Flooding was a concern, with residents like Diana Babington from Casey Road describing the severe impact on her property due to unresolved drainage issues. Despite improvements to the road, the lack of open culverts continued to cause significant flooding in her barn and arena. Babington emphasized the urgency of the problem, stating, “we can’t live underwater,” and urged the council to expedite the process of opening the drains on Casey Road. Another resident, Miss Harding, also detailed how recent roadwork had exacerbated flooding on her property, causing significant damage to her pasture and impacting her ability to care for her horses.

In response to these concerns, council members acknowledged the historical lack of proper engineering in road construction and assured residents that new plans are in place to ensure drainage is considered before any further road paving. However, the response did not fully satisfy residents like Miss Ruth Menor, who insisted on a collaborative approach to develop a comprehensive neighborhood plan for drainage rather than placing the onus solely on individual homeowners.

The council also debated the proposed millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year. A public hearing on the matter revealed strong opposition from some residents, who advocated for rolling back the rate to 2.7 mills, citing previous increases in garbage fees and suggesting budget cuts could alleviate the tax burden. Council members expressed differing opinions on the necessity of the proposed rate, with some emphasizing the importance of maintaining adequate funding for infrastructure and public services. The council ultimately voted to approve the millage rate of 3.00 mills, representing a 10.9% increase in property taxes, despite concerns about the financial implications for residents.

Another topic was the removal of native trees. Christina Wallac sought approval to remove five native trees from her property to build a home, asserting her family’s long-term ownership of the land and commitment to maintaining its natural aspect. The council approved the removal with a unanimous vote, following a discussion on the regulations and the need for council approval for such actions.

Residents also raised concerns about the density of recreational vehicles (RVs) in the area. Robert Austin from Hide Park voiced strong opposition to proposals for a high-end RV park, arguing that it was unsuitable for the single-family residential community. He highlighted traffic concerns and the potential for increased congestion.

The council deliberated on the ordinance regarding building heights, with public comments seeking clarity on the regulations and their implications for the rural character of the town. There was a discussion about the ordinance’s historical context and the need to preserve the town’s visual landscape against potential overdevelopment. The council considered adjusting the height limitation to explicitly state, “no more than 35 feet or two stories,” to prevent further ambiguity.

Other discussions included the impact of significant rainfall on local flooding, with a council member detailing the town’s experience of over a billion gallons of water in a short period. The council is working to address these challenges within the constraints of budget and manpower. There were also updates on grants and funding opportunities, with mention of a local mitigation strategy that included ten projects.

The meeting touched on various other topics, including the ongoing work of the Tourism Committee, concerns about a sinkhole near a church, and a new initiative aimed at assisting the elderly in the community. The council expressed a collective desire to balance fiscal responsibility with community service.