Council approves pending $975 fish purchase to curb mosquitoes at drained village pond

Public works staff told the council that the recent pond cleanout left the Pond Dunn fishless and created a mosquito-breeding risk. The village27s public-works spokesperson said biologists recommended restocking with bluegill and mosquitofish and provided a vendor quote of $975 for delivery.

"We're in big mosquito season. We need to do something about mosquitoes," the public-works supervisor said during council discussion. Members questioned timing and survival rates in high summer temperatures, noting fall or early spring is usually preferred for stocking. Staff said the fishery could deliver immediately but that a state permit (NC Wildlife) and a short approval process were required; staff expected the permit in about 52D7 days.

Council voted to approve the purchase and asked staff to charge it to a grant fund if OSBM approval for the grant reimbursement is obtained. The motion required that the clerk only place the order once the appropriate permit is issued. The vote passed by recorded voice: three in favor, one opposed (Council member Boyce), with other members concurring.

Separately, staff reported that the pond contractor had completed work and Amy Black27s final inspection was filed. The council moved that the clerk write a letter to the contractor27s bond company to release the performance bond; that motion passed unanimously.

Public works also noted a quoted control-panel replacement of approximately $3,080 and said staff would pursue a lower-cost contactor repair if diagnostics showed that would be effective.