Selma Council Approves Policy Changes, Infrastructure Funding Request

SELMA, N.C. — The Selma Town Council voted to apply for a $3 million grant to upgrade the town’s wastewater treatment plant during its March 10 meeting, while also approving new RV parking restrictions, switching IT providers and adopting new electrical line extension fees.

Wastewater treatment plant grant

The council approved a request to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which can provide up to $3 million over a three-year period.

Interim Town Manager Phillip McDaniel said the funding would be used to make improvements to the Selma Water Treatment Plant on South Brevard Street if the grant is awarded.

Planned upgrades include replacing aging equipment with modern pumps, filters, valves and improved security systems.

McDaniel said the plant currently has a daily capacity of just under 1 million gallons. The long-term goal is to expand capacity to about 1.5 million gallons per day.

RV parking restrictions

The council also approved amendments strengthening rules for parking and storing recreational vehicles in residential areas.

Under the updated ordinance, RVs may only be parked in a driveway or designated parking area with an improved surface such as asphalt, concrete, gravel or another all-weather material.

Parking or storing recreational vehicles in the front yard is prohibited unless the vehicle is located in a designated driveway or parking area.

Any RV in a residential district must remain road-ready and capable of moving within 24 hours. Removing wheels from a recreational vehicle is prohibited except for temporary repairs.

IT and phone services

The council approved switching the town’s information technology services to VC3 Inc. of Columbia, South Carolina.

McDaniel said the change would provide improved service at a slightly lower cost. The town currently pays about $121,000 per year to its current provider, Red Lizard. The contract with VC3 will cost $118,416 annually.

John Gentry with VC3 said the transition will take place over the next few weeks without interrupting service.

In a separate vote, the council approved switching the town’s monthly phone service to RingCentral through Spectrum Business at a cost of $1,104 per month.

McDaniel said the new system will provide improved technology at a lower cost.

Special events policy

The council unanimously approved an update to the town’s Special Events Policy limiting street closures to town-sponsored events.

Under the revised policy, events that are permitted but not sponsored by the town will no longer be allowed to close public streets.

Electrical line extension fees

The council also approved a recommendation from Public Facilities Director George Shook establishing electrical line extension fees for new residential and commercial developments.

The new residential fees are:

• Single-family homes: $4,500 per lot
• Townhomes: $3,800 per unit
• Apartments: $2,700 per unit
• Overhead line extension: $14.35 per foot
• Underground line extension: $35.63 per foot

Commercial and industrial line extensions and electrical service will be charged at actual cost. Electric vehicle charging installations will also be billed at actual cost.

Town officials emphasized the fees apply only to new residential and commercial development and will not affect existing homes or businesses. The charges are intended to help the town’s electric department offset some of the costs associated with connecting new electrical service.