Sept. 9. By Dave Vieser. The Cornelius Town Board will join Mecklenburg County and the state in an $850 million dollar settlement with opioid drug manufacturers which could result in the distribution of additional funds to address this serious drug crisis.

“While a portion of the settlement funds will go directly to Mecklenburg County, an additional portion will go to each town if they all sign on to the agreement,” said Town Manager Andrew Grant. “Funds will be used for many activities such as treatment programs, early intervention, and criminal justice

Grant

diversion.”

It’s unclear exactly how much money be available to our area as it continues to make its way through the state budget process, according to Denis Bilodeau, mayor pro tem. “It is of critical importance  that funding be received,” he said.

With the board’s unanimous approval, Grant said an arrangement will be made with the county to conduct various programs on the town’s behalf, as long as other towns in the county sign on.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

—Recognized the 234th anniversary of the framing of the US Constitution by officially proclaiming the week of

Bilodeau

Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in Cornelius.

—Reviewed a recommendation from the Planning Board which would update the town Land Use plan by including properties along Sefton Road in the Village Center zone rather than the Highway Commercial. A public hearing on the change is tentatively planned for Sept. 20.