Lake Waccamaw Mayor Daniel Hilburn passed the torch to Mayor Pro Tem Matt Wilson Tuesday. Hilburn read Matthew 24:45-47 in honor of Wilson during the invocation stating he knows he will be a “good steward” for the town.
Wilson, incoming Commissioner Theresa McKeithan, and incumbent Commissioner Frank Carroll were sworn into office by Brent Lanier. Commissioner Terry Littrell was not present due to a sickness, but the board unanimously elected him as the new Mayor Pro Tem. Commissioner Rosemary Dorsey was appointed as Cape Fear Council of Government delegate, and Wilson volunteered as the alternate.
Hilburn was recognized for his 15 years of service to the town and presented his own copy of a proclamation that commissioners and staff had prepared for him. He served seven years on the board before his eight-year career as the mayor of the town.
The former mayor has had a long-standing joke about there being “no key to Lake Waccamaw.” To his surprise, he was actually presented with one by Wilson.
“I have always said Lake Waccamaw didn’t have a key to the town. It had a boat paddle, and it’s in my garage,” exclaimed Hilburn.
The board got down to business immediately after the presentation.
There was no public comment as the decision to annex the town’s own Public Works property was approved for the update of the tower for installation of VIPER radio emergency equipment.
Approval was also given for the sale of land and easements to the N.C. Department of Transportation for landscaping and construction of a sidewalk at the intersection of N.C. 214, Chauncey Town Road, and Flemington Drive. Some work will also be done to both exits into Lake Waccamaw on U.S. 74/76.
Wilson read a request letter from the chairman of the Columbus County Jobs Foundation Les High. High stated in the letter that he felt that upgrades to a trail at the Lake Waccamaw State Park for the purpose of biking and walking would benefit the area. The town is currently working with the Friends of the Lake Waccamaw State Park organization on a bike and pedestrian study for the entire area after receiving a $45,000 grant by the NCDOT in October.
Wilson, Town Manager Damien Kempski, and Commissioner Rosemary Dorsey attended a meeting in Goldsboro last week to seek grants coming to the state budget for addressing the drainage issues in the town.
Dorsey stated that time was of the essence in securing these monies because some of the funding agencies are already accepting applications before Christmas and others will be taking applications in January. The board agreed that this is something they would like to look into to improve stormwater drainage at Lake Waccamaw, especially in the Pecan Lane area.
Wilson ended the open session of the meeting by making a motion to reopen government buildings in the town and lift COVID-19 restrictions including making it optional to wear masks to council meetings.
“I think it’s time we moved on,” said Wilson. Commissioner Frank Carroll seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
