[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6347000,"mediaKeyId","2246213-56b9c90d91b8f37a274369660fbd2c5a","parentId",2246213,"title","Oak Ridge council approves appointments, raises fidelity bond and funds horse show; finance report accepted","audioSeconds",1173,"startMs",3021000,"endMs",4194000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246213-56b9c90d91b8f37a274369660fbd2c5a&start=3021&end=4194","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246213-56b9c90d91b8f37a274369660fbd2c5a/thumbnail_3021000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6347000/North-Carolina/Oak-Ridge-council-approves-appointments-raises-fidelity-bond-and-funds-horse-show-finance-report-accepted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347000-a37960eec64f8bdd82092bc162469dd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775618018&Signature=dSNoR5QlvvCczikQYT5YqbhULykKzYKqFpOf-KPtq51t3FCFNCmuCLsAEGo~S8A7uLU6Cm7Gc8hXL~gXqY5oWgZbZwchIRHRv8ellLhYu9~IXdZm~hcF4Pf2onAsB7cAAKRTeTUict56hBKzLlpAoPB9mpjtjPYTpC8Vhl7DMKL9W8VJQiAI8ko-Vi2VXczzj60A2NOEkQmDj67tvyDYAQYT~iFJT4mx05xWaRjgunzcWy2vKvN40IpaSVu4hdwiOoK238LoHEO0HOed10BO~46Kl93nS0d-2iMrvd8GCwz0FBlb8BUUkotKij9kQa4VGMGBMbPD7D~RsUus11AFRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-06T23:20:08Z","article","The Town of Oak Ridge Town Council took several formal actions at its Feb. 6 meeting, approving appointments to boards and committees, accepting the monthly finance report, adopting a resolution increasing the town's fidelity bond, and approving a $300 donation to the Oak Ridge Horse Show Association.

Appointments and reappointments: The council approved the appointment of Patrick Fiorentino as a full member of the Board of Adjustment; Craig Rosenfeld as a full member of the Planning and Zoning Board; Holly Stewart as a full member of the Finance Committee; and Todd Dean as an alternate on the Finance Committee. The slate of reappointments included Stuart Meese (finance committee), Edie Bryant (finance committee), Daniel Walraven (alternate on finance committee), and Debbie Schoenfeld (historic preservation commission). The council voted on the reappointments as a group; the transcript records the result as \"3 to 2.\" Specific roll‑call names for the votes were not read into the record.

Finance report and fidelity bond resolution: The finance officer summarized receipts for January, including an ACH remittance of $83,155 in property taxes and $10,657 in motor vehicle taxes from Guilford County, plus monthly sales tax and other revenue; ABC revenue of $99,328 was reported separately during the meeting. The council accepted the finance officer's report (vote recorded as \"Ayes have it\").

Council then considered Resolution R‑2025‑01 to update the town's fidelity bond (the meeting transcript used the term \"fidelity bond\") to include ARPA and other large capital projects in the calculation and to increase the bond coverage from $200,000 to $500,000. The manager said the change adds approximately $750 in annual premium cost; council approved the resolution (vote recorded as \"Ayes have it\").

Horse show donation: Council debated a requested $300 sponsorship for the Oak Ridge Horse Show Association. Speakers at the meeting questioned whether the event benefits Oak Ridge residents and noted the organization holds its event outside town. After discussion, a motion against the donation failed; a subsequent motion to approve the $300 donation passed 3‑2. The record does not show which council members voted yes or no in the tally given at the meeting.

Other actions: The council scheduled a capital improvement planning workshop as a special called meeting for Feb. (time recorded as 10:00 a.m.) and received a water tower construction update (groundbreaking held; fabrication ongoing; deep foundation work expected in March; projected completion Jan. 31, 2026 per contractor schedule).

Why it matters: The fidelity bond change responds to auditor and state guidance about including large capital projects in the coverage calculation and provides increased financial protection for the town. The donation vote drew public comment and divided council members on whether town funds should support an event run outside Oak Ridge.

Ending: The council accepted staff reports and directed follow up on items raised during public comment; several procedural and scheduling items were acknowledged for future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting February 6th 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the Feb. 6 meeting the council approved multiple board appointments, reappointments, accepted the monthly finance report, adopted a resolution increasing the fidelity bond requirement, and approved a $300 donation to the Oak Ridge Horse Show Association after debate.","taxTitle","Town of Oak Ridge, Guilford County, North Carolina","taxId",57591,"location","North Carolina","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6347004,"Neighbor asks Oak Ridge to enforce tree‑preservation rules after developer cleared Lot 16",166,595000,761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246213-56b9c90d91b8f37a274369660fbd2c5a&start=595&end=761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246213-56b9c90d91b8f37a274369660fbd2c5a/thumbnail_595000.jpg","/articles/6347004/North-Carolina/Neighbor-asks-Oak-Ridge-to-enforce-treepreservation-rules-after-developer-cleared-Lot-16","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347004-872e60d7fdad6aab05b932f5388a452c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775618018&Signature=CFVvYxbgElLMAXTbBibkG~zi2Ve7gUL0~4nTtz6tM6K5xZ8twQwjaJIlN-WB-51zJuOLuIJRGzvGxbP~Pyyoot84Y3YfJQiOn5ydc-qTC9MQMHPjBuoPL4s-9dJ3SUL64Kf22bf~TdClLKtJaWPjoM9UyGCFkdGuA2cXJYdw9TWF21Hj1lugBIn4LfBQ-MH6Uw80EILFpRzlIrDNgrsRTrZFAb9vgnNQeT5jgbJUM--r0Fmv89X6LHWigeEWnmLlxt~PXrxnHwQ1buYWn1u0nZzPJgQE5mBP399ffZJ8vp4y32HR0BclAr5mSCbyTdr9IuOT30DCwGohU-Xc1TWBbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joanne Morris, who said she lives at 6727 Brookbank Road and whose property borders the Ashford subdivision, told the Town of Oak Ridge council on Feb. 6 that trees designated in the project's 30‑foot tree‑preservation area were reduced to 20 feet on the plan for Lot 16 and that clearing activity removed trees up to the preserved boundary.

\"The town of Oak Ridge has adopted a tree preservation ordinance, which calls for the replacement of any trees to comply with the tree coverage standards. And we are requesting that the town require the developer of Ashford Subdivision to replant the necessary trees in order to comply with that ordinance,\" Morris said during public comment.

Morris said the tree‑preservation line on Lot 16 was not marked during removal and the tree‑company operator said he was unaware of any restricted area; she credited her husband with stopping additional cutting by pointing out the protection line.

Town staff direction: Mayor and council directed Morris to speak with Sean Taylor, the town planning director, who the mayor identified at the meeting and who the mayor said would investigate whether the town could take action.

Why it matters: Morris told the council that the tree‑preservation standard had been reduced on the plan only for Lot 16 and that the subdivision subsequently sold that lot to a builder who arranged tree removal. The complaint asks the town to enforce its ordinance by requiring replanting to meet tree coverage standards.

What the council did: Council asked the resident to work with Planning Director Sean Taylor and for staff to investigate whether the town can require replanting or otherwise enforce the ordinance. The meeting record shows no formal vote on enforcement at the Feb. 6 meeting.

Ending: Morris offered a sample landscape plan intended to be acceptable to the builder and neighboring homeowners; the mayor and council asked staff to follow up with the resident and developer.","Joanne Morris told the council that trees shown on earlier plans for the Ashford subdivision were removed near her property and asked the town to require the developer to replant trees to meet the town's tree‑preservation ordinance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6347008,"Residents urge Oak Ridge Council to pass resolution opposing Transco SSEP pipeline",1499,752000,2251000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246213-56b9c90d91b8f37a274369660fbd2c5a&start=752&end=2251","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246213-56b9c90d91b8f37a274369660fbd2c5a/thumbnail_752000.jpg","/articles/6347008/North-Carolina/Residents-urge-Oak-Ridge-Council-to-pass-resolution-opposing-Transco-SSEP-pipeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6347008-18108a6d7a8a45182e1939f235ab2e4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775618018&Signature=dazQgHo43UPF~~8Wup-ArPEAUjWppZufw5VEtDj3~V7igjnClT4YivTlmogyp131vREzuCq2w~Vh~zycSWBCjU53M6P7-h1BfpB8iWBNs~Ib1LcN1AEuwxLM~73IqqW54baLD8FtWviY2GKxbhUwtm-JveyqAiirCJ~j7wd4w1NfzfC-Ky5osn5mWuYKMQfs~zcdcduRImhqy~CrzAMVN1OcotBolrgVgZM3nclKXCSdsrvBtZGZzybSt7IAzWMr8rbS4fpr3ja9dt3AxegvEXBOahRLsPIv4EpHz~3YDcmMP3N4HsSWOPyYmFyoqa8zJuS4s6kVFjCpkn1kvkWA5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents and regional advocates told the Town of Oak Ridge Town Council on Feb. 6 that they want the council to adopt a formal resolution opposing the Transco Southeastern Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP).

At the public‑comment portion of the meeting, speakers described safety risks from high‑pressure methane pipelines near homes, schools and churches, raised groundwater and stream contamination concerns, and asked the council to use a formal resolution to signal opposition to state and federal decision‑makers.

\"We are asking the Oak Ridge Town Council to vote and pass a resolution opposing the SSEP project through our town,\" said Ron Ray, a resident of Stafford Mill Road, who described the 56‑mile, 42‑inch pipeline project and said 28 miles would run through four North Carolina counties including Oak Ridge. Residents and speakers repeatedly noted nearby assets they said would be affected, including Oak Ridge Elementary School, Oak Ridge Military Academy and local churches.

\"These projects threaten the safety of groundwater, which once contaminated is nearly impossible to mitigate,\" said Emily Sutton, Haw River Keeper and executive director of Haw River Assembly, citing the risks to private wells in the watershed. Claire Spear, a community advocate from Hillsborough, urged council members to act, saying local and county resolutions elsewhere helped block similar pipeline routes and gave state officials political cover to act.

Speakers also cited construction risks, including stream crossings and blasting near wells, and referenced the pipeline operator's safety record. Several residents said the proposed construction would run parallel to existing pipelines that have been in place for decades and that adding a new line would require additional excavation near those lines.

Speakers who asked the council to pass a resolution included Ron Ray; Chris Ninziato; Terry Hammond; Mandy Bird; Robin Johnson; Brenda Cheney; Emily Sutton (Haw River Assembly); Claire Spear; Greg Anderson; Peter Molnar; Cameron Ligon; Paul Partika; and others. Many described living, working or operating businesses inside the project's potential blast or impact zones.

Council members responded that the town's legal authority is limited for a federal or interstate pipeline, but several members said they were listening and that the council could consider a resolution. Council Member comments signaled willingness to continue discussion: one council member said they had heard enough residents to give \"serious consideration to having a resolution that opposes the pipeline,\" while another noted there are limits to local regulatory power but offered to meet with residents.

Why it matters: speakers said Oak Ridge relies heavily on private wells and local streams that feed larger water supplies, and they argued a council resolution can influence state and regional decision‑makers and create political cover for higher officials to act.

What the council did: on Feb. 6 the council did not adopt a new resolution during the meeting. Residents repeatedly requested that the council schedule or approve a formal resolution of opposition; council members said they would continue to review the issue and hear from constituents.

Ending: Residents asked the council to move from listening to an explicit, public stance. Several speakers offered to meet with council members and staff, and outside organizations offered technical assistance for water‑quality and legal analysis.","Dozens of Oak Ridge residents and area advocates told the Town Council at its Feb. 6 meeting they want the council to adopt a formal resolution opposing the Transco Southeastern Supply Enhancement Project, citing safety, groundwater and historic‑resource concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oak Ridge council approves appointments, raises fidelity bond and funds horse show; finance report accepted

Neighbor asks Oak Ridge to enforce tree‑preservation rules after developer cleared Lot 16

Residents urge Oak Ridge Council to pass resolution opposing Transco SSEP pipeline