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55 <br /> goal is to wait for the projects to fail and to request a rezoning again to have high density <br /> development. <br /> Kate Faherty said she is a passionate supporter of HYAA but she worries about the <br /> preliminary nature of the project. She said that she worries that it will affect the Town of <br /> Hillsborough in a negative way. She said that people who already struggle to pay their water bill <br /> will be adversely affected. She said she is torn by the costs and benefits. She said that there has <br /> been no mention of the charter school complex leading to more water usage as it grows. She <br /> said that she strongly supports recreational facilities for young people but asked the Board to think <br /> of the benefits, as well as the dangers. <br /> Jamie Paulen said she is a single mother and paying some of the highest water rates in <br /> the state. She said the presentation says that the Hillsborough community will not just serve the <br /> Town of Hillsborough and that anyone that lives in NC could apply. She said that this would mean <br /> that she is paying for water for a school for children and families that are not paying for the water. <br /> She said this additional expense is going to be difficult for those that are already struggling to pay. <br /> She asked the Board to please vote no on the project. <br /> Rusty Tolin showed a sign requesting that the Board vote yes on the project. <br /> Chad Pickens said he is a resident of Lawrence Road. He said he has respect for everyone <br /> who has expressed support and opposition to the project. He said his family appreciates the life <br /> that they have in Hillsborough. He said they are directly affected by any change to the land <br /> because they are about 1,000 feet away from the proposed school. He said that he supports the <br /> project and encouraged the Board to focus on the amazing community assets, a modern campus <br /> for schools, a STEM focused high school, and desperately needed recreation facilities. He said <br /> that he believes the county has the right leadership to guide the project. He said that regardless <br /> of the decision made tonight, there is no way this will remain a pristine hayfield. He said that <br /> rather than it becoming a lifeless subdivision it could become an asset to serve residents for <br /> decades to come. <br /> Linda Maitland said she lived at US-70 and Lawrence Road. She said she is a retired <br /> educator and was a single mother. She said her son learned much from his soccer and baseball <br /> teams and that she is a pickleball player. She said that despite the positives it may bring, it is her <br /> gut feeling that this is not the right location. She said it does not fit the area. She said that it would <br /> bring noise, light, and traffic pollution. <br /> Raymond Gregg said he moved to Hillsborough 6 years ago to get away from the city. He <br /> asked the Board to vote no and to not turn this into another urban area. <br /> Margaret Cates said she lives at 1919 Lawrence Road. She said she has lived there since <br /> the mid-1960s. She said she is speaking on behalf of her family and neighbors. She said it is <br /> unimaginable that they might not have birds. She said now they have deer constantly through her <br /> yard. She said they might lose their quietness due to the noise from the baseball field. She said <br /> traffic is terrible and the bridge is down across 1-85, and the traffic is constant. She said they are <br /> asking the Board to keep their quiet neighborhood, so that they will be able to hear each other <br /> over the traffic and the noise and enjoy the life they have lived for 50 years. She said she wants <br /> to be able to continue to listen to the birds. <br /> Allison Mahaley spoke on behalf of the Human Relations Commission. She asked that the <br /> Board please consider how the project will affect low-income people who depend on water from <br /> the Town of Hillsborough. She said in 2023, they have helped more than 100 families with <br /> assistance. She said that an average of 120 customers in Hillsborough have their water cut off <br /> every month. She asked them to please consider what will happen to low-income people if their <br /> bills are raised. She said that they cannot base the decision on the type of school, they should <br /> consider that Northern Orange is already home to two schools. She said that Eno Academy only <br /> includes only 5.1% of economically disadvantaged when approximately 35% of students are <br /> economically disadvantaged at Orange High. She said there are also huge discrepancies in racial <br />