At its Oct. 7 meeting, the Holly Springs Town Council approved enlarging the reclaimed water system service area where new developments will connect with the service. The amendment also matched reclaimed water system regulations with language already in the town’s Unified Development Ordinance. It’s another step toward expanding the environmental and economic benefits of this innovative service unique to Holly Springs in southern Wake County.
Reclaimed water is treated wastewater that can be used for irrigation and other non-potable uses. It reduces the amount of water the Town withdraws from the Cape Fear River, expands the amount of wastewater the Town can treat, and saves customers money as it is provided at a lower cost than treated drinking water. Click here for more information on the Town’s reclaimed water system.
Also at the meeting, the council adopted a resolution urging a safe and courteous Halloween. Suggested guidelines include:
- that trick-or-treating should take place on the actual Halloween holiday, Oct. 31, and should be
restricted to children under the age of 13; - that trick-or-treating be conducted preferably between early evening and 9 p.m.;
- that those who choose not to participate in Halloween indicate so to others by leaving theirporch lights off; and that participants respect them by not visiting those homes;
- that suspicious activities or collected treats that show signs of tampering be reported to thepolice at (919) 557-9111; and
- that teenagers (ages 13 to 19) refrain from participating in trick-or-treating and that those whodo, should not wear masks.
Click here for a complete copy of the resolution.
The council supported the Holly Springs Rotary Club’s Little Free Library project. In the coming months, the club plans to build and install two little free libraries, which will look like large wooden boxes on posts. Inside the boxes, visitors donate and pick up books. The club is considering locations near the Hunt Center and downtown.
Also at the meeting, the council amended the budget fee schedule to add a development petition expiration extension fee, approved a copy machine lease agreement, and entered into an agreement with PSNC Energy for $27,604 to extend natural gas to the North Main Athletic Complex. The council also approved an amendment to the Union Ridge pump station preliminary site plan and created a temporary extra permit specialist position in the Code Enforcement Department.
The council approved payment of $4,615 to the NCDOT to construct a sidewalk as part of the state's Bass Lake Road bridge replacement project. The sidewalk connection will provide a connection near the southern limits of Town. Construction is expected to be complete in the winter of 2015. During construction, Bass Lake Road will be closed to traffic at the project location, but vehicles will be able to access Bass Lake Park. The posted detour route will be Sunset Lake and Holly Springs roads.
The council adopted a budget amendment assigning $21,240 collected from Fuquay-Varina for the installation of equipment to manage the sale of drinking water. Holly Springs recently began delivering drinking water – via a newly-constructed water system connection – to Fuquay-Varina, per an annexation/water purchase agreement. Fuquay is purchasing a minimum of 500,000 gallons per day from Holly Springs.
The council commemorated October as Community Planning Month. The Town’s Department of Planning & Zoning has endorsed the World Town Planning Day and National Community Planning Month programs for 14 years in recognition of the efforts of the Town to protect and enhance the quality of life for residents through proactive planning.
The Department of Planning & Zoning is the lead department for the initial review and coordination of all new development projects in Town. The department also is the manager of the Town’s farmers market, which is completing its eighth season. Click here to learn more about the department.
Representatives from the Kraft Family YMCA addressed the council and spoke about the Kraft Y's activities and how they impact Holly Springs.