February 4, 1963 - 11:00 AM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

1 7Fit widthVJ IMeeting_ of Board of Commissioners for the County of JohnstonFebruary 4, 1963The Board of Commissioners of Johnston County met in regular session on February -,4,1963 in the Commissioners Room, at 1100 oclock, with the following members presentH MJohnson, Chairman, J D Bailey, Frank B Holding, Jesse H Austin, Jr andNorman C DenningAbsent NoneThe following business was transacted1 Conference Representatives General AssemblyMessrs Adam Whitley, Jr and W R Britt, representing Johnston County in theGeneral Assembly, offered their assistance in securing county legislation that theCommissioners deemed proper and necessary and expressed their appreciation for theirefforts in behalf of the county, as the governing bodySenator Whitley stated that since Mr Britt was serving as County Attorney thatall local legislation would be introduced by Mr Britt Both gentlemen extended aninvitation to the Commissioners to visit them at any time and pledged their supportand cooperation in promoting desirable local legislation2 Letter C S CoatsAfter reviewing letter of C S Coats, erstwhile Constable of Smithfield Township,and discussing the contents of said letter with Mr Coats, in which he offered hisservices as Special Deputy on a fee basis to July 1, 1963 to apprehend and bring toaccount all persons failing to list their poll or personal property taxes, which isdeemed of sufficient numbers to warrant said action, Commissioner Frank B Holding movedthat no action be taken on the request of C S Coats for appointment as SpecialDeputy for the purpose of apprehending and bringing to account persons failing to listtheir poll or personal property taxes, but that Edgar L Baugham, Tax Collector, bedirected to work diligently with W H Britt, Auditor, to see that all eligible personsin Johnston County list their poll and personal property taxesCommissioner J D Bailey seconded the motion, which was carriedi3 Cotton ProductionCommissioner Frank B Holding displayed cotton production pictures for 1962 of theJ Mancey Johnson farms in Meadow Township and the following letter from J MarvinJohnson, Smithfield, N CCotton Summary - Johnston County1952 10 years ago 6,000 bales ginned in Smithfield1962 10 years later 1,000 bales ginned in Smithfield, 1,000,00000 lessin Smithfield from the decline in cotton production in one year aloneRecap for 1961 -62 years- Johnston County1961 1962Johnston County 13,151 8,236 Bales ProducedHarnett County 13,993 13,452 Bales ProducedSampson County 17,693 14,862 Bales ProducedThe Sampson County decline for 1962 was probably due to the resignation of theCounty Agent in the last part of 1961 to take a job with a private concernIt is not very probable that any of the above totals were affected too much byweather conditions There is nothing to indicate it It is due to a widespreadfeeling throughout Johnston County cotton rant be grown at a profit This is anerroneous feeling, however, for the proof of the situation is that 1961 was an excellentyear for Cotton in Johnston County where the property cultivation, fertilization andinsect control methods were vigorously followed and appliedMeadow Township had as much rain as any place within the County in 1962 including6 inches within 24 hours We have pictures here to substantiate that M Lee Johnson,R #2, Benson on the farm of J Mansey Johnson made and ginned 46 bales of cotton on 29acres of cotton The cotton was machine picked and very little hand labor ever wentinto the cultivation and growing of the cotton The cotton was planed in four differ-ent fields ranging as far as two miles apartJohnston County farmers over the last 10 years have lost millions of dollarsbecause they have not been exacting enough in the cultivation of their cotton Theyare in need of immediate assistance on the farm level and on the farm to improve theyield of cotton per acre and thereby save cotton and thereby the income from it forJohnston County Those who viewed the cotton of Lee Johnson were amazed to see that- - - - -- two bales of cotton could be produced in Johnston County per acre in 1962 It was an4170February 4• - -16 °ninspiration to them to make cotton during 1963 and they will if they can obtain on thefarm technical help on a continious basis from March 1st until October lst, 1963Above data compiled by J Marvin Johnson for the N C Cotton Promotion Committeeand the Carolinas Ginners AssociationFebruary 2, 1963The members of the Board expressed their interest in a definite cotton programto encourage all farmers to plant cotton and directed C W Tarlton, Agricultural Agent,to consult Mt-Johnson for the purpose of formulating a program that would encourage thegrowing and production of cotton4 Extension of Time for Listing TaxesUpon the recommendation of W H Britt, Auditor, Commissioner Frank B Holdingmoved that the period for listing taxes be extended through February 9, 1963Commissioner J D Bailey seconded the motion, which was carried5 Duties Tax CollectorIn response to a directive of the Board, W R Britt, County Attorney, reportedthat after consulting with Henry Lewis of the Institute of Government that it wasdetermined that by legislative act that a Deputy Tax Collector could be clothed withauthority to make arrests in cases where a person is only charged with failure tolist taxes and to serve summons in tax foreclosure proceedingsAfter a discussion, action was deferred6 Welfare DepartmentW H Britt, Auditor, apprised the Board of deductions in Public Assistance con-tributions to the county amounting to 138900 and extending over a short period oftime which were authorized by L Russell Clark, Director Division of Finance and Budgets of the State Board of Public Welfare due to over payments, error in budget computations,ineligibility of recipients by the local welfare departmentCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that these losses in county funds resultingin failure of the Local Welfare Department to make changes in recipients status beagain brought to the attention of R Bruce Palmer, Acting Director of the Welfare Depart-ment, and that he be urged to employ all available means under his control to preventfurther errors in recipients accountsCommissioner J D Bailey seconded the motion, which was carried7 Payment to Britt Ash1 6yCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that the law firm of Britt Ashley be paid5000, representing title research, title certificate and closing of E J WellonstransactionCommissioner J D Bailey seconded the motion, which was carried8 Petition Citizens Cleveland TownshipB W Booker, of Smithfield, and a group of six representative citizens of Cleve-land Township presented the following petitionTo the Board of County Commissioners of Johnston CountyWe, the undersigned freeholders and registered voters of Cleveland Township, herebypetition the Board of County Commissioners of Johnston County to pass a resolutionauthorizing the members of the General Assembly to introduce a local bill in the 1963General Assembly allowing a tract of land cont1ning approximately an acre, the titleto which is in the political subdivision of Cleveland Township, to be sold and theproceeds therefrom to be turned over to the Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department, Incato be used by said fire department in the reduction of the outstanding indebtednessagainst their fire truck This land was conveyed to Cleveland Township by Lizzie Woodon November 20, 1902, and is recorded in Book A -9, page 84, Registry of JohnstonCountyPercy D BarberD R WellsJ W YelvingtonLarry BarbourJ Edward BarberJ C JohnsonAfter discussing with Mr Booker the history of the lot, Commissioner Frank BHolding moved that the Board concur in the request of the petitioners, and that the — --members of the General Assembly be requested to comply with the terms and conditionsas stated in said petitionCommissioner Jesse H Austin, Jr seconded the motion, which was carried9 County Library Mrs Thel Hooks, Johnston County Librarian, submitted the following bids forreplacing roof on the Johnston County Library buildingName AmountJames Sullivan 33000H L Bass Tin Shop 35123L H Hall Metal Works 74660 Base bid68000 Alternate bid After reviewing said bids, they were ordered filed with W G Massey, ClerkSubsequent to a discussion with Mrs Hooks, in which she stated that the roofwas not leaking at this time, action was deferred in the acceptance of bids10 William Ragsdale, JrWilliam Ragsdale, Jr, County Surveyor, discussed a program for mapping the entirecounty and posed the question as to whether the members would be interested in formul-ating such a programMr Ragsdale left a proposed contract for carrying out this work with the Commiss-ioners, which in essense provides for mapping of the entire county at a cost of 64,000,payable 800000 annually, with Mr Ragsdale mapping and providing maps of two townshipsannually in the next eight years, at which time all maps of the various townships wouldbe brought up to date and would be of significant value for county reappraisalAction was deferred11 Health DepartmentDr Robert D Phillips gave a verbal report of his Department and introduced tothe Board Miss Sybil Holtshouser, Psychiatric Social Worker, of the Wake County MentalHealth Clinic, who acquainted the members of the Board with the operation of her depart-ment in the county during the program12 Salary Change Health DepartmentUpon the recommendation of Dr Robert D Phillips and in view of the change inclassification, Commissioner J D Bailey moved that 21500 be appropriated from theadjustment fund of the Health Department budget, Of this amount 7500 be transferredto the salary account of Martha D Stevens, thereby increasing her monthly salary from30200 to 31700 per month, and that 14000 of said amount be transferred to thesalary account of Frances Jean Moore, thereby increasing her monthly salary from 27400to 30200 per month, effective February 1, 1963Commissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion, which was carried13 JailorW H Williford, Jailor, reported the difficulty in securing a physician to answermedical needs of inmates in the jailAfter a discussion, Chairman H M Johnson volunteered to consult with physiciansin Smithfield and see if he could secure one on a permanent basis to answer calls fromthe jail, and to assist Mrs Nora P Southerland, Clerk of the Superior Court, in thecommittment of persbns to the State Hospital14 Welfare DepartmentIn answer to a question posed by Jesse H Austin, Jr at the last meeting of theBoard, R Bruce Palmer, Acting Director of the Welfare Department, reported that 21of the people in the county were receiving public assistance and of this number 704represedted white and 296 negro, with a total case load of 154515 Report Pleasant Grove Community BuildingThe following report of E R Parrish, Treasurer of the Pleasant Grove CommunityBuilding, was approved and ordered filed with W G Massey, ClerkReport from April 4, 1962 to January 1, 1963ReceiptsCollection from Donations 6350Rent from Building 26500Total Income 9450IFebruary 4, 1963 Cont 94850DisbursementsPaid on note 71000Balance 23850Light bills and miscellaneous expense 500Balance in Treasury 1 -1 -1963 18842E R Parrish, TreasurerAudited Shaw T Fish, SecretaryDonnie Stephenson, Temp Chairman16 BondsCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that the bond of Clinton Pulley be approvedPrincipal Surety AmountClinton Pulley, Special Deputy J D Bailey 20000Commissioner Norman C Denning seconded the motion, which was carriedCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that the official bond of Leonard SherwoodCampbell be approvedPrincipal Surety Agent I AmountLeonard Sherwood Campbell,Deputy Fidd Tax Collector Fidelity Deposit Cc Rhetta;Martin,r,00000Commissioner J D Bailey seconded the motion, which was carried17 Resignation Glenn Pleasant acceptedCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that the resignation of Glenn Pleasantof the Pleasant Grove Community Building, representing District No 5, be acceptedCommissioner Norman C Denning seconded the motion, which was carried18 Appointment D W StephensonCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that D W Stephenson be appointed a Trusteeof the Pleasant Grove Community Building, representing District No 5, to fill outthe unexpired term of Glenn PleasantCommissioner Norman C Denning seconded the motion, which was carried19 Request for Parking SpaceE J Wellons, Attorney, requested a parking space on the lot recently purchasedfrom him by the County Mr Wellons was assured by the Board that they would givehis request due consideration20 Notice to Sell Alcholic Beverage ApprovedCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that the notice dated January 21, 1963 ofGrady Smith Price, Trading as Price Service Station, 508 South Third Street, Smith-field, North Carolina, to apply to the North Carolina Alcholic Beverage ControlBoard for a permit to sell beer be approvedCommissioner J D Bailey seconded the motion, which was carried21 Parking Lot Purchased from E J WellonsAfter a discussion of E J Wellons request for parking space on the Wellonslot and after due consideration of disposition to be made of said lot, CommissionerFrank B Holding moved that W G Massey, Clerk, be authorized and directed to rentparking space on the E J Wellons lot on an annual basis of 6000, payable inadvance, with those who had been renting parking space from Mr Wellons be givenpriority, with the understanding that lessee renting said space protect his interestin the area leasedCommissioner J D Bailey seconded the motion, which was carried22 Sale of TimberC W Tarlton, Agricultural Agent, discussed the sale of timber on the countyhome property with the Commissioners Mr Tarlton was of the opinion that beforea sale of timber from this property be effected that a forester be secured to survey --`73 IFebruary_4, 1963 Cont - - - - - -- - -- —said timber and make recommendation as to what timber should be soldUpon the recommendation of C W Tarlton, Agricultural Agent, Commissioner Jesse HAustin, Jr moved that the county not consider at this time the sale of timber fromthe County Home propertyCommissioner Frank B Holding seconded the motion, which was carried23 Boon Hill Fire DepartmentThe following notice of the action of the Board of County Commissioners of WayneCounty allowing the Boon Hill Fire Department to extend its district into Wayne Countywas filedMr David Barden, Fire ChiefBoon Hill Fire DistrictPrinceton, North CarolinaDear Mr BardenThis is to certify that on January 7, 1963, the Board of Commissioners of MayneCounty adopted a resolution approving the following addition to the Boon Hill FireDistrict, in acoordance with request filed by Mr Norman Denning, Johnston County FireCommissionerBeginning at a point on the Johnston -Wayne County Line on Highway No 70,thence in an easterly direction following Highway No 70, and including property within500 feet of the highway, to the south, to a point 01 mile east of the intersectionof Highway No 70 and Road No 1331, thence in a northerly direction to a point onRoad No 1331, about 01 mile north of its intersection with Highway No 70, thencein a northerly direction to a point on Road No 1331, about 09 mile east of the pointwhere this road crosses the Johnston -Wayne County LineYours very truly,C Bryan AycockClerk to the BoardCBA?mmCC Mr Norman DenningJohnston County Fire CommissionerSmithfield, North CarolinaMr W G MasseyRegister of DeedsSmithfield, North CarolinaMr G E Summerlin, IIIWayne County Fire MarshalGoldsboro, North Carolina24 Board of ElectionsChairman H M Johnson submitted the following copy of a letter directed to MrMarvin Taylor, Chairman, Board of Elections from Mrs Roy C Coates, President, Demo-cratic Women of Johnston CountyJanuary 30, 1963Mr Marvin Taylor, ChairmanJohnston County Board of ElectionsSmithfield, North CarolinaDear Mr TaylorAt our organizations last business meeting, the matter of election practicesin Johnston County was discussed It was the general feeling of the group that therehas been for some time a growing laxity in enforcement of existing election laws Wefeel that this situation should not be allowed to continue, and that the only remedyis prompt action to correct abuses, and education of all persons taking any activepart in elections as to exactly what their duties and responsibilities areOur group voted unanimously to submit the following recommendations to the JohnstonCounty Board of Elections1 That a new registration be held throughout the county prior to the 1964 primary2 That a periodic check be made of all registration books to eliminate ineligiblevoters3 That registration and polling be adequately staffed by trained personnel It wassuggested that all election officials be given a training course in their exactduties, stressing their responsibility to uphold both the letter and the spiritof the law4 That voting machines be installed eventually in all precincts, and immediatelyin those in which the size of the vote causes returns to be abnormally late intabulation5 That more women be assigned to registration and polling positionsWe feel that it is essential that election procedures in Johnston County be im-proved so that orderly, fair and honest elections will be held Realizing that if ourrecommendations are accepted, considerable expense will be involved, our members herebyvolunteer to assist, at no cost to the taxpayer, in all precincts in any way we can beof helpRespectfully yours,Mrs Roy C CoatesLacy R Mrs Roy C Coates,PresidentDemocratic Women of Johnston CountyCopy to Mr Henry Johnson, ChairmanJohnston County CommissionersFour Oaks, North Carolina 0After reviewing the contents of said letter, it was the concensus of the Boardthat the recommendations of the Democratic Women of Johnston County had merit Someof the members were outspoken in the need for a new registration and the addition ofvoting machinesIt was, therefore, ordered that W G Massey, Clerk, notify Mr Taylor to formulaterecommendations to the Board providing for a new registration in the County25 Johnston County Board of EducationChairman H M Johnson submitted the following letter from the Johnston CountyBoard of EducationJanuary 8, 1963Mr Henry M Johnson, ChairmanJohnston County CommissionersFour Oaks, North CarolinaDear Mr JohnsonThe Board of Education gave consideration to the request of the Commissioners tothe Board of Education relative to making this office available to the Commissionersfor use by another county office The Board of Education investigated the possibilityof moving this office to the third floor Supervisors Room but found that such anarrangement would be very unsatisfactory due to the lack of space for file cabinets,office machines, records and suppliesThe Board of Education requested that I advise you that it plans a special meetinglater this month to give this matter further considerationThis office has operated under difficult circumstances for many years We do notseek an expensive or elaborate layout but in fairness to the general public, which weserve, it is hoped that when we move it will be to a place that is more adequate andbetter arranged than our present one As you know, we operate partly from this office,partly from the office on the third floor, and our supervisors of guidanace and attend-ance operate from the Thornton Building Mrs Boyd, the Negro Supervisor and MissMonroe, the Negro Library Supervisor, operate from their oars and their homesOur first wish has been to see that educational facilities for the children weregiven top prioritySincerely yours,E S SimpsonSuperintendentESS jmcThe opinion as expressed in the letter were concurred in by the members of theBoard26 Report Tax CollectorEdgar Baugham reported that he had collected license tax from all automobiledealers and that they seemingly were oblivious to resolution adopted by the Board onAugust 4, 1958 requiring itinerant or transient automobile dealers to make a depositof 30000 before a license was issued to themI- -- February X1963 Cont27 United States Fidelity and Guaranty CompanyThe following notices executed by the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Companyshowing that a Certificate of Automobile Insurance had been issued the Board of CountyCommissioners of Johnston County covering the following taxi companiesInsured Policy No Effective Date Expiration DateEdward George Rabil Mitchell Rabil D B AYello Cab Co C2141136 AR 1 -7 -63 1 -7 -64William Alonzo Jones C 2141852 1 -24 -63 1 -24 -642 Letter of John R BogerThe following letter of John R °Boger was submitted to the Board by W G Massey,ClerkChairman of County CommissionersJohnston CountySmithfield, N CDear SirIn 1961 the Bureau of Motor Vehicles had a bill passed by the legislature that allautomboile contracts must be recorded in the Motor Vehicles Department and not in thecounty where the purchase was made` This bill cost the Register of Deeds and Clerk of Superior Court of Cabarrus Countyaround 6,00000 We are both on fees which amounts to a great deal to us If we werenot on fees, this amount would go to the County General Fund, which would be the casein all other counties I am sure that it did cost some counties a very large sumI would appreciate it very much that when the bill in the legislation comes up forrepeal that you will ask your representatives to please vote for repeal of same, as Ifeel like the fees should be kept in the county where the purchase is madeAfter talking to some of the financing agencies, I find that they would also likefor the contracts be recorded in the county where the purchaser lives, as it is in-convenient for everyone to send these contracts to RaleighVery truly yours,John R BogerRegister of Deeds Cabarrus CountyConcord, N CAfter discussion of contents contained in said letter, no action was taken29 Elevation Fire Department, IncExecuted copy of agreement between the Johnston County Fire Commission and theproposed Elevation Fire Department, Inc, Benson, N C, R #3, was filed by CommissionerNorman C Denning, Johnston County Fire Commissioner, pending the said Elevation FireDepartment meeting minimum standards as required to become eligible for county payments30 Reports-The following reports were filed with the BoardL P CreechVeterans Service OfficerEdgar BaughamTax CollectorH F PalmerNegro Agricultural AgentC W TarltonAgricultural AgentW H WillifordJailorM W KnottElectrical InspectorEleanor HooksCounty LibrarianLloyd GilbertIAdministrator Johnston Memorial HospitalOn motion made, secondedand carried, it was movedthat the meeting beIadjournediChairman