May 6, 1963 - 11:00 AM - County Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes

1 496Meeting of Board of-Commissioners for the County of JohnstonIMay 6, 1963The Board of Commissioners of Johnston County met in regular session on May 6,1963, in the Commissioners Room, at 1100 A M, with the following members presentH M Johnson, Chairman, J D Bailey, Frank B Holding, Jesse H Austin, Jr andNorman C DenningAbsent NoneThe following business was transacted1, LegislationA conference was held with Messrs Adam J Whitley, Jr, and W R Britt, membersof the General Assembly, to determine whether it would be appropriate to introducelegislation which would lower the ceiling on vocational and special district schoollevies, as provided by the 1947 session laws, since there was expected a sharp increasein the tax valuation due to re- valuationAs it could not be ascertained at this time by Auditor Britt what the percentageof increase would be, it was decided not to take any action at this time2 Johnston County Peace Officers Relief AssociationW R Britt, member House of Representatives, was requested to amend House BillNo 636 relating to Johnston County Peace Officers Relief Association so as to providethat part -time or non- salaried peace officers should have a period of sixty days inwhich to become members of the association, subject to physical examination require-ments3 Lundy Packing Company, Hog MarketMr Nelson Stewart, representing Lundy Packing Company, of Clinton, proposed topurchase two acres of the County Produce property located on Highway 301 for thepurpose of establishing a hog marketA discussion followed in which it was determined that the Packing Company mightconsider leasing the property, provided it lay in the province of the Board to enterinto a long time leaseThe Board expressed to Mr Stewart their appreciation for the companys interestin locating in the county and assured him that they would make every effort possibleto assist him in securing a suitable location4 RoadsJ I Lynch, District Engineer, making his bi- monthly appearance before the Boarddiscussed with them the following road problemsa J L Wall, of Smithfield, and Noble Peedin, of Selma, complained about adrainage problem located about one mile south of the intersection of U S Highway 70 -Aand I -95J L Wall, the one which the water overflow effected most, maintained that thestate had originally dug the ditch and should keep it cleaned out, requesting the Boardto recommend to the State Highway Commission that they take appropriate action in remed-ing the situationMr Lynch stated that he had investigated the complaint filed by Wall, and thatit was the responsibility of the land owner to clean his own ditch, that the statesresponsibility stopped at the end of the right of way, recommending that if the com-plainant was not satisfied and wished to pursue the matter further that he obtain theservices of a lawyerAfter a further discussion, Mr Wall was advised to appeal to Mr Merrill Evans,Chairman State Highway Commissionb The Burnell Chapel road ditch, the Henry Cross road paving and Road No1710 Moore Street addition were brought to Mr Lynchs attention, who explained thestatus of eachChairman H M Johnson presented letter from D Worth Joyner to W R Britt,dated April 9, 1963, which stated in substance that special funds were not availablefor paving road through part of the Bentonville battle ground, with the suggestionthat this road be included in the 1964 -65 paving program of the county, with estimatedcost of the project being 29,750005 Tax CollectorEdgar Baugham, Tax Collector, reported that the steps he had taken in order tosecure more space for his department One means he had explored was contemplatingcutting a stair -way from his office to a room in the basement, which would costapproximately 500,00 to 60000- -- - - - -- - -- — - - -- --- - - - - -- -- -6, 1_963 ContAfter a discussion, he was informed that the Board would consider means to securehim more space6 Negro County AgentH F Palmer, Negro County Agent, presented the following letter relating to theinstallation of equipment in the basement of the post officeSmithfield, N CApril 30, 1963Mr H F PalmerNegro County AgentSmithfield, N CDear SirI have been advised by the Buildings Manager, GSA that they have made an estimateas to the cost of the installation of equipment required by the Extension Service at59500He further advised that they will not prepare the specifications for this workuntil they are assured that funds are availableAs previously stated, this cost is estimated and actual cost will not be knownuntil they solicit bids for the projectPlease advise me with regards to the availability of the necessary funds in orderthat I may advise the Buildings Manager, GSAVery truly yours,D H Jones, JrPostmasterCommissioner J D Bailey moved that W G Massey, Clerk, notify Mr Jones thatfunds are available for paying the cost of installation of equipment required by theExtension Service approximating 59500Commissioner Norman C Denning seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried7 InsuranceAfter a discussion with Max G Creech, Agent of Record, as to the rates establishedby the North Carolina Fire Insurance Rating Bureau on county owned property, which wasplaced under a-Public and Institutional Property plan on January 7, 1963, as well as towhat type company to place the insurance, Commissioner J D Bailey moved that insuran-ce contract covering county property as listed in paragraph 6, page 64 of the minutesof the Board on January 7, 1963 be awarded to Max G Creech Insurance Agency, Smith-field, North Carolina, with the provision that the insurance be placed with a MutualInsurance Company, and that Mr Creech retain 5 of the premium for serving as agentof record, and that the balance remaining be shared equally with the other insuranceagencies of the county, including his agencyCommissioner Jesse H Austin, Jr seconded the motion, which was carried8 Health Departmenta Dr Robert D Phillips gave a report on the progress that had been made with theHaver - Lockhart Company in securing reimbursement for vaccine that had been returned toEthical Supply Company, as well as adjustments of claims to dog owners for expensesincurred by them in the treatment of their dogsHe submitted the name of Dr J F Knattenberger, President Haver- LockhartLabratorks, 800 Woodsweather Road, Kansas City 5, Missouri for the County Attorney tocontact and promolugate plans at arriving at a satisfactory agreement for reimbursingthe dog owners, who had suffered damages by the vaccination of their dogs by the con -taminated vaccine secured from the aforementioned companyb Dr Phillips submitted the following report on toilet facilities in JohnstonCountyThere are 18,477 housing units in Johnston County according to the census of 1960Of these 16,659 were occupied at the time of the census Toilet facilities were group-ed in 2 main categories, those houses having flush toilets and those listed with othertoilet facilities or none It is the latter group we are primarily concerned aboutThese 8,739 housing units with either prives or no toilet facilities represent 47 oralmost half of the houses in the county When this is broken down to different groups,the percentage rises to 52 for rural nonfarm and to 64 for rural farm The statefigures for comparable groupps are 39 for rural nonfarm compared to 52 and 59 forrural farm compared to 64T-_ - -- Our estimate based on the census figures and our experience locally would indicatethat as many as 6000 housing units have inadequate and insanitary sewage disposalfacilities98-- - -- -- - - - -- - - -- -- May _611963 ContOther figures show that 73 of the houses have running water, 48 have bath tubsor showers, 82 have washing machines, 73 have automobiles and 77 have televisionsets These figures are in contrast to the 53 having flush toiletsHe was requested to give the public plans and specifications of outdoor toiletsthat would meet the standards for public health safetyc Dr Phillips secured the approval of the Board for his department to continue forthe year 1963 -1964 the mental health programd After a discussion for additional funds to supplement the school health program,Commissioner Frank B Holding moved that 30000 be expended from the health budget forthe school health program, subject to Dr Phillips first exerting every effort possibleto secure said funds from the state for this purposeCommissioner J D Bailey seconded the motion, which was carriede Dr Phillips presented memorandum dated May 1, 1963 from Dr J W R Norton, StateHealth Director, requesting that if the present salary pay scale of the Health Departmentemployees remained the same for the year 1963 -64, which represented a downward modific-ation in the salary plan under the merit system, that ,complete justification of same beshown at the time that the salary plan is acopted9 Civil DefenseW J Broadwell gave a detailed verbal report of the acitivies of the Civil DefenseProgram, which pertained to the following Medical self help, diving equipment, John-ston County Womens Counsel, fire and rescue training school, legislation to exempt fallout shelters from ad valorem tax, eliminating overlapping of functions between the RedCross and Civil Defense, adult education, radiological courses be stressed in schools,Home Demonstration groups giving thought to home survivalMr Broadwell, in answer to question that one could purchase two way radio equip-ment cheaper privately than through Civil Defense channel, gave a full report on hisposition in preparing specifications and proposals on equipment, stating that it was nothis purpose just to secure bids but to get the best equipment and explained his ex-perience with the Motorola Company, which was why he was against that company However,since sealed bids would be received from the companies interested in selling the equip-ment, he would not have any voice in the acceptance or rejection of the bids10 Welfare DepartmentBruce Palmer was advised what steps to take in preparing tentative welfare budget,which would be acceptable to the Board11 Removal of safe from Thornton BuildinIn response to a problem of Bruce Palmer in having a safe removed from the ThorntonBuilding, which, in his opinion, was under - mining the foundation, belonging to J RPoole, W G Massey, Clerk, was directed to contact Mr Pool and see that the safe beremoved by Wednesday12 HolidavOrdered that May 10, 1963 be observed as a holiday13 Home Demonstration Agenta In answer to a question from a member of the Board as to the Home DemonstrationClub services reaching the women of the county who actually needed this service, MrsSarah Ann Sasser gave a satisfactory report of the efforts of her agency and club -members of the county to enroll less fortunate women in the county in Home Demonstrationwork, to help them with their problemsb Upon the recommendation of Sarah Ann Sasser, H ome Demonstration Agent, CommissionerFrank B Holding moved that Weavers Textile Company, Raleigh, North Carolina, be paid144890 for drapes in the Agricultural wilding and installation of the same fromAgricultural Building funds if sufficient funds are in that account; otherwise anappropriation from the contingent fund for paying this accountCommissioner Norman C Denning seconded the motion, which was carried14 LibraryCommissioner Jesse H Austin, Jr apprised the Board of the efforts being made bythe Trustees of the Smithfield Library for joining with the county in erecting a LibraryBuilding to serve the people of Smithfield and the county, requesting each member togive the proposal serious consideration as the Trustees would like to have a report byJune15 Proposal of Daniel G MatthewsDaniel G Matthews submitted a proposal of 300000 for the auditing of thedifferent agencies of the countyMay 6, 1963 ContAction was deferred16 Report Fire DepartmentsCommissioner Norman C Denning, Johnston County Fire Commissioner, submitted thefollowing report of the fire departments in the county for the year 1962Report as of December 21, 1962Fire Dept Number of Fires Value of Rural Amount of Value of PropertyRural Town Prop Contents Damages SavedAntioch14 32,5006,27500 26,175Archer Lodge530,5003,90026,600Benson20 1436,8508,95027,900Bentonville340,0002,10037,900Blackmanx X Rds526,5006,10020,400Brogden22 128,75011,59017,135Clayton7 672,27545,21028,075Cleveland8618003,3623,438Corinth - Holder287,65037,58038,92050 -2101232,50013,27519,225Four Oaks10 312,3506,9505,400Kenly20 353,0035,83017,970Meadow12 094,40025,40069,000Micro7 6107,5006,000101,500Pine Level4 414,0005,7508,250Princeton18 5154,00026,800127,500Selma22 22509,00016,500492,500Smithfield33 42357,15080,025277,125Strickland X Rds2 -6,7006,150550TOTALS248 1061,662,325347,7471,335,563All DepartmentsNumber of Wood FiresAttended112All DepartmentsNumber assistingother Fire Depts38Antioch Rural Fire Department and ClvelandRural FireDepartment wereadded to theRural Fire Protection during 1962On December 27, 1962 all nineteen FireDepartments were inspected bythe Johnston CountyFire Commission andall equipment was all found to bein good workingcondition AllDepartments are improving and doingwellOther Departmentsnow organized butnot yet operatingare Bethany,Elevation, Thanks-giving, West JohnstonIt is my opinionthat each Fire Department and each Firemandeservesa lot of creditfor a job being welldoneNorman C DenningJohnston County Fire Commissioner17 ReportsThe following reports were filed with the BoardC W Tarlton Agricultural Agent VerbalL P Creech Veterans Service OfficerL F Palmer Negro Agricultural AgentEdgar Baugham Tax CollectorM W Knott Electrical InspectorEleanor Hooks LibrarianW H Williford JailorRubert Barbour Dog WardenSarah Ann Sasser Home Economics Agent VerbalLloyd Gilbert Administrator Johnston MemorialHospitalCommissioner Frank B Holding moved that the meeting be adjourned to meet at900 A M on Monday, May 13, 1963Commissioner Jesse H Austin, Jr seconded the motion, which was carriedh man