Smithfield
Town Council report from Feb. 4 session |
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Council members present: David Barbour, John Dunn, Steve Rabil,
Travis Scott, David Stevens, Roger Wood, and Mayor Andy Moore
Absent: Marlon Lee
20 ACRES IN WEST SMITHFIELD
BOUGHT FOR RECREATION
The council approved the purchase of 20 undeveloped acres on the south side of NC Highway 210 in West Smithfield for a future recreation park. Cost of the $80,000 purchase from Cornerstone Faith Fellowship will be covered by funds set aside from the town's sale several years ago of the former Bingham Park site to Johnston Health for construction of the SECU Hospice House. The new park site does not abut NC 210 but is accessible via a 50-foot easement that's shared with neighboring property owners. Parks and Recreation Director Gary Johnson said conceptual plans have been drawn for the new park. But those plans, which include several playing fields for soccer and other sports, could change before the park is actually developed, he noted. And he emphasized that the town's Gertrude Johnson Park beside US 70 Business in West Smithfield will continue in use even though the property is leased rather than owned by the town.
TOWN
PLAN
APPROVED
FOLLOWING
REVISIONSThe council approved the purchase of 20 undeveloped acres on the south side of NC Highway 210 in West Smithfield for a future recreation park. Cost of the $80,000 purchase from Cornerstone Faith Fellowship will be covered by funds set aside from the town's sale several years ago of the former Bingham Park site to Johnston Health for construction of the SECU Hospice House. The new park site does not abut NC 210 but is accessible via a 50-foot easement that's shared with neighboring property owners. Parks and Recreation Director Gary Johnson said conceptual plans have been drawn for the new park. But those plans, which include several playing fields for soccer and other sports, could change before the park is actually developed, he noted. And he emphasized that the town's Gertrude Johnson Park beside US 70 Business in West Smithfield will continue in use even though the property is leased rather than owned by the town.
Without further discussion, the council approved as part of its "consent agenda" a new Town Plan that includes a Comprehensive Growth Management Element and a Transportation Element. Originally presented back in October, the plan has been slightly revised since then as a result of suggestions from council members at recent council meetings. It will serve as the basis for future council decisions regarding specific land-use zoning and transportation priorities. Members of a steering committee that helped the town's Planning staff with the plan's development were Donna Bailey-Taylor, Monique Clark, Hank Daniels, Teresa Daughtry, Neal Davis, Jimmy Eatmon, Sarah Edwards, Mike Fleming, Warren Grimes, McKenna Harris, Dr. Oliver Johnson, Susan Lassiter, Mark McDonnell, Sherry Phillips, Crystal Roberts, James Salmons, and Councilman Travis Scott.
SITE OF COUNTY'S NEW "JAIL" IS ANNEXED
The council approved the "noncontiguous" annexation of the site of the county's new Detention Center to be constructed on the north side of US 70 Business East just beyond Yelverton Grove Road. The site will generate no property taxes for the town since it's publicly owned land. Meanwhile, annexation will make the new jail complex eligible for in-town water and sewer rates, which are less than what's charged out-of-town customers. No one spoke in opposition during Tuesday night's public hearing on the annexation.
UNDEVELOPED WEST SMITHFIELD ACREAGE REZONED
The council rezoned 65 acres of undeveloped land beside Barbour Road in West Smithfield from a mobile-home residential district approved in 1997 to a "medium density" residential district reserved for single-family homes. Planning Director Stephen Wensman said the rezoning was not requested by the property owners but by the town's Planning staff to make it compatible with surrounding land uses. Adjacent landowners were notified about the rezoning and the town received "no feedback from them," Mr. Wensman reported.
ROTTING GREENWAY BRIDGE TO BE REPLACED
The council approved replacement of a wooden bridge on the Buffalo Creek Greenway that Parks and Recreation Director Gary Johnson said was "rapidly rotting and deteriorating." He said all of the greenway's other bridges over small streams or wetlands are in good shape, including one that's just a few feet away from the bad one. The town will pay Blueprint Construction of Garner $14,000 to construct the new bridge.
PICNIC
PAVILION TO BE ERECTED NEAR BOAT RAMP
The council approved construction of a picnic pavilion on high ground above the Town Commons boat ramp at a cost of $12,665. Barrs Recreation of Pittsboro will do the installation, which includes a 16-by-24-foot concrete floor covered by a "dual kite shade structure." Other elements of the project are picnic tables, waste receptacles, a lighted flagpole, and landscaping. The Appearance Commission has set aside $15,000 for the project, to be matched by a grant from the Johnston County Visitors Bureau.
STOPLIGHT
FOR HAZARDOUS
BELMONT
INTERSECTION?
During the "Public Comments" portion of Tuesday's meeting, Lucy Washington complained about hazardous sight conditions at the intersection of East Market Street and Futrell Way / Malta Street. She asked if a stoplight could be put there. Town Manager Mike Scott said town staff will review accident reports and refer the matter to the N.C. Department of Transportation, which would have to approve traffic signals along the highway. In the meantime, Ms. Washington asked the town to cut vegetation and perhaps move other obstructions to improve visibility for motorists seeking to get onto Market Street just up the hill from railroad underpass.
PROJECTS, OUTAGE STRAIN ELECTRIC
DEPT. BUDGET
The council amended the budget for the town's Electric Department to cover unanticipated expenses Director of Utilities Ted Credle said were caused by "quicker than expected" commercial and residential growth and the unexplained failure of a circuit breaker at the town's main substation that left most of the town without power for more than six hours on Sunday, December 29. To cover those costs, the council took $147,000 out of the Electric Department's Contingency Fund, leaving $185,481 of $332,481 originally budgeted for unexpected expenses.
APPOINTMENT TO
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD
The council appointed Colleen Roby, an owner of Simple Twist restaurant and the Simple Twist Tap Room across the street, to the Board of Directors of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation. According to the DSDC website, other members of that board are President Benton Sawrey, Vice President Jud Patterson, Secretary Jan Branch, Treasury Jeremy Pearce, Dr. Kate Coates, Ruffin Johnson, and Todd Johnson. Ex officio members are Tim Kerigan of the Town of Smithfield staff and County Commissioner Patrick Harris. Board member Billie Stevens passed away on January 31.
ARBOR DAY
OBSERVANCE WILL MAKE US A "TREE CITY"
The council proclaimed Friday, March 20 "Arbor Day" in Smithfield. The proclamation is the final step in the town's application for designation by the national Arbor Day Foundation as a "Tree City USA." To qualify, a municipality must budget at least $2 per capita annually for "tree services" --- a requirement Smithfield already meets with appropriations and endowment funds administered by the town's Appearance Commission.
$500 GIVEN TO LOCAL "ALL IN RED"
CAMPAIGN
The council reinforced its support for "All In Red Week" by approving a $500 donation to the Johnston Health Foundation in support of a public-awareness campaign February 7-14 about prevention of heart disease (the council had approved a proclamation last month supporting the week-long observance). Citizens are urged to "wear red" this Friday (Feb. 7) to kick off the campaign.
WHAT'S TO BE
DONE WITH REDUNDANT SIGNAGE?
 Councilman Roger Wood insisted that another location be found for this sign in West Smithfield saluting former Major Leaguer Barry Foote. |
Planning Director Stephen Wensman sought the council's advice before requesting removal of older signs, most of which are located on N.C. Department of Transportation rights-of-way.
Churches and civic organizations that have placed signs along roadsides will be contacted before any are removed. One idea put forth by the council at Tuesday's meeting is to provide new locations where those kinds of signs can be grouped together.