Board responds to park violations, sewer for school

By Barry Merrill
NL Publisher

The Princeton Town Board responded at their regular board meeting to complaints of town park being violated.

Resident Elmer Eason, who lives near the park, complained that a number of the rules governing the park and its use were not being enforced, and said those using the park were not aware of the rules.
Before the meeting began, he told Mayor Don Rains that the bathrooms were not being locked and unlocked by police officer according to the park rules. After consulting with Police Officer William Seawell, the mayor reported that had been a problem, but the police department would address it. Police Commissioner Walter Martin said some of the officers were probably not aware they were responsible for that.

Mr. Eason also stated that people were bringing their dogs to the park, and the dogs were using the park “for a bathroom,” in violation of town policy. He also said they were being allowed to run loose, in violation of the town’s leash ordinance. He said the “dog doo” made the park less desirable for use by small children, whom it was intended for.

Mr. Martin said that although dogs were prohibited at the park according to park rules, unless the town adopted an ordinance, he doubted the police officers had enforcement powers for the rules.
Mr. Eason said that the park rules needed to be posted at the two entrances to the park. Town Clerk Marla Ashworth said she would address the signs.

Mr. Eason also complained about non-enforcement of the junk car ordinance (the board said that would be addressed in May), and about a bad dip in the road near his house, which Commissioner Eddie Haddock said he would continue to try to get fixed. Mr. Haddock acknowledged the dip is getting worse.

Engineer C.T. Clayton Sr. reported to the board that he had completed a proposed budget to cover the extension of water and sewer service to the proposed new elementary school site on Holt’s Pond Road. Total costs for the projects is $781,913.

Mr. Clayton said in preliminary meetings with the Johnston County Schools Asst. Superintendent Ann Williams, the schools had indicated they would pay all of the costs for extending the lines, with a reimbursement agreement, that as others in the area tapped into the lines, the county would be reimbursed a proportionate amount.

In response to a board question, this would not affect the tap fee and other fees the town would normally receive from a water and sewer customer, and add. fees be the normal costs paid by a customer to extend service to their property. All of the water and sewer customers in the area would be town customers, not county utility customers.

Mr. Clayton said that the plans, to his knowledge, met the county needs, but they have not seen the budget. Mayor Rains said the contract to cover the utilities extension would be subject to negotiation with the county.

The board approved a contract with Mr. Clayton for engineering services in accordance with a loan/grant package from USDA for water system improvements. The contract calls for payments of $67,560.

Two petitions for voluntary annexation were received. Dan Simmons, representing the Princeton Church of God, presented their petition for satellite annexation. They are not requesting utility services, but would be subjected to different building regulations for a proposed family life center at the church if inside town limits.

Friendswood LLC, owners of Princeton Commons, have also submitted a petition, as part of their development agreement with the town.

Both were referred to the town clerk for her investigation as to the costs of annexation, and public hearings were set at the next regular board meeting, May 7.

Barry Merrill, president of the Princeton Area Library Supporters, thanked the board for their continuing support for the library, and noted that recent contributions, particularly a $2,000 donation by the Princeton Women’s Improvement Club, had covered the remainder of the library’s funding needs for this fiscal year.

Mrs. Ashworth presented the police department report, as Police Chief Eddie Lewis was home, battling kidney stones.

She noted that the town had received notification of receipt of a grant for equipment the chief had applied for, but another grant for additional hours for police officers had been turned down.

They also received approval of an annual state grant to cover half the costs of mosquito control in the town. His application states that the total costs would run no more than $18,000 for the year.

He is also planning a meeting to request citizen support for reducing the mosquito population May 10. He noted that a rabies clinic would be held at Princeton School April 21, 1:30 until 5, at a cost of $5 per animal.

Final letters are being drafted for condemned properties to begin court proceedings in 60 days if property owners don’t respond.

Keri Christensen of Harbor, Inc. of Smithfield, who assists domestic and sexual violence victims in the countiy asked the town to consider including the agency in their budget. She specified no amount in her request.

She noted that while the agency has successfully conducted a number of initiatives to attract donations in support of their efforts, there is a great need in the county for awareness of their services. They are putting pamphlets in public restrooms across the county and offering materials to police officers who encounter victims or potential victims.

The board accepted the request and said they would consider it as they worked on their budget for the coming year.

The board adopted a resolution in support of bond referendums for new schools, community college construction, and for recreation facilities.

They also adopted a resolution recognizing April 29 through May 5 at Municipal Clerks Week.

A Standards of Conduct resolution was adopted, modeled after a similar Town of Mt. Pleasant standard.

Mayor Rains questioned whether the section was appropriate that the board investigate charges by one board member against another, and Commissioner David Starling agreed. Mr. Martin said he felt the mayor’s suggestion that the town attorney be given the responsibility of investigating the charges would not be warranted in most instances, and added the board could always take that action if they felt it was needed.

The board voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance as presented. Town pay days were changed from Wednesdays to Fridays effective July 1.

The water and sewer policy was changed to reflect recent changes the board had enacted by had not changed the policy to reflect.
The board will continue to advertise for a lead maintenance worker. Mr. Haddock said they have not been fully staffed in the department since Thanksgiving, and did not have any prospects. He said many who had expressed interest in the job wanted much more than the $10.40 per hour the town is offering. He noted that the average of neighboring towns for a similar position is $10.52 per hour.

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