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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-16-54~~ ~,~ Council Minutes Contd. ~ Pulaski,Va., Jun® 16,¢x.954 SPECIAL MEETING A special meeting of the Town Council of the Tow of Pulaski, Virginia was held in"the Municipal Building at 4:~0 p.m., June 16, 1954. ' PRESENT There were present: Mayor C. V. Jackson, presiding a' Councilmen: tP. 0. Crowell, J. C. Crumbley, F.nf.~arshal: W. F. White, J. R. Martin. Absent: I. R. Carper, 1P, A. Larson, J.L.Kes~ing. Also present Town Manager: Julian F. Hirst Town Attorney: Garnett S. Moore Chief' of Police : L. S . Boothe Visitors: B. B. F'].int of the Southwest Times, nc.; William S. Sprinkle, Paul W. Meredi h, (3. 0. Taylor, Levi Shelor - reside a of Park Lan® and Haney Street. TUW'N BUDC~T The Mayor stated the meeting had been called fore the purpose of discussing 'the proposed 1954-55 budget as submi~ted by the Town Manager to the Town Council individually on June 12, 1954. In the absence of the Town Clerk, the Town Manag~br was designated to s®rve as Clerk of the meeting. PARK LANE & The Mayor recognized the visitors present, and 3.Mi~ HANEY STREET' 4 view of the pressing nature of their problem, stated that the Council would hear them individually at this time. The Mayor reported that it had been brought to to attention of the Town that Mr. J. W. Smith, a resident of dark Lane, had discontinued Water service to three properties o~. Haney Street, in a manner similiar to the action which he ook in January of 1954. The Mayor recalled that in January, on discontinuance of water service by Mr. Smith through the vj~.cinity ~! be a cutoff in the basement of his residence, the Town attempted to construct anew line into Haney Street, and that on the basis of this attempt, Mr. Smith secured trespassing warrants ainst four employees of the Town. In addition, the Mayor reportd ~, it had been brought to the Townts attention that, also Witin the past four days, Mr. Smith had constructed a gate acros~ Park Lane, which gate obstructed the movement of residents of Park Lane and Haney Street to and from II. S . 11 highway. ~i Mr. William S. Sprinkle in his remarks reviewed! briefly the fact that he and other affected probe rty owne had, ~: on the evening of June 11, 1954, been advised by Mr.J. X11'. mith ~~r~i ~v~.+ ! Council Min. Contd. Pulaski, Va., June 16, 1954 of Mr. Smiths intention to cut off water service, and also to construct the gate. Thereupon, he, Mr. Sprinkle and Mr. Paul W. Meredith and Basil Southern had met the same evening with the Mayor and Town Manager, who had advised them of the hesitancy of the Town at this time to enter into the matter without further legal counsel and who had made the suggestion that the concerned property owners discuss the matter with Judge John W`. B. Deeds. Mr. Sprinkle indicated that they had visited _ Judge Deeds, who stated it appeared to him their only recourse so far as they were concerned, would be to bring ' suit against Mr. Smith and the Town 3ointly. Mr. Sprinkle further stated he had constructed his house upon lan d purchased from Mr. Smith, and that at the time he had given no consideration to water and streets, being under the impression that they were both Town facilities. He further indicated his feeling that the Town should intercede in the matter at this time and requested that the Town give them immediate relief from Mr. Smith's actions. " Mr. Paul ~. Meredith, Mr. 0. 0. Taylor and Mr. Levi Shelor, each spoke briefly to the Council along the same general lines as the remarks of Mr. Sprinkle. It was pointed out that Mr. Sprinkle and Mr. J. R. Jonas, who recently purchased the Basil Southern property, and Mr. Meredith were without water service, whereas Messrs. Taylor and Sh®lor still had water, inasmuch as their service commenced at a prior point on the line to that of Mr. Smith. Also, it was pointed out that Mr. Smith had posted a sign on the gate, and also a s ign on~ the street in front of his house, both of which signs read as follows: sNOTICE- The Town of Pulaski or Any of Its Employees, except Police or Firemen, are Prohibited To Trespass on This Property in Any Way, as This is Private Property (Twned and Controlled by Me. This June 14, 1954, Signed J. W. Smith, Owner". There was considerable and lengthy discussion by -the Town Council and the visitors in regard to the matter. ~~ ~ v Council Min. Cont1d. Pulaski,Va., June 16, 154 No formal action was taken by the Council, however, there as general agreement .on the following points: 1 1. That the property owners were sustaining a serious "' inconvenience and damages as a result of Mr. Smitht actions. - 2. That, in view of the complications connected with to situation, and in view_of the deliberate violation ` of their personal rights, that the initial action, le l or otherwise, against Mr. Smith should be taken by, ha affected property owners. 3. That the Town should for the immediate present reserve any action on its part along legal lines until it c~buld be definitely ascertained as to what procedure the: affected property owners would follow. Due to length of time required on the above J. fit. Smitl~~ matter, Council was unable to give consideration to the proposed budget, The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. a 1 fittest: Clerk of Council ~~~- 1