By Steve Plunkett
Town Manager William Thrasher apologized for not giving more information about his efforts to obtain grants for Briny Breezes, but said he would share more details as soon as he has them.
“I know things appear to be out of phase, but sometimes you have to assume certain things in order to meet the timeline of grants,” he told the Town Council at its June 22 meeting. “And our next grant application hopefully will be this September. And if awarded, funds or monies will be available for expending July 2024 and we would have three years to expend those funds.”
Thrasher’s remarks came after Susan Brannen, president of the Briny Breezes corporate board, complained about being left in the dark on the town’s efforts to get outside money to combat sea level rise.
“So to set the record straight, the board of directors has no official opinion about the proposed conceptual stormwater plan. Lots of questions, even concerns, but it has not come to the board for discussion, as there is still lots of unknown information,” Brannen said.
“Paramount in this discussion is the question of what does it mean to accept federal and/or state funds and how will it impact further progress of remediation of our sea wall,” she said.
She said she and Michael Gallacher, the corporation’s general manager, had reached out to Thrasher, Mayor Gene Adams and Council President Christina Adams to establish better communication.
“It is concerning that this has all been done without getting any input from the board of directors,” Brannen said.
Thrasher said the corporation “is in the power seat.”
“We cannot proceed without their approval. There will be nothing that could transpire or will transpire without their approval,” he said.
On a related matter, he asked the aldermen to authorize Mayor Adams to review and then sign a written form with the corporation over its agreement to transfer 70% of the contracted fees for police, fire and emergency medical services to the town, up from 29.5%, so that both sides can proceed with budgeting for fiscal 2024. The town and the board have previously agreed to the terms, he said.
“They would just like to have a written record for their files,” Thrasher said before the council approved the idea.
In other business, the council appointed Darlene Lozuaway, a full-time resident on North Ibis, to represent District IV on the Planning and Zoning Board. She will take the place of Suzanne Snyder-Carroll, who was appointed in April but because of personal circumstances was unable to serve.
The council will next meet at 3 p.m. July 27, an hour before its regular monthly meeting, in Town Hall for a budget workshop.
Comments