Updated 7:45 p.m.
Davidson’s Town Board will hold a 30-minute closed session before its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night, April 10. The topic has not been disclosed. The closed session begins at 5:30 p.m., and the board “anticipates” returning to open session at 6 p.m., according to an announcement Thursday. (UPDATE: On Monday 4/9/12 the board announced it was canceling the closed session.)

Tuesday’s meeting also will include public hearings on four planning and zoning amendments or projects: Read the full story

Updated Monday 7:13 a.m.
By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson’s Town Board this week plans to revive discussions of a proposed town charter amendment that would lengthen terms for the mayor and town commissioners. At its monthly work session Tuesday the board also is scheduled to hear presentations on the downtown rail station area plan, an economic development strategic plan being drafted by a consultant, and potential changes to the the town Animal Control Ordinance.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. Read the full story

A lone child ran across the Village Green last Friday, Feb. 17, the first day a new rule kept local elementary school students from gathering there. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Concerns about unsupervised children roaming downtown streets and shops have brought an end to the longtime Davidson tradition of Fridays on the Green. Davidson Elementary School officials told parents last week they no longer may give their fifth-grade-aged children permission to walk downtown on Friday afternoons. But some local business owners see no major problems and are lamenting the change, saying it will hurt their businesses.

The school’s interim principal said the ban was prompted by complaints from parents and businesses and concerns about safety and unruly behavior. She also told DavidsonNews.net the students are too young to be out without an adult. Read the full story

Brian Jenest

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

The Town Board over the next two years will face a trio of challenges, Mayor John Woods said Tuesday: Improving Davidson’s financial stability, promoting economic development, and ensuring that decision making happens through “a public process.”

Mayor Woods made those remarks during a meeting that included the election of Brian Jenest as mayor pro-tem, farewells to retiring commissioners Margo Williams and Tim Dreffer, and the swearing of a new board, including newcomers Rodney Graham and Jim Fuller. Read the full story

Commissioner Margo Williams and her dog Gracie on the steps of her Concord Road home last week. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

When Davidson Commissioners meet Tuesday night to take the oath of office for a new term, it will be the first time since 1995 that Margo Williams isn’t in the picture. As she steps down after eight terms, her unwavering and Texas-accented pleas for thoughtful planning, preserving Davidson’s unique character, and ensuring affordable housing will be absent. Read the full story

The Davidson Town Board’s meets Tuesday to say farewell to Commissioners Margo Williams and Tim Dreffer, who did not seek re-election, and to welcome the two men elected to fill their seats: Rodney Graham and Jim Fuller. Meanwhile, other public meetings this week include a Red Line rail line “summit” Tuesday in Mooresville, a MI-Connection board of directors meeting Thursday, and a public information session Thursday on the proposed Red Line commuter rail station off Jackson Street. Read the full story

From left: Bill Russell, Sarah McAulay, Jim Bensman, Tim Holder (Energy United), Robert Reed

The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce on Thursday honored three town commissioners for their commitment to promoting healthy business communities in Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville. Cornelius Commissioner Jim Bensman received the recognition for the third year in a row, and Davidson’s Laurie Venzon and Huntersville’s Sarah McAulay also were recognized at a Northstone Country Club lunch sponsored by Energy United. Read the full story

Carol Quillen

Davidson officials are hoping to keep strong ties between Town Hall and Davidson College, and they’ll be working on a new chapter Tuesday when newly inaugurated Davidson President Carol Quillen appears at a Town Board work session. Also below, info about meetings this week for the Planning Board and MI-Connection Board. Read the full story