Photo by Matt de Simone
By Matt de Simone
The Town of Buchanan has a new, permanent town manager, Angela Lawrence.
The town worked with the Berkley Group to find a permanent replacement for George Hayfield, the former town manager. Earl Mathers has acted as interim town manager recently, and assisted with Lawrence’s hiring. Mathers’s appointment as interim manager will end September 3, with Lawrence’s appointment as new town manager beginning August 30. Additional duties will include Lawrence being the town’s zoning administrator and subdivision agent.
Mayor Tristan Harris referred to Lawrence as council’s “top pick” during the process.
“She was a unanimous pick,” Harris said. “I think we have a good (personality) to help lead this town.”
Harris read a resolution appointing Lawrence to her new position. Town council then unanimously approved the resolution. Meeting attendees applauded council’s decision.
In other news from Buchanan Town Council’s August meeting, council member Rose Jeter thanked the volunteers who worked the Reggae by the River music festival on July 20. A presentation by Adam Beason of the Lazy Man Dub Band was tabled by council until the September meeting due to technical difficulties.
During the citizen comment period, a couple of citizens suggested for the town to hold a candidates’ forum prior to the elections this November at a “neutral site” for candidates to engage with residents sharing their experience and what they would like to see for Buchanan in the future.
In the monthly town manager’s report, council received an update on Mathers providing logistical support in the process of recruiting and hiring Lawrence as the new town manager. The town’s health insurance policy now allows for a shorter waiting period for coverage, consistent with the vast majority of jurisdictions, according to the report. The town followed up on various citizen complaints and issued one letter to a landowner demanding compliance with the town’s COD/zoning regulations. The town also communicated with local law enforcement regarding vandalism. One citizen made note of this during the citizen comment period asking what can be done about future issues.
The next meeting of Buchanan Town Council is Sept. 9 at Buchanan Town Hall.
