Archive for June, 2021

Change announced at county convenience sites

Effective July 1, 2021, construction and demolition (C&D) debris/wastes will no longer be accepted at the County’s seven (7) convenience sites. Materials no longer accepted include insulation; carpet/tiles; plywood/particle board; wood from construction sites/buildings; asphalt (from roads); gypsum/sheetrock; shingles; bricks; plastics; salvaged building components (doors, windows, plumbing fixtures, etc); and site-clearing materials such as trees, stumps, earth and rock.

The decision to no longer accept these items at the county-owned landfills was made by the Granville County Board of Commissioners at their budget workshop this past May, citing reasons of safety and capacity. Prior to this action, Granville was the sole remaining county in the region still accepting C&D materials at its convenience sites.

“Trucks from neighboring counties were often coming here to bring their construction waste, causing traffic backups and overfilled dumpsters that led to early closures at some sites,” said Jason Falls, Environmental Services Director. “The recommendation to close our sites to C&D materials did not come easy, but was necessary. The landfill in Oxford is better equipped to handle these loads.”

All C&D landfills must be permitted by the NC Department of Environmental Quality and receive routine inspections while following a strict operating plan. Falls notes that the Oxford Landfill, located at 6595 Landfill Road, has such a permit and will be accepting these types of waste materials from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.  A free of $38 per ton will be accessed for C&D waste brought to the landfill.

Granville County’s seven (7) convenience sites are located in Butner, Oxford, Wilton, Berea, Grassy Creek, Oak Hill and Bullock. For more information about Granville County’s convenience sites, please click here.

Tree seedlings available for order from NC Forest Service

Beginning July 1, the North Carolina Forest Service is accepting tree seedling orders as part of its annual sale. Each year, the NCFS Nursery and Tree Improvement Program produces millions of quality native and genetically improved seedlings. These include understory plants and nearly 50 tree species.

“In North Carolina, our agricultural and forested lands are important to our quality of life and the environment,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Trees and forests are an important part of addressing water quality, carbon sequestration and climate resiliency concerns. We are fortunate to have a Nursery and Tree Improvement Program in North Carolina, ensuring landowners as well as public and private entities have access to native trees and understory plants. This program is popular, so I would encourage anyone interested to buy their seedlings early.”

Conifers and hardwoods are sold in units as low as 10 and as high as 100. For those wishing to submit larger orders, the nursery sells tree seedlings by the hundreds and thousands. New species available this year include Nordmann and Trojan firs, Canaan fir, Colorado blue spruce and red spruce.

Genetically improved stock is available in loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf, and white pines as well as other species. These seedlings offer better volume growth, form, disease resistance, straightness, and other characteristics needed to produce quality forest products. See our catalog for a complete species listing.

How can you order tree seedlings from the NCFS Nursery and Tree Improvement Program?

* Tree seedlings can be ordered from the online seedling store at www.buynctrees.com.

* Tree seedlings can also be ordered by phone at 1-888-NCTREES (1-888-628-7337).

* Tree seedlings can be ordered using the order form found in our current catalog. Complete the form and mail to Seedling Coordinator, 762 Claridge Nursery Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

* A user-friendly catalog is available at the “Tree Seedlings & Nursery Program” link located at www.ncforestservice.gov. Catalogs are also available at local NCFS offices located in all 100 North Carolina counties. Inside the catalog, landowners can find information about the types of tree species, quantities and cost to order. Each description includes information about ideal planting locations and whether a species is typically used to benefit wildlife, restore habitats or as marketable timber.

Accepted methods of payment are check, money order, Mastercard and Visa.

Distribution of tree seedlings will occur December through mid-April, depending on weather conditions. Seedling orders can be shipped to one of 12 distribution centers statewide for a small fee or via UPS for a charge. Seedling orders are also available for pickup from the NCFS Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro or the Linville River Nursery near Crossnore.

For information on planting trees, please contact an NCFS county ranger. In Granville County, NC Forest Ranger Rob Montague can be reached at 919-693-3154 or at rob.montague@ncagr.gov.

Change of meeting date, Granville County Commissioners

Notice: Change of Meeting Date

The July meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners has been changed from Tuesday, July 12 to Tuesday, July 6. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, 4185 Highway 15 South in Oxford.

Meeting are usually held on Mondays; however, this meeting is scheduled on a Tuesday, due to the July 4th holiday observance on Monday, July 5.

Questions should be directed to Debra Weary, Clerk to the Board, at 919-693-1307 or debra.weary@granvillecounty.org.

Legal notice of legislative hearing for rezoning request

The Granville County Board of Commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 will hold a legislative hearing at 7:00 PM or later at the Granville Expo and Convention Center at 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford, N.C. 27565.  

The purpose of the legislative hearing is to hear public comments on the following zoning map amendment (rezoning) petition:

Zoning Map Amendment (Rezoning) Petition

Z-3-2021: Aiman and Mary Botros by Attorney Lori Dutra, Applicant, Three Parcels either having frontage on NC 96 HWY and Cornwall Road or having frontage on NC 96 HWY and One Parcel is land-locked with no frontage on a public road.  All parcels north of Oxford

Aiman and Mary Botros by Attorney Lori Dutra is requesting to rezone three parcels from Agricultural Residential 40 District (AR-40) to Highway Business District (HB), and one parcel that is currently zoned partially Neighborhood Business District (NB) and Agricultural Residential 40 District (AR-40) to Highway Business District (HB).  Three parcels either have frontage on both NC 96 HWY and Cornwall Road or have frontage on NC HWY 96 only, and one parcel is land-locked with no frontage on a public road.  The four parcels proposed for rezoning are more specifically identified as Tax Map #190402877891, Tax Map #190402878687, Tax Map #190402878891, and Tax Map #190402877216.  The properties are owned by Aiman and Mary Botros. 

Changes may be made in the advertised proposal, which reflect debate, objections, and discussions at the hearing. 

For additional information or public examination, contact the Granville County Planning Department, 122 Williamsboro Street, P.O. Box 877, Oxford, NC 27565; phone 919-603-1331 or fax 919-693-6794.

Municipal filing period set to begin at noon on July 2

The Granville County Board of Elections announces that the municipal filing period is set to begin on Friday, July 2, 2021 at noon and ends on Friday, July 16 at noon. Local offices up for re-election are as follows:

City of Oxford: The Mayor’s seat and four (4) Commissioner seats
(Filing fee is $10.00)

City of Creedmoor: The Mayor’s seat and two (2) Commissioner seats
(Filing fee is $10.00)

Town of Butner: The Mayor’s seat and three (3) Town Council seats
(Filing fee is $10.00)

Town of Stem: The Mayor’s seat and three (3) Commissioner seats
(Filing fee is $5.00)

Town of Stovall: The Mayor’s seat and two (2) Commissioner seats
(Filing fee is $5.00)

The Granville County Board of Elections office, located at 208 Wall Street in Oxford, will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. during the filing period and will not close for lunch. 

The Board of Elections office will be closed on Monday, July 5, 2021 in observance of Independence Day.

Anyone with questions about filing can contact the Board of Elections office at 919-693-2515.

Recipients of Volunteer Service Awards recognized

At their June 21 meeting, the County’s Board of Commissioners recognized Governor’s Volunteer Service Award recipients for 2021. Honored with Resolutions of Recognition and Appreciation for their service in Granville County were Roxanne Blackburn (Rescue Coordinator, Granville County Animal Shelter), Mary Elliott (volunteer with Area Congregations in Ministry – ACIM) and Jerry Broyal (St. Stephens Episcopal Church/Murdoch Development Center).

Nominated by the County’s Animal Services Director Matt Katz, Blackburn serves as the main contact for shelter animal rescue groups, as well as assisting with fundraising efforts, rabies clinics, adoption events and kitten foster training. In addition, she monitors and manages a Facebook page for “Granville County Animal Shelter Friends,” which includes pet adoptions, rescues, and efforts to re-unite lost and found pets with their owners. Through her efforts, more than 1,100 dogs and cats were placed with rescue groups in 2020. Blackburn is also among a distinguished group of eight (8) Granville County volunteers previously honored with the Medallion Award, which recognizes the “top 20” volunteers from across the state. 

Elliott was honored for her work with ACIM, the local food pantry, where she has found a fulfilling role since her retirement. Through her volunteer service she has stocked shelves, filled shopping carts for clients and helps in any area needed. She now manages the bread/deli/dessert inventory, working Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 

Recognized for his volunteer service to the Murdoch Developmental Center, Broyal works with other volunteers of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in providing games, activities and snacks for the residents of Royall Cottage. When COVID-19 restrictions were put into place, Broyal continued to ensure that the cottage residents received a birthday gift on their special day, as well as ensuring that each had a Christmas gift.

Along with a County Resolution, each award recipient was presented with a pin and letter of appreciation signed by N.C. Governor Roy Cooper, as well as a coin commemorating Granville County’s 275th Anniversary. Board Chair Sue Hinman made the presentations on behalf of the Board. 

Nominations for the Governor’s Service Award 2022 will be open in September of this year. For more details, please click here.

Volunteers build ramps for Granville County residents

Granville County Senior Services is now partnering with local volunteers, working together to construct ramps for Granville County residents who need a “bridge” to the outside world.  

Since April of 2021, retired contractor Garman Troup has led volunteers of all ages and from diverse backgrounds in constructing ramps for Granville residents. The former Housing and Home Improvement Director of Resources for Seniors in Wake County recently moved to Oxford with his wife Teresa. During his 35-year career in Wake County, he has constructed more than 2500 ramps and is now volunteering with Granville County Senior Services. Referrals for ramps are made to Granville County Senior Services, Troup goes to the home to measure and determine needed materials, and a call is put out far and wide for volunteer power. So far, volunteers have included health workers, family members, local church members, client’s neighbors and others interested in being part of a great experience to benefit members of our community.

“Each time a ramp is built, someone is ‘set free,’” Troup said.

“Everyone needs to have easy access in and out of their home for reasons of safety and quality of life,” added Kathy May, Granville County Senior Services Director. “When someone finds himself in a wheelchair or having to use a walker, steps become a dangerous barrier. That’s why the work of these volunteers is so important and is so greatly appreciated.”

Granville County residents benefitting from donated ramps over the past three months include a widow returning home from double knee replacement surgery; an amputee returning home after rehabilitation; a stroke survivor who needed a safe way for her children to transport her to and from her home; a man with a degenerative illness who suffers from repeated falls; and others.

According to Troup, no experience is necessary for this volunteer effort; on the job training is provided. Current volunteers range in age from 18 to 80, and are from Granville as well as nearby counties.

Requests for ramps can be made to the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford, 107 Lanier Street. A needs assessment will be made following the request.

For more information or to volunteer to help or donate materials for the ramp project, please contact May by phone at 919-693-1930 or through email at kathy.may@granvillecounty.org.

Commissioners to hold regular meeting June 21

NOTICE of REGULAR MEETING

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet at the Granville Expo & Convention Center, 4185 Highway 15, Oxford, NC on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. for the regular scheduled meeting.

This will be an in-person meeting.  Any questions should be directed to Debra Weary, Clerk to the Board, at 919-603-1307 or debra.weary@granvillecounty.org. 

To view the agenda, please click here: June 21, 2021

Granville Athletic Park to host USTA state championships

The new tennis courts at the Granville Athletic Park (GAP) have been reserved for the U.S. Tennis Association’s (USTA) “40 and Over” State Championships, June 24 – 26.

Granville County is one of several sites of the Eno River Area Leagues serving as tournament hosts. The League’s host city typically uses 10 to 15 nearby sites for the state championships. For 2021, the City of Durham is serving as host, with their Parks and Recreation Department handling site coordination for each day of the tournament.

Four of the six tennis courts at the GAP have been reserved for these championship matches. It is expected that the tournament will bring tennis enthusiasts from the Eno River area and beyond, as well as sparking additional interest in the game of tennis and the USTA.

“These tennis courts greatly enhance what the county already has in place,” said Betty Lou Davis of the County’s Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Oxford Community Tennis Association. “Since they are USTA-sanctioned, we can now attract a broader spectrum of tennis players from outside the county and increase the number of visitors to our area.”

In December of 2019, the USTA and USTA Southern had awarded $70,000 ($50,000 and $20,000 respectively) to assist in the construction of the 78-foot tennis courts as part of the Phase III expansion of the park, with options for play on three 60-foot and four 36-foot courts. Intended use for the newly constructed courts included tournament play for athletic associations and tennis clubs, as well as providing a site for local high school students to practice and play.

In addition to the USTA funding, the Phase III expansion was completed with grants awarded through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF, $300,000) and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF, $250,00), adding 11 acres to the already-existing park. The project was completed in April of this year and is now open to the public.

The Granville Athletic Park is located at 4615 Belltown Road in Oxford and is the County’s largest outdoor recreational area.

Proclamation issued for South Granville High School “Lady Vikings”

The Granville County Board of Commissioners has recognized the “Lady Vikings” softball team of South Granville High School with a proclamation in honor of their championship legacy.

The team has a record of 218 wins and only 19 defeats since 2011, and has made seven regional series appearances, six of them being consecutive. Most recently, the “Lady Vikings” won the North Carolina State 2AA Championships in 2015, 2016 and 2018, with the 2018 state championships resulting in a perfect record of 27 wins and no losses. A regional appearance followed in 2019 (18 wins and only 4 losses).

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 “Lady Vikings” were declared winners of the Eastern Regionals, and went on to compete in the championship series.

The Commissioners’ proclamation reads, in part, “The South Granville High School Lady Vikings softball team has a stellar winning tradition. This tradition has provided many great moments in which the City of Creedmoor and Granville County residents take great pride. They will always be remembered for their athletic success and for continuing to be ambassadors of Granville County.”

The 2021 team includes Brooke Bowling, Paige Strickland, Jenna Curry, Kaitlyn Goss, Savannah Thompson, Megan Ellis, Maddie Gerovac, Candace Strombeck, Jani Spruill. Georgia Preddy, Kylyn Dean and Savannah Norton. Coaches for the team are Head Coach Jackie Day and Assistant Coaches Donnie Boyd and Scott Brogdon. Sherry Thompson serves as statistician.

Commissioner Russ May (District 5) made the presentation at the June 7 meeting of the Board.

To view the proclamation, please click here.