By Miles Layton

EDENTON — As our readers know, the Chowan County Republican Party has nominated Alton Lane to fill the seat of Commissioner Chris Evans, who is resigning effective Nov. 1, and commissioners will vote on the appointment at a special meeting before their Nov. 2 regular session.

County Attorney Lauren Arizaga-Womble told the board Monday that the party’s executive committee sent the county minutes of its nomination meeting that morning.

“The party has recommended Alton Lane as their nominee to serve the remainder of Commissioner Evans’s term,” she said.

See our stories here about Lane and here about Evans resigning.

Evans holds an at-large seat, so the nominee did not have to come from a particular district. Under state law, when a seat is vacated, the party of the departing commissioner nominates a replacement and the remaining members appoint someone to fill the vacancy. The board asked the Republican Party to provide a nominee, according to the meeting agenda. Arizaga-Womble said commissioners cannot vote until the vacancy actually exists, so Monday’s discussion was informational only. Commissioners received copies of the committee’s minutes and information on Lane’s background.

She asked whether the board would rather act at a special meeting before the Nov. 2 session or take it up as the first item on that agenda. Commissioners chose the special meeting, set for 5:30 p.m. The swearing-in would follow the vote, and the regular meeting would begin at 6 p.m. as scheduled. Arizaga-Womble said that would avoid any gap in representation.

Extension office reports strong volunteer, grant numbers

Mary Morris, county extension director for N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Chowan County Center, gave the office’s annual report. She said every dollar counties spend on Extension returns $27 in economic benefit. Story’s feature photo — that’s Mary giving her presentation to the commission.

“For every dollar you spend, you get 27 dollars back in revenue,” Morris said.

She told commissioners that county agents delivered 1,587 programs in the past year, with a total reach of 230,491. Volunteers donated 1,093 hours, which she valued at $38,025. The office raised $94,226.79 through grants, donations, sponsorships and fundraisers, she said.

On the agriculture side, she said field crops agent Will Haynes has expanded research trials in the county, including wheat and corn variety trials and a peanut-cotton trial. Chowan will host the Northeast Ag Expo Summer Field Day on July 29, 2027. Morris said the 2026 date on the slide was a misprint.

She also cited 4-H highlights. Fifty-nine youth took part in the livestock show, earning more than $90,000. The Extension Master Gardeners donated 751 hours, and the Medicare counselor served 774 clients.

Kirby questioned how the program totals are counted. Morris said repeat sessions and contacts made by phone, email and at the county fair are included. “All the contacts are not necessarily in person,” she said.

Kirby also asked where the $34.79 hourly volunteer rate came from. Morris said NC State sets it and passes it down to county offices.

Senior center gets more time to test evening hours

Commissioners agreed to keep the Chowan County Senior Center open until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday through Dec. 31 so staff can collect more attendance data.

The board approved the longer hours Sept. 21 as a trial for October. The agenda listed a request to extend them through November, but the clerk told commissioners Monday that the request was actually for December.

Recreation Director Brian Chappell, who presented the senior center report, said evenings have drawn between seven and 15 additional people, depending on the day. He said three months of data would be more useful than one. “We would like to get three months of data instead of just one,” Chappell said. He said the information would support a request for expanded hours when budget talks begin in the spring.

Commissioner Larry McLaughlin, who serves on the Senior Center Advisory Board, said the holiday season can change people’s habits, which is why the advisory board favored a longer test. He said there is also money in the center’s budget to pay staff for the added hours. “There is money available,” McLaughlin said.

Several commissioners pressed for a benchmark.

Commission Chairman Bob Kirby asked what level of interest would justify making the hours permanent. “We’re trying to establish the level of interest so that we can decide to make it permanent or not permanent,” he said.

Commissioner Tony Shaffer asked whether the center had set a baseline. Chappell said it had not, and that commissioners would decide what is sufficient once the numbers are in.

Evans said the three months would help set that mark. “He’s trying to collect enough data to create that benchmark,” Evans said.

Shaffer also asked whether approving the extension would commit the county to funding longer hours every year.

Chappell said it would not.

“I won’t be coming back asking for any more this year,” he said, adding that about six months remain in the center’s current budget. He said staff would bring a presentation at budget time showing what year-round evening hours, and possibly Saturdays, would cost in part-time salaries.

Commissioners voted to approve the extension.

Door buzzers planned at Public Safety Center

Commissioners approved a plan to add cameras and buzzer-controlled entry at the side doors serving the Veterans Services and Planning and Inspections offices in the Public Safety Center.

According to the agenda, people have been coming in through those doors and entering from the rear of the tax office, which staff described as a safety and security concern. County Manager Kevin Howard said the county considered putting doors in the hallways to seal off the area, but that would create heating and cooling problems. The recommended system lets staff unlock the doors remotely for known visitors and see who is entering. Howard said it would include a camera and a buzzer at each door, with three staff stations: one at the desk of an administrative assistant, one in inspections and one in veterans services.

McLaughlin said the upgrade was worth it. “In today’s world, it’s probably be better safe than sorry,” he said.

County will follow state holiday schedule

The board voted to follow the state of North Carolina’s holiday schedule for county employees, which gives three days off at Christmas every year.

The county’s personnel policy is to follow the state schedule unless the county changes it. The current county schedule allows only two days off when Christmas falls on a weekend, according to the agenda. The agenda said all neighboring counties follow the state schedule and allow three days.

Howard asked the board which approach it preferred. Evans said he favored the state schedule and made the motion. “I think it makes sense to stay on the state schedule,” he said.

Kirby confirmed that the change would apply going forward and not just this year, making the state schedule standing board policy.

Last note: Commissioners also held a public hearing on a rezoning request for 1823 Virginia Road. That item is covered separately. More on that in a future story.