The Weldon Town Board tonight approved an appropriation to the police department to have a repeater repaired so officers can communicate with Halifax County 911 dispatchers.
The town used $3,000 from contingency so the problem, which Chief Mark Macon said is an officer safety concern, can be corrected.
The problem appears to be with the antenna which is on top of the water tower. The town has had the system for 10 years and it appears the antenna has taken lightning strikes, which has affected officer communication with dispatchers.
While Macon gave the town board two options, Commissioner Earl Smith immediately dismissed the cheaper one, which the chief said would not last as long and would decrease communication range.
The cheaper option, Smith said, seemed to be one which would endanger officers. “These are your officers, certainly you want them to have communications. I’m sure you don’t want a second option.”
Macon told board members several officers have complained about dead space, particularly around Weldon High School and Halifax. The problem increases with portable radios.
In another matter tonight the board listened as Mayor Julia Meacham addressed them and the public about her first year as mayor, on which the anniversary falls Tuesday.
“I want to thank the commissioners for all of their support this past year,” she said. “I am very proud of their commitment to make decisions that will improve the quality of life for Weldon citizens. We work together as a team seeing that all citizen’s needs and concerns are addressed and are accountable for our actions.”
Meacham thanked the town employees for their work. “They give 100 percent and we appreciate their efforts to see that Weldon citizen services are provided in an efficient and professional manner.”
She also thanked the public and the media, thanking the public for attending meetings, saying, “It shows you care and want to be involved and help make a difference,” and the media for, “Providing outlets to keep those who cannot attend our meetings informed.”
