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June 8, 2009

Boynton selects mayor, hears resignations

By Donna Hales

BOYNTON — Marie Wilson was named mayor in a 2-1 vote at the Town of Boynton’s regular meeting Monday.

The clerk read resignations of Town Clerk/Treasurer Pauline Osburn and Mayor/Trustee Erma Jean Wilson.

Osburn has been charged with violations of the Open Records Act by refusing to give trustees and other people public records. Osburn was directed to do so by prosecutors and was arrested and charged after she still refused to make public past-due water bills ranging up to more than $8,000 and who owed them.

Sundry issues, including lowering mayor and trustee salaries was tabled until the next meeting.

Wilson was selected to sign checks alone until a town clerk is named, again on a 2-1 vote.

Boynton has been unable to pay a check that bounced to the city of Haskell for $10,483.55 but will be able to pay it this week, said acting Town Clerk Kay Lang.

Haskell Town Clerk Judy Simmons said another water bill went out to Boynton June 1 for $10,115.55, and Boynton now owes Haskell is now $25,887.15 for water.

Checks have bounced before, but Boynton always made them good before the next bill was due, Simmons said.

Haskell Town Council met Monday and on their agenda was an item: Consider and act regarding water service to the town of Boynton.

“Our rules say if an insufficient check isn’t picked up immediately, we cut the water off,” Simmons said before the meeting. “They (city councilors) don’t want to. But as it stands, right now the citizens of Haskell are paying for the town of Boynton.”

Simmons said later in the evening the Haskell Town Council voted to try to work with Boynton and not cut off their water.

Lloyd H. McClendon of Rural Financial Consultants, LLC made a pitch to help Boynton get their affairs in order. He strongly suggested a water rate hike might have to be part of the solution, saying water rates at Boynton had not been raised since 1991.

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