[{"_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",6086700,"mediaKeyId","2894389-155be8f0175e8a9f1ec486d8dd225912","parentId",2894389,"title","Neighbor asks Oak Ridge to require replanting after tree removal in Ashford subdivision","audioSeconds",142,"startMs",310000,"endMs",452000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894389-155be8f0175e8a9f1ec486d8dd225912&start=310&end=452","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894389-155be8f0175e8a9f1ec486d8dd225912/thumbnail_310000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6086700/North-Carolina/Neighbor-asks-Oak-Ridge-to-require-replanting-after-tree-removal-in-Ashford-subdivision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086700-dea4fca3376faea81738176cf70405f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770838120&Signature=iKhmSxsAcSlQNpAGMGqEiNrJ9ojAyo6RMLxeMGdHNifoFvNYVMIM4oE1Dtyi0t75vcSU4xe6215hJTvviWUfaS8NPNg4UszFBdbIFoDkNM7M-yL8gVQbWWkaPmihMZW3rm0c5PZ21HF3z3gkbuQgbfEJSeImeQtgvvrI1YWQl8p-BEFGa~7FaqIixfUYtN-ukT60vehztRT9dkLqeDnR0cCT5I95pxj61rMAEgWU3twWwt8Aas-EYr1GXJtjkg3OkAhNTXNJwXDj1T0N1Osafz0pTzUru1cC~wSfyzBedKbwwb0sGm~M~9X1hTKhXEIgp0cx4kPbVTc-sbuGS94VHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-08T12:05:22.217Z","article","Joanne Morris, whose property borders the Ashford subdivision, told the Town Council on Feb. 6 that trees on Lot 16 had been removed beyond the marked tree-preservation area shown in earlier plans.

Morris said the tree-preservation zone on Lot 16 had been reduced from 30 feet to 20 feet in a plan she saw in late 2023 or early 2024 and that the restricted area was not clearly marked in the field. She said an operator on site was unaware of any restricted area and that vegetation has been removed close to her property line.

Morris asked the town to require the Ashford developer to replant trees to meet the town’s tree-coverage standards. “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,” she told council.

Mayor and council directed Morris to meet with Planning Director Shawn Taylor so staff could investigate whether the town can require replanting or other remedies. Shawn Taylor, the town’s planning director, was named during public comment as the staff contact; the council asked Morris to follow up with Taylor after the meeting.

No formal enforcement action or council vote was taken at the Feb. 6 meeting; councilors referred the matter to planning staff for investigation and possible administrative follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council Meeting February 6th 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident told the Town Council on Feb. 6 that trees were removed in the Ashford subdivision in a way she said violated the town’s tree-preservation requirements and asked town planners to require the developer to replant.","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},6086706,"Oak Ridge Council approves appointments, reappointments and $300 donation; updates fidelity bond",1036,2738000,3774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894389-155be8f0175e8a9f1ec486d8dd225912&start=2738&end=3774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894389-155be8f0175e8a9f1ec486d8dd225912/thumbnail_2738000.jpg","/articles/6086706/North-Carolina/Oak-Ridge-Council-approves-appointments-reappointments-and-300-donation-updates-fidelity-bond","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086706-93e4e3e5f69bf2851d9c32d6aaeba78c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770838120&Signature=Y0HmGLBUMoBkHkhwASQ7GOOK5CRR3AMULyx50v6BmZplLIr5uJ0sc5gHkHkr0AF6c9yBQisrBTiZkMYady-laUbSd1x2MYrpOIu8a8cfW5brjaXx79YSZhIAGRdtfvLUMbXFbduY3E4jJ0g4v5goyFIqRsFGEU1gZgJhK~XNORzHCeypBfQDfLwPnD2xThZiezCabk7o3cJpJ-XXxlwaHLw32Toa4VXjHLnYRUAhZDjq9I8gGB7yJvRg1~FQkyy5~-s8jCpCDJa7RiDF7IGucwfsnzmD9dlThOYUlk65ZKgs9ddZl4VOV1UZAomyPS1Unz-D2KA~LeDgm4ZVNn~Gkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oak Ridge Town Council approved multiple personnel appointments and financial items during its Feb. 6 meeting, including a resolution to increase fidelity-bond coverage for town finance staff.

Council appointed Patrick Fiorentino to the Board of Adjustment, Craig Rosenfeld to the Planning and Zoning Board, Holly Stewart to the Finance Committee and Todd Dean as an alternate to the Finance Committee. The motion to approve that slate passed by voice vote. A separate slate of reappointments — Stuart Meece (finance committee), E. D. Bryant (finance committee), Daniel Walraven (finance committee alternate) and Debbie Schoenfeld (historic preservation commission) — passed on a 3-to-2 vote.

Council also approved a $300 town donation to the Oak Ridge Horse Show by a 3-to-2 vote after public discussion over whether the event benefits Oak Ridge residents. Councilors split on whether taxpayer funds should support an event currently held outside Oak Ridge.

The council accepted the finance officer’s monthly report and approved resolution R2025-01 updating fidelity-bond requirements for the finance officer and two assistant finance officers. Town Manager Bill Bruce told the council the change increases the bond from $200,000 to $500,000; he said the increased premium would cost the town about $750 annually. The council adopted the resolution by voice vote.

Finance highlights presented at the meeting included an ACH property-tax transfer of $83,155 and motor-vehicle taxes of $10,657 from the Guilford County Tax Department, monthly sales-tax and property-tax disbursements, tap fees and water-usage fees, and ABC revenue sharing reported earlier in the meeting. The finance officer said bond-related paperwork would be completed the next day.

The council announced a special called meeting at 10 a.m. in February for the annual capital-improvement planning workshop and received an update on the water-tower project. Town staff said Caldwell Tanks is fabricating the tank, deep foundation work will begin in March, the steel tank will be erected in August–September and final completion was expected by Jan. 31, 2026.

Votes at a glance:
- Appointments (Patrick Fiorentino; Craig Rosenfeld; Holly Stewart; Todd Dean): approved (voice vote).
- Reappointments (Stuart Meece; E. D. Bryant; Daniel Walraven; Debbie Schoenfeld): approved, tally 3 yes, 2 no.
- $300 donation to Oak Ridge Horse Show: approved, tally 3 yes, 2 no.
- Acceptance of finance officer’s monthly report: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution R2025-01 (update fidelity-bond coverage to $500,000): approved (voice vote).

Council discussion included questions about receiving materials earlier; a councilor asked for future items to be distributed several days in advance. Several councilors spoke in favor of modest community support for local or regional heritage events while others opposed using taxpayer funds for activities that do not directly benefit Oak Ridge residents.

The council also approved a set of committee reappointments and will publish the official vote records with meeting minutes.","The Oak Ridge Town Council on Feb. 6 approved several committee appointments and reappointments, a $300 donation to the Oak Ridge Horse Show, accepted the monthly finance report and adopted a resolution updating fidelity-bond coverage for town finance officers; the council set a special capital-improvement workshop for February.",{"_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},6086710,"Residents urge Oak Ridge Council to oppose Transco SSEP pipeline, urge resolution",3046,462000,3508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2894389-155be8f0175e8a9f1ec486d8dd225912&start=462&end=3508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2894389-155be8f0175e8a9f1ec486d8dd225912/thumbnail_462000.jpg","/articles/6086710/North-Carolina/Residents-urge-Oak-Ridge-Council-to-oppose-Transco-SSEP-pipeline-urge-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086710-04e6fba7420314bdb51225fd5283a6e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770838120&Signature=GlIKMl5jFkckYucq9GnXFwkq~NeuCxR7Fr19QuqK~SJox39MkRoRwsgBDqoCS0Buc2ZKuI0Evb0ZFosoW4Q0jlQQk-XlVjj~FK7gamvE-SFICjx5sxvNOn81YtC400TYZbLDyPZZK-6y4gwr5DsFFvozWAlRl29e2-adEbdX-m3nCN2WdU9OII9DkTb4z4FJ1crGJvi-fse3ZwHveyAvmEHInHuMinBKc3ZL6FK2Glrb4mBLOJPWksesW-OCbzVB72EpZTjp-UlTo9EgTHVCxtemFUz8ryuRnGbfQQ-3zaSNyJESK3IqSQU9Pqr1JIQVF1A2i--camCGzwK6ThSo~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents urged the Oak Ridge Town Council on Feb. 6 to adopt a resolution opposing the Williams Transco Southeastern Supply Enhancement Project, a proposed natural-gas pipeline expansion that would run parallel to existing lines through the town.

Speakers at the council meeting described safety risks, possible contamination of private wells, damage to historic sites and long-term effects on the town’s livability. “We respectfully ask you to oppose the project due to the safety and health concerns we have for the citizens of Oak Ridge,” resident Ron Ray said during public comment.

The requests came during the meeting’s public-comment period and were led by multiple homeowners who said proposed construction would run near homes, schools and churches. Residents pointed to potential damage from construction vibrations near older pipelines, concerns about groundwater contamination, and a record of pipeline incidents elsewhere.

Emily Sutton, Haw River Keeper and executive director of Haw River Assembly, urged the council to act to protect groundwater, noting private wells are not covered by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act: “These projects threaten the safety of groundwater, which once contaminated is nearly impossible to mitigate,” she said. Claire Spear, a community advocate, said local and county resolutions have influenced larger decisions about pipeline routes elsewhere and asked Oak Ridge leaders to follow suit.

Speakers described specific local risks: proximity to Oak Ridge Elementary School, Oak Ridge Military Academy and multiple churches; potential impacts on town wells and nearby streams; and disruption to historic properties in the Oak Ridge historic district. Brenda Cheney presented images from a 2008 pipeline explosion in Appomattox, Virginia, and warned of blast and incineration zones she said could affect dozens of Oak Ridge homes.

Council members acknowledged the comments and discussed the authority of the town. Several councilors said they were listening and that the council lacks direct regulatory control over a federally regulated pipeline project, but that a local resolution of opposition is within their prerogative. Mayor and council members said they would consider whether they had received enough constituent input to act; no motion or resolution opposing SSEP was made or voted on during the meeting.

Town Manager Bill Bruce and other staff did not present a council motion on SSEP during the Feb. 6 session. Multiple residents asked the council to request a full environmental study and to publicly oppose the project; speakers said Transco’s own filings indicated local communities would bear most project impacts while benefits flow elsewhere.

The council took no formal action on SSEP at the Feb. 6 meeting. Several speakers asked the council to consider a resolution of opposition at a future meeting; some council members said they would deliberate further and may schedule formal consideration in response to constituent requests.

For now, the record from Feb. 6 shows substantial public concern and a request that the Town Council use its platform to oppose the SSEP pipeline; the council left the matter open for future consideration.","Dozens of Oak Ridge residents urged the Town Council on Feb. 6 to pass a resolution opposing the Williams Transco Southeastern Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP), citing safety, water and historic-preservation concerns; council members said they would consider the request but took no formal vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Neighbor asks Oak Ridge to require replanting after tree removal in Ashford subdivision

Oak Ridge Council approves appointments, reappointments and $300 donation; updates fidelity bond

Residents urge Oak Ridge Council to oppose Transco SSEP pipeline, urge resolution