Frequent flooding and drainage problems took priority when Rhett White, town manager, reported to the Columbia Board of Aldermen on November 2.

He said he is exploring possibilities of Albemarle Resource Conservation and Development Council aiding the town with stormwater runoff.

The Albemarle RC&D Council works with local communities in 10 counties around the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds to balance conservation of natural resources with economic and community development.

White reported that the town’s mosquito spraying machine was used in Goat Neck community six times in October. “We spray there every time we spray in town.”

Goat Neck is 13 miles from Columbia, but county officials requested the emergency service following heavy rains and stormwater backups in early October that seemingly multiplied the mosquito infestation.

Grinding down unlevel sidewalks is under consideration, White said, much like was done a few years ago after a Creswell woman was injured in a fall on South Broad Street.

White reported that the county commissioners will host a joint meeting with the aldermen in early February.