MISENHEIMER — The Misenheimer Village Council discussed continued funding and architectural decisions for the historical Gladstone Academy building at their regular meeting on Monday night. Present for the meeting were Mayor Michael Herron, Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Watson, Councilor Michael Burrage and Councilor Micah Edquist. Councilor Peter Edquist was absent.
The council voted to decrease the budget item for land and street maintenance by $40,000 to shift those funds to the Gladstone renovation project. The council also voted to appropriate $31,000 from the general fund to the project as well. This brings the total of funds that the village is investing in this renovation project to $121,000 with a pre-existing $50,000 line item for the project already in the 2017-18 village budget.
The Gladstone Academy was established in the 1880s and was a finishing school for young women run by the Episcopal branch of the United Methodist Church. The Academy Building that now exists on Wesley Chapel Road was built in in the 1890s. The building was then converted into a church in 1916 and served as a church until the 1930s. After years of disuse the Village of Misenheimer purchased the building.
Some of the architectural decisions — such as the exterior walls being painted white — have already been determined, but the council had not yet considered the color of the tin roof. The council did not make a decision on that question, but will consider their options and take input at the next meeting.
“We all need to take a look at it, this building will look like what we decide for the next 35-40 years,” said Edquist.
Edquist, who is a contractor, understands the importance of historical renovation projects in a community.
“We owe it to the building and we owe it to the community to make this building look nice,” he said.
The council is also still considering options for a sign at the historic property.
In addition to the Gladstone discussion, the council also made various appointments to boards and commissions. The appointment remained the same as last year. Village Clerk Anita Blair will continue to represent the village on the Rocky River Rural Planning Organization Technical Coordinating Committee. Herron will serve RRRPO Transportation Advisory Committee. Watson was appointed as the Centralina Council of Governments Delegate. Edquist and \Watson will continue to share the duty of being on the Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Blair requested that community members fill out the Bicycle Pedestrian Plan Survey. The survey will assist the village in setting spending priorities for grant money provided to improve the safety of walking and bicycle areas in north Stanly County. The survey can be found on the Village of Misenheimer website.
The council voted on a meeting schedule for 2018. They will continue to meet on the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Meetings will continue being held at the Community Building.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, at 6 p.m.