Minutes 11/12/1957 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 'l'UFSDAY NOVEMBER 125 1957 . Section 2 at Chapter 11 of the Charter of the City establishes the mandatory requirelmnt or the separation of ballots of property owners and non-property O1Ill8rs. The ordinance at the Co~il which called for the sewerage issue election was prepared by special bond attorneys of New York who must approve all matters, including elections, relating to the issuance of municipal bonds. Their requirements com titute a precise and lengthy pr'ocedure. ,"""--' Further, the issue as submitted included the comtruction of a sewage treatment plant. The State Water Control Board, in the enforcement of Title 62 of the Acts of the Virginia General Assembly, has directed Martinsville to take steps to abate pollution of the adjoining . treams. '.D1e November 5th special election constituted an effort by the City to comply with state law in this regard with the election bei~ subject to scrutiny by the state agency". It, thus, is the concensus of the City Courv:il that the existence of irregula- rity in the con:iu.ct of the bond election of November 5th could jeopardize the City with respect to this particular election and the atters involved tile rein. In addition tilere would exist the possibility that acceptance, without question, of the November 5th balloti~ could endanger the City in matters of fut'Ure bond elections or debt incurrences. Therefore, the CiV' Council does consider it to be regretfully necessary to petition befere the Judge of the Circuit Court to rule on the validity of the special election on the Sewerage Improvement Program. mir~~ III"~. ,..r.:;: (" "3 I'-=: IU~ The laws of the Commonwealth Jrovide that in the event of defeat of an election on the issuance of boms that another election cannot be called on the same issue until twelve months shall have elapsed. If the Court should declare the November 5th balloting invalid there wouJ.d exist the possibility that a re- election could be held prior to twelve months. However, the Couroil, again recognizing the decision of the voters as indicated by the cc:mparison of votes for and votes against the issue, would not consider a re-election until a period of months have elapsed and until a public heari~ is called to determine the extent of sentiment in favor of a new election prior to the elapse of twelve mon1:hs. - Pursuant to duly-a.dvertised public notice, Cou~il conducted a public hearing on lfr. E. G. Ramsey's recent petition requesting the rezoning to nB-2 Business" certain ot his property adjacent to Boden and Cherry Streets, near the Carolina & Northwestern Railway' s right-of-way. Dut"ing the course of tile hearil'€ City Manager Hirst recommended, as a condition of rezoning the property as requested, that a set-back of ten feet be established on Cherry Street and a set.-back of twenty-one feet be established on Boden Street. Mr. Ramsey indicated that he would withdraw his petition should the Council impose such set-backs, whereupon Council took no action other than to ntablen the matter far f'utut"e consideration.