Former Roanoke Rapids City Manager Phyllis Lee is now a consultant for the town of Weldon.

The board made the decision to hire Lee following a closed session at its meeting Monday night, Mayor Julia Meacham confirmed.

Lee’s first meeting with the town will be a March 22 budget work session at 1 p.m.

That Lee’s first meeting is a budget work session makes sense because she will be advising the town on financial matters, Meacham said. “She will be helping work on the budget and financial issues. She comes highly recommended.”

Meacham said as a new mayor and having what she described as a fairly new board, “I want us to make good decisions. We want to know we are financially sound so we can use the taxpayers’ money the best we can, that we can operate as efficiently as we can.”

Meacham said Lee will able to help the town board stay within its budget. This is important because the town is in the middle of cleanup efforts it hopes will lead to economic development. “To look at these buildings is a hindrance to promoting economic development. The issue was neglected by previous boards. This board has different priorities than previous boards.”

While the town is currently advertising for a town administrator, Meacham said Lee has no interest in that position. “I know she’s got qualifications for finances and helping us make good decisions.”

Lee, who will be paid $25 an hour, said she was excited about the opportunity. “I was a little surprised. I look forward to getting back and doing some finance.”

Lee said the town currently does not have a finance director. “A lot of the board members are new and not familiar with doing a budget. That’s my strength. I will do whatever special projects they want done.”

Senator Ed Jones presented former Weldon Mayor Johnny Draper the state’s highest civilian honor — The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

The presentation was done during Weldon’s town board meeting tonight.

“I’m happy to be in your presence,” Jones told the board. “I met Johnny when I was on the (highway) patrol here. Through his leadership I made something out of myself.”

Draper was humbled by the award. “To say it’s a surprise is not strong enough. It goes beyond anything I thought I would ever receive.”

Mayor Julia Meacham, who beat Draper in the November election, said Draper deserved to be honored for giving 40 years of life to the town and encouraged the audience to stand in his honor. To Jones, she said, “Thank you so much for coming and giving him this honor.”

Gene Gatling, during a public comment section of the meeting, praised the former mayor. “My wife and I, whenever we had an issue we were concerned about, he never made an excuse not to see me. We appreciate the time you took out for my wife and I.”

Gatling encouraged Meacham to do the same.

Following the meeting Draper again said he was honored by the award. “I’m more than surprised. It is an honor. I’m just thrilled to be the fortunate person to get the Long Leaf Pine.”

Weldon will have to spend $13,600 more than originally planned to have lead paint removed from the Dickens Hux Awning building, Code Enforcement Officer Richard Brown told town commissioners tonight.

The building was set to be demolished because it is beyond repair. The original estimate was $3,900, however, because the building has lead paint which must be removed first it will cost $17,500.

The building is condemned, the bricks are deteriorating and the roof has fallen in, Brown told the board.

“It’s been an eyesore for a long time,” Mayor Julia Meacham said. “I feel like we need to add the $13,600 to get rid of it.”

Meacham said the town is trying to promote Weldon. “That sets a poor example,” she said of the building on Second Street. “We have to invest in the town before others invest.”

The mayor said the town has the money but former Mayor Johnny Draper asked from the audience where the money was.

“The money is in the budget,” Meacham responded.

Walter Clarke made the motion to approve the appropriation and Martha Alford cast the second.

Following the meeting Draper said the money was not in the line item.

Meacham countered the money was in the general fund, coming from a salary which is no longer paid late part time Town Administrator Neal Phillips and from money left by the unfilled position of the former town clerk who retired.

“It’s an eyesore to the town,” she said.

In another matter tonight, police Chief Mark Macon requested a traffic study to put a stop sign at Prince Street to encourage normal traffic flow along Woodruff Street.

Macon requested the study, which the board approved, after town resident Gary Danek spoke to the panel.

Macon said he wanted to observe traffic patterns and record the number of crashes there before making a decision.

“I think that’s a waste of the town’s money,” said Danek. “I can’t see why there would be a discussion of a survey. If the signs are placed improperly why not place them properly?”

Macon told the board, “The signs have been there for 11 years. We need to take the path of least resistance. You should do what I ask.”

Judge Alma Hinton has signed a gag order in the case of a missing Scotland Neck woman.
Town Police Chief Joe Williams said the gag order was issued to preserve the integrity of the case.  Any information on the case will come from the Halifax County District Attorney's Office. 

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Armed with enthusiasm and information, they are ready to begin the next step in getting Roanoke Rapids ready for a transformation.

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