Former Clerk Accuses Snow Hill of Illegal Water Billing as Board Approves Day Treatment Zoning Ordinance

According to the adopted budget, the increases were restricted from taking effect until July 1.

Snow Hill’s Board of Commissioners opened its Monday evening session with a special closed meeting on economic development and legal advice, then conducted a full slate of public business that featured pointed accusations of illegal utility billing, detailed discussion of a new mental-health zoning ordinance, and routine updates from every major town department. After the public portion ended, the board returned to closed session, this time on personnel, ending the night with private deliberations.

Agenda and Minutes Approved

Mayor Dianne Andrews called the regular meeting to order. The board approved the evening’s agenda and the consent agenda containing the minutes of the June 8, 2026, regular meeting and public hearing.

Juneteenth Organizer Expresses Thanks

Joanne Artis Stevens, founding director of the Rosenwald Center Community Development Corporation, opened public comments by thanking town staff and the community for their support of the recent Juneteenth festival.

“It was simply amazing the support that we received,” Stevens said. “We’re looking forward to next year getting together to meet and have more partners at the table so that we can plan it and make it even a better event.”

Former Clerk Details Billing Overcharges and Public Records Denial

Laquita Davis, the former town clerk, then accused the town of water billing practices that violate North Carolina utility law and of unlawfully denying her public records requests.

Davis said her July water bill was higher than the previous month even though her household had used fewer gallons. She determined the town had applied the new higher rates to water consumed before the rates legally took effect.

“Under North Carolina utility law, rate increases cannot be applied retroactively to utilities consumed before the effective date,” she said. According to the adopted budget, the increases were restricted from taking effect until July 1. For her May 6 to June 6 bill, 100 percent of the water was consumed before that date. For the June 6 to July 6 cycle, roughly 80 percent of the usage occurred before July 1. “Charging the new rate for this period is illegal.”

She estimated her personal overcharge across the two cycles at approximately $25 and said the same error “unlawfully extracts funds from every resident in this town.” Davis said she raised the issue with the town manager on July 3 and was told the billing was correct because that was how the manager had presented it to the commissioners.

While looking into the billing problem, Davis realized she needed the rate-change information that had been distributed to the board. She emailed the current town clerk, Mary Cantey, on July 7 and 8 requesting those documents. A week later, the clerk called and emailed to say the material would be sent. Davis said she never received it.

“The official meeting minutes explicitly state these packets were distributed and are incorporated into the minutes by reference under Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes,” she said. “Documents incorporated into official minutes are absolute public records. Withholding them is a statutory violation.”

Davis asked the board to instruct staff to issue prorated corrections to all affected residents, direct staff to fulfill public records requests within a reasonable time, determine why her request was denied, and clarify the correct flat rate for outside-corporate-limit customers. The town website listed $20 while the budget ordinance listed $23 on page five. The rate-increase notice mailed to residents did not include the proposed rate sheet, she added.

Journey Towards Improved Health Describes Services

Eva Lewis Supel and Bobby Lee Supel next addressed the board on behalf of Journey Towards Improved Health, a behavioral-health and substance-use treatment provider operating downtown.

Eva Supel listed extensive credentials: a master’s degree in education, a master’s in counseling in mental health and rehabilitation counseling from North Carolina A&T State University, licenses as a clinical mental health counselor and clinical addiction specialist, and certifications as a sex-offender treatment specialist and EMDR trauma specialist. She cited more than 20 years of experience in mental-health and substance-use treatment, trauma therapy, crisis intervention, clinical assessments, treatment planning, clinical leadership, and school-based counseling.

“Our goal is to help individuals address mental health and substance use concerns, meet treatment and court-related needs, provide DWI assessments and treatment, and successfully transition back into our community with confidence, stability, resources and continued support,” she said. The organization partners with Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities, Greene County Adult Protective Services, Accountability Recovery Court and other agencies.

“For me, this is personal because Snow Hill is my community,” Supel said. “We want to help strengthen our families, reduce barriers to treatment, create opportunities for second chances, and help people recognize that their pasts do not have to determine their future. At Journey Towards Improved Health, we are not just providing services; we are helping people build a healthier path forward, one person, one family, and one journey at a time.”

Bobby Supel, a certified peer support specialist and 28-year Snow Hill resident, described his role connecting people returning from incarceration or treatment back into the community. He said he had taken a client that very day to Greenville for a birth certificate and driver’s license. The business also runs a resource center that distributes food, school supplies, and hygiene products.

“I love Snow Hill, and I love being in the community and helping the community,” he said. “Our overall goal is just to help people in this town that need help. We want to be one of the resource centers that they can go to if they need any type of assistance.”

Public Hearing and Approval of Day Treatment Zoning

The board opened a public hearing on a zoning ordinance amendment recommended by the town’s planning board. Town attorney Brian Pridgen explained that the current ordinance addresses medical offices only in general terms. The proposed change would add a specific definition for day treatment centers: state-licensed facilities that provide outpatient behavioral-health treatment programs, substance-abuse treatment, or treatment of mental or nervous disorders.

If adopted, such facilities would be allowed only in highway commercial and light industrial zoning districts and would require a special-use permit. Conditions include a 1,500-foot separation from parks, public and private schools, child day cares, residential uses and churches; continuous maintenance of state certification; only one facility per parcel; hours limited so the center cannot operate between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.; patients required to wait inside rather than in the parking lot; and appointment-scheduling rules intended to reduce problems with drop-offs and pickups.

Existing facilities would be treated as nonconforming and would not have to meet the new standards. New facilities would go before the town’s board of adjustment; if they meet the conditions and no substantial competent evidence is presented against them, the permit would have to be approved.

Commissioner Lorraine Washington voiced strong support. “Providers are a great need. This is a necessity. We have a lot of people with mental health, substance use, TBI, and IDD that people really need help. So I mean, this service is awesome. I totally agree with the service because it’s awesome and it’s a need.”

Eva Supel returned to the microphone to address community concerns. “We do understand the sensitivity and the concern that others may have when working with individuals who may not appear as competent. But I want you to know this is not my first rodeo. I have plenty of experience, and to this day there’s a facility operating in Guilford County that's doing well. They’ve been open since 2006, and they were formerly under my direction.”

She invited residents to visit. “We have an open door policy. Even if you’re just curious, come in and see what we do. I don’t mind coming and providing psychoeducation.” She confirmed the current downtown location is not seeking a new facility and that clients are directed not to wait in front of the building.

The board closed the public hearing and approved the zoning amendment.

Sidewalk Contract Tabled, Tap Fees Updated

Town Manager April Vinson asked the board to table a sidewalk-repair contract. She said additional quotes had arrived that morning, but she had learned of needed curb-and-gutter work on Second Street, Third Street and North Greene Street that might be handled by the state Department of Transportation. She preferred to wait for clarity before awarding any contract and to include remaining sidewalk segments on Northwest Fourth and Mill Street. The board agreed to table the item.

The board then approved an updated water and sewer tap fee schedule for 2026, replacing figures last revised in 2019. Vinson said the old rates no longer reflected actual costs charged by the town’s longtime contractor, Edwin Hardy. Inside corporate limits, a three-quarter-inch water tap is now $2,000 and a one-inch is $2,600; outside limits, the figures are $2,200 and $2,800. Four-inch sewer taps are $1,300 inside and $1,700 outside. Larger sizes are priced per job. The new schedule aligns more closely with neighboring rates and current contractor pricing.

Monthly Department Reports

Police Chief Josh Smith reported that nearly all July incidents were closed by arrest. The department issued 20 town ordinance violations and 20 state citations and responded to nine traffic crashes. Welfare checks on elderly or vulnerable residents continued. One newly purchased patrol vehicle has been fully equipped and is on the road; a second is still being outfitted. Every officer has now completed Crisis Intervention Team training. Sergeant Johnson was recognized by the senior center for stopping by to draw bingo numbers and has been invited back regularly. Smith introduced Officer Luke Oliver, who recently passed the state radar exam, and Cadet Wilson, whose fingerprint results cleared the way for his state application.

Finance Officer April Williams presented early-fiscal-year figures. Checking and money-market balances were shown along with monthly interest income and expenses by fund. Activity occurred in the water-sewer capital project and at Well 4.

Public Works Director Travis Warters said lead-and-copper sampling for the month detected no lead in the water; the results will be sent to the state for compliance. Street maintenance and pothole repairs are planned, with heavier attention needed on Jordan Avenue and Trinity Drive. Warters and Vinson met with a consultant to discuss infrastructure grant needs, including backup generators for six of the town’s eight lift stations, rehabilitation of several wells, and replacement of aging galvanized water mains, especially on West Harper Street. Three trucks in the public works fleet are ready to be sold. A contractor is expected to finish the chlorine-tank building shortly after returning from vacation.

Parks and Recreation Director Toni Waters reported strong participation in June and July despite several rain-outs. Tropical Tuesday events with a local shaved-ice vendor generated donations back to the department. Visitors from as far as Durham, Fuquay-Varina and Raleigh praised the facilities as neat, clean and safe. Canned drinks, bottled water and juices are now sold and selling well; snacks may be added next summer. Metal canopies to cover splash-pad benches are being donated by a local fabricator, Austin Bryce. Vinson added that most Phase 2 park benches are installed, donor plaques are expected soon, electricity still needs to be run, and sod will be installed during a favorable fall window so it can go dormant properly.

Manager Report Covers Grants, Downtown Plan and Vehicle Decision

Vinson announced that the police department received a $40,000 grant for four in-car cameras, one laptop and a new radio. After the grant-administration fee, the town’s share is $5,823.70. A second grant application is in early stages. She continues work on a downtown economic-development plan prepared with the state Department of Commerce and is reviewing a detailed list of matching grant opportunities. A state one-time bonus of $1,750 for officers employed as of June 30 will be processed through the town and distributed to eligible staff.

The board discussed a police Explorer that struck a deer and deployed its airbag. Insurance proposed totaling the vehicle. Vinson recommended the town buy it back for the $1,000 deductible as a salvage title and repair it for an estimated $3,000 to $4,000, then move it out of the police fleet into general use. After discussion of insurance implications and salvage-title costs, the board directed staff to gather additional financial details and bring the matter back for a final decision.

Christmas Extravaganza Plans and Final Business

Town Clerk Mary Cantey reported that the Christmas Extravaganza is being planned for this year, weather permitting. Vendor fees will be $50 with electric hookup and $30 without. Performers have already been secured, and leftover bicycles from the previous year will be used. The board approved a rain date of the following Friday so the event can still be held if weather intervenes.

Vinson noted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Greene Central High School scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m.

The board then entered closed session on personnel matters, concluding the public portion of the evening.