Volume 29 | August 2022

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Message from Mayor Allen

Greetings,



Welcome to the August edition of our Town newsletter. Summer is slowly winding down, but it sure doesn't feel that way outside! Be mindful of the heat advisories and stay safe in this hot weather. Soon enough, Fall will be here.


We are excited to announce that we are moving forward with extending the Belville Riverwalk. The current Riverwalk is 0.63 miles. The Town is working with an engineering firm to complete a design for Phase II of the Riverwalk. It will extend further north along the Brunswick River. Our next steps are the design and permitting, followed by construction.   


We have two paid positions open with the Town of Belville - Planner, and Deputy Finance Officer. There is also a position open on the Parks and Recreation Board. This is an excellent way to get involved with your Town's future. Please visit our website if you are interested in applying.


I appreciate each of you for taking the time and effort to be part of the growth of Belville. We are excited for our future, none of which would be possible without our residents and businedsses. 


As always, take care of each other!

 

Sincerely,

Mike Allen, Mayor

Contents

Breaking News

Town Updates

  • Upcoming Events
  • Water Conservation Alert
  • Hurricane Season is Here!
  • Park Updates
  • COVID - 19
  • Town Emergency Information Website

Board of Commissioners Meeting

Monthly Meetings Schedule

Other Town Updates

  • Social Media Update
  • Our YouTube Channel
  • Job Vacancies: Two employee and one Board member positions are open 

Ongoing Belville Riverwalk Park Initiatives

Breaking News


New Name!

We have some exciting news from the Town of Belville! The Town of Belville is proud to announce that the name of Brunswick Riverwalk Park at Belville has been changed to better capture its location within Belville. The new name is Belville Riverwalk, and new signage will be installed over the coming weeks. We love our park and we're excited to call it Belville Riverwalk!


Below is our old sign for the park. We are in the process of replacing it with a new sign. Keep your eyes open for the final product coming soon!

Old sign

New sign with Garden Party banner. Final product will be complete soon!

Live Video!

We have MORE park improvements! The town would like to announce that a new live camera has been installed in the park to capture the beautiful scenery within the park. The feed will be used by WECT as a part of its First Alert SkyCam Network, available here. The camera’s video will also be available through the Town of Belville’s website


The camera is located at an integral location along the Belville Riverwalk, close to the boat ramp that was used to help with multiple rescues during Hurricane Florence.


“As our new downtown begins to take shape, we wanted to highlight the location of the Riverwalk Park,” said Athina Williams, Town Manager. “The new camera will be beneficial to our citizens and staff, and we thank WECT for allowing us to highlight the beauty of the Belville Riverwalk through their SkyCam Network.”

Town Updates

Upcoming Events

Saturday October 1, 2022

Save the date for Belville's Fall Festival! Last year we had lots of vendors with crafts and good food, live entertainment, activities for kids, and a raffle with great prizes!

autumn_leaves.jpg


TBD

The Town will reschedule the Garden Party. It was originally scheduled for July 23rd, but was cancelled due to weather. Stay tuned for a new date!

Water Conservation Alert!

To ensure adequate water is available for essential needs, Brunswick County has declared a Stage 1 Water Conservation Alert effective immediately. Water conservation alerts affect all customers of public water systems anywhere in Brunswick County.


Brunswick County asks the users of public water systems throughout the county to be diligent in using water wisely. Demand for water has exceeded 80% of the available production and distribution capacity. As intense heat continues, demands are expected to increase.


H2GO (Belville) is under the same restrictions since these utilities receive their water from Brunswick County Public Utilities.


Under a Stage 1 Water Alert, water system customers are requested to make voluntary adjustments to their water usage habits to appreciably reduce peak demands. (A peak demand of under 80% of system production and distribution capacity is targeted).


Irrigation demands represent the bulk of non-essential water use, so a primary way that customers can reduce water usage is to limit irrigation. A unified application of voluntary water reductions by all water system users in

Brunswick County can help to avoid mandatory water restrictions.

Hurricane Season is Here!

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30 with the peak season from mid-August to late October. 

To get ready for a hurricane:

  • Build an emergency kit.
  • Make a family communications plan.
  • Know you’re the routes you need to leave your home (evacuation routes). Locate your local emergency shelters.
  • Closely watch/listen to the weather reports. Listening every hour as the storm nears.
  • Put fuel in all vehicles and withdraw some cash from the bank. Gas stations and ATMs may be closed after a hurricane.
  • If authorities ask you to leave, do so quickly.
  • If you leave (evacuate), be alert to flooded or washed-out roads. Just a few inches of water can float a car. Think: Turn Around, Don't Drown.
  • Keep a photo I.D. that shows your home address. You will need it when asking police if it is okay for you to re-enter your area or home.
  • Secure your property.
  • Bring inside all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
  • Cover windows with permanent storm shutters or board up windows with 5/8” plywood, cut and ready to install. Tape does not stop windows from breaking.
  • Put in straps or extra clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will lower roof damage.
  • Trim trees and shrubs around your home, so they are more wind resistant.
  • Clear clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
  • Reinforce garage doors. If wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage.



Know the terms:

  • Hurricane Watch – hurricane conditions (sustained winds greater than 74 mph) are possible. Watches are usually issued 48 hours before the beginning of tropical-storm-force-winds.
  • Hurricane Warning – hurricane conditions (sustained winds greater than 74 mph) are expected. Warnings are usually issued 36 hours before the beginning of tropical-storm-force-winds.
  • Tropical Storm Warning – tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within 36 hours.


You can follow this link for more information, including what to do during and after a hurricane and past hurricanes in NC. 

                              Park Updates

Angie's Fresh Produce

Angie's Fresh Produce is at the Belville Riverwalk. They offer delicious fresh fruits and vegetables along with Seaview Crab's line of fresh seafood.  

Alligators at the Park

Has anyone noticed that there are alligators at the Belville Riverwalk Park? If not, please keep this in mind when you are visiting the park. Below are some Common Sense Safety Tips from NC Wildlife:


  • Do not intentionally feed an alligator no matter what its size.
  • Do not throw food into waters where alligators may be found.
  • Fishermen should dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans, and not throw them into the water.
  • Do not feed ducks, geese, other waterfowl, or fish in areas where alligators have been seen.
  • Follow local leash laws or otherwise keep pets on a leash in areas where alligators could potentially occur.
  • Never leave children unattended near any body of water.
  • Don’t allow pets to swim, exercise, or drink in or near waters that may contain alligators.
  • Be particularly cautious between dusk and dawn when alligators are most active.
  • Do not harass or provoke any alligator.
  • Children and adults should never approach an alligator or any other large wild animal.


If the alligator is in a residence or place of business, or interrupting traffic on a public road, call WRC at 800-662-7137. (Hotline Ph#, 24/7). Additional information can be found here

COVID-19

Brunswick County COVID Tracker - Weekly Community Level Data (July 27)

NC-DHHS-Vaccine-Button-500x376-122320.png

Town Emergency Information Website

You may access the Town's emergency information page by clicking here or visiting us at townofbelville.com/emergency-information/. Here you will also find a link to sign up for Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation's (BEMC) outage texting service known as COAST (Cooperative Outage and Status Texting). This service will allow members to report and receive an outage status.


On the emergency information page, you will also find a list of important phone numbers, the NCDOT Division 3 Guide, the Brunswick County Access and Functional Needs form, along with several other important pieces of information relating to our Town.

Board of Commissioners Meeting

At the July 25th Board of Commissioners meeting, the Board reappointed Cheryl Page, Jonas Williams, and Scott Milligan to the Planning Board. There is availability on the Town of Belville Parks & Recreation Board. This is a great way to participate in Town of Belville's activities and help guide the future of the Town. Applications are due Wednesday August 17th. For additional information about the Parks & Recreation Board, please visit this website and contact Town Hall at 910-371-2456. 

The Board recognized three people for their hard work with the Town of Belville. 

Greg Devone was presented with a Resolution of Appreciation and Thanks for his one year anniversary and year of service to the Town of Belville. 

Kemmy Goodson was presented with a Resolution of Appreciation and Thanks for his diligence and years of service to the Town of Belville since 1982. 

Alex Long was presented with a Resolution Expressing Gratitude and Appreciation for his summer employment with the Town of Belville. 

The Town also recognized Jeff Cappadona for 11 years of work in partnership with the Town of Belville. Through Cavanaugh & Associates, he has provided engineering services for so many of our great projects. Thank you, Jeff!

Monthly Meetings Schedule

August Monthly Meetings Schedule*



  1. Parks and Recreation Board Meeting - August 12th at 6:00 PM
  2. ABC Board Meeting - August 16th at 6:30 PM
  3. Board of Commissioners Meeting - August 22nd at 6:30 PM


*Please check with the Town or follow press releases and notifications for meeting cancellations and changes.

Other Town Updates

(1)  Social Media Update – Are you connected to the Town's Facebook page to receive information from Town Hall? Follow the links below to join us on social media so you don't miss any announcements!

Town of Belville Facebook page

Town of Belville Instagram page

Town of Belville LinkedIn page

Please note that we will soon be merging the Belville Riverwalk Park Facebook page with the Town of Belville page. Please follow the link above to be sure you're following the Town's official Facebook page. Thank you!

(2)  Meetings Available on YouTube – Did you know that the Board of Commissioners and Planning Board meetings are available to watch on our YouTube channel? To see all of the videos currently available, click here and be sure to subscribe so you do not miss any new videos!

(3) Job Vacancy: Planner - We are hiring a Town Planner for the following responsibilities: Current & long-range planning, coordinate technical review of development & zoning regulations/applications, assist Planning Board and Board of Commissioners. Must have excellent written, oral & organizational skills and significant site plan review understanding. Engineering experience preferred. Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in planning or related field & 2 years of relevant experience required. Must be AICP certified. Knowledge/proficiency using ArcGIS; MS Office; ability to work both independently & in team environment. To learn more about the position, please visit our website: www.townofbelville.com/jobs/.

(4) Job Vacancy: Deputy Finance Officer - We are hiring a Deputy Finance Officer to serve as a strategic partner in support of all town missions delegated by the Board of Commissioners with responsibility for all financial services, including general accounting, payroll, investments, treasury functions, grants, financial reporting, the capital improvement plan, budgetary compliance, providing fiscal and budget staff support for departments, and procurement. To learn more about the position, please visit our website: www.townofbelville.com/jobs/.

(5) Parks and Recreation Board: Position Open - the Board is advertising for a position to fill a vacancy which starts in July, and will expire in April of 2024. The application deadline is Wednesday, August 17th. For information, please call Town Hall at 910-341-2456. 


Ongoing Belville Riverwalk Park Initiatives

Duke Energy Education Pavilion

The Duke Energy Education Pavilion is located along the Park's boardwalk. Please contact Town Hall at (910) 371-2456 for up-to-date information and reservations.
Riverwalk Farmers' Market

Seaview Crab Company


Seaview Crab Company will be at the Farmer's Market on Thursdays from 2pm-5pm, Fridays from 11am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.


Angies Fresh Produce is at the Riverwalk Marketplace! Come check it out!

Riverwalk Veterans' Memorial

Our Veterans Memorial, located on the south side of Riverwalk Park, continues to grow. For more information about adding a name to the memorial, please contact Jim Bucher or go directly to Polar Engraving to place your order online.
Beginning stages of the memorial.
A few bricks at a time.
Growing monthly.
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