HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19660801468
MINUTES OF THE ORANGE COUN9'v
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
August 1, 1966
The Ora? a County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday,
August 1, 1961 at ten o'clock A.M. in the Commissioners Room at the courthouse in
.Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Members Present: Chairman Harvey D. Bennett, Commissioners William C. Ray, Henry
S. Walker, Gordon Cleveland and Carl M. Smith.
Members absent: None
Upon motion the clerk was instructed to dispense with the reading of the minutes
of the July meetings, as each board member, had been mailed copies of said minutes.
Vance Martin, Engineer for Duke Power Company, George I. Johnson, Jr., Manager
of the Hillsborough office of Duke Power Company, and Joe Mann, District Manager for
Duke Power Company presented the following letter:
"We appreciate the opportunity of appearing before you on a matter we feel you
will desire to study and take under consideration.
orange County has an excellent record of endeavor in the field of electrical
inspection: We of Duke Power Company have appreciated your assistance in our various
programs of promoting adequate and safe wiring throughout our service area.
Extensive research, development, and professional effort has gone into the
revision of the National Electrical Code, 1965. It incorporates the experience and
recommendation of Inspectors, engineers and professions of all fields related to the
electrical and fire protection industries and agencies. Its orgin is from the
National Fire Protection Association and is subsequently adopted by the American
Standards Association and published as the National Electrical Code. It has been
adopted by the North Carolina Building Code Council as the standard for North Carolina.
Laws relating to the North Carolina Building Code Council have been enacted which
require any alteration of its adopted code to be approved by the Council before they
can become effective. In that the Orange County Electrical Ordinance, adopted Feb. 1,
1958 contains technical provisions relating to the Code= we recommend that study be
given to a revision of the Ordinance to eliminate any possible conflict with present
State law. Your Electrical inspector needs full legal backing of his guide rules
in the difficult job of protecting the public in the field of adequate electrical
installations.
The North Carolina Department of Insurance is charged with the responsibility of
the Building Code Council. They likely have model ordinance laws that can be used
as guidelines. Specifically, your Section 5, Miscellaneous Supplemental Requirements,
contains items that relate to the Code as adopted by North Carolina. We recommend
your consultation with the State officials on any necessary revisions.
One item of specific interest to Duke Power Company relates to the present
practice of using conduit risers from the meter box to the point of attachment of the
overhead service lines to residences. Your present ordinance does not require the use
of conduit for the purpose; however, we have cooperated with the wishes of your
Inspector on this in its installation. The National Electrical Code calls for service
entrance cable for this use. Vast improvements have been made in the quality of new
cable presently available on the market and being used today. We feel you will desire
the citizens of Orange County to..,benefit from this savings and that the economy of the
electrical industry in Orange County will be stimulated and benefit from this step
through the result of more electrical installations and use of electrically operated
appliances and apparatus.
Other points of interest in your technical requirements relate to circuit
requirements in the kitchen now covered in the code, soldered and taped'joints which
now can be made electrically and mechanically equivalent or better, use of "approved
straps or staples" not generally rated by approval boards, use of screws to attach out-
let boxes that can now be done suitably by nails under certain conditions, comercial
building ceiling outlets requirements changed by modern methods and code application,
and use of a double pole switch or oil burners that could break a desired ground
connection in detriment to the intent. You may perhaps want to consider the fee
schedule of inspections in light of its revenue production history and the changing cost
of living as relates to adequate compensation of your inspecting personnel. Work loads,
technical developments and competition In the labor market make this a timely point to
consider the importance of insuring the stability of your inspection program.
"Please pardon our infringement into your area of responsibility. Our interest in
pointing out several of these areas if from our companyts motto of "Citizenship -
Service" and the desire to offer you the benefit of our operating experience and
professionally qualified personnel. We will be specifically benefited by those
recommendations; however, these will be small in relation to the overall benefit to
all the citizens of Orange County and to your inspection system through adoption of
uniformity with State and National Codes.
We stand ready to assit you in any manner you may desire in implementing these
recommendations and ask only that we be permitted to present our position on any
matters that relate directly to utility installations for any proposed changes."
469
Mr. Mann suggested that the Orange County Electrical Ordinance be reviewed and
that the technical provisions of the ordinance be left to the discretion of the
North Carolina Building Code Council. He further suggested that a recommended ordinan<
from this council be considered by the Orange County Board of Commissioners.
Discussion ensued. Chairman Bennett thanked Mr. Mann for his interest and for
bringing to the attention of the Board the fact that Orange County was operating under
an out moved electrical ordinance.
George Jones was present to discuss with the Board his problem of being unable
to obtain a right of way across property now owned by one Archie Mullis.
A. H. Graham, County Attorney, advised Mr. Jones that the Board of Commissioners
had no jurisdiction in this matter and that his only recourse would be to employ an
attorney.
The following road petitions were received and the clerk was instructed to
forward same to State Highway Commission;
1. Secondary Road # 1367
2. Secondary Road # 1355
3. Secondary Road # 1306
4. Sterling Hunt Road -- Secondary Road # 1%0
Commissioner Smith discussed with the Board the interest which Hubert Patterson,
Orange County Medical -?bcaminer, had expressed concerning a State Medical 3maminers
position in conjunction with the North Carolina Memorial Hospital. The clerk was
requested to write Donald Stanford for a clarification of what types of legislation
had been enacted, if any, pertaining to a State wide medical examiners position and
inquire further as to who and what organisations was requesting or had requested the
passage of such legislation.
Discussion ensued concerning the proposed ambulance service which would be needed
in Orange County. Commissioner Smith advised the Board that under the present North
Carolina Statute the Board of Commissioners had no authority to enter any type of
agreement, in which, a private enterprise for ambulance service could be subsidized
by Orange County.
Upon motion of Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Cleveland it was
moved and unanimously adopted that the area described in the petitions calling for an
election on the question of establishing a recreation district be designated as the
Orange Recreation District.
Chairman Bennett read a letter dated July 19, 1966 from Mrs. Jane H. Hill,
Assistant Home Economics Extension Agent. Said letter contained the resignation of
Mrs. Hill as orange County's Assistant Home Economics Extension Agent effective'
August 31, 1966.
The clerk was instructed to write a letter of appreciation to Mrs. Hill in
behalf.of Orange County.
The County Administrator presented a letter from Hoflers Mount and White,
Attorneys, representing the Foundation for Research of the Nature of Man. Said letter
requested that the property tax on 47.03 acres of land located in Hi.llaborough
Township be removed as said property belonged to a Foundation who's purposes were
scientific and educational. The Board refused to exempt said Foundation from the
payment of property tax.
Chairman Bennett read a letter dated August 1, 1966 from Burch Compton, Civil
Defense Director. Mr. Compton submitted his resignation as Civil Defense Director
effsotive August 1, 1966.
The clerk was instructed to write a letter of appreciation to Mr. Compton for
the services he had rendered to Orange County as Civil Defense Director.
Chairman Bennett presented a letter from Willard B. Swiers, Superintendent of
the Chapel Hill Schools. Said letter informed the Board that the Chapel Hill Board
of Education did in formal action make a request 'that McCauley Street in Chapel Hill
be extended to connect with Merritt Mill Road.
The clerk was instructed to write W. F. Babcock, Chief Highway -Administrator,
and inquire as to the status of Merritt Mill Road.
Commissioner Ray brought to the attention of the Board the fact that certain
areas in Northern Orange County did not possess a trash dump. He was of the opinion,
if a dumping area could be established in each township, the problem of littering the
roadside and fields with garbage and other debris could be greatly reduced.
Discussion ensued concerning said matter. It was.suggested that this problem might
be pursued through the interest of the local Granges and the Health Department.
? (o
A discussion ensued concerning the oouutyls interest in pursuing the Lake Orange
project. Commissioner Ray stated that Thomas Rose, Consulting Engineer, had advised
him that the Lake orange project was feasible and-that maps of the project should be
available within the next three weeks.
The County Administrator presented to the Board a letter from the Mebane Town
Clerk. Said letter advised the Board that W. E. Easterling of the Local Government
Commission would meet with representatives of the Town of Mebane and The County of Or e
at such time said appointment could be arranged. The County Administrator was
authorized to arrange an appointment with Mr. Easterling for the members of both
_
governing units!,,,
A. H. Walker, Sr., representing Walker's Funeral Rome, was present to discuss
with the Board the problems being encountered concerning ambulance service for the
County. Mr. Walker agreed to consider the possibility of his firm continuing in the
ambulance service until the General Assembly meets, as he understood that orange County,
at this time, was unable to meet the present emergency because of the lack of proper
legislative authorization.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners adjourned to the courtroom for the
purpose of holding the public hearing on the proposed special election to create a
recreation district.
"The Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, met in
regular session at 3:00 o'clock P.M., August 1, 1966, at the County Courthouse in
Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Present: Harvey D. Bennett Chairman, and Commmissioners Gordon B. Cleveland,
William C. Ray and Henry S. Walker.
Absent: Carl M. Smith.
At the hour of 3:00 o'clock P.M., the Chairman announced that, pursuant to a
notice duly posted and published, this was the date and hour fixed by the Board of
Commissioners for the public hearing upon a petition filed with the Board of.Comnissio rs
for the County of Orange on July 5, 1966 proposing the creation of a recreation
district within Orange County pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1107, Session Laws
of 1965.
The Chairman announced that the Board of Commissioners would immediately hear any
and all taxpayers and other interested persons concerning the creation of the proposed
recreation district.
Mr. Charles M. Shaffer, an official of the University of North Carolina,
addressed the Commissioners and also filed a written statement pointing out some of the
reasons why the Chapel Hill area should,provide better recreation facilities. Mr.
Shaffer spoke as an individual and also as representing the Chamber of Commerce of
the Town of Chapel Hill and went into considerable detail to apprise the Commissioners
of the efforts that had been made for the improvement of recreation facilities in the
Chapel Hill-Carrboro area. In closing Mr. Shaffer strongly recommended that the '
Commissioners call a bond election so that the people of the area included in the
recreation district might have the opportunity of expressing their feelings on this
matter.
Mr. J. Temple Gobbol, President of the North Carolina National Bank at Chapel
Hill, spoke briefly in behalf of the proposed recreation district and bond election,
pointing out that recreation facilities in and near Chapel Hill-Carrboro were the most
meager of any area of comparable size in the State of North Carotins.
Mrs..Clifford Pace, President of the League of Women Voters, spoke briefly in
behalf of the recreation district, calling the attention of the Commissioners to the
great need for the younger people of the community to have adequate recreation
facilities and that the providing of same would be of inestimable benefit to their
mothers.
Mr. H. Douglas Sessomis, said that he stood ready to make any contribution to the
program possible and felt that the forward looking citizens of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro
area-realized and appreciated the need for improved recreation facilities.
Mrs. Roy L. Lindahl spoke as a parent and strongly urged the creation of the
recreation district and that the question of bonds be submitted to the voters within
the area at the earliest possible time.
Mr. Eddie Mann, Chairman of the Recreation Commission of Chapel Hill, spoke
enthusiastically in behalf of the proposed recreation district and pointed out many of
the advantages which such 'a plan would bring to the area to be served.
Sri
Mr. Orville Campbell, Publisher of The Chapel Hill Weekly, spoke both as the
head of his organization and pledged the support of The Chapel Rill Weekly in every
possible way as well as his own personal support, as he felt very strongly that
improved.recreation facilities were the.greatest need for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro
communities at the present time.
After the above persons had spoken enthusiastically.urging the enactment of
ordinance by the Board of County Commissioners looking to the creation of the Orange
Recreation District and the submission of the question of bonds to the voters in
said district, Col. Henry Royall, United States Array (Retired), then expressed his
opposition to the proposed recreation district, saying frankly that it would increase
his taxes and that he did not feel that recreation was something that should be
provided by a tax on property.
After Col. Royall had spoken for some minutes and closed his.remarks, the
Chairman asked if anyone else desired to offer any statements or remarks, but there
was no further discussion and the hearing was adjourned and the Commissioners
returned to their regular Commission meeting roars.
Thereupon Commissioner Cleveland introduced the following order which was read:
ORDER CONCERNING CREATION OF A RECRE-
TION DISTRICT IN ORANGE COUNTY
WHEREAS, a petition proposing the creation of a recreation district in Orange
county was filed with the Board of Commissioners on July 5, 19669 which petition is
set forth in the minutes of the July 5, 1966 meeting-of said Board, end is as follows:
"PETITION
TO; THE BOARD OF COMaSSIONERS OF ORANGE COUNTY
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED resident freeholders all residing within the recreation
district herein petitioned for, do hereby request the Board of County Commissioners
of Orange County to exercise the authority granted to it by the 1965 General Assembly
(Chapter 1107; 1965 Session Laws) with the following action:
(1) The creation of a recreation district coterminous with the present
boundaries of the Chapel Hill School District, which district is more
particularly described in Attachment A hereto, the object proposed to be
accomplished by the creation of such district being the providing of
public recreation facilities in order to preserve and promote the public
good and general welfare, and
(2) The calling of a special election within said district for the purpose of
voting upon:
(a) the issuance of Recreation Facilities Bonds in the amount of $400,000.
for the purpose of providing funds, with any other available funds,
for acquiring, improving and equipping lands and buildings for parks,
playgrounds, recreation centers and, other recreational facilities, and
a tax for the payment of the .principal of and the interest on such
bonds, and
(b) the levy of an annual tax of not less than three cents nor more than
ten cents on each $100.00 of assessed valuation of the taxable property
within such district for the provision, establishment, maintenance
and operation of the recreational facilities, the amount of said tax to
be act by the Board of County Commissioners within said range.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands.
(in the copy of the petition set forth in the minutes of the
July 5, 1966 meeting of the Board of Commissioners the signatures
of 896 resident freeholders appear at this point.)
ATTACB34M A
The boundaries of the proposed recreation district are as follows:
BEGINNING in the center line of State Road No. 1112, where the Chapel Hill and
Bingham Township line crosses said road; thence in a Southeasterly direction along
the center of said road 250 feet to a point where the center line of State Road No.
1113 intersects with State Road No. 1112; thence in a Northeasterly direction along
State Road No. 1113, 1,525 feet to a concrete marker in the center of said road;
thence South 710 211 East 4,390 feet to a concrete marker in the East side of State
Road No. 1179; thence South 820 301 East 5,480 feet to a concrete marker in the East
side of old N. C. Highway 86; thence South 810 091 East 8,780 feet to a point 50 feet
East of the center line of State University Railroad; thence in a Northerly direction
pparallel with the center line of State University Railroad 3,350 feet; thence North
S70 151 East 23,940 feet to the Durham County line; thence in a Southerly direction
along the Durban County and Orange County line 53,750 feet to its intersection with
the Chatham County line; thence in a Westerly direction along the orange County and
Chatham County line 39,475 feet to the intersection of said County line with the
township line between Chapel Hill and Bingham Township, thence in a Northerly
direction along the Bingham and Chapel Hill Township line 40,425 feet to the point
of BEGINNING."; and
WHEREAS, the territory described in said petition is located in orange County
and the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill are the only municipal corporations
included in said territory; and
WHEREAS, said petition was duly signed by 896 freeholders residing within the
proposed recreation district, and there are 8,053 freeholders residing within said
proposed recreation district, and that the number of resident freeholders who signed
said petition is not less than 10% of the resident freeholders residing within said
proposed.recreation district; and
WHEREAS, said petition requests the Board of Commissioners for the County of
Orange to take all necessary action required by Chapter 1107, Session Laws of 1965,
for the creation of a recreation district comprising the territory described therein
and sets forth the boundaries of the proposed recreation district and the objects
proposed to be accomplished by the creation of such district; and
WHEREAS, said petition has been approved by resolutions adopted by the Board of
Commissioners of the Town of Carrboro on June 28, 1966, and by the Board of
Alderman of the Town of Chapel Hill on June 27, 1966, respectively, certified copies
of said resolutions having been received by the Board of Commissioners on July 5,
1966, and have been recorded in Volume 6 of the minutes of said Board, beginning at
page 457 and ending at page 460; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has carefully examined the facts and has
determined that a recreation district should be created for the purposes set forth in
said petition; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDERED AND RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners for the County of
Orange:
Section 1. That the Board of Commissioners hereby grants the petition set forth
above for the creation of a recreation district in orange County and does hereby
create as a recreation district pursuant to Chapter 1107, Session Laws of 1965, the
territory described in said petition.
Section 2. That the boundaries of said recreation district are as follows:
-BEGINNING in the center line of State Road No. 1112, where the Chapel Hill and
Bingham Township line crosses said road; thence in a southeasterly direction along
the center of said road 250 feet to a point where the center line of State Road No.
1113 intersects with State Road No. 1112; thence in a Northeasterly direction along
State Road No. 1113, 1,525 feet to a concrete marker in the center of said road;
thence 'South 710 201 East 4,390 feet to a concrete marker in the East side of State
Road No. 1179; thence South 620 301 East 5o480 feet to a concrete marker in the East
side of old N. C. Highway 86; thence South 510 091 East 8,780 feet to a point 50 foot
East of the center line of State University Railroad; thence in a Northerly direction
parallel with the center line of State University Railroad 3,350 feet; thence North
870 15? East 23,940 feet to the Durham County line; thence in a Southerly direction
along the Durham County and Orange County line 53,750 feet to its intersection with
the Chatham County line- thence in a Westerly direction along the orange County and
Chatham.County line 39475 feet to the intersection of said County line with the
township line between Chapel Hill and Bingham Township, thence in a Northerly
direction along the Bingham and Chapel Hill Township line 40,425 feet to the point
of BEGINNING.
Section 3. That said recreation district is hereby designated as "Orange
Recreation District of Orange County".
Section 4. That this order shall take effect upon its passage.
Commissioner Cleveland moved the passage of the foregoing order entitled:
"ORDER CONCERNING CREATION OF A RECREATION DISTRICT IN ORANGE COUNTY" and
Commissioner Walker seconded the motion and the order was passed by the following
vote:
Ayes: Commissioners Cleveland, Ray and Walker
Noes: None
Commissioner Cleveland then introduced the following resolution which was read;
4-3
RESOLUTION DIRECTING PUBLICATION
OF NOTICE OF IN'T'ENTION
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange:
Section 1. The Clerk of the Board of Commissioners is hereby directed to
publish a notice of intention to file an application with the Local Government
Commission of North Carolina for its approval of the issuance of $400,000 Recreation
Facilities Bonds for and in behalf of.the Orange Recreation District of Orange County,
which notice shall be substantially in the following form:
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO
APPLY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION
FOR APPROVAL OF BONDS
NOTICE is hereby given of intention of the undersigned to file application with
the-Local Government Commission, Raleigh, North Carolina, for its approval of the
issuance of the following proposed bonds for and in behalf of the Orange Recreation
District of Orange County, North Carolina, which bonds shall be subject to the
approval of the voters of said Recreation District at an election:
$400',000 RECREATION FACILITIES BONDS for the purpose of providing funds, with any
other available funds, for acquiring, improving and equipping lands and
buildings for parks, playgrounds, recreation centers and other
recreational facilities in said Recreation District.
This notice was first published on the 3rd day of August, 1966. Any citizen
or taxpayer objecting to the issuance of all or any of said bonds may file with the
Local Government Commission a verified statement setting forth his objections as
provided in section 159-7.1 of the Genral Statutes of North Carolina, in which event
he shall also file a copy of such statement with the undersigned, at any time within
ten days from and after such first publication. A copy of this notice must be
attached to the statement so filed. Objections set forth in said statement shall be
for consideration by said Commission in its determination of whether or not it may
hold a public hearing as provided by law on the matter of issuance of said bonds.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR TEE
COUNTY OF ORANGE
BY BETTY JUNE HAYES
Clerk of Boao M-=ssloners
Section 2. The Board of Commissioners and the officers of the County of Orange
are hereby directed to take all steps necessary to file such application with the
Local Government Commission of North Carolina as required by the Local Government
Act.
Commissioner Cleveland moved the passage of the foregoing resolution entitled,:
"RESOLUTION DIRECTING PUBLICATION OF NOTICE OF INTENTION", Commissioner Walker
seconded the motion, and the resolution was passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Commissioners Cleveland, Ray and Walker.
Noes: None.
Upon motion of Commissioner Ray, seconded by Commissioner Cleveland, it was
moved and adopted that the Orange County Board of Commissioners adjourn to meet again
on Monday, August 15, 1966 at 8:00 P.M. in the Commissioners room at the courthouse
in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Harvey D. Bennett
Chairman
Betty June Hayes, Clerk