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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 29, 19$9
The Orange County Board of Commissioners and the Chatham County Board of Commissioners
met in joint session on March 29, 19$9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Culbreth Jr. High Auditorium
for the purpose of receiving public comments on a proposed boundary line between Orange
and Chatham Counties.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT FROM ORANGE. COUNTY: Chairman Moses Carey, Jr., and
Commissioners Stephen Halkiotis, Shixley Marshall and Don Willhoit.
BOARD MEMBER ABSENT: John Hartwell.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT FROM CHATHAM COUNTyy Chairman Carl Thompson and Commissioners
Earl Thompson, Gus Murchison and Mary Hayes Holmes.
STAFF PRESENT: County Manager John M. Link, Jr., Deputy Clerk to the Board Kathy
Baker, Clerk to the Board Beverly A. Blythe, Tax Assessor Kermit Lloyd and Land Records
Manager Roscoe Reeve.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Chairman Moses Carey, Jr, made introductory remarks. He welcomed everyone and stated
that the proposed county line is the result of discussions between the two Boards over the
last three years. The primary purpose of this proposal is to affect as .few people as
possible and recognize as much as possible the history of this line. The importance o£
establishing this line has never been greater because of the growth that this area is
experiencing. Part of the process in establishing this line is to receive public input
before a final decision is made by each of the Boards.
Chairman Carl Thompson made introductory remarks. He welcomed everyone and emphasized
that establishing the line is important to both counties. The plan that is proposed will
not be disruptive to any family,
County Manager Jahn Link stated that as a result of several meetings between the
Chatham County and Orange County staffs, there has been an agreement on the monument
siting at Starpoint. This proposed line has been drawn on the map.
Roscoe Reeve, Land Records Manager, described the proposed line as shown on the aerial
photographs he displayed. He used the established monument on the Durham\Orange County
line as a beginning point of the northern boundary line of Chatham County which is the
southeast corner of Orange County. He explained the process that will be followed once the
line has been apprgved by both boards.
Commissioner Marshall entered into the record a letter from Elinor Moore Irvin who
expressed a concern that the proposed line would place five or ten acres of her land in
Chatham County. She asked that all of her property stay in Orange County.
PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPEN FOR CITIZEN COMMENTS
Walter Atwater expressed concern that part of his property will be in Orange County
and part in Chatham. He asked what he would need to do when he was ready to subdivide his
land. Chairman Carey stated that he would be taxed in Chatham County. However, that part
of the property that is sufficiently in one county or the other would be govern by the
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rules and regulations in that County. Atwater asked that all his land be put in Chatham
County. He suggested that the boundary line follow his property line. '~"'c
Bob Small asked about the bubbles in the line and what criteria was used in
determining where the bubbles would be placed. Chairman Carey answered that these bubbles
were minimized recognizing the historic location of the property while keeping the line as
straight as possible.
Ken Korach asked about the process of determining this line and asked if after this
line is. established if there is a possibility that in ten years this would come up for
discussion again. Roscoe Reeve explained that this line will be monumented. Once this
permanent boundary is recorded it would take a court decision or an act of the legislature
to change this line.
Steven Edwards asked about the placement of the signs on the highway and Chairman
Carey stated that the signs, especially the one at Starpoint, has no significance as to
where the County line is located. That sign is moved by DOT when they make changes in the
road.
Marvin Hoffman, County Manager of Chatham, stated that each-County appointed five
people who actually located the well, which was a historical, marker. This line does cross
where those five people determined the location of the well.
James Arndt questioned the difference in the lines shown on the two maps and Roscoe
Reeve assured him that the lines should be the same. He explained that there are two lots
that are taxed in Orange County that are below the line. John Link recommended that these "~
properties stay in Orange County. Chatham Commissioner Mary Hayes Holmes stated that
historically these properties have been taxed in Orange County because of the convenience
of being closer to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools. Marvin Hoffman informed the Boards
that these two houses are part of a subdivision which has grown to seven houses. The
other five are taxed in Chatham County. These two properties will be discussed further.
Bob Strowd asked if he would be able to walk this line and Roscoe Reeve stated that
once the monuments are set, a surveyor will be able to determine on the ground where the
line is located.
Jim Atwater asked if the markers will be placed in a straight line and Roscoe Reeve
explained the procedure that will be followed.
John Banks expressed appreciation for keeping the Boulder Bluff section of Wolf's Pond
in Orange County. .
In answer to a question, Roscoe Reeve noted that the Church has a semi-circle
driveway. The line will fall on the south side of that southern driveway.
Ann Harrowood, Clearwater Lake Road, asked if Chatham County Schools would send a bus
out for one or two children. Chairman Carey answered that based on what is shown on the
maps, those houses would be in Chatham County and the children would attend Chatham County
Schools. It was decided that the issue of these two houses and the situation with the
schools would be referred to the County Managers to bring back a recommendation to the
Boards.
Commissioner Willhoit stated for the record that he has a partial interest in a parcel
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-. on the west side of Jones Ferry Road and this new line would put the line nearer the
improvements on this property which would be in Chatham County.
WITH NO FURTHER COMMENTS, THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED.
There being no further items for consideration, Chairman Moses Carey adjourned the
meeting. The next regular meeting of the Board will be on April 3, 1989 at 7:30 p.m, in
the courtroom of the Old Courthouse, Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Moses Carey, Jr., Chair
Beverly A. Blythe, Clerk