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10 <br /> a site. John Marsh, member of the Homeowners Association, stated that they <br /> did pursue that option. They did find one person who offered to sell them <br /> five acres at $30, 000 an acre. Because 80% of their nitrification field is <br /> in unsuitable soil, it would take a larger track of land. They have tried to <br /> buy property and have spent $65, 000 in attorney fees. It will cost them <br /> approximately $250, 000 to tie onto the Durham line. It will be built to OWASA <br /> specifications and they are willing to talk about who will own the system. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Willhoit, seconded by Commissioner <br /> Halkiotis to (1) acknowledge the impending and irreversible failure of the <br /> Piney Mountain waste treatment with the serious potential for adverse public <br /> health and environmental impacts; (2) acknowledge that waste treatment for the <br /> Piney Mountain subdivision cannot be provided by any available on-site waste <br /> treatment technology; (3) agree in principle to allow the extension of sewer <br /> service, dedicated solely to the approved homes and homesites within the Piney <br /> Mountain subdivision, from the City of Durham to Piney Mountain via a pump <br /> station and force main; (4) encourage the homeowners to direct their <br /> consultants to begin design and permitting of the pump station/force main <br /> system; (5) direct staff to work with the homeowners, the City of Durham, the <br /> Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and OWASA to develop system design and <br /> operational codicils precluding any possibility that sewer service from this <br /> system would be available to any other users; and (6) direct staff to work <br /> with the homeowners, the City of Durham, the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro <br /> and OWASA to develop a system ownership and operational proposals satisfactory <br /> to the Board. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked that a certification be issued by the Health <br /> Director stating that this failure constitutes an emergency situation. <br /> Health Director Dan Reimer stated that the system is being operated <br /> without a permit. The system could not be recertified. <br /> Chair Carey said that all plans will come back to the Board for <br /> approval. <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> B. PROCEDURES FOR APPROVING PYROTECHNICS PERMITS <br /> John Link presented policies and procedures by which pyrotechnics <br /> permits are approved. <br /> Commissioner Gordon clarified for the record that when the Board <br /> of County Commissioners denies a permit, it does not mean that they cancel the <br /> show. They do not cancel shows. She stated that fireworks are against the <br /> law in North Carolina because they are presumed unsafe and the issue is public <br /> safety and that is why the County Commissioners must approve these permits. <br /> She questioned why the Board must approve these permits if the process is <br /> completely an administrative matter. <br /> Commissioner Willhoit feels that the Board should be able to <br /> prescribe conditions under which the staff may act. <br /> The Board discussed the checklist and the procedure as recommended <br /> in the agenda abstract and as stated below in the motion. <br /> The Board decided they would ask for local legislation designating <br /> the Dean Smith Center as a separate entity or authority whereby they can <br /> approve these permits and also assume full liability. <br />