ST. PAULS — Annexation is getting closer for two areas adjacent to St. Pauls.

During their meeting Thursday, town commissioners certified that the town clerk has notified all property owners in the proposed annexation areas of Broad and Armfield streets and Alford Road and Gillespie Street about the town’s annexation plans. This notification, Town Administrator Stuart Turille said, is required by the state as part of the involuntary annexation process.

According to Turille, the planned annexation will affect 161 people and 62 residences in the area of Armfield and Broad streets, and 80 people and 31 residences in the Alford Road and Gillespie Street area.

A public meeting concerning the proposed annexation is scheduled for Oct. 29.

“The cost benefits of annexation are important,” Turille said. “Growth of the community is needed. We can provide better services at a lower cost if we continue to grow.”

North Carolina is one of fewer than a half dozen states which now allow municipalities to expand without approval of property owners. Critics of the process argue that state law should give residents a choice of whether or not they wish to be annexed.

Both Turille and Mayor Gordon Westbrook say there have been few complaints from residents affected by the involuntary annexation. Westbrook said that some residents in these areas have requested voluntary annexation.

“I’ve heard from one or two that don’t want to come into the town, but they are older residents,” the mayor said. “I think the reason we have had no complaints is because people understand what this will mean for them and the community. We have been working on this for the last five or six years.”

Although those annexed will have to pay town property taxes — 60 cents per $100 of property valuation — Westbrook said they will also be receiving all town services, including water, sewer, street lighting, garbage pickup and police protection.

The commissioners on Thursday also threw their support behind a proposed taxi service for the community.

Debra Locklear, of Parkton, appeared before the board to request a taxicab franchise. Approval of the franchise is pending a criminal background check of Locklear that is required by local ordinance before a franchise can be granted.

Locklear, a house painter for 17 years and former medical services driver, is getting into the taxi business for the first time. She plans to start with one cab that she will drive while providing service for daytime hours within a 20-mile radius of St. Pauls.

‘‘This is a big step for me,” Locklear said. “I like driving and meeting people.”

Mayor Gordon Westbrook said that the town has approved two or three taxi franchises during the past 10 or 12 years, but those receiving the franchises never followed through with establishing their businesses.

“I hope this works out for her,” Westbrook said. “I wouldn’t mind seeing a taxi business here. It would be good to have something like that. We have a lot of senior citizens that don’t like to drive.”

In other business:

— The commissioners approved the removal of two Bradford Pear trees at 319 E. Broad St. Turille said the trees are a public safety hazard because they have caused damage to the sidewalk.

— Turille told the board that the owner of the St. Pauls Mobile Home Park, local attorney George Regan, has been notified of 48 violations of the town’s zoning code. Regan has 60 days to bring his property into compliance with the town’s ordinances, Turille said.

“Let it be known that we want the town kept clean,” Turille said. “If necessary, we will use the courts.”

— Turille said that the commissioners will soon have to decide how to meet the state’s new recycling requirements that restrict plastics from being disposed of in landfills. The board will have to decide whether to opt for a central collection site or have the town initiate curbside pickup of recyclables.

“Until a decision is made, plastics need to be brought to the bin located on the town parking lot next to the police station,” Turille said.