THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 4, 1996 TAG: 9607040592
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER MCMENAMIN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NAGS HEAD LENGTH: 58 lines
In what many considered a record-breaking speedy meeting, the Nags Head Commissioners discussed, voted on and handled 18 pieces of business Wednesday morning in an hour and 25 minutes - with a 15-minute recess.
``They have to put this one in the record book,'' said Gary Ferguson, the town's planning and development director. ``I can't believe this.''
Police Chief Charles Cameron suggested to Fire Chief Timothy Morrision that the commissioners receive a medal of commendation.
Commissioner Douglas A. Remaley thanked the board for its expediency.
Later in the day, nearly 30 people - commissioners, citizens, public officials and fire and police officers - celebrated a ribbon-cutting on the new Nags Head Causeway estaurine access.
``This is truly a first for the town of Nags Head to open a soundside access,'' Mayor Renee Cahoon said. ``I think this is something that is really going to be used.''
Funded by the Dare County Tourism Board, the Division of Coastal Management and the town of Nags Head, the $74,000 salt-treated pine facility was constructed among the black needlerush, wax myrtle and mosquitoes on the Nags Head-Manteo Causeway.
Anglers, crabbers, kayakers and observers can use the handicap accessible ramp, which already hasattracted visitors.
``I've been watching the last week,'' said Ron Strachan, the project's designer. ``And every time I drive by there's about a half-dozen people here.''
Soundside access is becoming increasingly important, said Ed Harrell, a state Division of Coastal Management field representative.
``They've done all kinds of ocean access. But soundside is very rare,'' he said. ``Now, with the advent of jet skis and the population of small watercraft, the sound has taken on a new use.''
During the brief morning meeting, the commissioners:
Approved revisions to the fee schedule for false fire alarms. For each 30-day period, there will be no fee for the first offense, $50 for the second, $75 for the third, $100 for the fourth and $50 added to the last service fee for each additional offense.
The changes, Cameron told the commissioners, ``will help prevent unnecessary responses - often at high speeds - by police, fire and rescue.''
The changes will go into effect Jan. 1, 1997.
Selected the Ship's Wheel Restaurant site for a grant application from the Division of Coastal Management, which awards ocean and estaurine access grants. The town plans to construct at Ship's Wheel an access similar to the new ramp on the Nags Head-Manteo Causeway.
Approved the Dare County Board of Commissioners' request for fee waivers for a planned kidney dialysis center in the Outer Banks Medical Center.
Dare County Commission Chairman Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens had asked for a waiver of ``all fees associated with review, approval and constructions of the proposed addition,'' explaining in a letter to Cahoon that it ``would represent positive inter-governmental cooperation and benefit the taxpayers of Dare County.'' The board voted to waive $2,986.99 - the board of adjustment fee, site planning review fee, building permit fee and facility fees - of the $26,191.99 cost. by CNB