Duplin commissioners look at possible new shelter
By Catharin Shepard
Published in News on July 7, 2010 1:46 PM
KENANSVILLE -- The Duplin County Board of Commissioners heard updates Tuesday on several county issues, conducted two public hearings and addressed concerns about a dangerous road intersection.
Ken Rau of the county animal advisory board spoke to the board members about the need for a new county animal shelter. The conditions at the current shelter are "deplorable" and a new facility is a pressing need that the committee has examined in depth, Rau said.
The state is working with the shelter regarding its operating certification, but the county has spent a lot of money on the outdated facility and the committee has already developed a draft design for a new shelter, he said.
Citizens have contributed more than $1,300 toward a new facility, and there is a chance the county could receive a 35 percent grant from American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, in addition to a 65 percent low-interest loan for construction of a new shelter.
"That opportunity expires in September, and we need to get our application in soon," Rau said.
The shelter would cost about a total of $650,000. Rau presented the preliminary 4,000 square-foot shelter design, five times the size of the existing facility, to the commissioners.
The commissioners sought further information on the costs of a potential shelter, including operating costs. A motion to pursue the money passed 3-2.
The town of Beaulaville is working on a comprehensive transportation plan, and Mark Eatman with the state Department of Transportation spoke to commissioners about the ongoing work.
"It's a long process that you go through," he said.
The plan includes pedestrian, bicycle and rail as well as roadways needs for the area for the next 20-30 years. No money is tied to the plan, which is meant to serve as a guideline and timeline for local planners, Eatman said.
The Beaulaville town board adopted the plan June 28 after receiving the tentative endorsement of the county planning board. The commissioners held a public hearing to give residents a chance to speak on the plan.
County Planner Randall Tyndall addressed the commissioners about the Community Development Block Grant hookup program and held a public hearing for a program amendment. The commissioners then approved 2009 Community Development Block Grant housing rehabilitation contract awards.
The commissioners also approved a motion made by Commissioner Zettie Williams to request a petition that the state Department of Transportation address a dangerous intersection near the N.C. 24 bypass.
"In the last three months, we've had another accident that resulted in death," Ms. Williams said about the intersection.