Beginning September 1, Atwood City Hall will shift to a four-day, 10-hour schedule, keeping the doors open later Monday through Thursday while closing on Fridays.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the change at its August 14 meeting.
City Hall hours will be 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
“Some of this is coming from the citizens, because we have a lot that work [during regular hours],” said Atwood Recorder Amanda Browning.
Clerk Rita Galloway added, “This allows people who work different hours to have more opportunities to come in and take care of their business.”
Alderman Gerald Mauldin supported the change but noted that the board should review it later.
“Give it three months,” he said. “You’ve got September, October, November, we can readdress it again in the December meeting.”
Mayor Fridie Agee agreed, adding that adjustments could be made if problems arise.
The measure passed with a 2-1 vote. Alderman Randy Long voted ‘no’.
The board will revisit the change at its December meeting before deciding whether to make it permanent.
Water System Concerns
Water operator Jim Cooper urged residents to install their own cutoff valves to avoid costly repairs.
“Please, please, please, everybody, get a cut off on your side,” Cooper said. “It’s a lot cheaper to go spend $6 and put your cut off on your side than breaking it on the city side. We can’t keep having this happen. It was fine back in the day when parts were cheap, but they’re not cheap anymore.”
He explained that breaking a city-side valve could cost around $900 to replace due to high parts costs.
“We’ve got a good water system here, but parts aren’t cheap anymore,” Cooper said. “It’s a lot better for the homeowner to spend a few dollars up front than for the city to spend hundreds replacing a meter.”
Recorder Browning said town ordinance has required residents to have their own separate cutoffs since 1963.
Cooper urged board members to spread the word among residents to install their own. He added that the city is willing to work with homeowners during new line work if they supply their own materials.
Traffic Safety at Railroad Crossing
Alderman Jim Lewis brought up concerns about the Second street intersection intersection near the CSX railroad crossing.
“I think most people may not realize there’s a stop sign there,” he said.
He suggested that some new signs be installed that are up to code.
Alderman Long explained that the railroad used to paint lines at all the crossing approaches, but have stopped doing so in recent years, and suggested that the town pay a local company to do the striping.
Everyone agreed to seek estimates and consult with Carroll County about possible options before making a final decision.
City Hall Technology Upgrade
City Hall will also be closed until Au20 while staff undergo training on a new computer system.
Browning said the update is necessary, because the Atwood’s current software is so outdated that it will no longer be supported after October 1.
Financial Report
Browning reported that the city ended the fiscal year on a strong note, with revenues exceeding expectations in several areas.
Local sales tax brought in about $269,000 compared to the $205,000 budgeted, while interest earnings reached more than $106,000, far above the $20,000 originally anticipated.
Atwood’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9 at 7 p.m.
