 for both water and sewer due to underground installation of cable. The average is 35 service location requests.

Employees repaired water main leaks in front of Dollar General and Dartmoor Ave.; replaced Bowsertown Pump #2 and Wingina Pump #2 due to damage from wipes and foreign debris. A contractor replaced SCADA server and upgraded to latest SCADA software for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

On the Waterfront, the 10^th Annual Wooden Boat show drew boats from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Virginia. Volunteer hours numbered 160 with a value of $3,520. Some 42 transient boats docked at the town’s marina with an average stay of three nights.

Community and Economic Development: Michele Bunce reported that the Main Street Advisory Board met Oct. 13. A Merchant Mingle happened Oct. 10. A first ever Fall Fever Downtown Market was held Oct. 20 with 25 market vendors. Bunce worked with the National Park Service on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree event on Sunday, Nov. 13. Planning continued for Dare Day 2023.

Information Technology: Cybersecurity training covered credential essentials. Interactive kiosk work continues on videos on shad boats, weather tower, net shed, boat building, Manteo during WWII and women in Manteo fisheries/boat building. Carl Woody continues to work with the Manteo Cemetery software provider for an online version of the cemetery. A camera will be relocated to Queen Elizabeth Ave. and Fernando St. The process has started on upgrading police officers’ body cameras.

Planning: Town planner Matt Farmer pursued certified zoning official training, attended a plat review officer workshop and a stormwater management presentation. He started the review of the Dare County Youth Center plan. He completed four fire inspections and attended a water flow testing. Value of October residential building permits: $266,069.33. Total cost of permits: $2,784.75.

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