The Elon Town Council held a meeting Feb. 24 to amend the code of ordinances, name a new attorney for the town of Elon and hear updates from the planning committee about landscaping of the ramp on Haggard Avenue.


Code of ordinances

Following the last town council meeting, where town manager Rich Roedner presented an amendment to the code of ordinances to the council, the council unanimously voted to begin the process to change the penalties for violating the town ordinances. 

With the council voting unanimously to change the code, it will be amending the period of compliance from 30 days to 12 months. If someone violates an ordinance within 12 months of the original violation, they will be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and receive a $50 fine. 

The previous penalties stated that the person violating an ordinance will be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and fined $50 unless they show they are compliant by receiving no new alleged violations within 30 days of the initial violation and providing proof that they will seek assistance to address any underlying factors related to the violation. 


New town attorney

After serving the town of Elon since 2022, Bob Hagemann will be stepping down as the town’s attorney due to his changing role within the firm he works at changing, according to the town of Elon. 

According to Roedner, the town of Elon has used Hagemann as well as the law firm he represents, Poyner and Spruill, since 2022. With Hagemann’s role changing and no longer being able to serve as the town attorney, Poyner and Spruill recommended Nick Tosco, a partner in the firm who specializes in local government law and complex civil litigation for the town of Elon. 

While Tosco was not present at the meeting, the council unanimously voted to appoint him as town attorney. 


New planning committee member

In addition to appointing Tosco, the council also unanimously voted to appoint Pete Acosta to a vacant in-town alternate seat on the planning board. Acosta currently works as the chief of police of the town of Morrisville. 

“I certainly appreciate the opportunity of wanting to serve in my community where I live,” Acosta said to the council during the meeting. “I recognize the importance of the advisory committees to really help you all make a well informed decision so I'm excited to be a part of that.”

Acosta has worked in law enforcement for 31 years and as the Morrisville chief of police since 2018. Acosta announced to the town of Morrisville on Feb. 13 that he will be retiring as chief of police effective July 4.


Landscaping Haggard Avenue ramp

Town Planning Director Lori Oakley updated the council on the landscaping plans of the ramp off of Haggard Avenue and onto University Drive. This development is a part of the 2019 Town of Elon Recreation and Parks Comprehensive Master Plan, which recommended the beautification of the ramp. 

Oakley who is also working with the New Leaf Society, a nonprofit organization based that works to improve the curb appeal of Alamance County, presented the council with a map of ramp and the foliage that would be planted in the grass of the ramp. This includes swamp white oak, tiger eye sumac and daylilies

Matt Roberts, a registered landscape architect who volunteers with the New Leaf Society, said during the meeting that they were very intentional about the plants picked for this project. 

“Primarily, it's all native species that grow around on their own,” Roberts said. “We kind of picked plants that would have attributes throughout all the seasons, so there'll be a spring bloom for some of the trees, there'll be some really nice fall color.”

In addition to the New Leaf Society working with the town of Elon, it is also contributing $23,000 to the town of Elon for this project, adding to the $10,000 set aside for this project in the Parks and Recreation budget.


Looking Ahead

The council work session will be meeting next March 11.