Town receives unexpected gift

(Editor note: After this story went to press we received information that Dorothy Burton Hubbard and her family have a history in Littleton dating back to the 1800's.)

An unexpected gift of $5,686.90 from the estate of Dorothy Burton Hubbard for the Littleton Town Cemetery was well received at the monthly meeting on Monday. None of the members knew Dorothy and weren’t sure what her connection was to the town. The letter accompanying the check stated that more money might be gifted to the town.

Attempts by the Observer to learn her connection to the town were not successful, with two of the three families with the surname of Burton listed in the telephone book saying they had no idea who she was. Attempts to reach the third family were not successful.

In a campaign that has lasted four to five years it was also announced at the meeting that the second of two run-down houses on Mosby Avenue is in the process of being torn down. Mayor Mason Hawfield told the board that Jackie Buffalo, the owner of the property, has contracted the same company that tore down the first house. The demolition was started last week.

It was announced by Town Commissioner Betty Willis that citizens should be aware that the town will be painting the inside of the water tower on Jan. 21-23. While the tower is being painted water coming into town will bypass the tower and be pumped directly into the town’s system. 

During the painting water will have to be drained from the ends of the lines to balance off the pressure in the lines, this will be done through the hydrants. There should not be any loss of water pressure to the town water customers, but she asked that people try to curtail water usage as much as possible during this period.

She also said that people who notice the water gauge at the tank is lower than normal during this period should not be alarmed, because that is a result of the work being done.

It was also announced that many of the town’s streets may be torn up in the near future to allow crews to finish the sewer work in town. It had been hoped that this would not be necessary, but it is unavoidable. 

Police Chief Mike Suggs sought the board’s approval to go ahead with a grant request from NC Governors Highway Safety Program. The grant would be for the hiring of a drug and traffic police officer. If approved, the officer must spend the majority of his time on drug control and traffic. 

If awarded, the grant will cover 100 percent of the salary for the officer for the first year, 75 percent for the second year and 50 percent for the third year. The grant also covers $40,000 of the cost of a vehicle and other necessary equipment. The board approved his request.

Suggs also reported that he is trying to get an order from the NC Superior Court to evict Horace Alston from the house at 405 Ferguson Street. Alston was arrested in December for the second time in a year on drug possession charges. After the first arrest on Jan. 20, 2007, Alston pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and served 30 days in jail. 

The house has no electricity or water and has failed two county inspections for occupancy.  After the second inspection on Oct. 22, Alston was told he had to vacate the house, but he has not done so. 

The next town meeting will be on Feb. 4.