Smithfield
Town Council report from Nov. 12 session |
 |
Council members present:
Emery Ashley, David Barbour, John Dunn, Marlon Lee, Steve Rabil,
Travis Scott, David Stevens, and Mayor Andy Moore
Absent: None
Council hears concerns from
residents
about proposed routing of greenway trail
The
Town Council received long-range land-use and
transportation plans from engineering consultants
Tuesday night but held off endorsing the documents
after hearing concerns about proposed routes for
North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail through
Smithfield.
Council members also said they, and the public at large, need more time to study the plans' many details and recommendations.
Jake Petrosky of Stewart, Inc. and Allison Fluitt of Kimley-Horn and Associates --- engineering consultants employed by the town --- presented summaries of the two plans they put together with help from a local steering committee and the town's planning staff.
During a public hearing on the proposals, Mark Lane said he cast the only vote against the proposals as a member of the town's Planning Board because of a possible routing of North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) through residential South Smithfield. "I'd like to see that part taken out and put on the back burner," he told the council.
Kay Kennedy, who resides beside the Neuse River at the end of Riverside Drive, said she's also concerned about the MST's routing. "The western side of the river is less populated" than residential neighborhoods along the east bank, she said.
Emma Gemmell of Hancock Street voiced concerns about possible expansion of the Downtown Smithfield Municipal Service District into her neighborhood. "From Front (Street) to (US Highway) 301 we want a hard line" preventing such encroachment, she said.
Councilman John Dunn observed that what's under consideration is "not a firm, exact plan" and therefore needn't be adopted just yet. "Let's take a closer look at it," he advised. The council voted unanimously to table the proposals.
Digital versions of the plans may be viewed on the town's website>
PERMIT
FOR TIRE SALES
& SERVICE
CENTER
APPROVEDCouncil members also said they, and the public at large, need more time to study the plans' many details and recommendations.
Jake Petrosky of Stewart, Inc. and Allison Fluitt of Kimley-Horn and Associates --- engineering consultants employed by the town --- presented summaries of the two plans they put together with help from a local steering committee and the town's planning staff.
During a public hearing on the proposals, Mark Lane said he cast the only vote against the proposals as a member of the town's Planning Board because of a possible routing of North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) through residential South Smithfield. "I'd like to see that part taken out and put on the back burner," he told the council.
Kay Kennedy, who resides beside the Neuse River at the end of Riverside Drive, said she's also concerned about the MST's routing. "The western side of the river is less populated" than residential neighborhoods along the east bank, she said.
Emma Gemmell of Hancock Street voiced concerns about possible expansion of the Downtown Smithfield Municipal Service District into her neighborhood. "From Front (Street) to (US Highway) 301 we want a hard line" preventing such encroachment, she said.
Councilman John Dunn observed that what's under consideration is "not a firm, exact plan" and therefore needn't be adopted just yet. "Let's take a closer look at it," he advised. The council voted unanimously to table the proposals.
Digital versions of the plans may be viewed on the town's website>
Without dissent, the council approved a special-use permit for Edilzar Ortiz to operate a tire sales and service center at 116 S. Bright Leaf Boulevard beside Massey Street. Permit conditions will restrict where Mr. Ortiz may put tires on display outside his building and how used tires shall be stored. Councilman Emery Ashley sought and won approval for an additional condition that will require Mr. Ortiz to remove used tires from the premises each week.
COUNTY GRANTED EASEMENT FOR SEWAGE FORCE MAIN
The council granted the County of Johnston an easement through town-owned property for a sewage force main the county wants to install from a "lift station" near the town's Water Treatment Plant to an existing sewer-line easement on the west side of the Neuse River. Approval came despite opposition from Pam Lampe and Emma Gemmell, two residents of a neighborhood near the water plant. Ms. Gemmell said she fears the easement will result in the clearing of pines and hardwoods near the river for the sewer line's right-of-way. Ted Credle, the town's director of public utilities, said two-thirds of the line would be installed by lateral drilling underground; the rest would be laid in an open cut and then buried.
TOWN'S WATER & SEWER SYSTEMS WIN AWARDS --- AGAIN
The council accepted two awards from the North Carolina American Water Works Association & Water Environment Federation --- one for "Potable Water Distribution System of the Year," the other for "Sanitary Sewer Collection System of the Year." Mr. Credle noted that this is the third year in a row the Town of Smithfield has won both awards in the category for municipalities its size.
ROSS LAMPE SAYS AMPHITHEATER NEEDN'T BE REPLACED
During the meeting's "Public Comments" segment, Ross Lampe objected to a proposal to replace the Neuse River Amphitheater on the Town Commons at a cost of more than $900,000. He said the current amphitheater and sloped seating area were constructed in the 1980s as projects of Smithfield's Kiwanis and Rotary clubs for less than $15,000. "I like it the way it is," he said. "It was built to withstand floods ... with salt-treated lumber ... easy to maintain." If repairs are needed now, he added, "I think those clubs would be willing to help."
STORMWATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTED
The council appointed members of a new Stormwater Advisory Committee: Lawrence Davis, Town of Smithfield Public Works; Ed Hoy and Billy Lassiter, residents; Will Lampe and Perry Harris, representing industry; Mike Mancuso and Lynn Daniels, representing business; Mark McDonnell, developer; Chad Simmons, stormwater engineer; Billy Massengill of Johnston County Schools; Matthew Starr, representing environmental and conservation interests; and Bishop Richard Johnson, clergy. A member of the Town Council will also join the committee, created as recommended by a recent study of local stormwater issues.
ONE
REAPPOINTMENT,
TWO NEW
APPOINTMENTS
The council reappointed Mike Fleming as Smithfield's representative on the Johnston County Economic Development Committee. Julia Narron was appointed to a first term on the town's Appearance Commission. Doris Wallace was appointed to a first term on the town's Planning Board.
NEW
VEHICLES
PURCHASED FOR
TWO
DEPARTMENTS
The council approved purchases of a 2020 Ford F250 pickup truck for the Public Works Department from Asheville Ford for $29,267.69 and a John Deere 3038E tractor with four-in-one bucket for Parks & Recreation from James River Equipment for $25,595.37. The council also approved retention of the Fire Department's old ladder truck as a backup following delivery earlier this month of a new ladder truck.
SPECIAL-USE CONDITIONS
APPROVED FOR
NEW RV PARK
Following a closed session related to litigation, the council approved a list of conditions tied to a special-use permit for an RV (recreational vehicle) park being built between Venture Drive and the Pine Acres residential subdivision. The permit for the project was initially denied by the Town Council but later approved by court order resulting from a lawsuit.
Follow this link to read the permit's conditions>
SWEARING-IN
FOR A NEW POLICE
OFFICER
Angie Tyndall was sworn in as a new officer in the Smithfield Police Department's Patrol Division by Mayor Pro Tem Travis Scott, who was filling in for Mayor Andy Moore, who arrived after the start of Tuesday's council meeting.
SPECIAL
SESSION
ON NAMING OF
AVA GARDNER AVENUE
The council recessed Tuesday's meeting until 6:30 p.m. today (Thursday), when the recent naming of a portion of Booker Dairy Road and its eastward extension as "Ava Gardner Avenue" will be reconsidered. Since that name was approved last month, the council has received a letter objecting to naming that particular road for the late movie star, instead suggesting other roads that could bear her name. The letter was signed by Mary Edna Grimes Grantham, Ava's niece; Ava Creech Thompson, grandniece and trustee of the Ava Gardner Trust; and Todd Johnson, director of the Johnston County Heritage Center.