W. TERRY SMITH
An urban deer hunt is planned in Tarboro next year.
Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to apply for a permit by the April 1 deadline after hearing how it is done from District 3 Wildlife Biologist Joe Falto of the state Wildlife Resources Commission.
Several details will be finalized later, but it appears the hunt will be five weeks beginning the first Saturday in January, with bows and arrows only, require written permission from property owners and likely involve only police officers.
“We’ll start with just police officers the first year,” Town Manager Sam Noble said. “This thing could get out of hand.”
The regular deer-hunting season begins the second Saturday in September.
Mayor Donald Morris said the hunt was necessary because of the vast destruction of private property by what has been described as “an ever-increasing deer herd.”
Residents in Austin, Pines, Colonial Woods, Forest Acres and other areas have all complained about the deer eating their landscapes.
“It’s a major concern,” said Councilman Steve Hoard.
Councilwoman Gerrelene Walker asked about liability, and Falto said that was between the property owner and hunter.
“What happens to the deer?” Councilwoman Candis Owens asked.
Falto said that was up to the town, but in other municipalities, the deer often are given to the Hunters for the Hungry.
The concept of an urban deer season was introduced by the state in 2007 to combat an increasing number of deer-vehicle collisions and cases of property damage. Deer crashes have killed 18 people and injured 3,218 more in North Carolina since 2006, according to the state Department of Transportation.
During the citizens comments period, the mayor promised staff would look into her claim a street light was needed in the stretch of Saint Andrew Street between Park Avenue and Baker Street and also whether a stop sign was needed at Phillips and Saint Andrew..
In other business, council:
• Approved the Pilot Club placing a granite bench in the Town Common in memory of of longtime member Mary Anne Etheridge, who passed away last year.
• Tabled the request of the Rev. Sammy Woods of Tarboro Church of God to remove three trees on the town’s right of way on Saint James Street. Woods has said the trees interfere with construction of the new sanctuary. Woods was ill and unable to attend the meeting. Councilman Melvin Muhammad said the church was in his ward, but he had forgotten to go by and see the trees. After discussion, the request was tabled until next month.
• Approved an agreement with PowerServices Inc. of Raleigh to provide engineering services at Sara Lee Bakery not to exceed $60,000. The town recently received a $450,000 Rural Center grant to provide a 1,800 kW generator for the bakery and a $675,000 Community Development Block Grant to install it.
• Appointed Rawls Howard to fill an unexpired term on the Edgecombe County Cultural Arts Council.
• Re-appointed Frank Allen, John Jenkins, Brent Nash, Betty Temple and Dianne Williams to the Historic District Commission.
• Approved $18,409 in change orders in connection with the water system improvements filter rehabilitation contract. The North Carolina Public Water Supply has recommended replacing 100 percent of the porcelain spheres in the water plant’s filters.
PWS also has approved funding for this replacement in the form of a 50 percent grant and 50 percent zero interest loan.
• Approved the purchase of major water purification chemicals
• Called for a public hearing April 12 on the assessment for $6,767 in demolition cost for the structure at 1204 Newsome St. In June, council gave the owners 30 days to comply with the building inspector’s order to repair or demolish the dwelling.
• Unanimously approved several budget amendments, including:
• Spending $15,000 for a Seat Belt Convincer for the police department. The state Governor’s Highway Safety Program is procuring federal funding for the equipment, and the town will be reimbursed. The Seat Belt Convincer, which was on display at The Happening on the Common last spring, simulates the actual force generated during a 5 to 7 mph crash.
“It gives a nice jolt,” Lt. Jay Boykin said.
• Increasing the donation to the Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce by $4,000 to $5,960.
New Chamber President Bobbie Martin was present, thanked council and pledged top visit existing members and prospective members. She also has agreed to work with the town Planning Department on small business development and tourism.
• Reducing the budget by $7,500 since the town budgeted $10,000 for ABC tax revenues for 2009-10. The revenues are $625 per quarter.
Agreeing to a 25 percent match of $4,217 for a $12,652 Senior Citizens General Purpose Grant from the state Division on Aging for the E.L Roberson Center.
• Closing the general fund capital project for Eastern Carolina Manufacturing. The project came in at $249,985 with a surplus of $7,500.
The mayor proclaimed March 7-13 as Girl Scout Week and was presented a bag of cookies by Sarah Bland, 11, who was accompanied by her mother, Jennifer Bland, Girl Scouts membership specialist for Edgecombe and Nash counties.
