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ROSE HILL — For quite some time, heavy rains have caused flooding in the area near the intersection of Charity and Walnut Streets in Rose Hill. Town officials hope the problem will soon be a thing of the past thanks to a contract awarded to DPH General Contractors of Wallace. The board of commissioners approved the contract at its regular meeting on Sept. 9. The contract calls for repairs and upgrades that affect stormwater drainage in the area.
Before approving the contract, Rose Hill Town Administrator Angela Smith provided the board with details and a history of the project.
“Back in March, we had a special meeting to allocate funds for this project,” Smith said. “The total amount was $441,369, which included admin and other fees. This bid is just for construction only.”
Smith added that the total cost of the project will be approximately $558,400.
The majority of the funds for the repairs are coming from a Golden Leaf Project Construction grant, which will cover all but about $162,000, which will have to come from the town of Rose Hill. The funds will come out of the water and sewer budget for the town.
After approving the contract, a resident in the audience asked if the project would result in increased taxes in town.
Mayor Davy Buckner replied, saying, “It shouldn’t. We’ll have to pay for it, but I don’t think it’s affecting (the town’s tax rate).”
Town Commissioner and Fire Chief Billy Wilson Jr. reported that the town had been approved to place a helicopter landing zone (LZ) pad at the fire department. In the past, the town has utilized a ballfield as an LZ for emergency helicopter use; however, Wilson stated that standing water and navigating stretchers from the edge to the center of the ballfield have caused issues. He added that trains traveling through town have also affected emergency crews’ ability to get to the ballfield.
Wilson said getting the LZ approved required navigating through legal issues and red tape, but that it had finally been approved. Two anti-collision safety orange balls will be installed on power lines near the landing site.
In other business:
The board approved the appointment of Michael O’Connell to serve on the town’s Planning Board. O’Connell is replacing Steven Jones, who resigned. O’Connell’s term will be through May 11, 2027.
The board approved renewing the contract with Crowder Gulf, a disaster recovery and debris removal company based in Mobile, Alabama, with a satellite office in North Carolina. The town has utilized their services in the past and uses them on an as-needed basis, with payments made to the company only when services are provided.
A contract with Southeast Wildlife Management in Wallace was approved to remove stray dogs and other animals from the town. Duplin County Animal Control will only respond within the town limits of Rose Hill if it is a call regarding a vicious, neglected, or abused animal. The town is responsible for all other animal control issues. The contract with the town stipulates an hourly rate of $65, plus mileage, as needed. Citizens needing animal control services are being asked to contact the town hall directly or the Rose Hill Police Department on weekends.
