The Pinehurst Village Council on Tuesday approved a resolution pledging to reduce carbon and protect the environment.

The resolution accepts the North Carolina League of Municipalities Green Challenge and "pledges that the village will work toward achieving the various levels" of the initiative, "indicating measures accomplished to save energy and other natural resources over the next three years."

The program says that participating cities and towns choose "practical actions" to conserve energy, natural resources, and money.

"We are well on our way," Councilwoman Lorraine Tweed said, adding that the village has already been involved in water conservation, recycling and tree preservation.

The program outlines three levels -- first, intermediate and advanced -- that each have different requirements a participating town must meet. A newly created committee will be added to the conservation commission for the program.

Also during the work session, the council held the first of two public hearings to consider Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The first "generic" hearing, according to Community Development Administrator Steve Austin, is designed to announce that CDBG funds are available. The second public hearing is held on a specific application to be submitted to the state for funding.

The village will be able to apply for $750,000 for infrastructure, which could be used to install water and sewer line in areas that do not have services. The second phase of the Jackson Hamlet sewer project would qualify. Money for economic development, housing development and "concentrated needs" -- a category that targets a small block or neighborhood for comprehensive housing and infrastructure improvements -- can also be sought.

In other business, the council approved two traffic ordinances. One lowers the speed limits throughout the Village Acres subdivision and on Lake Hills Road to 25 mph. The other is to install three three-way stop intersections at Clarendon Gardens as requested by the homeowners' association board.

Mayor George Lane presented a gold star to Matina Dwyer, the widow of Spc. Joseph Dwyer.

Dwyer, a Pinehurst resident, was an army medic made famous by a photograph of him carrying an injured boy to safety during the early stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dwyer died in June of an accidental overdose after a lengthy battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The star was mailed to Lane by James E. Gaffney of Placentia, Calif., who was struck by the story and wanted to show his appreciation for Dwyer's service. Matina Dwyer received a standing ovation from the council and members of the audience.

Contact John Krahnert at 693-2473 or by e-mail at jkrahnert@thepilot.com.