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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 19670501MINUTES OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS May 1,, 1967 BOOK 6 FACE 593 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, met in regular session at the County Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina, the regular place of meeting, at 10:00 o'clock A.M., on May 1, 1967. Present: Chairman Harvey D. Bennett, and Commissioners William C. Ray, Ira A. Ward and Henry S. Walker. Absent: Commissioner Carl M. Smith. The minutes were read and approved after correction was made in the minutes of the meeting held on April 19, 1967. Dr. Frank McCormick of the Department of Biology of the University of North Carolina presented the following=petition: "April 26, 1967 T0: The County Commissioners of Orange County, N. C. As concerned citizens, we, the undersigned, would like to express our strong opposition to mining or smelting activities of any kind in orange County, particular y. those of the Texas Gulf Sulfur Corporation. Company assurances to the contrary, bes available scientific evidence indicates that strip mining and/or smelting would cause permanent damage to the natural resources of the county. In view of Texas Gulf Sulfur's clever timing in making public its interest in the purchase of mining sites in this county, so close to the adjournment of the state legislature, and directly subsequent to the countywide zoning election which could have prevented thi , action must be taken immediately. Therefore, we strongly urge that you take all action necessary to exclude strip mining and smelting activities from this county by any or all of the following: 1) A reconsideration of zoning at the county and local levels. 2) The establishment of ecologically sound minimum standards with regard to ai and water pollution levels, including strong penalties for violation of these standards. 3) The requirement that any mining concern post a bond in sufficient amount to cover the cost of reclaiming the land and maintaining the roads-in this area, so that such cost does not fall on the taxpayers of this county." Said petition had been circulated by students and other interested persons associated with Dr. McCormick's department. Chairman Bennett accepted the petition for the Board of Commissioners. Dr. McCormick stated that he was opposed to mining operations being developed in Orange County as the damage to the life cycle in the area would be greatly impaired.and that the land could not be reclaimed or repaired for a period from seventy-five to one hundred years. He suggested that if any mining industry does locate in the county that a detail study be made of the condition of animal and plan life as well as a study of the physical condition of the area prior to the start of any mining operation. These studies would assist in the future assessment of damage and reclaimation of the land. The following road petition was presented and the clerk was requested to forwar same to the State Highway Commission: SR #1566 Thomas A. Rose advised the Board that bids for the Lake Orange project could be let sometime by the middle of May. Upon motion of Commissioner Ray, seconded by Commissioner Ward, and unanimously adopted, J. W. Dunsmore was appointed as a member to the Carrboro Planning Board for a term of two years and Aubrey Harward was appointed as a member to the Carrboro Board of Adjustments for a term of two years. The County Accountant advised the Board that Duke Power Company had submitted a memorandum relative to Service Risers in conjunction with the residential customer in the installation of said service risers. The clerk was requested to write all the electrical contractors in the County and to enclose a copy of the Duke Power Company memorandum. Action on said memorandum was deferred until, the May 11th meeting. The following Blind Aid Grants were approved: AID TO THE BLIND AGENDA May 1, 1967 NAME EFF. DATE AMOUNT REASON NEW Rachel Pippin 6-1-67 34.00 Transferred from APTD i- 566K 6 PAGE 594 May 1, 1967 Minutes - Continued NAME EFF. DATE AMOUNT REASON REVISIONS Carrie H. Brown 6-1-67 89 to 97 Increase in medical cost & cost of utilities Lydia Mae Blackwood 6-1-67 64 to 71 Increased cost of medical ca Dora Liza Ann Winston 6-1-67 56 to 54 Decrease in cost of medical care. TERMINATION Bart A. Wilson 5-1-67 30.00 Increase in resources. The following letter was read by Chairman Bennett: "As the representative of some 250 women garden club members who live in Chapel Hill, I would like to ask you to consider adopting some kind of zoning ordinance whi would prevent the exploitation of Orange County by any mining company or other ruth- less developer. Because we are gardeners, dedicated to the beautification of our homes and the community, we are unalterably opposed to the destruction of beauty which must result from open strip mining. We are sure that you also want to keep Orange County a pleasant and beautiful place in which to live - after all, your homes are here too - and hope that you will take action to see that it remains so. Sincerely yours, Mrs. James J. Mullen, President" Chairman Bennett advised the Board of his efforts to contact representatives of the U. S. Bureau of Mines through Senator Jordan's office. Discussion ensued concerning the Grand Juries report relative to the conditions of the Orange County jail. Sheriff Knight was directed to write the North Carolina Prison Department and explain the county's position and policy concerning the serving of only two meals a day to confined prisoners. The County Administrator was directed to have the interior walls of the jail painted white and to also secure mattress covers for all beds in the jail. A letter dated April 272 1967 from Alex K. Brock, Executive Secretary of the State Board of Elections was read by Chairman Bennett. The County Administrator was directed to advise the Local Government Commission that the County was ready to sell the $130,000 Office Building Bonds. There being no further business to come before the Board said meeting was adjourned to meet again on Thursday, May 11, 1967 at 8:00 P.M. in the Commissioners Room at the Courthouse in Hillsborough, N. C. and on Thursday, May 25, 1967 at 11:00 o'clock A.M. in the Courtroom at the Courthouse in Hillsborough, N. C. for the purpose of canvassing the votes of the $3,000,000.00 School Bond election which is., being held on Tuesday, May 23, 1967. Harvey D. Bennett, Chairman Betty June Hayes, Clerk S. M. Gattis, Acting Clerk MINUTES OF THE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS May 11, 1967 The Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange, North Carolina, met in regular adjourned session at the County Courthouse in Hillsborough, North Carolina, in the Commissioners Room at 8:00 o'clock P.M. on Thursday, May 11, 1967. Present: Chairman Harvey D. Bennett, and Commissioners William C. Ray, Ira A. Ward and Henry S. Walker. Absent: Commissioner Carl M. Smith. Thefollowing letter dated May 9, 1967 was presented by Dr. C. T. Kaylor, Chairman of the Orange County Planning Board.