Smithfield
Town Council report from Dec. 7 session |
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Council members present: Mayor Andy Moore, David Barbour, Marlon Lee,
Steve Rabil, David Stevens, Travis Scott
Absent: John Dunn, Roger Wood
TWO MORE SUBDIVISIONS FOR WEST SMITHFIELD
The council approved conditional land-use rezoning requests to allow construction of two similar residential subdivisions being planned by separate development companies based in Wake County. Both feature amenities beyond the town's minimum standards – sidewalks, "pocket parks," expanded guest parking, extensive landscaping and buffers – in return for smaller lot sizes and building setbacks than what's normally required by the town's rules of development.
Harvest Run is a project put together by the Timmons Group for 45.6 acres on the north side of NC 210 just west of Skyland Drive. It includes lots for 96 single-family houses and 69 townhouse units next to another recently approved subdivision of similar makeup: Marvin Woods. Stephen Wensman, the town's planning director, told the council that ongoing negotiations with the developers should produce complementary street and sidewalk connections between the two projects. He said target selling prices for Harvest Run are $230,000-$250,000 for the townhouses and $280,000-$320,000 for the detached dwellings.
Franklin is the name of a project from R&R Development Group of NC for 15.9 acres at the southeast corner of Wilson's Mills Road and Durwood Stephenson Parkway. It's being designed for 134 townhouses to be sold for $250,000-$270,000, according to Mr. Wensman.
Developers for both projects said they're working with the N.C. Department of Transportation for addition of turn lanes at entrances off NC 210 for Harvest Run and both Wilson's Mills Road and Stephenson Parkway for Franklin.
ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT GETS "CONGRATULATIONS"
Presenting the required audit report for the 2020-21 fiscal year that ended June 30, Alan Thompson of the Whiteville-based auditing firm he heads said it's "a clean report" that shows the town ended the year with a General Fund balance of about $15.8 million – up significantly from a balance of $10.1 million four years ago. "Congratulations," he told the council and the town's staff, for "a good job." The report also shows a healthy gain in the town's property-tax base – from almost $1.1 billion in 2017 to $1,279,219,986 this year.
ANOTHER NEW POLICE OFFICER TAKES HIS OATH
Mayor Moore administered the oath of office to Anthony Wellington Moss as the newest addition to the town's police force. Officer Moore has nearly seven years of law-enforcement experience and also served in the Marine Corps. His employment follows the latest monthly report from Chief Keith Powell noting that the Police Department is "currently short five positions," including one to be filled by a student enrollment in Basic Law Enforcement Training.
AN OFFICIAL THANK-YOU TO PARKS & REC RETIREE
The council adopted a proclamation
honoring Jonathan (Jon) Moore for more than 20 years of service
with the town's Parks and Recreation Department. It notes
that Mr. Moore, as athletic program supervisor,
"devoted countless hours to planning and supervising
athletic programs for children and adults,"
including youth baseball, basketball, football, and
soccer leagues that "have developed some of Johnston
County's best athletes" and "earned the admiration
of his colleagues, staff, participants, and
citizens." Mr. Moore retired from the department
Nov. 24.LIBRARY GETS FUNDS FOR A NEW HVAC SYSTEM
The council approved an expenditure of $22,929.20 to help pay for a new heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system (HVAC) at the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield. The county will contribute $34,393.80 and the library will put up $4,000 toward the project's total cost of $61,323 under a contract being awarded to low-bidder Envirocon, Inc. of Wilson. An agreement regarding maintenance of the jointly funded library has the county putting up 60% and the town 40% of the cost of such expenses.
APPEARANCE AND PLANNING APPOINTMENTS
The council appointed Carmen Zapp to a first term on the Smithfield Appearance Commission and reappointed Mark Lane to a fifth term on the town's Planning Board and its Board of Adjustment.