Council also prepares to revise budget, honors Nancy Nicholls and receives updates on Project Teapot

By Nicole Bowman-Layton

EDENTON — As crews continue removing long-unused railroad tracks near Edenton’s Mill Village, town officials say they hope the work could eventually create new opportunities for property the town has maintained for years.

The activity, which has drawn attention from residents in recent days, was the subject of a question during Tuesday night’s (July 14, 2026) Edenton Town Council meeting.

Resident J.D. Grant asked town leaders whether they knew what Norfolk Southern planned to do with the property after removing the rails and wooden ties in Edenton’s Cotton Mill area.

Town Manager Corey Gooden said the railroad is removing tracks and railroad ties from both the east and west sides of town. The Albemarle Observer recently observed railroad tracks being removed near Badham Road.

“Norfolk Southern is coming in and removing all those tracks, all of the railroad ties, etc., and we’ll have conversations with them about what their plans are,” Gooden said. “We’re very optimistic.”

Gooden noted that the town has maintained portions of the railroad corridor “for forever years” and hopes that removing the tracks could create an opportunity to discuss the property’s future with the railroad.

“There may be some asking and begging — a change of ownership,” he said.

While the town has no formal proposal before the council, Gooden indicated that acquiring portions of the unused corridor could provide opportunities for future public projects, such as recreational amenities or a rail trail. In past years, getting the railroad to sell its property, even if not used, has proven difficult, town officials have said at previous council meetings.

Norfolk Southern has not publicly announced the purpose of the Edenton project. However, in a Jan. 16 article published in its online newsroom, the railroad said its systemwide Asset Disposition program removes, sells and recycles surplus railroad assets, including unused rail infrastructure, as part of an effort to improve efficiency and recover value from obsolete materials.

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are pursuing an $85 billion merger to create America’s first coast-to-coast freight rail operator. The Surface Transportation Board (STB) accepted their revised application in May 2026 but paused formal review to request supplemental data, with the companies expecting a final decision and transaction closure by mid-to-early 2027.

Gooden also addressed concerns about what appeared to be a leaking Argon tank at the work site.

“We did go out with the fire department. That was all a gas leak on one of the cutting torches that was being used to separate some of the bulkheads,” he said.

Tuesday’s meeting also marked Councilman Craig Miller’s return to the council after an extended absence. In addition to the railroad discussion, council members received an update on the town’s budget following Senate Bill 474, approved a memorial bench honoring longtime tourism advocate Nancy Nicholls, renewed a Verizon cell tower lease and received updates on Project Teapot and several community projects.

Budget revision underway

The council also received its first update on the revision of Edenton’s recently adopted 2026-27 budget after Gov. Josh Stein signed Senate Bill 474, which delays Chowan County’s 2026 property revaluation by one year.

Gooden said staff had not anticipated presenting a revised budget on Tuesday, as they learned after the agenda packet had been prepared that the legislation had become law.

Using the 2022 property values required under the new law, Gooden said the equivalent tax rate would be approximately 55.5 cents per $100 of valuation. Staff will prepare a revised budget ordinance after reviewing potential savings before bringing it back to the council for consideration.

“We would like to take a look at that and see if there’s any savings we can generate,” Gooden said.

Mayor Hackney High encouraged council members to look for temporary cost-saving measures while maintaining essential services.

“I think that we can definitely tighten our belts for a one-year period of time,” High said.

He suggested delaying some equipment purchases, training and other discretionary spending while continuing to prioritize public safety.

Main Street funding explained

Gooden also responded to questions raised during recent public comment sessions by resident Hal Murray regarding the town’s planned $250,000 contribution to Main Street Edenton.

Gooden said the funding is part of the town’s economic development strategy and comes from the electric department’s economic development resources rather than the town’s general fund.

He said the investment was expanded three years ago to help redevelop larger downtown properties that require significant public-private partnerships.

“We’re not talking about a thousand-square-foot unit,” Gooden said. “We’re talking about buildings that exceed 15,000 square feet.”

He said the town has seen a strong return on those investments.

“Every dollar in public funding that is spent, we’ve seen a return between $20 and $23 in private funding,” Gooden said. “How do you finish a $4 million to $10 million project? You have to make sure that you invest more public funds.”

Memorial bench to honor Nancy Nicholls

Public Works Director David Myers said the bench is expected to arrive within eight to nine weeks. The town plans to hold a public unveiling after it is installed.

High remembered Nicholls for her dedication to the community.

“She had a passion for Edenton and had a passion for tourism and really helped us build our brand to where it is now,” he said.

He also requested that the council’s official minutes reflect the town’s “heartfelt thanks to Nancy for her kindness, her vision and her dedication to this town.”

Project Teapot remains on schedule

Main Street Edenton Executive Director Ches Chesson updated the council on Project Teapot, the downtown redevelopment project expected to house Provalus.

Although the General Assembly did not include the project’s requested appropriation in the recently approved state budget, Chesson said work continues.

Utility relocation, telecommunications and stormwater improvements have been completed, while construction of a surface parking lot is expected by late August.

The building remains targeted for occupancy this fall, although delays in obtaining an elevator continue to affect the construction schedule.

“The goal is to have that stuff installed before (Provalus opens) Oct. 1,” Chesson said. “They want to be open, up and running, and doing business Oct. 1.”

Verizon lease renewed

Council also approved a long-term lease extension with Verizon for equipment located on a town-owned water tower.

The agreement, which takes effect when the current lease expires in 2030, provides the town with a $500,000 lump-sum payment rather than annual lease payments.

Gooden said staff recommended accepting the lump-sum option after comparing its value to long-term lease payments and considering uncertainty within the telecommunications industry.

Revenue from the agreement will be deposited into the town’s water and sewer fund because the equipment is located on a water and sewer asset.

In other business

Susan Inglis announced that the Tree Committee has completed its long-awaited revision of Edenton’s tree walk brochure, which had not been updated in more than a decade. The brochure will be printed for distribution to visitors and eventually made available online.

Council members also requested an update on the long-delayed Beechwood development, which has been in the works for about a year. Gooden said he has requested an in-person meeting with the developer, SAGA, to discuss both the residential project and related drainage issues in the area and Hotel Hinton.

Before adjourning, High asked the Police Department to increase patrols on Broad Street after receiving complaints about speeding and excessive vehicle noise. He also thanked Police Chief David LaFon for increasing enforcement on East Queen Street following concerns raised during a previous council meeting.