Friendly City News June 2023

This edition was composed by Town Manager, Paula Webb and is the official newsletter for the Town of Swansboro, North Carolina.

Fireworks - July 3rd

Join the Town of Swansboro as we celebrate Independence Day in Downtown Swansboro on July 3, 2023. Enjoy the live entertainment by the TAMS at the HC Pugliese Pavilion from 6-10pm and the fireworks display at 9pm.. There will be a couple of food vendors and we encourage patrons to visit the downtown restaurants.

In addition to street closures, all public docks will be closed to pedestrian traffic on July 3, 2023. Church Street dockage will be limited to vessels with reservations only. Boat traffic will be limited in the area around the spoil island off the Swansboro waterfront beginning at 8:30 pm until the fireworks conclude.

Streets effected by closures include:

Front Street and Church Street– Completely closed Water Street from NC24 to Broad Street Elm Street from NC 24 to Church Street Walnut Street from Main Street to Church Street

For more information on the Swansboro Festivals please visit swansborofestivals.com or call 910-326-2600. Like Swansboro Festivals on Facebook for up-to-date festival information or visit www.swansborofestivals.com.

Fire Hydrants Get a New Look

Chief Jacob Randal indicates that crews are working to increase the visibility of water supply hydrants throughout the district. The Fire department is transitioning to the National Fire Protection Association-recommended chrome yellow to increase visibility. Additionally, the color of the caps signifies the gallons per minute provided by that hydrant. This blue hydrant signifies a flow of over 1500 gallons per minute. Over the coming weeks, crews will be around town, flowing hydrants to document the current readings so that we can update our color coding system. Please reach out to Chief Jacob Randal if you wish to learn more.

Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget

The Board of Commissioners adopted its Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget on June 12, 2023. Funding supports a fulltime Dockmaster/Downtown Supervisor, an additional part time dock attendant, Capital Improvement (CIP) set aside, a 4.4% COLA and up to a 4% merit for its employees. The tax rate will remain at 35-cent/$100. There is no increase for stormwater or solid waste this year. Minor increases were approved to the Fee Schedule - mainly with fees associated with fire suppression and a slight increase for the room rental damage deposit. The 2023/2024 Budget will take effect on July 1, 2023.

CIP items include: set aside for fire apparatuses totaling $109,380, a police vehicle $8000, $50,000 for sidewalk improvements, and a maintenance cab tractor $132,104.

Separate from the FY 23/24 Budget, American Rescue Plan Fund approvals made on May 17 included: maintenance vehicles totaling $175,000, Fire Department turnout gear $64,000, Board Meeting Room Improvements $5000, and a single audit expense of $3000.

Finance Department Recognized

The Town's Finance Team was recognized during a regular meeting on June 12, 2023. Mayor John Davis read a proclamation expressing appreciation for the financial expertise the Town has in its Finance Team.

Sonia Johnson, Finance Director has worked for the Town for 10 years, Ashley Mastracco, Finance Clerk six years and Tracey Grimes, Finance Technician 1 year.

Thanks for all you do!

Jackie Stevens is our new Administrative Assistant, replacing Lisa Sparr who resigned last month to become a stay at home grandmother to her first granddaughter.

Jackie joined Admin Services on May 25th. She has over 12 years of experience in the customer services industry and is a graduate of Swansboro High School. She is the mother of 3 children - 12, 6 and 4 and is married to Ben Brim.

Linda Stegall will replace Darla Howard as Permit Technician when she retires later in July. Linda will be responsible for building permit processing.

Linda joined Admin Services on June 12^th. She has over 20 years administrative experience. Her husband is retired from the Coast Guard, and they have lived in the area for the last 17 years. They have two daughters who are both educators in the Onslow County School system.

Hurricane Season

June 1 - November 1

Be ready for hurricane season. Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you understand how to interpret forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm.

https://www.noaa.gov/hurricane-prep to learn checklist tips, how to read emergency notifications, and more.

A few SwanFest tips:

Bring a chair or blanket for seating
Our local sponsors and many downtown businesses will be open for drinks, snacks, and more
Limited edition SwanFest tumblers will be on sale for $20. These tumblers were created by Re's Creations and are also available at Samantha Ann Photography in Swansboro

Recreational Programs Offered at the Recreation Center

Visit swansboro.recdesk.com to register for programs/events.

All activities take place at the Recreation Center (830 Main St Ext) in Swansboro, unless otherwise noted. The Recreation Center’s hours are: Mon-Fri, 9 AM-7 PM, Sat, 8 AM-12 PM, closed Sunday. Call (910) 326-2600 for more info.

Onslow County Senior Services Nutrition Site: Mon-Fri, 9 AM-12 PM. Contact Onslow County Senior Services for more information.

POUND Fitness Class - June 17-July 15, 9-10 AM

Come get fit with Ripstix! Join us at the Swansboro Recreation Center for our 5-week Pound fitness class with OFFICIAL POUND Instructor Karen Daly. Pound is a fun, total body workout that fuses the best strength training, Pilates, and cardio moves through drumming exercise. The use of Ripstix, lightly weighted drumsticks, challenges the body's stability and balance resulting in constant core activation. This program is appropriate for all fitness levels, ages 13+, men and women. This class is for all different experience levels and movement modifications are taught throughout the class. Register for the entire series for $25 or drop-in for $6 per individual session.

Power in the Park Fitness - May 15-June 16, 9AM-10 AM

Take action and enhance your health by participating in Power in the Park! Join us outside the Swansboro Recreation Center for our 5-week fitness program with fitness instructor Carrie White. When you sign up, you will get 3 days of fitness instruction Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 12 PM to 1 PM. This program will challenge your core, while strengthening your full body through mobility, agility, cardio, and strength exercises at varying intensities at your own pace. This class offers introductory exercises but can be advanced if appropriate. Register for the entire series for $130 or drop-in for $10 per individual session. To register, call (910)326-2600. No unaccompanied minors.

Open Play Pickleball Annual Registration 2023 - MON-SAT 8AM-12PM

The 2023 Pickleball Open Play Membership will start January 1, 2023, and run until the end of the year, December 31, 2023. This is a casual and co-ed season perfect for any age or ability. The league will meet Monday through Saturday mornings from 8 am to 12 pm (spring/summer hours) and 9 am - 1 pm (fall/winter hours). $35 for resident and $40 for non-resident for the entire season, or drop-in fee of $5 for any one session.

Hydrangea Finger Painting Class - June 1, 5:30-8:30 PM

Who says finger painting is just for kids? Paint this delightful bouquet of bright hydrangeas and discover the fun of painting using acrylic paints and your fingers…You may never return to painting with brushes again! Canvas size 11 x 14. Bring your own beer or wine only (no spirits allowed). For ages 21+.

Kids Half-Day Adventure Camp - June 13, June 20, & June 27, 8 AM-12 PM

Kids.....join us for a half day of guided sharktooth and shell searching, crabbing, and fishing with Pogie's Fishing Center. A snack will be provided halfway through the program. This program will run from 8am-12pm. Drop-off and pick-up will be at Pogie's Fishing center located at 114 E. Corbett Ave in Swansboro starting at 8 am. Drop off as early as 7:30am and you have until 12:30pm to pick-up. This program is limited in space due to the number of seats in the boat. $60 per individual.

Kids Fishing Night - June 2, June 16, & June 30, 5 PM-9 PM

Pogie's Fishing Center will be providing the bait and gear for a night of fishing fun for kid's ages 7-12 years old. We will be meeting up at Pogie's Fishing Center to throw out some lines. Please send your angler with water, snacks, sunscreen, appropriate water shoes/clothing, and anything else they might need and we will provide the rest! Pizza dinner will be provided for all participants. Drop-off and pick-up will be at Pogie's. For more information or to register, call 910-326-2600, come by the Swansboro Recreation Center, 830 Main St. Ext. or go online to swansboro.recdesk.com

Fellowship Night - June 19, 6-7 PM

This program welcomes adults of all abilities to come together for a fun evening with a rotating theme or activity scheduled every month. This program is geared towards adults with special needs and will be held once a month as an after dinner/evening group. We extend this invitation to anyone who is in their senior year of high school and above. For more information, call 910-326-2600 or come by the Swansboro Recreation Center, 830 Main St. Ext.

Summer Art in the Afternoon - June 19-June 23 & June 26-June 30, Mon-Fri, 1 PM-5:30 PM

Get your kids to dive into art! Get them out of the sun through these fun filled summer afternoons of hands-on/ minds on colorful explorations. Each of the first four days of the weeklong session will explore a different art medium culminating by putting them all together on the last day to create a mixed-medium expression. Parents and family members and friends are invited to a final day exhibit of weekly work. Each week will offer different experiences based on returning and/or new students and their grade levels.

Music Therapy – DSNOCC - June 24, 10:30-11:30 AM

Swansboro Parks and Recreation and Down Syndrome Network of Onslow and Carteret County are partnering to offer inclusive musical therapy sessions geared towards youth and young adults they are all FREE to attend! Sessions will be held at the Swansboro Recreation Center at 10:30 AM once a month.

Theatre Trip: Ragtime - June 29, 5:30 PM- 11:30 PM

Join us for a trip to the Theater! Swansboro Parks and Recreation will be providing transportation and tickets to the Thalian Hall's production of Ragtime in Wilmington, NC on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 7:30 PM. $60 per individual.

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