Trent Woods may consider adding leaders

TRENT WOODS - Commissioners in Trent Woods have called a special meeting Monday to hear from a government expert about the possibilities and consequences of adding leaders to the town board.

Trent Woods, an upscale bedroom community of New Bern, has long functioned with three commissioners and a mayor. But on Monday evening, those leaders will hear a presentation about changing the town's charter and the structure of municipal government.

That presentation may come just ahead of a move to add two commissioners to the Trent Woods Board of Commissioners.

Fleming Bell, a professor and legal expert at the University of North Carolina School of Government, will present relevant information on the matter Monday. He will speak to the Board of Commissioners at 5:30 p.m. in Trent Woods Town Hall.

Mayor Chuck Tyson said Friday that at least one commissioner has shown interest in adding leaders to the town Board of Commissioners, changing the number from three to five. Tyson said Commissioner Bob Shields wanted more information about it from the School of Government. Shields could not be reached.

Tyson said changing the structure of the town board is "part of a discussion that we've had several times now."

"We need to get it settled and move on so we can do the town's business," he said.

Tyson said one of the concerns that has been raised is that two commissioners "cannot have coffee together" because then a quorum of the Board of Commissioners would exist.

"They can't discuss any town business that way," he said.

For his part, Tyson said he opposes adding members to the Board of Commissioners.

"For years, we have functioned with three board members and a mayor, and that has been adequate, that has been good, when it comes to doing the town's business," he said. "If it's not broke, we don't need to try to fix it."

Tyson said he does not expect any action after Monday night's presentation. But commissioners have the right to add items to an agenda if a majority votes in favor of doing that.

If no action is taken Monday, the commissioners could consider it during their regular meeting Thursday.

Even so, changes to the town's charter would likely be preceded by public hearings and potentially a referendum, Tyson said.

Nikie Mayo can be reached at (252) 635-5665 or nmayo@freedomenc.com.