ELIZABETHTOWN — The Elizabethtown Town Council feted Police Chief Bobby Kinlaw Monday prior to the board’s regular monthly meeting.
Kinlaw will officially retire from his duties as police chief on Monday, Aug. 31. Mayor Sylvia Campbell presented Kinlaw with his badge and a resolution acknowledging his service to the town and forthcoming retirement. Upon his official retirement, Kinlaw will also be given his service weapon, said Town Manager Eddie Madden.
He said the town had the badge framed for the presentation.
“Last evening was, as the mayor said, ‘It was bittersweet.’ The thing that impressed me the most about the ceremony was the show of support from Bobby’s (Kinlaw) fellow officers,” said Madden.
Campbell said on Tuesday that Kinlaw has left some “big shoes to fill.”
“He’s done an outstanding job. He’s always surrounded himself with outstanding officers and he set the standards very high for his officers,” said Campbell.
She added that Kinlaw, with his easy going manner, made the residents and businesses owners feel at ease in talking with him.
“He’s a very humble person and that humbleness made him very popular with the people,” said Campbell.
His fellow officers lined the Council Chamber and saluted Kinlaw as he entered the meeting on Monday, according to Madden. Kinlaw was also met with a standing ovation by the board and those present at the meeting.
Also on Monday, the board amortized a utility account grant application for the airport industrial park taxiway access project Phase I. According to Madden, the project has been discussed many times and is being funded by grants from the N.C. Division of Aviation, and the Department of Commerce. The total cost of the project is $1.2 million and will connect the airport to the Elizabethtown Industrial Park.
Madden said the taxiway project will help in attracting aviation-related businesses and those industries that need access to the airport to the industrial park.
In other business:
— The board presented a resolution in memory and in honor of J.C. Batchelor to his family members for his service to the town on the Elizabethtown Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.
— The board approved a a policy for reimbursement for plainclothes police officers. Madden said the reimbursement is for officers who typically wear plain clothing in their day-to-day operations. Madden said in lieu of receiving uniforms, they will receive reimbursement for the cost of the clothing they purchase for work.
— The board approved a contract with the Wooten Company to perform updates to the sign regulations in the Elizabethtown Zoning Ordinance.
— Madden updated the board on code enforcement matters for the property located at 1501 West Broad Street. He said the property was discussed at the lunch meeting.
“I explained the sensitivity of the property in question,” said Madden.
He said the property has both sentimental as well as historical value and before moving forward with a demolition, Madden said the town staff will try one more time to make contact with the owner.
“Our efforts so far have not been successful,” said Madden.
He said the roof is leaking, the yard is overgrown with weeds and vines and some of the windows are broken.
Madden said it was agreed to try one more to contact the current owner about bringing the property up to code.
— The board appointed Lorenzo McDowell to the Elizabethtown Planning Board.
— The board moved the September meeting to Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m.
— The board accepted a donation of real property from Dr. Ray Cross. The property adjoins Leinwand Park and totals about 0.22 acres, said Madden. The property is located off of Martin Street and Nobie Street.
—Erin Smith can be reached at 910-862-4163.
