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ommissioners heard requests for volunteers – for town boards and county initiatives, made a decision about future pickleball courts, and learned of a potential candidate for the new Oriental police officer.

In attendance were Mayor Sally Belangia, Commissioners Paul Jordan, Iris Cooper, Lou Ostendorff, Dan McGuire, and Chris Moffat, Town Manager Diane Miller, Finance Officer Lisa Millington, and Police Chief Bill Wichrowski.

Meeting Recap

• SUP (Special Use Permit) approved for Casa Que Pasa to serve alcohol
• Dinghy Dock project bid approved, video shared showing extent of damage to the dock
• Public spoke in support of expanding / repairing tennis courts in Lupton Park to create two additional pickleball courts
• Board would not approve tennis courts expansion at Lupton Park due to impact neighboring residents. Master recreation plan would be developed for pickleball courts at the Oriental Recreation Park (dog park) instead
• Contractor for Water Valve Replacement project selected, pre-construction date set
• Water Burnout happening: switching chlorine for chloramines for 30 days water system cleanse
• Area Agency on Aging presentation revealed zero volunteer advocates in Pamlico County — the county is allocated 5
• At the May Town Board meeting: representatives from town’s auxiliary boards will explain functions to help advertise board positions
• Mayor Belangia led a moment of silence in memory of the passing of Sherrill Styron
• Chief Wichrowski said an offer has been extended to a candidate to be the new town officer, details revealed after vetting completed

Joe Geraghty speaks in favor of repairing and expanding the courts at Lupton Park.

Public Comments

Buddy Kelly The board approved a motion to allow several “Flickas” (a special type of 20-foot sailboat known as a “pocket cruiser”) to dock at Town Dock 1 to celebrate “Flicka Fest” on May 15–17. Kelly said the aim is to share with the public “Living on the Flickas.”

Dan Forman
Forman said he has been a resident of Oriental for 50 years. He said the current two existing pickleball courts were not sufficient and that extensive wait times limit participation. Forman said, regarding the noise complaints, that he lived near Zimmerman’s and that residents who choose to live in Oriental accept noise as part of the local environment.

Forman said that the proposed pickleball court expansion “is only five feet” on either side of the tennis court and that supporters had already raised over 25% of the cost. He noted that the town will have to spend the money to repair the tennis court at some point.

Joe Geraghty
“Celebrating life outdoors is Oriental and pickleball is an extension of that. We are at a tipping point now. There are too many people waiting for the courts. We are raising money for half of the repair costs. It is a win-win for the town.”

Sarah Holt
Holt told the board that the current tennis court is a dangerous trip hazard. “You can easily trip and fall. I have seen people fall.”

As a retired physician, Holt said physical fitness, social activity, and having fun is how we age well. She continued: “We are an older community and it is important to support those activities that keep people healthy.” She said they were sensitive to the concerns of neighbors and noted that special balls are available to manage the noise. “We are not really a rowdy bunch.”

Casa Que Pasa alcohol SUP approved

The request for a Special Use Permit (SUP) to have alcohol service was unanimously approved for the 3-story building next to the taco truck at the corner of Hodges and Water Streets. NOTE: Oriental’s permitting system grants use for alcohol service, it does not grant ABC licenses; that falls to the state.

The public hearing session received no objections from the public, and the property and application met the criteria for an SUP.

Manager Miller said that there were actually two properties, however, the SUP was only for the property with the building. As part of the permit requirements, signs designating where alcohol is not permitted must be posted. If the outside tables are on the parcel with the permit, alcohol can be served there. If they are on the property without the permit – near the food truck – alcohol service is not allowed.

400 Hodges Street (left ) and 316 Hodges Street (in the red box). The Special Use Permit only allows alcohol service at 316 Hodges Street.

From the Pamlico GIS system: the Casa Que Pasa properties at the corner of S. Water Street and Hodges Street. The parcel outlined in blue is the property with the alcohol service permit.

Manager’s Report

Dinghy Dock Seawall Project Moves Forward
The Town Board approved the bid from Bobby Prescott Construction for $49,450 with a 10% contingency. Miller said “one storm — not even a hurricane — could take out the seawall.”

“The only thing holding the substrate to the road is fabric and oysters,” said Miller, explaining that the boards no longer go all the way down. “There are places where you can see that there is no board there.”

Miller shared a video from Bobby Brewer of the Harbor and Waterfronts Committee showing the condition of the seawall. Miller said the improvements will build a modern seawall, new tie-backs, and add granite in front of it to help stop anything from coming out of that wall. The cost, she said, is funded out of Harbor Waterfronts, not the general fund.

“If we lose that bulkhead, we would lose the road,” said Commisisoner Don McGuire. “It would make it difficult for people who live around there to get to their homes.”

Financials Update
Town Manager Miller said 75% of revenue has been collected. Sales tax is two months behind, which she said is typical.

Miller said the town is $5,000 ahead of where it was last year. DMV taxes do not include April, May, and June, which residents will not pay until required. Miller said she is allowed to use last year’s number — $42,000 — and plans to do so for the upcoming DMV taxes.

As of March 31, 2026, Oriental had collected $27,000.

Auxiliary Board Report: Water Advisory Board
Chair Roger Huth reported that the bid for the Water Valve Replacement Project was approved. A contractor and the terms of the contract had been accepted, he said. Huth predicted the project would be completed “well before the year ended.”

The Booster Station Project is at approximately 90% completion of the design phase, Huth reported. The booster station project will increase water pressure for residents on White Farm Road.

Auxiliary Boards Need New Members
The May Town Board Meeting will feature representatives from each auxiliary board to educate and answer questions about their roles. There are several upcoming openings that need to be filled by the end of June.

Tree Board: 4 openings in June
Parks & Recreation: 3 openings in June
Harbor Waterfronts: 2 openings in June
Planning: 3 openings in June
Board of Adjustment: 1 opening in June
Tourism: 2 openings as of March 31

Those interested in joining an Auxiliary Board after the May meeting can apply online and will be nominated and approved at the June Town Board meeting.

Additional Items
• Public Hearing set for Short Term Rental at 505 Mildred Street, to be heard at the May Town Board Meeting
• Commissioner Lou Ostendorff approved as the representative to the Bay River Metropolitan Sewer District board (BRMSD)

Area Agency on Aging

Angelia Pridgen is the Lead Regional Ombudsman of the Area Agency on Aging.

Pridgen explained the mandate of her office to receive and investigate complaints, provide training and information to the public, encourage visitation of residents, and work with other long-term care providers.

Involuntary transfers and poor quality of care are the most common complaints. Pridgen’s territory includes 5,600 long-term care residents. Pamlico County has 40 residents and Grantsboro has 180.

Pridgen said long-term care residents have 17 guaranteed rights, which are required to be posted in each facility. Among those rights are the right to vote, to receive mail unopened, handle their own money, not to be discharged illegally, and to have access to a phone.

Commissioner Ostendorff asked if the program had experienced any budget cuts. Pridgen said it was slated to be eliminated, however, advocates in North Carolina fought hard to save the program. “We were on the chopping block. It was scary,” said Pridgen. The program has not been reauthorized.

Currently, Pamlico County is allocated five resident advocates but has none. Pridgen is requesting volunteers to serve as advocates in Pamlico County. Call Angelia at 252-638-3185 if you are interested in learning more about being an advocate for long-term care residents.

Officer Bill Wichrowski talks about a potential new hire.

Police Report

“I am excited to announce that we are in the midst of hiring another officer,” Wichrowski said. An offer has been extended to a candidate. “Most of the week I have been focused on the background checks that need to be done.”

Wichrowski said the candidate has 12 years of experience. “He does not need to be brought up to speed about what an officer does.” The new officer could be hired as early as May, said Wichrowski, but “no promises.”

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Iris Cooper spoke regarding the pickleball court expansion request in Lupton Park.

“I would like to address the pickleball issue. For the last three months we have been inundated with letters, pro and con, and it is time to talk about it. First of all, we can respectfully disagree — bullying and name-calling is not needed and we have seen some of that. I understand the passion for pickleball. I get it. We have a whole community to consider. If we say ‘no’ to Lupton Park it does not mean we are saying ‘no’ to pickleball. We listen to the residents, so we cannot just dismiss their concerns.

“I think I speak for the other commissioners: we are not inclined to consider an expansion of Lupton Park. Here is what we would like to do — provide a master recreation plan that includes suggestions for pickleball and the suggestions that the Parks & Recreation Board made to us.

“Once we have the master recreation plan, we are considering investing in this. It will open up grant funding opportunities.”

Dates to Know

The next Town Board Meeting will be Tuesday, May 12 at 6p.

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Story by Laurie Stahlmann

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Related Information

• April Town Board Meeting Agenda
• Consent Agenda
• Auxiliary Boards
• SUP For Alcohol Service: Casa Que Pasa
• Dinghy Dock Repair Bid Award
• Manager’s Report
• Short Term Rental SUP Request
• Budget Amendment
• Police Report
• Bay River Sewer Metropolitan Sewer District Board Application

Posted Sunday April 26, 2026 by Allison DeWeese