Minutes 04-22-2021 Virtual Work Session

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Haywood Rhodes said the second phase of Blackwood Farm construction is coming up. He said the Soccer.com facility master plan is also being reviewed. Commissioner Bedford referred to the lands legacy plan, and asked if clarification could be provided. David Stancil, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Director, said lands legacy has a three-year plan which will come to the BOCC in the fall, but advisory boards are providing comments on top priorities. Chair Price thanked the department and council for their work. She said isolation during the pandemic has been difficult. Haywood Rhodes said staff put a lot of effort into virtual resources, and it is hoped that this can continue to allow further reach into the community. Art Menius presented the Historic Preservation Commission's work plan. He said the big project in 2020 was the historic book, for which all 225 entries have been written. Commissioner Dorosin rejoined the meeting at 8:11 p.m. Art Menius said the commission needs to raise $35,000 to print and deliver the book. Art Menius said the commission got two new national Historic Register properties. He said both are important mid century properties, a time period which is now 60-70 years ago. He said the first was Cedar Grove School, which opened in 1951 and was a historically black school. He said the second property was Schley Grange Hall, which won a Sears and Roebuck competition as the best grange in the nation. He said locally Harvey's Chapel AME church's cemetery was added. He said this cemetery is deep in the woods, and was lost for many years, as roads were not maintained for historically black communities in the 1930s. He said the Old Eno Quaker Cemetery was also added, which was started in 1760s. He said the final local property is the David Fawcett house on the Eno River. Art Menius said the commission's main goals for this year are raising funds for the book, as well as a historic marker program, which will help bring in more diversity. He said many properties important to African American heritage no longer extant. He said the marker program will tell the story, even without the property present. He said the commission wants to add more diversity in its historic marker program. Art Menius said the commission will be looking at courthouse square, and the old courthouse in particular. Art Menius said the commission will participate in the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. Commissioner Greene thanked the commission for the historic marker program. She asked if more details could be provided about the old courthouse program. Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator, said the project was formed in response to county's long range CIP project to do restoration at the old courthouse. He said part of the need is to learn about the physical evolution. He said such a project requires going through minutes, courthouse records, newspapers, etc. He said this led to a larger examination of the history of the county through the courthouse, and an in-depth social history needs to be completed. He said it will be important to secure the ideal research team. Commissioner Greene said the Register of Deeds will be able to help. Chair Price said she is looking forward to the book. She said there are stories in the community about the courthouse. Cecilia Redding introduced the Agricultural Preservation Board's mission and objectives.