Tuesday, August 28, 2012

♥ Montgomery dogs declared dangerous

As published in the Courier-Tribune

By Hugh Martin

biscoewriter@yahoo.com

TROY –
Following two public hearings on separate incidents Montgomery County commissioners, acting as a Board of Appeals, declared several dogs to be considered dangerous, which will require their owners to take steps to prevent problems in the future.

Montgomery County Animal Control Officer Leon Everett appeared before the board to address the first complaint, which occurred July 16 on Onville Road, a rural area in the southern part of the county.

Everett said that a Chihuahua mix dog, owned by Brenda Foland, was attacked and killed by two Pit-bull mix dogs belonging to Jeremiah and Rebecca Stewart. The attack was witnessed by Mrs. Foland’s husband.

This was the second incident of a dog belonging to the Folands being attacked and killed by the Stewart’s dogs.

“Jeremiah Stewart did not deny that his dogs were responsible for the killings,” reported Everett.

Everett told the board that Stewart had paid the Foland’s veterinarian bills, reimbursed her for the loss of her dogs and gave her a puppy.

Stewart told the board that his dogs had never shown any aggression toward humans or any other animals, but that the Foland’s dogs had repeatedly come onto his property and instigated the attacks.

“The first dog came over and tried to drink from my dog’s water bowl,” Stewart said. “Dogs will be dogs. They were trying to protect what was theirs.”

Stewart asked the board that, in the case the dogs were deemed to be dangerous, if he could install an invisible fence to contain them rather than keeping them confined to a cage. Everett told the board that the law did not consider such a system to be allowable.

Stewart said that he is now keeping the dogs in a chain-link enclosure and letting them out only with the use of harnesses and a 60-pound-test leash.

Commissioner Edgar Morris asked if the Folands could not be required to keep their dogs on their property. Everett replied that since Montgomery County did not have a leash law, then there was no law to require them to do so.

No one appeared on behalf of the Folands.

The board voted 5-0 to deem the dogs to be dangerous.

In the second case, Everett reported that in mid-July a Jack Russell owned by Phyllis Parsons of Currie Road, Candor, was attacked and killed by two Great Danes owned by Eric Barnes. A second dog belonging to Parsons was attacked and injured by the same two dogs on August 3. Everett said that this attack was witnessed by a family member of Parsons.

Parsons told the board that she had been calling Animal Control about the dogs since September 2011. “The problem began with the dogs tearing up the trash,” she said. “They are nothing but skin over bones. They’re looking for food.”

Everett reported that Barnes has been relocated out-of-state but that he had been notified of the hearing and the potential outcome if his dogs are deemed dangerous. No one appeared on behalf of Barnes.

Everett said that he had seen the dogs that day and that they had “deteriorated considerably” since he had last seen them August 3. “They are malnourished, not caged and are being cared for by Barnes’ wife,” he reported.

Commissioner Dolon Corbett made a motion to deem the dogs as dangerous. Edgar Morris amended the motion to include that they be picked up by Everett. The motion passed 5-0. Everett said he would pick the animals up immediately.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

♥ Montgomery commmissioners take charge of boards

As published in the Courier-Tribune on August 26, 2012

By Hugh Martin
biscoewriter@yahoo.com

TROY —
Montgomery County Board of Commissioners have approved a resolution to put the health and social services boards under county supervision.

Montgomery is the first county to make this move since it was allowed under legislation passed in June. Until then, only counties with populations over 425,000 could establish a human services advisory board under the supervision of the county manager or a human services director.

The resolution, approved at commissoners’ Aug. 21 regular meeting, puts directors of health and social services under the supervision of the county manager and establishes an advisory committee for public health to replace the boards of health and social services.

On Wednesday, Commissioner Chairman Jackie Morris said the move will eliminate a layer of bureaucracy, provide better leadership and lead to a more efficient delivery of services to residents.

“The citizens won’t see any difference in services they receive and, over time, the departments’ internal operations will become more efficient, which will mean better service. The leadership is now in the building,” Morris said. “The administration, instead of the boards, will hire the directors and issues can be dealt with immediately instead of waiting for the next board meeting.”

County Manager Matthew Woodard said this was a pro-active move to protect county services at a time when the state is moving toward regionalization of services and the power shift in the legislature is toward the urban areas of the state.

“The state is already moving toward common computer programs for human services,” Woodard said. “The county pays 97 percent of administrative costs for the health department, so we should supervise them.”

No jobs will be affected, Woodard said.

Former commissioner George Knight was the only resident to comment on the resolution that would dissolve the existing Board of Health and Board of Social Services and allow the county administration to assume direct control over both entities. Knight is also former chair of the Board of Health.

Knight cautioned the commissioners against making a hasty decision.

“I hope you have all read the statute and understand what it is saying,” said Knight. “I know you are trying to save some money, but you need to take another look.”

Knight told the board that the statute, HB 438, was designed for the state’s largest counties. “The state’s trying to save some money, too,” he said.

HB 438 amends N.C. General Statute 153A-77 to give all counties authority to assume administrative control over human services. Prior to the amendment, that authority was limited to counties with a population in excess of 425,000.

Knight told the board that HB 438 “requires the county to have certain people on the board.” He said that, in the past, it was difficult to find local doctors who were willing to sit on the board.

“This is a small county,” he said. “We don’t have a large number of lawyers and attorneys to choose from who know anything about running a board like this.”

Knight added that county commissioners change from time to time and that new members may not understand the workings of the boards.

“Don’t rush in because you want to be in charge of it,” he said.

The resolution says the move would “work toward more effective and efficient human services … and promote organizational efficiency and flexibility needed to serve the residents of the county.”

The existing contractual partnership for administering mental health services will be retained.

The advisory committee for public health, also called a county human services board, is required in the law. This board is to be organized along the lines of existing health boards, so Montgomery County will utilize the existing health board as the advisory board.

The resolution would also move local health department and social services staff employees who are under state personnel policies to county personnel policies.

Woodard said directors are county employees in Montgomery.

Following the public hearing, Commissioner Edgar Morris made a motion to approve the resolution. Commissioner Anthony Copeland seconded and the resolution passed 5 - 0.

Mary Anderson contributed to this story.
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Friday, August 24, 2012

♥ Eldorado property rezoned

As published in the Courier-Tribune on August 25, 2012

By Hugh Martin

biscoewriter@yahoo.com

TROY —
A request to rezone a 26.46 acre tract of land in the Eldorado community of Montgomery County to allow the operation of an off-road vehicle training facility was approved by the county board of commissioners at the regular meeting on Aug. 21.

Scott Fields of Thomasville had requested that the zoning be changed from residential to commercial. Fields has been conducting occasional training on the property for safe operations of off-road vehicles for the past year and plans to operate the Uwharrie Off Road Training School on the site as a full-time venture.

John Olmstead, planning board chair, addressed the board during a public hearing on the matter. Olmstead said that the planning board approved Field’s request for rezoning, but he had some concern that there was not a cell phone signal at the property and felt that some type of communication was needed to summon help in the event of an accident.

Fields said he carries a satellite communicator that will call the 911 center and pinpoint the location for emergency responders and plans to test the system with the 911 operators in the near future.

Fields indicated that future phases of the school could include lodging, RV hookups and an auto repair and towing business on the site. All of those ventures would be open to the general public. At present, only the school itself would be permitted under the commercial zoning. Lodging, towing and auto repair would require a conditional use permit.

Olmstead also said that RV parks are not permitted under the present zoning ordinance.

“If the applicant wants to set up an RV park in the near future, it may be beneficial to amend the zoning ordinance to include RV parks as a permitted or conditional use,” he advised the board.

The area that Fields plans to utilize is not visible from N.C. 109. All vehicles involved in the training would be muffled and alcohol would be prohibited. Fields said that he hopes to enter into an agreement with the U.S. military to conduct night-vision goggle training.

“The night training would take place for only a short time on the property, then relocate to the Uwharrie National Forest,” Fields told the board.

Marla Coulthard told the board that she lives less than a mile from the site.

“This business fits the bill for the visions of STARworks and the Montgomery County Tourism Development Authority,” she said. “The Uwharrie National Forest hosts over one million visitors per year and many of them are four-wheel drive enthusiasts. Several years ago, the Land Use Planning Committee determined this area suitable for this type of business.”

The main concern from other speakers was the potential for noise in the area. Commissioner Dolon Corbett said that there were more houses in the vicinity than were being discussed. “Without the mufflers, I’m not for it,” he said.

Commissioner Jim Matheny said that the off-road vehicles would make no more noise than log trucks traveling on the highway.

Tamera Morris disagreed.

“Log trucks go by and they’re gone,” she said.

Morris said that she had lived next to the Eldorado Outpost for 20 years and she has been awakened numerous times by four-wheel drive vehicles at the store after it has closed for the night. The Outpost is across N.C. 109 from the proposed training center property.

Sunnie Hissim lives adjacent to the property and runs a small business there with her husband. She said they had chosen the Eldorado community because it was quiet.

“People are moving in from out of state wanting to build,” she said. “If people want the city, then they should move to the city.”

Matheny told Hissim that if she was running a small business on her property, then it should also be rezoned commercial. Hissim replied that their business is actually just a hobby and the fees they charge are just to cover expenses.

Both Hissim and Morris said that they hope Fields’ school would be successful, but they have issues with the future plans for the auto repair and RV park.

A motion by Matheny to rezone the property passed 4-1 with Corbett voting no.

Monday, August 20, 2012

♥ Troy Commissioners OK dam removal to restore creek

As published in the Courier-Tribune on August 21, 2012

By Hugh Martin

biscoewriter@yahoo.com

TROY —
The U.S. Department of Interior, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has entered into an agreement with the Town of Troy to restore the natural habitat and flow of Denson’s Creek.

At the mid-month meeting Aug. 20, the Troy Town Board of Commissioners approved a contract that would remove one of two existing dams on the creek. The dam, known as Troy Reservoir Dam Number 1, is located just upstream from the bridge on Okeewemee Road.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife will cover all costs related to the removal, but the Town of Troy will provide dump trucks for the removal of the debris associated with the project.

Mayor Roy Maness explained that the dam removal will be required before a larger dam upstream could be removed. Fish and Wildlife is working to secure funding for that project.

Funding has also been secured for removal of the old Smitherman Mill Dam, located on Little River, upstream from the bridge on Troy-Candor Road. This project will take place at a later date.

The restoration of the waterways will allow the movement of fish and freshwater mussels, including some rare species, that had been impeded by the dams.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife has a goal for removal of the Troy Reservoir Dam Number 1 during the week of Sept. 10, but the project would be completed within a year if conditions require rescheduling.

In other business, commissioners Angela Elkins, Bruce Hamilton, James Hurley and Wallace Jones:

* Approved a resolution to pursue an application for a Small Business & Entrepreneurial Assistance (SBEA) grant through the Community Development Block Grant Program on behalf of Alandale Knitting LLC. Alandale plans to expand its textile operation and add up to 20 jobs.

* Approved an updated Capital Improvement plan to allow for fiscal planning for the next five years.

* Heard an update from Town Manager Greg Zephir on bidding for road paving within the town.

* Heard the plan to replace the steps on the town’s nature trail at the Maness Nature Preserve. The existing steps, where the trail crosses Okeewemee Road, were displaced due to a highway bridge replacement across Denson’s Creek. The cost of the step construction was included in the right-of-way purchase by the N.C. Department of Transportation.

* Were told of ongoing plans for a five-mile trail run, sponsored by the Montgomery County Tourism & Development Authority, to be held in November.

* Were updated on the purchase of a centrifuge system for the town’s wastewater treatment plant. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

* Heard plans for an application to host the 2014 State Dixie Youth Softball Tournament. An additional field would need to be constructed at the Peabody Park Complex. The town will seek a 50 percent grant from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.

* Learned the swimming pool at the Denson Creek Recreation Complex will close for the season at 9 p.m. on Labor Day, Sept. 3. The pool will be also closed the last week in August and open for the Labor Day weekend.

* Discussed the possibility of a Halloween movie event Oct. 27, which is also the day of the Annual Small Town U.S.A. event on North Main Street.

* Were reminded town offices will be closed for Labor Day. The regular board meetings for September will be consolidated into one meeting, to be held Sept. 10 at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Biscoe commissioners slow speed bumps ♥

As published August 16, 2012 in the Courier-Tribune

By Hugh Martin

biscoewriter@yahoo.com

BISCOE —
Speed bumps continue to be the wish of many residents in Biscoe since the town first installed one on a cut-through street during the major road construction completed last year along N.C. 24/27.

Since the first one was installed on Church Street, others have been requested and installed on Pine, Craven and Leach streets.

Now members of the Biscoe Board of Commissioners have put the brakes on new installations and have approved a policy for future requests.

Residents of Martin Street, which extends outside the city limits and has no outlets, had requested a speed hump. At the July meeting, a resident said that he believed “the speedsters were undertaking illicit activities on Martin Street Extension.”

Under the new policy, the Martin Street request for a speed hump would not be allowed. The policy states, in part, that streets with no outlets would not have “traffic calming devices” installed. Other criteria requires a history of traffic or speeding complaints and all owners of property that would be affected by an installation should file a petition with the town.

“In the case of no outlet roads (dead ends), if everyone on a road has signed off then the speeder would be one of the signatories, a renter of one of the signatories or a friend,” said Biscoe Manager Brooks Lockhart. “They should be able to regulate themselves.”

Christy Poole of Biscoe told the board that she had been on Martin Street “many times,” and had been there for several hours over the past weekend. She said that there were many children in the area and numerous cars had come down the street with “radios blaring, drivers texting and cars flying.”

“I would like to see someone walk up and tell the driver to turn the radio down and stop speeding,” Poole said. “I guarantee you that it wouldn’t end pretty.”

Lockhart said that residents should notify law enforcement to handle those problems.

“That would create a record of complaints that could be used to address the problem,” Lockhart said.

In other business, Mayor Mike Criscoe and Commissioners Gene Anderson, John Beard, Jimmy Blake, Jimmy Cagle and Jerry Smith:

* Held a public hearing for the first reading of an updated noise ordinance. Another public hearing will be held at the September meeting. Copies of the ordinance are available to the public at town hall.

* Heard a report from Blake that there has been some interest in the development of multi-family housing.

* Mike Rood from the Montgomery County Council on Aging has requested that the town identify a site to be used to provide senior citizens with a daily lunch. The meals for the congregate meal site would be prepared at a facility in Star and delivered daily.

* Were advised by Sam Stewart, assistant chief of Biscoe Fire Department, that the department had taken delivery of a new fire engine that was purchased by Montgomery County. The county has established a policy to purchase one new truck a year for each department in rotation, which gives each county fire department a new truck every 10 years.

* Learned that music events at the town park were being planned and an adult kickball league is being organized.

Star struggles: How to clean up around house ♥

As published August 16, 2012 in the Courier-Tribune
By Hugh Martin

biscoewriter@yahoo.com

STAR —
For the third straight month Star residents have attended the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners to see what will be done about abandoned houses that have become overgrown with brush and weeds, and particularly a house with a swimming pool filled with stagnant water.

For the third straight time those residents have left the meeting with no clear answer to the dilemma.

“We were hoping that Max (Garner, Town Attorney) would be here,” said Tina Harris, who lives next door to one of the properties in question at 413 Temple Terrace.

At the June meeting, when the problem was first discussed, Garner was directed to research the property to find out who the owner is so that the town could send notification about cleaning up the overgrown yard.

According to Town Clerk Robin Hussey, the Town of Star has an old ordinance on the books that would require the property owner to clean up, but the ordinance requires that the Montgomery County Health Department deem a property to be a health hazard before the town can legally take the initiative to have the property cleaned.

Hussey reported at the July meeting that someone from the health department had told her that if the property was unoccupied that they have no jurisdiction in the matter.

Mayor Susan Eggleston said that the town mailed a registered letter to the last known owner with a deadline to respond by Aug. 13, the date of the regular August meeting.

“The matter will go to Max now,” Eggleston said. “It has been rumored that the property changed hands on Aug.1 and is now the responsibility of a lienholder.”

Neighbors reported that a large limb is now lying on a power line on the property, but that a call to Progress Energy to have it removed had no results. “Progress Energy said that they couldn’t go onto the property to remove it,” said Harris.

Commissioner Richard Hinson, who also lives adjacent to the Temple Terrace property, said, “If the limb stays on that line and we have an ice storm then the entire neighborhood will be out of power.”

Eggleston assured the neighbors that the town was doing all that could be done.

In other business, Eggleston, Hinson and Commissioners Alice Clemens, Eddie Bernard, Jennifer Fountain and Steve Lassiter:

* Received an update on workshops and volunteer opportunities at the Star Heritage Center from Director Sheila Menendez.

* Approved the sale of a surplus 2003 Crown Victoria police car to Rodney Hannah of Troy, who submitted the high bid of $1,267.

* Approved the hiring of a reserve police officer position to fill a vacancy on the force.

* Commissioner Fountain reported on improvements at the town park, which includes the construction of a disc golf course.

* Approved funding of up to $300 for Tori Waynick, an East Montgomery High School student, who has proposed a quilt trail in Star as her senior project.

* Approved a lease agreement with the Montgomery County Council on Aging for use of the old Town Hall/Fire Department complex as a community kitchen facility. The lease is for a minimum of three years at a cost of $10 per month.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Candor commissioners OK purchase of land for fire department ♥

As published in the Courier-Tribune on August 10, 2012

By Hugh Martin

CANDOR —
The Candor town commissioners voted to purchase land with the hopes of building a new fire department during the Aug. 6 regular meeting.

The agenda was short and the number of spectators attending was smaller than in recent months, but that didn’t stop the latest controversy in the town from being discussed at length.

The board decided to pursue permission from the N.C. Local Government Commission (LGC) to borrow no more than $70,000 from low-bidder BB&T for the purpose of purchasing approximately 18 acres of land on the northeast side of Cole Road and Vivian Street, just off North Main Street. The board hopes to build a new fire department complex on the site.

Management Consultant Ron Niland of All America Associates and Town Clerk Tammy Kellis recently met with LGC officials to discuss the town’s financial ability to borrow the funds. The request will be addressed at a LGC meeting on Sept. 4.

Niland urged the commissioners to approve the request despite objections from some town citizens who raised concerns about the town’s ability to spend the money and the opinion that the location is not suitable for a fire department.

Niland told board members that the current owner of the property, Edwards Timber Company of Marshville, had been very patient with the town. He said that Edwards representative, Jason Lefler, had requested that the purchase be closed by Sept. 10.

Niland told the board that it would be “embarrassing” if the town were not to agree to buy the property as requested by Edwards.

Candor resident George Myers asked why the town could not look at other properties before agreeing to purchase the Edwards land. Niland said that if the town didn’t act now he didn’t think that Edwards would ever sell it to them at any price because they had been “strung along” by the town.

Myers stated that his research showed that the majority of fire calls for the Candor department were located on the south side of the town.

“Why would you build a fire station north of town?” he asked.

Myers pointed out that Commissioner Phillip Hearne was part owner of land on the south side of town and asked him point blank if the property could be sold to the town.

Hearne said that he felt that the discussion would be a conflict of interest for him but agreed to discuss the matter with the other owner.

Following the discussion, Commissioners Hearne, Layton Booker, Rob Martin and Tim Smith voted to authorize Kellis and Mayor Richard Britt to sign any documents on behalf of the town that relate to the purchase.

BB&T has offered to make the loan at 2.45 percent, slightly lower than Fidelity Bank, which submitted the only other bid.

In other business, commissioners were reminded that the town will host a “Back to School Bash” at the Peach Exchange Aug. 25 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. At last year’s event, 250 backpacks with school supplies were distributed to schoolchildren.

Homeowner’s septic problems lead to annexation ♥

As published in the Courier-Tribune on August 10, 2012

By Hugh Martin

TROY —
Chronic problems with an aged septic system have resulted in a Troy homeowner being annexed by the town.

Sylvester Covington has repeatedly attempted repairs to the dilapidated septic lines at his home on South Main Street but has met with repeated breakdowns. As a result, he has petitioned the Town of Troy to annex his property and connect him to the town’s sewer system.

Covington is already on the town’s water system but is paying an out-of-town rate, which is higher than water customers inside the city limits. Annexation would lower his water costs, and with the monthly sewer charge added, Covington will probably see no difference in his monthly bill from the town.

Commissioner Wallace Jones made the motion for the town to begin the proceedings for annexation of Covington’s property and the entire board agreed.

On a related matter, the board voted to hold a public hearing Sept. 10 to begin the application process for a grant that will offer assistance for properties that need renovation or replacement. Two public hearings will be required, the second scheduled for mid-October.

In other business at the Aug. 6 meeting, Commissioners Jones, Angela Elkins, James Hurley, Bruce Hamilton, Chris Watkins and Mayor Roy Maness:

* Conducted a public hearing and then voted to continue with the application for a Small Business & Entrepreneurial Assistance (SBEA) grant through the Community Development Block Grant Program on behalf of Alandale Knitting LLC. Alandale plans to expand its textile operation, which would add up to 20 jobs.

* Approved resolutions that will allow the town to accept an NC Rural Center grant for the purpose of sewer upgrades related to the operation of the new Wright Foods Company, which has started operations in the Troy Business Park.

* Heard a report on a plot-mapping project that is under way in the older areas of the town’s cemetery. Tree and drainage issues on the property are also being addressed.

* Received an update on the paving project behind the fire department building on North Main Street. Progress Energy has agreed to bury the power lines to facilitate the work.

* Praised public works employees for the job that they performed in getting the town’s golf course reopened following a damaging storm that caused major damage to the trees around the Denson’s Creek complex.

* Were updated on the relocation of the Family Dollar Store from a shopping center on Albemarle Road to the site of the former Mazatlan Restaurant, just across the street. Town officials had urged the chain to locate in an existing building in the downtown area but were unsuccessful in convincing them to do so. Traffic and property issues have been addressed and construction work has already started for the new building.