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History repeated itself at the Summerfield Town Council meeting Tuesday night, as residents sparred yet again in a hearing over the town’s proposed change-of-government referendum.

The council decided in June to allow residents to vote on whether to change to a council-manager form of government in this year’s election and approved a resolution of intent on the matter in July to put the item on the ballot.

But as Town Attorney Bill Hill explained, state statutes required another hearing, clearing the way for the ordinance to be adopted at the next council meeting on Sept. 11.

The legal requirement set the stage for another debate on whether the town should switch from a mayor-council to council-manager form of government.

Beth Kaplan said she supports the change for a variety of reasons, including giving town staff one boss to answer to, which she said could reduce the recent high employee turnover rate.

Other residents opposed to the referendum cited a lack of information regarding the change and questioned its necessity.

"It sounds like we are trying to rush this through and get it on the ballot; we need to stop and take a deep breath," said council candidate Don Wendelken.

"Why do we need it?" Alicia Flowers, another candidate, said. "When the council ran (to be elected), they said they were ready, able and willing to govern the town — what’s changed? Are you no longer willing? No longer able to do the job? You want to turn it over to someone I can’t vote for — that’s the biggest problem."

The change, if approved, would result in the hiring of a town manager to oversee day-to-day operations of the town, carrying out policies put in place by the council. The manager would have the authority to hire and fire town employees and make other management decisions in the best interest of the town.

Council would still set all town policies and supervise the town manager and government operations from a reduced role that includes some exclusive powers such as passing the town budget.

The council voted 4-1 to pass a second resolution of intent to put the matter on the ballot. The ordinance itself, which still requires approval from the Department of Justice, is set to be heard in September.

Among other business, the council:

• Approved a resolution supporting the naming of the future I-73 through the area "Charles Bruce Thoroughfare" after the town’s founder.

• Approved a resolution opposing the Haw River/Jordan Lake Watershed Protection Rules.

• Voted to continue until September a hearing regarding a change in the development ordinance regarding special event facilities. The amendments relate to permanent centers devoted to activities such as weddings, parties and banquets. The item was continued over concerns regarding how the Summerfield Community Center would be affected by the proposed amendments.

• Appointed Robert Flowers to the town’s Parks & Recreation Committee.

• Approved an offer from Piedmont Land Conservancy to pave Vineyard Greenway.

• Agreed to allow Town Administrator Michael Brandt to begin accepting bids for the construction of a storage/office building for the Summerfield Community Park.

• Continued an item regarding options to update census addresses in the town until next week’s meeting.

• Approved a $28,100 contract with Westcott Engineering for civil engineering services related to Phase II of the Summerfield Community Park.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7157 or rseals@news-record.com