Lafayette Gatling has made all his lease payments so far on the Roanoke Rapids Theatre, the city said this morning.

The Chicago businessman has thus far paid the city $678,338, Finance Director MeLinda Hite said.

His next payment of $250,000 is due by midnight Monday. The funds are wired to the city’s bank account.

Gatling signed papers in March to buy the theater from the city. Timely payments mean Gatling will get a $1 million discount off the $12 million price of the venue.

The city will still have to pay the remaining amount due on the $21.5 million bond package used to finance the theater’s construction, opening and infrastructure needs.

According to the contract, rent payments are considered delinquent if received after the 10th day of any given month. Tenant shall pay the landlord interest at the rate of 10 percent per annum — or such lesser amount as may be the maximum amount permitted by law — on all overdue payments of rent from the due date thereof until payment. Notwithstanding this foregoing, tenant shall not be considered delinquent until after the expiration of five business days following written notice from the landlord.

The state Department of Transportation says it is negotiating fees for contracts on financial and planning studies for the tolling of Interstate 95.

Roberto Canales, coordinator of Strategic Initiatives for the department, told The Spin in an interview today tolling the highway from the Virginia to the South Carolina lines seems the best option for funding major highway improvements. “Could I tell you that two to three years down the road? I could not tell you.”

Canales said DOT is studying the practicability of putting tool booths on the road. He said the study would not be completed until about 18 to 24 months.

The department will hold meetings with the public and government officials before starting, Canales said.

The Spin first reported Tuesday night Roanoke Rapids Mayor D.N. Beale stating DOT officials told him tolling the highway was a reality, although few details were forthcoming.

The state Turnpike Authority told The Spin this morning no proposals on the matter have been brought to the agency.

City employees will say farewell to Pete Connet and welcome Paul Sabiston next Thursday at the Jo Story Senior Center.

Employees are paying for the luncheon from their own pockets, Mayor D.N. Beale said this morning. The luncheon will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Beale said an event introducing new City Manager Sabiston to the entire community is being planned. Sabiston begins his job Monday. Interim City Manager Connet will stay to brief him.

Connet bid council farewell at its Tuesday night meeting.

Beale said the city was glad to have Connet. “He’s really a nice guy. I’m sure Smithfield (where he previously worked) was glad to have him.”

Sabiston has been in Shallotte nearly five years and was town administrator in Mexico Beach, Fla., before that.

The city manager will earn $95,000 a year and will receive a monthly car allowance of $350 and 35 cents per mile for business travel outside Halifax County. He will receive a PDA/Blackberry device from the city and will be reimbursed up to $9,000 for moving expenses with the understanding he gets two estimates.

The city will pay temporary living expenses of $500 per month until he obtains a sale and closes on his existing home not to exceed six months. He is required to obtain permanent residency within the city limits within six months.