MURFREESBORO – Time Warner Cable customers in Murfreesboro will not see high definition service until at least 2010, the town council was told this week.

Eric Collins, director of government relations for Time Warner in the area, told the council he recognized that HD service was a major concern when a Time Warner representative was asked to appear before the council.

That service, he said, had been scheduled to launch in Murfreesboro toward the end of 2009, but “capital funds have been frozen, so it will not happen in 2009.”

He said Time Warner is in its budget process now and “hopefully in 2010 we can make that happen.”

Council member Sarah Wallace pushed for a more definitive answer, asking, “So there’s no guarantee in 2010, either, is that right?”

“Right now,” Collins responded, “we’re looking at a possible launch here in 2010. We’ll know more about that going forward.”

When the council asked Town Administrator Cathy Davison to schedule an appearance by a Time Warner representative a month ago, it also requested a report from the company on how many customers had been lost as a result of Time Warner’s failure to provide the service. Collins told the council the company’s customers remains steady at approximately 500.

Council member Molly Eubanks questioned that: “You say we haven’t lost any customers?” she said. “That’s really hard to believe.”

The council also heard an update from Gene Flowers, the town’s code enforcement officer, on his work. Flowers told the council:

Bids have been solicited for demolition of the building at 401 East Vance;

Following condemnation procedures regarding the property at 709 East Broad, family representatives met with Flowers and with Hertford County Building Inspector Paul Vaughan and were given notice to bring the dwelling up to standards. Flowers said that will include ridding the property of two junked vehicles and a mattress and box springs outside the structure.

“We have a few habitual violators who will not care for their properties unless we push them to do so. Realtors, rental landlords, educators and absentee landlords are our main violators. One of our worst sites is owned by Hertford County. It is a real eyesore to all who cross the Meherrin River bridge coming into town on 258,” Flowers said.

The Ruffin Bros. site has been cleaned up and they have removed the old appliances…

Flowers said he has talked to Sam Ruffin regarding cleaning up his car lot “and he has agreed to clean it up. His problem has been getting people to do the job…”

On the Davison’s recommendation, the council approved the expenditure, before the end of the year, of $4,966.82 in Z Smith Reynolds Foundation grant funds to:

Host a premier of the historic collages to be offered for sale as prints. That premier is tentatively set for Oct. 13 at the Murfree Center and is to be a wine, cheese and hors d’oeuvres event followed by an auction of the two sets of framed and matted prints. Orders for the prints also will be taken at the event.

Purchase tickets for the Candlelight Christmas Tour to send to legislative and foundation representatives.

Advertise the Candlelight Christmas Tour in the Hampton Roads and Raleigh areas.

Police Chief Darrell Rowe reported that the Murfreesboro Fire Department is working toward a grant for AED (automatic defibrillator) machines “that can be utilized by them in the event that someone is having a heart attack on a fire scene or accident.” Rowe said the machines are self contained and have internal diagnostic capabilities that enable them to determine if administration of a shock is necessary.

Approval of a permit for the town’s Dec. 5 Christmas parade was granted during the meeting, as was a request from Doug Eubank, chairman of the Murfreesboro Library Board, that the town develop a Request For Proposal (RFP) for design and architectural services aimed at expanding the library to meet its growing needs.