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On Oct. 19, the Town of Manteo department heads delivered September 2022 reports to the Board of Commissioners. This is a summary of the reports. For more information, refer to the agenda for the Oct. 19, 2022 Board of Commissioners meeting on the town’s website at manteonc.gov.

Finance: Heather Doughtie reported that the town’s auditing firm Thompson, Scott and Price is expected to have a draft audit finalized and submitted to the town and the Local Government Commission by Oct. 31, 2022. The department continues to work with the town’s financial institutions to reduce fees and expenditures for banking services. Accounting technician Valerie Wright started her “Introduction to Local Government Finance” course through Central Piedmont Community College. Her completion date is December 22.

Manteo Police Department: Chief Vance Haskett reported on the extensive training police officers are taking, such as flex CAD training, forensic analysis of shooting incidents in North Carolina, basic narcotics investigation and K9 training. The department’s criminal and traffic report showed seven arrests, 56 citations (including 18 for speeding, 11 for no driver’s license, two for driving while license revoked); 17 investigations including an active rape case, active larceny of anti-siphoning gas nozzle and nail gun.

Planning: Town planner Matt Farmer worked with town manager Melissa Dickerson on Woda Cooper about affordable housing and on the Salt Meadow Landing hearing. Five fire inspections were completed and one technical plan reviewed. Value of building permits issued in September was: commercial $2,514,700; residential $34,573; total cost of permits: $72,888.72.

Public Works Department: As reported by Frankie Woodley, the department staff made in-house repair on truck 15, painted lines for “No Parking Zone” at Magnolia Pavilion parking lot; painted the skate park; installed spotlights at bathrooms in Cartwright Park; replaced the seat and the ADA digger at David Farrow Playground; trimmed hedges in front of the Waterfront Marina office; continued to pick up trash and debris along the causeway and edge sidewalks along Highway 64.

Water and Sewer Department: Josh O’Brien reported that the wastewater treatment plant and the water distribution system were compliant and free of violations for September. No sanitary sewer system overflows occurred. Both the water and sewer department reported much lower location requests in September. For the sewer system, two new taps were installed on Wingina Ave. Belts were replaced on pump #2 at Wingina pump station “that were destroyed by an item flushed down the toilet that should not have been.” At the wastewater treatment plant, microstrainer and grit augers were cleaned and built-up debris removed. Electrical outlets were installed for three new copper removal chemical pumps. Both Cameron Morris and Devontae Armstrong attended trenching/shoring class in Morehead City. Morris attended C Distribution School and Armstrong attended Grade One Collection School at the same location.

Community and Economic Development: Michele Bunce is continuing to work with graduate students from UNC School of Government on a redevelopment feasibility analysis. She attended a Main Street coffee chat meeting with other Main Street communities staffers. Downtown Market finished the 2022 season on Sept. 17, 2022. The Town of Manteo will have a booth in Fletcher at the U.S. Capital Christmas Tree Harvest Celebration on Nov. 5. Bunce has been working with the National Park Service about the Christmas Tree visit in Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Nov. 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. She held subcommittee and staff meeting preparing for Christmas events in Manteo.

Information Technology: Carl Woody talked about cybersecurity and call center scams. Takeways are always verify, don’t give access, check email addresses. He is still working on six videos for the interactive kiosk. He is working with the provider of cemetery software. A camera has been relocated to a new light pole at the intersection of Queen Elizabeth Avenue and Fernando Street. The process for upgrading police officers’ body cameras has started. The IT help desk had 27 tickets and 23 of them have been resolved.

Marina activity: 22 transient boats visited the marina in September. Three boats canceled due to weather or schedule changes.

Maritime Museum: Maintenance has started on the sailing school fleet. The 10th Annual Wooden Boat Show is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Manteo Waterfront.

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