Smithfield
Town Council
    report from August 13 session

Council members present: Emery Ashley, David Barbour, John Dunn,
Marlon Lee, Steve Rabil, David Stevens, and Mayor Andy Moore
 Absent: Travis Scott


CSX railroad urged to fix and maintain

its crumbling stormwater infrastructure


The Town Council adopted a resolution at Tuesday's monthly meeting "strongly urging CSX Corporation to properly and routinely maintain its stormwater infrastructure" and "update its stormwater pipes to accept the necessary stormwater flow" beneath its right-of-way: 5.8 miles within Smithfield's town limits.

Town Manager Mike Scott showed the council numerous photos taken recently of flooding and stagnant water associated with the railroad's drainage culverts. In particular, he cited problems at commercial properties around 1500 South Bright Leaf Boulevard, Blount Street at Smith-Collins Park, and also at Lemay, Massey, Noble, and Mill streets.

The resolution adopted by the council notes that the railroad "creates a man-made dam for stormwater flowing from Smithfield into its natural tributaries to the Neuse River." It states that town officials have made several attempts to prod CSX into action yet "routine maintenance of the pipes still does not occur."

Mr. Scott said he got a phone call Tuesday afternoon from a CSX official, but what he usually hears is that the company has "limited staff" and thereby had "difficulty keeping up" with drainage work.

Councilman Emery Ashley asked that the final draft of the town's resolution include a paragraph emphasizing that CSX's neglect is causing "substantial damage to residents and property owners" in Smithfield. The council ordered that done.


TOWN'S WATER PLANT GETS STATE RECOGNITION

Public Utilities Director Ted Credle accepted an award from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality recognizing the town's Water Treatment Plant as one of 57 across the state that surpassed federal and state drinking-water standards in 2018.


SWEARING-IN OF A NEW POLICE OFFICER

Mayor Andy Moore administered the oath of office to Leslie Garner Hufton, who has joined the Police Department's Patrol Division to fill one of several vacant slots. She has prior police experience, the council's meeting agenda notes.


REPORT FROM TOWN'S APPEARANCE COMMISSION

Town Manager Scott presented an annual summary of activities from the town's Appearance Commission. The past year's highlight was landscaping the new Second Street Dog Park. Also, donations were received for planting eight trees, bringing to 163 the total since 2011 for the Donate-A-Tree program. Landscaping around 11 park signs was another project this past year, along with mulch and signage for the Fifth Street Community Garden. A priority for the year ahead is erection of a shelter and a flag pole at the Neuse River boat ramp.


 APPOINTMENTS TO PLANNING AND LIBRARY BOARDS

The council appointed Thomas Stevens and Debbie Howard to seats as in-town members of the Smithfield Planning Board. They appointed Terri Lee to fill a seat on the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.


CONTRACTS FOR AIR PACKS AND STORM-DAMAGE WORKS

The council awarded the following contracts as part of its "consent agenda" requiring no discussion:
• Rhinehart Fire Services, $154,582 for 20 air packs for the Fire Department.
• J.P. Edwards, Inc., $235,510 for restoration of the Spring Branch Wetland Facility damaged by Hurricane Matthew three years ago.
• J.P. Edwards, Inc., $11,090 for repairs to Vermont Street after a recent rainstorm.
• MasTec, $69,225 for elevating an electrical transformer on the grounds of Johnston Health's Smithfield hospital that was flooded by Hurricane Matthew.
POWER CONNECTION TO BROGDEN ROAD SUBSTATION

The council awarded a contract to Carolina Power & Signalization to complete construction of a major electrical line linking the Brogden Road substation to areas along Booker Dairy Road on the north side of town that's expected to experience significant commercial and residential growth. Cost of the work is $602,747. Rodney Johnson, the town's electric-distribution superintendent, said the project will give welcome relief to Smithfield's older substation located beside the Public Works Garage on Hospital Road.


WHAT NAME FOR BOOKER DAIRY ROAD'S EXTENSION?

Planning Director Stephen Wensman presented the council options to consider in naming the eastward extension of Booker Dairy Road, which the N.C. Department of Transportation says should be completed in November. The extension runs from the present Booker Dairy Road curve over to Bright Leaf Boulevard (US 301) near Ava Gardner Avenue beside Wal-Mart. Because Booker Dairy road will, in effect, be separated into two diverging sections by the project's completion, Mr. Wensman suggested applying the "Ava Gardner" name to the extension as well as Booker Dairy Road in front of Smithfield-Selma High School, Neuse Charter School, and the Recreation and Aquatics Center. Booker Dairy Road would continue as the name for the segment extending from a new "T" intersection southward to 301, he noted. Councilman David Barbour said the public should get a chance to "weigh in" on the naming before the council makes a decision. "We need to make sure the people affected by it have their say," he declared.


EVERGREEN LANE STOP SIGNS TO BE REMOVED

The council approved removal of stop signs on Evergreen Lane where it intersects with Old Farm Road. The stop signs will remain on Old Farm Road. Residents said the four-way stop was confusing to motorists. Police Chief Keith Powell said no accidents have been recorded at the intersection over the past five years.

NORTH SMITHFIELD RESIDENT HAS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS

Speaking during the "Citizens Comments" segment of Tuesday's meeting, Emma Gemmell of Hancock Street once again brought up her complaint that a proposed expansion of the town's water plant, located near her residence, "is unnecessary." But this time she added some other suggestions for the council to consider:
• The Town Hall parking lot needs re-paving.
• The 2019 version of the Comprehensive Growth Plan is "not comprehensive" because it only addresses parks and downtown.
• The town has "many areas with no sidewalks."
• The Downtown Development Corporation "wants to increase its tax base to include us (nearby residents) to pay for projects and salaries."
Sarah Edwards, Downtown Development's executive director, arose to take issue with that last statement: "There is not any intention to expand the (downtown) district to include residences," she declared. "Our top priority is to make Downtown Smithfield more attractive for development."

COUNCILMAN LEE WANTS RACIAL TENSIONS DISCUSSED

Near the close of Tuesday's session, Councilman Marlon Lee voiced frustrations regarding race relations in Smithfield. "People don't want to talk about it," said the council's only African-American, who represents the East Smithfield district. He said the town's police "harass people" whenever blacks congregate. "My constituents say they're getting pulled (over) for nothing," he said. "That's something that needs to be talked about." Because of Smithfield's racist reputation among outsiders, he said, "people don't want to come here."
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