Councilman Hodges made the motion approving the amendment to Article VII Section 7 of the Town of Belhaven Personnel Policy. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

Water Plant Update
Town Manager Johnson stated that the new Reverse Osmosis (RO Plant) was producing high quality water at 350 gallons per minute (gpm). Town Manager Johnson stated that he would prefer that the plant produce water at 425 – 450 gpm. Town Manager Johnson stated that the 350 gpm was not a problem but producing 425-450 gpm would be more ideal. Town Manager Johnson explained that the town had, during the planning stages of the new water, applied for and received a grant to tie Beaufort County Water and Belhaven Water System together should either system need to purchase water from the other system for any reason. Town Manager Johnson stated that this was a fail safe to have and the county water was utilized when the town was switching over from the old water plant to the new.

Town Manager Johnson stated that the Council needed to set a date for a ribbon cutting and open house at the new water treatment facility. The consensus of the Council was to have the ribbon cutting, open house with luncheon at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, September 9, 2003. Town Manager Johnson stated that an invitation would be placed in the newspaper.

Town Manager’s Report
Town Manager Johnson reported briefly on the following:
1) Auditors were here last week and gave a good preliminary report, should present the audit late September or early October;

2) Breakwater – Engineers from the Corps of Engineers have reviewed and Town Manager Johnson took soundings, Mayor Boyette has been in contact with Congressman Jones concerning the replacement of the breakwater and the breakwater will be repaired/replaced, Mayor Boyette stated that he liked the concept of replacing the breakwater with granite rocks and that this would cost approximately 1.5 – 2 million dollars; other options steel with concrete an estimated 1.5 million dollars and repairing the existing breakwater .5 – 1 million dollars. Mayor Boyette emphasized the importance of the breakwater and the positive manner in which it would help the development of the waterfront and for existing home sites on the waterfront;

3) September 1, 2003 Monday, Holiday Labor Day – cancel meeting – Councilman Hodges made the motion to cancel the September 1, 2003 meeting due to the Labor Day Holiday and lack of pressing business;

4) announced that Utilities Director Dewitt Hardison has given his resignation and will be working until the end of September, hate to see him leave as he has six years with the town and received a National Honor through the American Public Power Association (APPA), in the process of advertising this position.

Mayor Comments
Mayor Boyette commented briefly on the following:

1) will have a new Post Office in Belhaven – Belhaven is the #1 priority out of 542 sites to have a new facility within two years – want to keep the post office downtown;

2) Incumbents have filed for re-election, Mayor Boyette praised those who filed for their willingness to serve their town;

3) Mayor Boyette stated that the Council and town needed to host a Fire and Rescue Appreciation Day for those that serve their community, Mayor Boyette stated that Mrs. Ellen Allen, Secretary-Treasurer presented to the Council a request for two pro-paks, one for each ambulance, Mrs. Allen stated that the pro-pak is essential for vitals signs on patients as it is hard to get a pulse or take a blood pressure on a noisy, bumpy truck. After much discussion, Council consensus was to host an appreciation day in October at the department and to invite Pungo District Hospital to assist and to get information to Town Manager Johnson and Town Clerk Adams concerning this day of recognition, also, motion by Councilwoman Wilkerson for Town Manager Johnson to bring back to the next meeting a way to purchase two used pro-paks at an estimated $3,500 each for the department, Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously.

4) Paul Wood now Fire and Rescue Chief, following the resignation of Golet Holloway, new assistant chief will be voted on and presented to the Council for concurrence.

5) Mayor Boyette emphasized the need to expand the department and to encourage members to become EMT certified and asked for support of the department from the council and community.

Adjournment
There being no further business, Councilwoman Heath made the motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Hodges seconded the motion which carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.