Southern Shores Town Council Approves Key Renovations

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News Summary

The Southern Shores Town Council held a meeting on April 1, 2025, making significant progress on crucial construction initiatives. The council approved renovations for Town Hall, including transforming spaces and upgrading access equipment while staying within budget. Additionally, updates on the Trinitie Trail Bridge project show it is under budget, with paving extending to the Deerpath Lane intersection. The council also ratified a transition of the Southern Shores Volunteer Fire Department to a municipal department, addressing multiple community-focused agenda items.

Exciting Developments in Southern Shores: Council Approves Renovations and Updates Construction Projects

Southern Shores is buzzing with excitement as the Town Council wrapped up its latest meeting on April 1, 2025, showcasing some important updates on key construction initiatives! The council made major strides in enhancing their community with the much-anticipated Town Hall renovations and progress on the Trinitie Trail Bridge project.

Town Hall Renovations on Track

During the meeting, the council addressed the renovation plans for the Town Hall, which have been each and every bit essential to the desires of the community. After reviewing the bids, it became clear that the initial estimates exceeded the set budget. Not to worry, though, as the heart of Southern Shores thrives on negotiation. Town staff jumped right in to negotiate with the lowest bidder, adhering to all the needed regulations laid out in the N.C. General Statutes.

Thanks to some savvy decision-making, the team found an impressive way to save costs by reducing the size of the file storage space. This adjustment allowed the renovations to come in line with the final budget of $231,690.05, which includes a cozy cushion of 10% for unexpected expenses. What’s on the agenda for these renovations, you ask?

Transforming the existing conference room into a welcoming reception area.
Giving the planning and administration entrances a needed upgrade.
Installing three brand new interior doors for a fresh look.
Replacing the front door with a modern unit featuring updated electronic access equipment.

The enhancements don’t stop there! Future projects lined up include constructing a charming new front porch at Town Hall and replacing all old electronic access control equipment.

Progress on the Trinitie Trail Bridge

Moving on to another exciting project—the Trinitie Trail Bridge. The council was thrilled to relay that this project is not only on schedule but also cruising under budget. In a strategic move, the council approved a change order costing $27,502.71 for additional paving, which will extend the paving from the bridge all the way to the Deerpath Lane intersection. When completed, this will definitely make for more enjoyable strolls and bike rides throughout the area.

Fire Department Transitioning to Municipal Department

In further news, the council ratified a significant memorandum of agreement related to the transition of the Southern Shores Volunteer Fire Department into a municipal department. A working group has been diligently meeting each week, including council members and the fire chief, to develop the terms for this important merger. It’s a conversation that truly underscores community safety and the value of collaboration.

Agenda Highlights

But wait, there’s more! The meeting tackled several other agenda items that are bound to captivate residents. The council took the time to declare April as both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Fair Housing Month, reinforcing its commitment to social issues. There was also a resolution bolstering the authority for expanded housing construction for local government employees—a move to enhance community development.

Other topics included the designation of surplus property, finalizing a 2025 audit contract, and discussing adjustments to the Town Code that will classify certain violations as class 3 misdemeanors, with fines of up to $500. The council’s foresight in addressing these topics is certainly commendable.

Conclusion

The meeting wrapped up with a closed session to discuss private matters, and while council member Paula Sherlock had to miss this session due to family commitments, the overall tone was one of positivity and progress. With renovations underway at Town Hall and the bridge project well on its way, Southern Shores is truly stepping into a bright future!

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