Wentworth council postpones public hearing

The Wentworth Town Council met Tuesday, Jan. 3, and postponed its public hearing for considerations of revisions for the planning and zone ordinances.

This isn’t the first time this hearing has been postponed. Mayor Dennis Paschal Jr. requested this discussion be tabled until the May 1 council meeting. He said there were issues to be discussed which people were still concerned about, and he wanted to meet jointly with the planning board committee before having a public hearing. The committee plans to have this joint meeting on March 20.

Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page updated the council on what the sheriff’s office has been doing in regards to Wentworth. Page said all the training for the trauma kits which were recently purchased has paid off, and every member including the patrol officers, the SWAT team officers and the township deputy have received training for the medical supplies and have already used this training in three different incidents.

Page also discussed the Justice Reinvestment Act-Misdemeanor Confinement Program. This program allows prisoners who have a 91-to-180 day sentence to be housed in jails across the state. Rockingham County agreed to do this which brings in $40 a day to house inmates. The jail can house up to 15 females and five males from the state which will bring in $288,000 a year.

“We expect to have some customers coming in soon,” Page said.

The council also discussed the First Garden Tour in Wentworth, which will take place on January 28. Beth Robertson, who is spearheading the tour, said for every dollar collected, 76 cents will go to research and activities for arthritis. Robertson was asking for support from the council by having members attend the event and also sell tickets at Town Hall. There are eight homes involved with the garden tour.

Financial Officer Yvonne Russell gave a six-month report on the town’s budget and said funds are being used exactly as budgeted and there is nothing unusual to report.

During the meeting the council approved a resolution of support to extend U.S. Highway 311 through Eden.

Rockingham County Crimestoppers President Steve Boles asked for $1,000 in funding towards Crimestoppers, which was approved for this financial year and will be reconsidered for each budget.

The council also approved reappointing regular planning board members whose terms expired. This included Kay Hammock for a two-year term and Nathaniel Willis, Lee Templeton and Joey Troxler for four-year terms.

The council also appointed Gary Moore, who served as an alternative member on the planning board, to become a regular member with a four-year term.

Lastly, the council approved Councilman Dennis Paschal III to attend the Essentials of Municipal Government and Ethics Class in Chapel Hill on Feb. 17-18. This will cost $350 for registration plus travel expenses.

The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, at Wentworth Town Hall, located at 124 Peach Road.