e-Focus Newsletter

Town of Weaverville

A Message from Mayor Fitzsimmons

WEAVERVILLE: A PLACE THAT IS BUSY BEING BORN

Weaverville is at a pivotal point. There are many positive developments coming our way which will define our future. The construction of a new hospital, the expansion of the Public Works Water Treatment Plant's capacity, and other favorable trends signal a prosperous future. Consider the infrastructure projects in the works that will effect significant change for Weaverville in the next two years:

We're getting a hospital; we're expanding our water treatment plant that will double our water capacity; MSD (Metropolitan Sanitary District) is doubling its sewage pumping capacity during the same period, and Duke Energy just opened a new substation, expanding electrical capacity in the area considerably. Our population is expected to double within the next two to three years. We will be a very different place in two years.

All these things combined point to the fact that the Town of Weaverville is going to continue to be popular and grow. More folks are going to want to move here, and why wouldn’t they?

The new hospital will bring up to a thousand new jobs to town. Most of these roles will be filled by qualified, younger, professional people. It will also create its own economic development zone. Companies that want to do business with the hospital will locate here, and many of these will provide good, professional, clean energy jobs and bring additional services to our citizens.

More traffic will no doubt come to town also, and we have limited ability to control it as most of our thoroughfares are managed by the State’s Department of Transportation. The town will continue to advocate for improvements in road and traffic design to keep the problems minimized.

We must work to prepare for who we will be in two years, not what is happening next week. Many towns across our country are experiencing declining tax base, population loss, their youth are fleeing for opportunities elsewhere. Our problems are all the opposite. I would much rather be managing a town that is, quote: ‘busy being born than one that is busy dying’ (apologies to Bob Dylan).

We all have a stake in creating a place we want to live in while preserving the charm and atmosphere we all love about our town. Everyone should play a part in creating our Town's future. One way to do that is to participate in the Citizens Academy, apply here: https://weavervillenc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Citizens-Academy-Application-Fillable-2025.pdf. Run for office in next year’s election, or serve on a Town Board or Committee https://weavervillenc.org/town-council-government/boards-and-committees/

However you get engaged, it is good for you and Weaverville.

Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons

A Message from the Public Works Department

Garbage Collection Instructions:

The Town of Weaverville has purchased a new side loading garbage truck. After 13 months of manufacturing and assembly, the new truck is scheduled to arrive in August of 2024.  The new truck only needs one driver, who manipulates the pickup arm with a joystick to reach out, grab the green toter can, lift it over the truck, dump the trash into the hopper, then lower the cart and place it back on the curb, street, or yard. This new one-man truck will keep our staff from being in the street to load garbage and should greatly increase safety for the crew. 

The new truck will require residents to change their trash habits since the arm can only pick up the green toters and cannot pick up loose trash or black garbage bags.

Photos show incorrect garbage collections. Do not stack black bags beside green toters or in the toter which prevent the lid from closing. The new truck will not be able to pick up a toter unless the lid is closed and cannot pick up individual black bags.

 The Public Works Department will send a pickup truck to follow the new garbage truck during the first month or so of operation to pick up loose trash and bags, but once we begin using the new truck exclusively, the Town will not be able to collect trash that is not within the toters. For unusual conditions such as cleaning out a home due to a move or a citizen has debris from remodeling, residents can call Public Works at 828-645-0606 prior to their normal collection day to schedule a special pick up. Otherwise, the garbage will be left behind. If a resident consistently has more trash every week than will fit in their toter, a second toter can be purchased at Town Hall for $55 each. These cans have a lifetime warranty from the Town to replace a damaged lid, broken axle or wheels, and will be delivered to the purchaser’s home usually within one day following purchase.

If you have any questions about these new procedures for garbage collection in Weaverville, please contact Public Works at 828-645-0606. Public Works and Infrastructure page

Messages from the Weaverville Fire Department

Weaverville Fire Department's UAV Program: Enhancing Emergency Response Capabilities:



Over the past two years, the Weaverville Fire Department has taken significant strides in advancing our emergency response capabilities with the introduction of our new drone program. This initiative, launched to leverage the latest in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, has rapidly become an invaluable asset in our mission to protect and serve the community.

UAV Infrared Thermal Night Mission Firefighters

A Growing Fleet of Advanced UAVs

Since the inception of the program, the department has acquired three UAVs, each equipped with varying capabilities to handle diverse emergency scenarios. These drones have been instrumental in enhancing our operational efficiency and effectiveness across a range of missions.

Training and Certification of Remote Pilots

Two of our dedicated firefighters, Adam Ball and Zachary Farrington, both newcomers to the department and the UAV field, have successfully completed a rigorous training program designed to prepare them for the FAA Part 107 exam. Their hard work and determination paid off, and they are now ready to take their certification tests. Once certified, they will join our current team of nine licensed remote pilots, all of whom have passed the FAA's Part 107 exam. These skilled pilots are now a crucial part of our emergency response team, ready to deploy UAVs in various critical situations.

Thank you Team Weaverville Fire Department!

ALSO, Congratulations to Battalion Chief David Privette!

We are thrilled to announce that Battalion Chief David Privette has achieved the prestigious NC Fire Rescue Commission’s Certified Fire/Arson Investigator certification. This accomplishment is a testament to Chief Privette's dedication to excellence and his commitment to continued professional growth.

Chief Privette is now one of only four members in our department to attain this distinguished certification. The certification process was extensive, requiring the development of an application packet that demonstrated to the CFI Review Board that he met all the requirements of NFPA 1033 (Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator). This included documenting a minimum acceptable experience in conducting investigations.

https://www.facebook.com/WeavervilleFireDepartment

Weaverville American Red Cross Blood Donor Drive

Please participate if you are able on Friday, August 9th. The American Red Cross Blood Drive is from 10:00 - 3:00, held at the Town of Weaverville Community Center,

60 Lakeshore Drive.



To Schedule your donation time: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time

2024 Saturday Summer Concert Series August 10th Show

Join us Sat. August 10th for the next Summer Concert Series~

We will be joined by Elise Eden's, swinging vocals and an upbeat show to bring a truly unique experience and a lot of fun to the stage. Main St Nature Park @ 6:00 pm, see you there!

Cancellations or reschedule dates due to inclement weather will be announced on the Town's social media pages for Facebook, Instagram, and website.

Weaverville Yoga Offers Free Yoga in the Park

Weaverville Yoga will offer free outdoor yoga in the Main Street Nature Park on Friday evenings:

• June 21
• July 19
• Aug 16
• Sept 20

Bring a mat and just join in, namaste! For updates on scheduling, please check with Weaverville Yoga: Weaverville Yoga :: Home

Dry Ridge Museum Program- August 23rd at 10:30am

Lauren May, Site Manager and presenter from the Vance Birthplace Historic Site, share's research on the bravery and resiliency of Leah Erwin's 'herstory' as an enslaved woman forced to work and live at Vance birthplace. Admission is free.

Location: Dry Ridge Museum

When: August 23, 2024

Time: 10:30 a.m.

NC ARTS Council Artist Support Grant Application

Artist Support Grant Application Now Open to Regional Artists

of All Disciplines

Grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded across six counties

Artists of all disciplines are invited to apply for the 2024-25 Artist Support Grant from July 22 - September 3. This year’s grantees will be awarded $500 - $3,000 in categories including visual arts, literary arts, music, film, choreography, interdisciplinary arts, and more. This regional grant is open to residents of Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties working as individuals or in small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists.

grant application open to regional artists Asheville Area Arts Council

Weaverville Citizens' Academy 2025

The Town of Weaverville hosts an annual Citizens’ Academy to promote open dialogue and provide the community with education about the workings of town government. Any resident is welcome to participate. The curriculum covers current town programs, services, policies, procedures, plus a “behind the scenes” look at how Weaverville’s government operates with sessions led by town department heads and town staff, and tours of each department.



SESSIONS ARE HELD ONCE monthly ON THURSDAY EVENINGS at 6pm for up to 2 hours.

The awarding of certificates and final wrap-up of the annual Weaverville Citizens’ Academy is held as the last session. In order to graduate, participants are expected to attend at least five of the seven sessions and attend one Weaverville Town Council meeting or workshop. Applications to the program are required.

Applications may be sent to Weaverville Town Manager Selena Coffey via mail at P.O. Box 338, Weaverville, NC 28787, or via email at scoffey@weavervillenc.org. Applications may also be hand-delivered to the Weaverville Town Hall. The 2025 Citizens Academy begins in January 2025 and will conclude in June 2025. 

August Town Council & Board Meetings:

Town of Weaverville Community Program News

Welcome & Happy August from the Town of Weaverville Community Programs Team

ToW Community Programs

In addition to our regular free programming this month, we have a few special August events including a Blood Drive, an evening of Storytelling, and an August 15th Memorial for Kae Mance, former Line Dance Instructor and Champion of the Weaverville Center for Creative and Healthy Living.

We are working to load all of our special and ongoing programs into this new Community Programs Calendar, making it easier for folks to see what we are working on. 

And, our last bit of exciting news this month is that we are HIRING. The Community Center is seeking a Facilities Support/On-Call Coverage person to help with projects, special events, and coverage as needed. The full job description is here, please contact smyers@weavervillenc.org with questions.

Hope to see you around,

ToW Community Programs

BearWise BULLETIN

BearWise Bulletin, Attract Birds, Not Bears: Don't choose between watching birds and feeding bears, just think outside the bird feeder, and you will discover how easy it is to invite in the birds without attracting the bears.

Create a Natural Oasis

No matter how much or how little space you have, you can add features that will attract birds. Using native plants commonly found in your area, including trees, flowers and bushes, provides proven food sources and shelter from predators and bad weather. An added benefit for people: native plants attract more bird species and are often easier to grow and care for than non-native plants.

TIP: Avoid pesticides; many birds rely on insects for a big part of their diet.

Stormwater Runoff & Residential Car Washing Tips

RESIDENTIAL CAR WASHING AND STORMWATER:

Stormwater runs directly into streams, rivers and lakes, and carries all pollutants with it directly to our surface waters. This includes soapy water resulting from car washing. Soapy water and the chemicals in many detergents are harmful to fish and other aquatic life.

Many people wash their cars at home, which is allowed.

Please consider the following tips to reduce the likelihood of soapy water getting into storm drains that are connected with our downstream waters:

• Park the car on grass or an area where the water can filter into the ground and not run off to the storm drain. If your driveway drains to an area where it can infiltrate, that works too

• Divert the drainage away from the storm drain

• Use a hose with a shut-off valve to reduce possible runoff

• Dump your soapy water out in a sink or an area where it will filter into the ground

• If you don’t have a good place at home to wash your car, consider a commercial car wash (either self-serve or machine wash) where the wash water drains into the sanitary sewer

NCDOT Fall 2024 Litter Sweep Sept. 14-28

NCDOT The 2024 Fall Litter Sweep is just around the corner, and we need your help keeping North Carolina beautiful! The sweep will run from September 14-28.

Click below for information about how to get involved.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!

WBA is seeking volunteers for 2024 Art in Autumn

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR ART IN AUTUMN:

The 17th Annual Art in Autumn returns September 21st, 2024 from 10am - 6pm. 

This event is hosted by the Weaverville Business Association, and brings over 100 juried artists from across the Southeast to Main Street. It is free and open to the public. Booths will line Main Street from Weaver House to Maggie B's. Regional musicians will play beginning at 10:30 a.m. in front of Rodney’s. Local restaurants will be open. NOTE: - Main Street from Church to Brown will be closed all day.

Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of tasks, including: artist booth relief, parking (our most urgent need), water distribution and sales, trash pick-up, and staffing at the information/merch booth. Each volunteer gets a free t-shirt and a fun day working with great people.

• Please make a note if you have physical capabilities that make certain tasks unappealing, or physical capabilities that make certain tasks more appealing.
• Early morning volunteers sign in at Mangum Pottery between 5:45 and 6 AM. 
• All other volunteers, please check in at the Information Booth (at the intersection of Main Street & Merrimon Avenue) a few minutes prior to your designated time.
• If you're scheduled to arrive after 10 AM, please be sure you allow at least a few extra minutes to find parking.

: WBA Art in Autumn sign-ups

Weaverville Town Hall

30 South Main Street,

P.O. Box 338,

Weaverville, NC 28787

Phone: (828) 645-7116