As published in the Courier-Tribune December 13, 2011
Hugh Martin
TROY —Concern for walkers and elementary schoolchildren has led Troy police to focus on speeders on North Main Street and Russell Street. The Troy Board of Commissioners approved and suggested other speed-prone areas at the Dec. 5 meeting.
Town Manager Greg Zephir reported on the increase in the number of police traffic stops on two of the most heavily-traveled streets in town.
“During the last week many of you have probably noticed that the town’s police department has been performing traffic stops, specifically on North Main and Russell Streets,” Zephir said. “This is in response to numerous complaints that the department has been receiving about the high rate of speed people are traveling on these roads.”
Police Chief Kenny Allen told the board that the stops are an effort to bring awareness to the 20 mph zone.
North Main Street is designated as a 20 mph speed zone and Troy Elementary School is located on North Russell Street. Both streets have sections of the town’s measured walking trail along them. Some of the complaints about the speeding vehicles were made by citizens who use the “Troy Walks” program for exercise.
Zephir said there were also safety concerns for the schoolchildren.
“The Town of Troy, specifically the police department, does not want to issue tickets; however, staff had to provide a response with regards to the amount of complaints we had been receiving,” Zephir said. “Most, if not all, of those being stopped believed the speed limit was 35. ”
Allen was commended by Mayor Roy Maness for the work that the department was doing.
Commissioner Wallace Jones asked Allen if there were plans to target other zones after the current activity is complete.
“No, we’re not that formal,” Allen replied, “but we try to take a proactive stance.”
“We have problems with speeding throughout the town,” Wallace said.
Allen assured Wallace and the board that areas of concern were being addressed and that his department will continue to take care of any issues that need attention.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Candor approves conditional use permit for biomass facility ♥
As published in the Courier-Tribune on or about November 10, 2011
By Hugh Martin
CANDOR – Following a public hearing at their November meeting Monday night, Candor Board of Commissioners gave their approval to a conditional use permit to allow the construction and operation of a biomass facility within the city limits.
NC CHP Owner 1 LLC, a North Carolina company, requested the permit to build and operate the plant, which will be sited on a 3.1 acre segment of the 140 acre Mountaire Farms feed mill complex in Candor.
The facility will burn wood chips to manufacture thermal energy in the form of steam that will be used in the chicken feed manufacturing process. Less than ½ megawatt of electricity will be produced for sale to Progress Energy in the process.
Brownie Newman, representing the applicant, said that of the more than 160 wood-fired boilers in North Carolina, this facility will be the cleanest.
Retired commercial banker Bill Bruton spoke in opposition to the project.
Attorney Bob Hornik of the Brough Law Firm in Chapel Hill moderated the hearing on behalf of the town.
In finding that the application met all seven provisions required by the conditional uses section of the town’s zoning ordinance the board voted unanimously to approve the permit.
In other business, Commissioners Tim Privett, Phillip Hearne, Tim Smith, Leslie Thomas and Layton Booker:
• Were introduced to Ashley Sherrill, who was hired November 1 as Assistant Director of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. Sherrill will become director on July 1, 2012 following the retirement of current Director Judy Stevens;
• Gave approval to a proposed Montgomery County Transportation Plan as it pertains to the town. The plan had been approved earlier by the Troy Board of Commissioners and will also be presented to the other three municipal boards in the county and the Montgomery County Commissioners;
• Approved a contract extension from October 31 to December 31 to Maxton McDowell CPA for auditing services;
• Heard suggestions from former mayor Becky Williams on the need for the town to develop strategic plans for sidewalk, street and street light expenditures;
• Approved a request from Commissioner Thomas that Gail Britt of Britt Catering be approved to provide sugar cookies and hot chocolate for 400 people during the town’s Christmas Tree Lighting at a cost of $350.00;
• Heard a report from Management Advisor Ron Niland that he had a meeting scheduled with the owner of the Candor Shopping Center to discuss the condition of the property;
• Heard another report from Niland that he and Public Works Director Brice Hollis had been working on the planning for a 1/5 mile walking trail at the town park.
By Hugh Martin
CANDOR – Following a public hearing at their November meeting Monday night, Candor Board of Commissioners gave their approval to a conditional use permit to allow the construction and operation of a biomass facility within the city limits.
NC CHP Owner 1 LLC, a North Carolina company, requested the permit to build and operate the plant, which will be sited on a 3.1 acre segment of the 140 acre Mountaire Farms feed mill complex in Candor.
The facility will burn wood chips to manufacture thermal energy in the form of steam that will be used in the chicken feed manufacturing process. Less than ½ megawatt of electricity will be produced for sale to Progress Energy in the process.
Brownie Newman, representing the applicant, said that of the more than 160 wood-fired boilers in North Carolina, this facility will be the cleanest.
Retired commercial banker Bill Bruton spoke in opposition to the project.
Attorney Bob Hornik of the Brough Law Firm in Chapel Hill moderated the hearing on behalf of the town.
In finding that the application met all seven provisions required by the conditional uses section of the town’s zoning ordinance the board voted unanimously to approve the permit.
In other business, Commissioners Tim Privett, Phillip Hearne, Tim Smith, Leslie Thomas and Layton Booker:
• Were introduced to Ashley Sherrill, who was hired November 1 as Assistant Director of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. Sherrill will become director on July 1, 2012 following the retirement of current Director Judy Stevens;
• Gave approval to a proposed Montgomery County Transportation Plan as it pertains to the town. The plan had been approved earlier by the Troy Board of Commissioners and will also be presented to the other three municipal boards in the county and the Montgomery County Commissioners;
• Approved a contract extension from October 31 to December 31 to Maxton McDowell CPA for auditing services;
• Heard suggestions from former mayor Becky Williams on the need for the town to develop strategic plans for sidewalk, street and street light expenditures;
• Approved a request from Commissioner Thomas that Gail Britt of Britt Catering be approved to provide sugar cookies and hot chocolate for 400 people during the town’s Christmas Tree Lighting at a cost of $350.00;
• Heard a report from Management Advisor Ron Niland that he had a meeting scheduled with the owner of the Candor Shopping Center to discuss the condition of the property;
• Heard another report from Niland that he and Public Works Director Brice Hollis had been working on the planning for a 1/5 mile walking trail at the town park.
Troy awarded for excellence in financial reporting ♥
As published in the Courier-Tribune on or about November 10, 2011
By Hugh Martin
TROY – For the seventeenth time the Town of Troy has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States.
Troy Mayor Roy Maness presented the award to Cathy Maness, Town Clerk, during the November 7 meeting of the town board of commissioners.
“Not many towns get this award,” Mayor Maness said. “We’re proud of the job that has been done year after year, even before we ever knew this award was available.”
Town Clerk Maness said that she alone did not receive the award. “It’s a team effort,” she said.
In other business, Commissioners Angela Elkins, Bruce Hamilton, James Hurley, Chris Watkins and Wallace Jones:
• Were introduced to Ashley Sherrill, who was recently hired as Assistant Director of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. Sherrill will become director on July 1, 2012 following the retirement of current director Judy Stevens;
• Gave approval to a proposed Montgomery County Transportation Plan as it pertains to the town. The plan will also be presented to each municipal board in the county and the Montgomery County Commissioners;
• Approved a resolution to apply $5000.00 of a NC Rural Center grant to assist with some of the cost of grease buildup in the town sewer system;
• Approved a resolution to seek a Vacant Building Reuse grant from the NC Rural Development Center in the amount of $480,000.00 for use by Wright Foods in renovation of the facility they will occupy in the Troy Business Center. The town will provide a 5 percent match in the form of the value of adjacent land for future expansion by the company;
• Approved a façade grant of up to $1000.00 to Joann Blair Adams for renovations made to a commercial property on North Main Street;
• Approved December 26, 27 and 28 for the Christmas Holiday Schedule when all town offices will be closed;
• Learned from Town Manager Greg Zephir that Mayor Maness’ request for an investigation into gasoline price differences between the Troy area and surrounding had been taken over by the office of Congressman Kissell;
• Heard a report from Zephir on a proposed performance stage to be located in the downtown area;
•Thanked Zephir for his work on the recent banquet honoring the Troy Fire Department’s centennial.
By Hugh Martin
TROY – For the seventeenth time the Town of Troy has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States.
Troy Mayor Roy Maness presented the award to Cathy Maness, Town Clerk, during the November 7 meeting of the town board of commissioners.
“Not many towns get this award,” Mayor Maness said. “We’re proud of the job that has been done year after year, even before we ever knew this award was available.”
Town Clerk Maness said that she alone did not receive the award. “It’s a team effort,” she said.
In other business, Commissioners Angela Elkins, Bruce Hamilton, James Hurley, Chris Watkins and Wallace Jones:
• Were introduced to Ashley Sherrill, who was recently hired as Assistant Director of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. Sherrill will become director on July 1, 2012 following the retirement of current director Judy Stevens;
• Gave approval to a proposed Montgomery County Transportation Plan as it pertains to the town. The plan will also be presented to each municipal board in the county and the Montgomery County Commissioners;
• Approved a resolution to apply $5000.00 of a NC Rural Center grant to assist with some of the cost of grease buildup in the town sewer system;
• Approved a resolution to seek a Vacant Building Reuse grant from the NC Rural Development Center in the amount of $480,000.00 for use by Wright Foods in renovation of the facility they will occupy in the Troy Business Center. The town will provide a 5 percent match in the form of the value of adjacent land for future expansion by the company;
• Approved a façade grant of up to $1000.00 to Joann Blair Adams for renovations made to a commercial property on North Main Street;
• Approved December 26, 27 and 28 for the Christmas Holiday Schedule when all town offices will be closed;
• Learned from Town Manager Greg Zephir that Mayor Maness’ request for an investigation into gasoline price differences between the Troy area and surrounding had been taken over by the office of Congressman Kissell;
• Heard a report from Zephir on a proposed performance stage to be located in the downtown area;
•Thanked Zephir for his work on the recent banquet honoring the Troy Fire Department’s centennial.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Star Election Story ♥
As published in the Courier-Tribune in October, 2011
by Hugh Martin
STAR -
This story was not published online and will be posted at a later time.
by Hugh Martin
STAR -
This story was not published online and will be posted at a later time.
Biscoe Election Story ♥
As published in the Courier-Tribune in October, 2011
by Hugh Martin
BISCOE -
This story was not published online and will be posted at a later time.
by Hugh Martin
BISCOE -
This story was not published online and will be posted at a later time.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Fresh food processor to invest $10 million
As published in the Courier-Tribune on November 2, 2011
by Hugh Martin
TROY -
This story was not published online and will be posted at a later time.
by Hugh Martin
TROY -
This story was not published online and will be posted at a later time.
Candor planning board gives nod to biomass incinerator
As published in the Courier-Tribune of November 3, 2011
by Hugh Martin
CANDOR — The Town of Candor Planning Board met Tuesday evening to consider a conditional use permit application to construct a controversial biomass burning facility that would produce steam to generate electricity to run Mountaire Farms feed mill. The feed mill is in Candor town limits.
After hearing from the designer and builder of the incinerator and from Mountaire Farms neighbors on Morris Farm Road, the board recommended approval to the Board of Commissioners.
Opponents of the project say their issue is the health and welfare of the community from the byproducts and diminished air quality that would result from the burning process.
Brownie Newman of FLS Energy, the company that would operate the plant, told board members that the plant would be constructed using the latest and most recent technologies available.
“This will be the cleanest system to ever be built in North Carolina,” he said.
Also at the meeting were Will Kisner, facility designer at PortLand Systems, and Joe Sullivan with Trinity Consultants, an air quality emissions permitting company.
Newman produced a map of North Carolina that showed the locations of nearly 200 boiler facilities in the state. Of these, only 5 percent use the wood fuels that would be burned at the Candor facility.
The fuel would be wood chips from leftover timber industry material, a product that is not otherwise being utilized. Newman assured board members that no treated materials or railroad ties would be used as fuel.
Unlike previous meetings of the board, vice chair Jim McLeod allowed public comment during the meeting.
Bill Bruton, who lives next door to the proposed facility, posed questions to Newman, Kisner and Sullivan. Bruton addressed the height of the facility’s smokestacks, which is 36 feet above ground. He asked at what distance fallout from the stacks would occur. Sullivan said that any concentrations of air particulate would be way below permitted standards.
Sullivan said that the projected output is so low that the application for an air quality permit could be handled by the Fayetteville Regional Office of the Division of Air Quality rather than being sent to the central offices.
Bruton, reading from the town ordinance, reminded the planning board members that they do not have to recommend either for or against an application.
“When a recommendation is made, it should be based upon what the town board will have to do when it takes action” he said.
Bruton said that, according to the zoning ordinance, the town board must find that “the requested use will not impair the integrity or character of the surrounding or adjoining districts, nor be detrimental to the health, morals or welfare.”
“My neighbors and I were here first,” he said.
Bruton said that FLS did not have a track record worthy of a conditional use permit to run the facility as this would be the first facility of this kind they would operate.
Newman replied that FLS had other similar projects being developed in North Carolina.
“It’s not that complicated,” he said. “These systems do not require a high degree of training to operate.”
Bruton pointed out his concern that Mountaire has not proven to be a good neighbor, based on feed spillage along the side of Morris Farm Road, where the feed mill is located. The entrance to the site of the proposed facility is located on the same road near its intersection with N.C. 211.
Certified soil tests have shown an increased level of copper and arsenic from two sites on the roadside on Morris Farm Road. These soil tests were done at the request and expense of Bruton and the owners of the Carlan farm.
Board member Lawrence Lamonds asked Bruton why he was bringing Mountaire into the argument when they will not actually be operating the energy facility.
“If they don’t care enough to keep these toxins off of their neighbor’s land, should they be trusted to share any concerns about keeping particulate matter out of our lungs?” Bruton said.
On Monday, planning board member Allene Graves, Mayor Richard Britt and town commissioners toured a similar facility in Clinton, N. C., on the corporate grounds of Prestige Farms, a company that produces pork and poultry products.
“The structure was huge and very clean,” Graves said. “I saw no emissions from the smokestack and there were two houses approximately the same distance from the facility as Mr. Bruton’s house is from this one. There was a field of cows grazing next door.”
Graves said the plant operator told her that they had never had a single complaint from neighbors.
“He said that a home woodstove would produce more arsenic than these systems because of the equipment that is installed to clean the emissions,” Graves said.
Britt pointed out that the corporate offices were located on the same site as the boiler.
“While the sky may have been clear over the plant, and the air may have smelled fresh,” Bruton said, “please remember why Walmart sells carbon monoxide detectors: It is a harmful gas that is colorless, tasteless and odorless.”
Bruton said that the N.C. 211 corridor is being developed as a gateway to the Pinehurst area. “Instead of benefiting from this gateway, do we adopt the position, ‘Welcome to the Sandhills, hold your breath for the next 5 miles?’”
Following all comment, planning board members McLeod, Lamonds, Graves and Ronnie Thomas voted in favor of recommending to the town board that the conditional use permit be approved. The next board of commissioners meeting will be on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
Following the meeting Bruton said PortLand, Trinity and Hurst had built plenty of these types of facilities in the past: “Mr. Newman has stated that this is FLS’s first power project fueled by incineration. We should not expect approval for a conditional use by a novice operator.”
by Hugh Martin
CANDOR — The Town of Candor Planning Board met Tuesday evening to consider a conditional use permit application to construct a controversial biomass burning facility that would produce steam to generate electricity to run Mountaire Farms feed mill. The feed mill is in Candor town limits.
After hearing from the designer and builder of the incinerator and from Mountaire Farms neighbors on Morris Farm Road, the board recommended approval to the Board of Commissioners.
Opponents of the project say their issue is the health and welfare of the community from the byproducts and diminished air quality that would result from the burning process.
Brownie Newman of FLS Energy, the company that would operate the plant, told board members that the plant would be constructed using the latest and most recent technologies available.
“This will be the cleanest system to ever be built in North Carolina,” he said.
Also at the meeting were Will Kisner, facility designer at PortLand Systems, and Joe Sullivan with Trinity Consultants, an air quality emissions permitting company.
Newman produced a map of North Carolina that showed the locations of nearly 200 boiler facilities in the state. Of these, only 5 percent use the wood fuels that would be burned at the Candor facility.
The fuel would be wood chips from leftover timber industry material, a product that is not otherwise being utilized. Newman assured board members that no treated materials or railroad ties would be used as fuel.
Unlike previous meetings of the board, vice chair Jim McLeod allowed public comment during the meeting.
Bill Bruton, who lives next door to the proposed facility, posed questions to Newman, Kisner and Sullivan. Bruton addressed the height of the facility’s smokestacks, which is 36 feet above ground. He asked at what distance fallout from the stacks would occur. Sullivan said that any concentrations of air particulate would be way below permitted standards.
Sullivan said that the projected output is so low that the application for an air quality permit could be handled by the Fayetteville Regional Office of the Division of Air Quality rather than being sent to the central offices.
Bruton, reading from the town ordinance, reminded the planning board members that they do not have to recommend either for or against an application.
“When a recommendation is made, it should be based upon what the town board will have to do when it takes action” he said.
Bruton said that, according to the zoning ordinance, the town board must find that “the requested use will not impair the integrity or character of the surrounding or adjoining districts, nor be detrimental to the health, morals or welfare.”
“My neighbors and I were here first,” he said.
Bruton said that FLS did not have a track record worthy of a conditional use permit to run the facility as this would be the first facility of this kind they would operate.
Newman replied that FLS had other similar projects being developed in North Carolina.
“It’s not that complicated,” he said. “These systems do not require a high degree of training to operate.”
Bruton pointed out his concern that Mountaire has not proven to be a good neighbor, based on feed spillage along the side of Morris Farm Road, where the feed mill is located. The entrance to the site of the proposed facility is located on the same road near its intersection with N.C. 211.
Certified soil tests have shown an increased level of copper and arsenic from two sites on the roadside on Morris Farm Road. These soil tests were done at the request and expense of Bruton and the owners of the Carlan farm.
Board member Lawrence Lamonds asked Bruton why he was bringing Mountaire into the argument when they will not actually be operating the energy facility.
“If they don’t care enough to keep these toxins off of their neighbor’s land, should they be trusted to share any concerns about keeping particulate matter out of our lungs?” Bruton said.
On Monday, planning board member Allene Graves, Mayor Richard Britt and town commissioners toured a similar facility in Clinton, N. C., on the corporate grounds of Prestige Farms, a company that produces pork and poultry products.
“The structure was huge and very clean,” Graves said. “I saw no emissions from the smokestack and there were two houses approximately the same distance from the facility as Mr. Bruton’s house is from this one. There was a field of cows grazing next door.”
Graves said the plant operator told her that they had never had a single complaint from neighbors.
“He said that a home woodstove would produce more arsenic than these systems because of the equipment that is installed to clean the emissions,” Graves said.
Britt pointed out that the corporate offices were located on the same site as the boiler.
“While the sky may have been clear over the plant, and the air may have smelled fresh,” Bruton said, “please remember why Walmart sells carbon monoxide detectors: It is a harmful gas that is colorless, tasteless and odorless.”
Bruton said that the N.C. 211 corridor is being developed as a gateway to the Pinehurst area. “Instead of benefiting from this gateway, do we adopt the position, ‘Welcome to the Sandhills, hold your breath for the next 5 miles?’”
Following all comment, planning board members McLeod, Lamonds, Graves and Ronnie Thomas voted in favor of recommending to the town board that the conditional use permit be approved. The next board of commissioners meeting will be on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
Following the meeting Bruton said PortLand, Trinity and Hurst had built plenty of these types of facilities in the past: “Mr. Newman has stated that this is FLS’s first power project fueled by incineration. We should not expect approval for a conditional use by a novice operator.”
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