At the Holly Springs Town Council’s Dec. 1 meeting, retiring Councilman Tim Sack was recognized for his service, and Councilwoman Cheri Lee and Council Member-elect Thomas O’Brien took the oath of office. Their terms are through December 2019.
Councilman Jimmy Cobb was elected as the council vice chair, to act as mayor pro tem in case of the mayor’s absence or disability. The council set its 2016 meeting schedule. Meetings will continue to be held the first and third Tuesdays of every month in the Town Hall Council Chambers at 7 p.m. The July 5, 2016 meeting was canceled due to its conflict with the Town’s annual Independence Day celebration.
Town Economic Development staff updated the council on work to convert the soon-to-be-vacated Holly Springs Police Department building on Ballentine St. into co-working space. Staff is entering into negotiations for lease terms with a private company.
The council also approved of entering contract negotiations for work on the application process to have a 140-acre site west of the Holly Springs Business Park certified for industrial development with the state. In 2002, the Business Park was the first site certified in Wake County by the state, and four years later Novartis, now Seqirus, chose to open its influenza vaccine facility there. Studies required for the application include proof of site buildability, wetlands determination, and geotechnical and topographic analyses.
As part of the meeting’s consent agenda, the council authorized purchasing a new fire battalion vehicle and retaining a consulting firm to complete a comprehensive fire department strategic study.
Also at the meeting, Bob Newton, a US Postal Service mailman who helped a woman having a stroke at a home in Holly Springs while he was on duty, was recognized by the mayor and by family members of the woman he assisted.