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ROSE HILL — The Rose Hill Board of Commissioners took action to close a street within the town limits at the regular monthly meeting on Feb. 11, after a citizen brought up the matter during public comment.
“Tashau Mathis and her husband Derrick came before the board to ask for an exemption from the zoning ordinance rule because part of her property is a once proposed street that was never dedicated as a street, Avalon Drive,” explained Town Administrator Angela Smith. “She asked that the street be closed and a quit claim deed be issued to her for the portion that is named Avalon Drive.”
Mathis stated she had asked for a permit to be issued to put a building on Avalon Drive and was not issued the permit because she does not own the property. Smith advised her that a Resolution of Intent to close the street had to be adopted by the board to get the process started. Town Attorney Kenn Thompson said he thought it would be fine to issue the permit since Mathis owns both lots on either side of Avalon Drive. The board instructed the town administrator and town attorney to start work on the street closure process.
Later in the meeting, the board discussed approving the upset bid process for a parcel of property on Kenansville Road. As the board was about to approve the resolution authorizing the upset bid, Mathis spoke up, saying she had a concern.
Mathis stated that she had offered $13,110.74 during the foreclosure process, but the town had not accepted her offer.
Smith informed her that the opening bid during foreclosure should have included the lien on the property and it did not. The lien was in excess of $16,000 and a resale was ordered on the property to include the lien. At the time, Smith explained, the town was not willing to accept her offer as it did not include the lien. Mathis inquired why the town was now willing to accept the $20,000 offer. Smith explained that the town was entering the upset bid process, which means there may be another bidder who could make a higher offer, or there may be no competing bids at all. However, the board retains the right to accept or reject any bid at their discretion.
Commissioner Ross Powell told Mathis that the town has had the property for about a year and a half, and now may be willing to take the loss at $20,000 but was not willing during the foreclosure process.
The board ultimately approved the resolution starting the upset bid process.
In other business at the Feb. 11 meeting, the board:
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Approved a budget amendment for $15,264 to help pay for a new batting cage at Buck Bradshaw Field at the park.
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Approved an audit contract with Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams & Co. for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
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Approved the grant funding of $950,000 for the Community Development Block Grant for Neighborhood Revitalization, which was awarded last month.
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Heard from Ronda Rivenbark, who pointed out that the town will celebrate its 150th year of incorporation on March 10. She’d hoped that there could be some sort of town-wide event, but there was not enough time to plan. She said she would reach out to Fire Chief Billy Wilson to see if a banner can be hung at the fire department to commemorate the anniversary.
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Learned from Smith that the town will be hosting the first meeting of the year for the Duplin County Municipal Association on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.
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Agreed to offer $500 compensation to property owners affected by three easements needed on Walnut Street.
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Held a closed session to discuss a legal issue. No action was taken.
