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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19610306Minutes of the Board of Commissioners 115 March 6, 1961 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, met in regular session at the County Courthouse in Hillsboro, the usual place of meeting, at 10 o'clock, a.m., on March 6, 1962. .Members present: Chairman Donald Stanford and Commissioners Harvey D. Bennett, Clarence D. Jones, Donald R. McDade and Henry S. Walker. Members absent: None The minutes for the meeting held on February 6, 1961, were read by the Clerk and approved by the Board. The following Department Officials presented reports for the month of January, 1961: E. M. Lynch, Clerk of Court Frank Frederick, Delinquent Tax Collector Mrs. Creighton Bunn, Home Demonstration Agent and Cache Boggs, County Dog Warden Cache Boggs, Dog Warden, brought to the attention of the Board an article which had appeared in "The New of Orange" pertaining to the purchase of a uniform for him. The Board recalled a discussion at the February meeting concerning a uniform but no formal. action was recorded in the minutes. Upon motion of Commissioner Walker, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, the County Accountant, was authorized to purchase four (h) shirts for the Dog Warden. The shirts are to bear an emblem or patch of the County Dog Warden insignia. A letter dated March 3, 1961, from John W. Umstead, Jr., Orange County's Representative, concerning the position taken by this Board on forthcoming State legislation was read by Chairman Stanford. Mr. Umstead stated "we will not be able to please everyone but I think my stand an the various problems hat will confront us rill be satisfactory to you". Rev. Days of Hillsboro appeared in behalf of the citizens living on the north side of Fairview pertaining to a request made by them for the graveling and grading of a road in their community. He was advised that since R.I'B. Turner, one of the property owners, refused to sign the road petition that a and must be posted to protect the State Highway Commission from any suit that might be filed. Rev. aye was advised to post bond or make inquiries about relocating said road, Dalton B. Loftin, Attorney from Hillsboro, appeared in behalf of Ervin Eugene Wright, who was petitioning the Board that they release a ten acre tract of land recorded in Mr. Wright's name from an .A.A. lien which ras duly filed against Willie L. Ashley on Oct. 9, 1951. A..H:.Graham, County Attorney s present and participated in the discussion which followed Mr. Loftiu's request. Upon motion of Commissioner Sulker, duly seconded by Comvissioner 'scDade, and unanimously adopted -r, hright roe authorized to sell the ten acre tract of land and the Board agreeded to release said tract from the lien recorded against Willie L. Ashley. The facts and conditions upon which this release is granted are as follows: On Oct. 9, 1951, O.A.A. liens were filed in the office of the Clerk of Superior Court, Orange County, N. C., against Joseph Ashley and his brother, Willie L. Ashley, which liens are recorded in Lien Book 3, page 112. On that date, the property in question was owed by Joseph Ashley, single. On July 13, 1956, Joseph Ashley died intestate. Willie L. Ashley, being the only surviving heir, inherited the property in question by virtue of his brother's death. Willie L. Ashley and his wife, Mary Ashley, had been disabled for many years during which time, including the years since 1951, Ervin Eugene Wright, Mrs. Willie L. Ashley's nephew, had spent considerable time and money in seeing that their needs were supplied. In order that Mr. Wright might better care for his aunt &: uncle and because they were in need of money, on Jan. 7, 1958, Mr, Wright purchased the ten acre tract of land from than in order that he might live closer to his aunt & uncle. Mr. & Mrs. Ashley were living at their homeplace (which is pproximately a 35 acre tract of land) and the ten acre tract, which he purchased, islocated within a few yards of the Ashley homeplace. The purchase was made in good faith and for valuable consideration, Mr. Wright was completely innocent of the fact that the lien against Willie L. Ashley had attached to the ten acre tract, which the latter inherited from his brother. Mr. Wright had expended no less than he sum of two hundred seventy dollars ($270.00) for permanent improvements on the property. On Oct. 8, 1960, Willis L. Ashley died. Funeral arrangements rare handled by Stalker's Funeral Home, Hillsboro, 17. C., and the cost, thereof, being 4640.00, has not yet been paid and theref are constitutes a preferred PAim against the estate of Tillie L. Ashley, Mr. Wright now has an opportunity to sell the ten acre tract of land for -0"1200.00 cash, which is more than the property would bring at a foreclosure sale. Mr. Vright has agreed to use the proceeds from said sale as follows: $610.00 to pay Willie L. Ashley's uneral bill, &290.00 to Orange County and :x270.00 to himself for the permanent improvements. A release of this property froin the lien not only would free this ten acre tract from any cloud pon its title but also would free the homeplace from a claim which would take preference ever the O.A.A. Ur. Graham recommended that affidavits should be secured from three (3) clitizens who are fimiliar th the property to the effect that the arm of $1200.00 is a reasonable and adequate price for said operty, which affidavits the Board required as a condition precedent to this release. The Board Further stated that this release is also subject to the conditions that the said funeral bill of $640.00 paid in full and the sum of $290.00 be paid in cash to the county. The Board instructed Mr. Loftin to prepare a release deed for execution in order that this release e properly filed in the office of the Register of Deeds of Orange County. 11 Refusal to release the property under these facts and circumstances would in no way prejudice the ounty and it is believed that this release is necessary in order to prevent injustice and inequity. Wilbert McAdoo requested that the county release him from the poll tax. His request was made under 21.6 Upon motion of Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner McDade, and unanimously adopted Wilbert ICI McAdoo would be exempt from the payment of county poll tax subject to the approval of the Welfare Dept. The question of the salary increase for Mrs. Nancy M. Phleps, Deputy Clerk of Superior Court, as relative to the August B, 1960, meeting was brought to the attention of the Board. Mr. Lynch requested that Mrs. Phelps be given a raise to $237.00 per month as this was his understanding from the August meeting. A discussion ensued concerning this matter. Upon motion of Commissioner Walker, seconded by Commissioner Jones, it was agreed that no action be taken on the request by Mr. Lynch for Mrs. Phelip's salary increased and that the matter would be studied at budget time. George Coxhaad, Representative for New York Life Insurance Company from Chapel Hill, spoke in behalf of a group insurance policy for county employees. Mr. Coxhead suggested that the county could institute some type of insurance coverage and this could be classified as a fringe benefit since the county would bear the expense of said program. Mr. Coxhead ask permission to obtain a census sheet of each employee in order that a more specific program could be submitted. Upon motion of Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Jones, and unanimously adopted the County Accountant was authorized to give Mr. Coxhead the census sheet on each county employee. The Hoard informed Mr. Coxhead that if other insurance companies should be interested in submitting bids for a like program that these companies would be given equal hearing and consideration. Mr. Caxhead assured the Board that he understood but suggested that he be allowed to work with the Board in the preliminary and planning state if the county decided to adopt an insurance program. This suggestion was agreed upon. Jack Childress, Jailer, requested that some relief be given him pertaining to the gas pump situation. This matter was taken under advisement. Creighton Bunn, Welfare Supt., brought the matter of the Surplus Food Program to the attention of the Board. The various classifications of people eligible under the Food Program was discussed. Chairman Stanford set forth several ways in which he thought the Food Program could be instituted. Upon motion of Commissioner McDade, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, and unanimously adopted this Board goes on record by taking formal action to came under the Food Surplus Program provided that the cost of administering said program is not prohibitive. Transporati.on, storage and additional staff for the Welfare Department are items to be considered. Members of the County A.H.C. Hoard were present and R. J. Smith, Sr., Chairman of said Hoard, presented a letter from the A.B.C. Board to Willian Clayton, Box 3BD-C, Durham, N. C., was read by Chairman Stanford. Mr. Clayton had circulated the petition in opposition to the establishment and operation of A.H.C. Store #4 in Eno Township. Chairman Stanford commended Chairman Smith for his well worded reply to Mr. Clayton in that he explained in detail the situation that existed at the time said petition was received by the A.D.C. Board. The following road petitions were received and the Clerk was requested to forward same to the State Highway Commission. 1. Hillcrest Development 2. Parsley Street 3. Goldston Avenue T. A. Burton, Divisional Engineer for the State Highway Commission, request permission to hold a District Highway meeting in the courtroom on Wed., April 19th. The Clerk was ask to inform Mr. Burton that the courtroom would be available on the requested date. The Clerk was requested to have A. H. Graham, County Attorney, check the General Statutes to see '.. what the law is pertaining to the holding of fairs in Orange County. J. Temple Gobbel, 0. Gordon Perry and E. Wilson Cole were present to discuss the matter of the ape cry policy now being used by the county. J. Temple Gobbel spoke on behalf of the Bank of Chapel. Hill requesting that deposits or a fair share thereof be left on deposit with this bank. Mr. Gobbel ask for distribution of funds between the three (3) banks in the county. Suggested that the deposits be prorated on the amount of taxes paid by each bank. Mr. Gobbel assured the Board that all the services of his bank would be available for service to the county. E. Wilson Cole, representing Durham Bank and Trust Company, discussed the matter of depositing county funds in three separate banks. He raised the question as to the wisdom of dividing said county ieposits in this manner, as it would allow the county deposits to ran short, in that, at certain times luring the year only enough money 1s deposited to ewer county expenses for a short period of time. 0. Gordon Perry, representing the University National Bank, requested that a fair distribution or equitable part thereof be made with the county funds. Mr. Perry stated that any consideration that could be given his bank would be appreciated. It was brought out that several of the county branches of government, such as the A.B.C, Board, had separate accounts, and that these accounts could be divided among the three banks. Sam Cattle, County Accountant, stated that to deposit county funds in three separate banks would necessitate the keeping of more books and would hinder substantially the spending power of the county but that this policy could be instituted provided that the Board of Education and the Welfare, Department vere notified in ample time .... . before expenditures of large =a of money. The status of each account would have to be checked before any large expenditures could be made. Discussion ensued on the depository policy. The Board members and Mr. 3obbel each expressed :heir respective opinions and views concerning said policy. ---- ------ IV 7 Upon motion of Commissioner Walker, seconded by Commissioner Jones, the matter of the depository Ley of the county was tabled until the first Monday in April. A letter from Joe Augustine, Civil Air Patrol Commander, was read by Chairman Stanford. Mr. ustine informed the Board of the progress and recognization being given to the Orange County Wing. Clerk was requested to write Mr. Augustine thanking him for his letter and to express their :rest and appreciation for the work being performed by the Orange County Civil Air Patrol Unit. The County Accountant quoted the prices received for repairing the parking lot fence. A wooden :e similar to the one mart enclosing the area would cost $300.00 and the cost of car curbs along u the installation of said car curbs would cost approximately $300.00 for both of the parking areas. Upon motion of Commissioner McDade, seconded by Commissioner Jones, the County Accountant was mrized to purchase sixty (60) car curbs at a cost of five dollars (55.00) each. The County Accountant reported that only one bid had been received concerning the repairs that needed on the chimney. He was requested to make a further investigation as to the bids and to ,e the repairs that are needed itemized on said bids. A discussion arose on the request made by Mr. Childress concerning the problem of the gas pump l keeping of the record for the gas used. Upon motion of Commissioner Walker, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, the County Accountant was talk with each of the Department Officials that are concerned or that use the gas for county dcles and that each of these Officials are to be given one (1) key to the gas pump. This method obtaining gas is on a trial basis. If it should prove unsatisfactory then a new program will have be instituted. Board made plans to attend the Food Surplus meeting being held by the State on Wed., April , and the meting of the State Welfare Department on Thursday, 7nRv The following names were drawn to serve as jurors for the March 27th term c 1. Yrs. Edith Procker 18. Mrs. Blanche Gooch 35, Louis Poe 2. Evelyn Shepard 19. Clyde Vincent 36. James T. Rolland 3. Miles M, Fitch 20, Fred Wilson 37. Wayne A. Rowers 4, hire. Maude Brooks 21. L. Valline Robinson 38, We. M. White 5. Laurie T. Reed 22. M. H. Koonce 39. Ransom Whitted, Jr. 6. Arthur S. Morris, Jr. 23. Ethel D. Clamp 40. Lonnie Brockwell 7... Matt Lee Thomason, Jr, 24. Charles E. Rochelle 41. Julian Carroll 8. Miss Ruth i'yrtie Rogers 25. Mrs, Blanche Lee Smith 42. Eugene W. Clark 9. J, 0, Thompson 26, Dr. John J, Wright 43. Mrs. Ernest Craige 0. J. C. Ray, Jr. 27. Carl C. Davis 44. Shelton Merritt 1. Clyde Wbitt 28. Alice Brennan 45. Margaret P. Morgan W. Frank Dezern 29. Arthur Sm th 46. Eliz. M. Powell James Byrd 30. E. L. Hardee 47. Mozelle L. Reaves Lynette Warren 31. Bertha Nations Cox 48. Roger C. Wade 5. Fannie Louise B. Allen 32. Clyde E. Mullis 49. Lucy Craig 6. George T. Wood 33. Mrs, W. R. Berrynill 50. John Wilson Cates 7. George S. Dikcinson 34. Carl W. Crabtree 51. John Edgar larsh, Jr. There being no further bu siness to come before the Board the meeting was adjourned to meet again on Monday, March 20, 1961, at 10:00 o'clock, a.m., for the purpose of canvassing the returns of the ele ction upon the order authorizing $1,500,000 School Building Bonds of Orange County to be held on ar ch 18, 1961, and for determining and declaring the result th ereof. Donald Stanford Chairman June Hayes