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The Boykins Town Council met May 11 and approved the proofs for new town entrance signs, voting to purchase them immediately, and the council also learned more about the special election to fill a council seat, the town’s new website and the ongoing matter regarding legal ownership of a Beaton Avenue lot.

Boykins Town Clerk Victoria Edwards stated in an email interview that Mayor Jackie Robertson informed the council and clerk that the Town of Boykins Petition for Writ of Special Election to fill the council seat left vacant when Robertson was elected mayor Feb. 9 was approved. 

The special election will be included in the general election Nov. 2, she noted. 

“Anyone interested in filing has until June 8 at 7 p.m. to do so,” she said, adding that forms can be found at the Southampton County registrar’s office or the Boykins Town Office.

She mentioned that the Town Council appointed Robert “Chet” Poland to fill the vacant council seat until the special election, at which time, the newly elected council member will immediately begin serving the Town of Boykins.

Edwards said she reported to the Town Council that citizens now have the option to pay taxes, refuse bills and other fees online at the town website — www.townofboykinsva.com.

“The town website went live in January with the help of COVID-19 relief funds granted to our locality,” she said.

Citizens can find council meeting agendas and minutes in addition to forms and permits all on the new website, she noted.

Edwards stated that replacing the entrance signs at the Beaton Avenue town entrance and the southern entrance on Route 35 was the current fiscal year’s capital outlay project. She said the Town Council approved the proofs from Major Signs in Suffolk and voted to purchase them immediately. 

“The signs will be identical to the entrance sign at Beechwood Cemetery,” she said.

Referencing the aforementioned Beaton Avenue lot, Edwards said there is confusion as to who legally owns a small triangular lot next to the railroad right of way on Beaton Avenue. 

“This first came to Town Council’s attention in April when Mayor Robertson was approached while cutting the grass on the lot by relatives of Mr. Antwon Person, who believes the lot was included in his purchase of the adjacent property in 2008,” Edwards stated. “The Town and Mr. Person both have deeds they believe describe the lot. Unfortunately, both deeds are vague in description and do not give a complete legal description of the lot.”

She said the Town of Boykins’ deed has the lot number but no legal description, while Person’s deed has an incomplete legal description but no lot number. 

“A surveyor has been out to survey the lot to help provide clarification,” Edwards said. 

She noted the surveyor’s findings will be given to Commissioner of Revenue Amy Carr, who will make the appropriate corrections. Until then, the matter is still unsettled and on the agenda for the June 8 meeting.