Polk cancels April 2 meeting

During the Polk County Board of Commissioner March 16 meeting, commissioners decided to cancel their April 2 meeting because of the Easter holiday. Commissioner Michael Gage made the suggestion. The county’s next meeting will be on Monday, April 20.

Operation Medicine Drop a success in Tryon and Columbus 
On March 21, 2015, the National Take Back Initiative known as Operation Medicine Drop was held across the country to safely collect and destroy expired and unneeded prescription and over-the-counter medications. The operation collected 8,573 dosages of medication. The Columbus Police Department held an event at CVS Pharmacy and collected 3,734 dosages of medication and the Tryon Police Department held an event at the Tryon Fire Department and collected 4,839 dosages of medication.

Tryon Farmers Market chooses Palmer Street again

During Tryon’s March 17 council meeting, Dawn Jordan with the farmers market told council they prefer to use the Palmer Street location again this year. Jordan thanked the town for its support. The Tryon market runs May through October on Thursdays from 4-6 p.m.

Polk County Recreation offers spring break camp

Parents needing childcare the week of spring break in Polk County can consider the Polk County Recreation Department. The county will be open Monday-Friday, April 6-10 from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Activities include activities at Stearns as well as a field trip to the Greenville Zoo and field trip to the county recreation park in Mill Spring. Visit the county’s website at www.polknc.org/recreation for forms or call 828-894-8199 for more information.

Columbus renews fireworks contract with Zambelli
At the Columbus Town Council meeting March 26, council voted unanimously to renew the Fabulous Fourth of July contract with Zambelli Fireworks. The $10,000 contract provides for a 20-minute fireworks display. According to Tim Barth, town manager, Columbus will pay for the fireworks using occupancy tax monies, which must be spent on events and marketing that promote tourism and visitors to the town. The town receives just over $20,000 a year in occupancy taxes, according to Barth.

Columbus fills ABC Board seats; asks for volunteers for Planning Board

Columbus Town Council, at its March 26 meeting, appointed Kelly Hamby and Glen Burgess to the ABC Board for two-year terms. They replace Marshall Watkins and Devin Williams whose terms expired. On the Planning Board, council declined to renew the expired term of member Chris Rome. Council appointed Bevin Corbin, who had been serving as an alternate, to fill the seat previously held by Rome. Two alternates are still needed for this board, and Mayor McIntyre asked that if citizens are interested in serving to contact him or the town manager.

Columbus awards contract for preliminary engineering report

Columbus has entered into a contract with Municipal Engineering Services Co., PA for a preliminary engineering report that will enable the town to proceed with obtaining financing arrangements for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements identified by town council as priority items. At its March 26 meeting, Columbus Town Council approved the $25,000 contract. Town Manager Tim Barth said the report will take about a month to complete, and then Municipal Engineering Services will assist the town with applications for grant monies to use toward infrastructure improvement projects.

Litter pick up days
Columbus is planning two community-wide litter pick up days and asks for volunteers to help from 5-7 p.m. on March 31 and April 7. Volunteers are asked to gather at town hall to receive their assignments.

Columbus asks for grant to fund summer concerts
The Town of Columbus has submitted a grant application to the Polk County Community Foundation for a five-concert series to be held at Veteran’s Park on Saturdays beginning in late June and ending in late August. The town will learn in late May whether the grant request will be funded.

 

# # #