BY MILES LAYTON
EDENTON — Chowan County Commissioners will convene Monday evening for a regularly scheduled board meeting packed with key decisions affecting public safety, education, local libraries, and community infrastructure.
The meeting begins with the Consent Agenda, a section composed of routine items that can be approved by a single motion unless a commissioner requests further discussion. Included in this agenda are the June 16 meeting minutes, and a surplus declaration for outdated equipment. Among the items up for surplus are a Typhoon full-function emergency siren, a cup holder radio mount, and seven Speed Turtle flash modules—all of which are set to be sold via GovDeals, an online surplus auction platform.
The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Chowan County Public Safety Center beginning at 6 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend or follow meeting summaries through the county’s website.
Youth Delegate to Be Recognized
The meeting will also include a moment of recognition for Mason Conner, who has been selected as Chowan County’s delegate to the 2025 NC Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Annual Conference as part of the YouthVoice program. Conner, a local student, will represent Chowan County in discussions with other young leaders across North Carolina, gaining insights into government operations and community service.
Camaryn Byrum, a Chowan County Extension agent, will introduce Conner to the Board. Commissioners will also take a group photo with him for display at the YouthVoice Breakfast held during the statewide conference.
Tax Collection Items on the Table
Tax Administrator Chris Hill is scheduled to present several tax-related items. These include the acceptance of settlement for the current fiscal year, as well as the official orders to collect 2025 taxes and unpaid taxes from prior years. These are standard annual procedures ensuring the county remains on track with revenue collection.
Sheriff Seeks to Shift Position
One of the more notable action items involves a request from Chowan County Sheriff Edward “Scooter” Basnight. The sheriff will propose a temporary reallocation of a staff position from the Sheriff’s Office to the Detention Center for a six-month period. The shift, according to Basnight, will help address an immediate staffing need at the county’s jail facility.
Generator Redesign at High School Sheltering Facility
Commissioners are also set to consider a $21,560 change order to modify the generator connection at the new John A. Holmes High School gym and cafeteria. These facilities are slated to double as community storm shelters during emergencies, making reliable backup power a critical feature.
The change order addresses a redesign of the generator’s connection system—an engineering adjustment likely deemed necessary during the ongoing construction phase. If approved, the revised system would enhance the shelter’s ability to function independently during power outages, offering safety and comfort to residents during extreme weather.
Fireworks Permits Streamlined
In an annual housekeeping item, the Board will consider delegating fireworks permit approval authority to the county Fire Inspector for the coming year. Under a policy originally adopted in 2019, the inspector is allowed to approve applications from pyrotechnic companies with a history of safe operations in the county.
This year, only one company—Shot in the Dark Pyrotechnics—has requested frequent permit consideration. Other vendors will continue to require case-by-case approval by the Board of Commissioners before their events. If granted, the authority will allow for a more streamlined review process during the busy summer and holiday seasons.
Library Board Proposes Bylaws Update, Regional Appointments
Another significant item will involve the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library. The Library Board of Trustees has submitted a set of proposed bylaw amendments for commissioner approval. These include the addition of a formal “Order of Business” for trustee meetings, along with clearer procedures for appointing representatives to the Albemarle Regional Library Board.
In the same motion, commissioners will be asked to approve the appointment of Betty Tynch to serve on the regional library board alongside Marie Perry and Jenny Wells. These volunteers help guide library services across multiple counties, and their appointments are crucial for maintaining cooperative governance within the system.
Fire Truck Transfers to Local Department
In a move to support rural emergency services, the Board will also consider the transfer of fire trucks to the Center Hill-Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department. The trucks, likely aging units being phased out from other departments, will provide continued value to this smaller station and improve its capacity to respond to emergencies.
