WAGRAM — Wagram’s building maintenance budget will be nearly depleted before the fiscal year ends, as a result of criminals who stole an air conditioning unit from the town’s recreation center.

The town can have the unit reinstalled at the Wagram Recreation Center, but the job will cost an estimated $1,980 Town Clerk, Phyllis Lowery told the board Thursday evening.

“It’s about $2,000 to do the wiring, put it back in place, make sure there’s not moisture in there and [recharge] the Freon,” Lowery said. “The insurance company will reimburse us plus we have a deductible of five hundred and some dollars.”

That could potentially only be the beginning of the town’s problem. A & M Contractors told Lowery that they could not guarantee the unit would work after installation because there may be damage to the interior of the unit that could not be assessed until the unit was reconnected.

City Attorney Jerry Bruner advised Lowery to send the insurance company a copy of the contractor’s estimate and statement to safeguard against further losses.

“Send them that, so they’ll see on there that if it’s not working, we’ll have supplemental [claim],” Bruner said.

The board discussed the idea of fencing in the units and other measures to guard against theft.

“That’s going to have to be in the next budget,” Lowery said. “My funds are light; which the budget is coming up soon, so we’ll see there.”

The unit was taken a little over a week ago and recovered soon after, according to Major Ruben Castellon with the Scotland County Sheriff’s Office.

The thieves left the unit sitting in a wooded area near Wagram.

Lowery also asked the board for $782 for general maintenance of the town buildings including repair of two other air conditioning units.

In other budget matters, Lowery requested funds to cover the fees of lawyers hired to review and revise the town ordinances in the amount of $782.

Lowery also requested $282 for payment to the NC Works, and $500 to cover insurance on the town’s equipment.

Commissioner Robert McLaughlin told the board that he had received a request asking the town to donate funds to Southeastern Community and Family Services, Inc., a nonprofit that provides Section 8 help, as well as assistance through its Community Services Block Grant program. The agency also runs Head Start Centers.

Mayor Milton Farmer said McLaughlin that Southeastern would have to submit a formal request explaining how much the organization needed and what the money would be spent on.

The board is also exploring the idea of an Employee Appreciation Day as suggested by the mayor who expressed gratitude for all the employees do.

“It would certainly be good for morale,” Commissioner Paschal Stewart said.

The board set a budget planning retreat for May 15 at 5 p.m.

Theft drains Wagram maintenance budget
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_Wagbrd.jpgTheft drains Wagram maintenance budget

By Beth Lawrence

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