Volume 36 | March 2023

Message from Mayor Allen

Greetings,



Welcome to the March 2023 edition of our Town newsletter. Spring is just around the corner and I know I am excited about the changing seasons, warmer weather, and sunshine! I am thrilled to share that construction of our dragonfly pond is underway and our staff is preparing to introduce dragonfly nymphs from North Carolina this spring.


This week, we honored several work anniversaries and years of commitment to our town. I am honored to work alongside so many of you year after year to keep the Town of Belville a beautiful place to live.


"That is one good thing about this world...there are always sure to be more springs." — L.M. Montgomery


As always, take care of each other!

 

Sincerely,

Mike Allen, Mayor

Contents

Board of Commissioners Meeting

Town Updates

Park Updates

COVID - 19 Updates

Town Emergency Information Website

Monthly How-To: Get Your Garden Ready for Spring

Monthly Meetings Schedule

Board of Commissioners Meeting

Board of Commissioners Meeting

During our Board of Commissioners Meeting this month, we heard updates on the Riverwalk Extension presented by Owen Gidlow, read more in the link here.


Additionally, we received updates on the progress of the Dragonfly Project.


We also passed a resolution officially designating February as Black History Month. Black History Month gives us an opportunity to highlight the lives of African American leaders, thinkers, and innovators in U.S. history. Here are 31 Black Americans we would like to highlight and celebrate, both in February and outside of Black History Month as well.



Congratulations to these incredible members of our community!

  • Joe Henson celebrated 13 years of service to the town.
  • Owen Gidlow celebrated 16 years of service to the town.
  • Brenda Williams celebrated her 8th Work Anniversary.

Town Updates

Daylight Savings Time

Don't forget to spring forward! Daylight savings time starts March 12, 2023.

Cape Fear Council of Governments

Last week, officials from the Town of Belville attended the annual meeting of the Cape Fear Council of Governments. Our heartfelt thanks to the CFCOG for all they do!

Raleigh Town & State Dinner

Earlier this month, our Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem visited our legislators in Raleigh and attended the Town & State Dinner. This event brings together state and local officials and offers an opportunity for our leaders to meet, build relationships and discuss the most important issues facing our cities and towns. 

First Alert Sky Cam

View the Brunswick River online in real time! The First Alert Sky Cam is a live camera (run through WECT) positioned on the Belville Riverwalk that will show current conditions on the river, similar to those at the beach. Click here to view.

Nashville Show Trip

Join our upcoming Nashville Show Trip! See legendary entertainment at the Grand Ole Opry, icons of country music's past and present, and much more.

  • Registration is open and spots are limited on a first-come first serve basis.
  • Spots are reserved when full payment is made.
  • There is a $75 deposit due when registering
  • There will be a waiting list as well.
  • We will require everyone to purchase the Travel Protection as well for the trip.
  • They can call me to find out more information and registration process. (Its on the flier as well)
  • Resident rates (Town of Belville Residents): $800 per double occupancy; Non-Resident Rate: $850 per double occupancy

Contact Ian McLeod @ (910) 371-2456 with any questions. Click here to learn more.

Belville Planner Job Opening

The Town of Belville is seeking an experienced and energetic Planner.


Please refer to website to review current initiatives, development activity & review more detailed position material. Submit resume by mail to: Town Manager, 63 River Road, Belville, NC 28451 or by email. More information can be found here.


No calls or visits please. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

Belville Deputy Finance Officer Job Opening

The Town of Belville is seeking an experienced and energetic Deputy Finance Officer.


Please refer to website to review current initiatives, development activity & review more detailed position material. Submit resume by mail to: Town Manager, 63 River Road, Belville, NC 28451 or by email. More information can be found here.


No calls or visits please. An Equal Opportunity Employer.

Park Updates

4-H Club Programs

We are so excited to share details about upcoming programs the 4-H club is going to host at our pavilion this year!


4-H is the largest youth development organization in the U.S. with more than 7 million participants. The 4 "H's" on the emblem stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. 4-H is the only youth organization based at land-grant universities, which allows us to provide hands-on, research-based curriculum to the youth of Brunswick County. Some projects include healthy living, sewing, cooking, STEM activities, livestock showing, leadership, citizenship, and public speaking.


Stay tuned to learn more information on the Wilderness Camp they will be hosting later this summer. If you would like to know more please contact Leianna Miller at leiannamiller@ncsu.edu or (910) 253-2610 ext. 2597.

Belville Riverwalk Upcoming Events

Our next Family Movie Night in the Park will be on March 24th from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Belville Riverwalk Park. The movie will be Top Gun: Maverick!


Our Easter Egg Hunt will be coming up on April 1st from 9:00 a.m. to noon

Last year we had a super turnout, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and a ton of fun.

We hope you will join us again.

Work Continues on Dragonfly Pond

Crews in Belville have dug out and filled a dragonfly pond at the Belville Riverfront Park that, when completed, will help to naturally control the mosquito population. The pond is located near the educational area of the Belville Riverwalk Park, per Parks and Recreation Director Jim Bucher. Construction on the pond itself is in progress and there is still work to be done. The staff is preparing to install the plants for the pond and plans to introduce dragonfly nymphs from North Carolina in the spring.  

Duke Energy Education Pavillion

The Duke Energy Education Pavilion is located along the Park's boardwalk. If your organization would like to conduct a training session or educational retreat at this facility Please contact us to make a reservation (910) 371-2456.

COVID-19 Updates

Brunswick County COVID Tracker - Weekly Community Level Data (February 28)

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.

Monthly How-To

Get Your Garden Ready for Spring

It’s that exciting time of year again, the ground is beginning to warm and the trees are beginning to bud. Before we know it, we’ll be pulling carrots from the ground and slicing freshly picked tomatoes from the backyard. But even before we have plants in the garden, there’s still a lot we can do. Appropriate preparation work can assure a nutritious harvest and save you disappointment. Whether you are new to gardening or already have a plan in place, here are 3 tips to help you prepare for a successful growing season.

  1. Select Your Seeds: Source quality seeds from a local seed grower. Locally grown seeds are more adapted to your region’s climate and environment. Choose seeds that will grow well in the amount of sunlight your garden receives. Crops that can be planted in the early growing season include beans, broccoli, parsley, arugula, kale, lettuce and tomato.
  2. Get Rid of Weeds: Pull out all the weeds from your garden, along with fallen branches and large plant debris. Note that if the soil is still wet from the winter wait until it is dry enough before attempting heavy weeding or tilling. Working the soil when it’s too wet can compact and damage the soil structure. Waiting until it is dry enough helps keep the soil texture aerated, which plants will grow best in.
  3. Add Compost: When the soil is ready, add compost. Compost is the greatest gift you can give to your soil. It replaces the nutrients that were lost from the previous growing season, improves the soil structure and creates a friendly habitat for beneficial insects and microorganisms. It is important to replenish the soil with compost at the beginning of every growing season, at the very least.

Monthly Meeting Schedule

March Monthly Meeting Schedule*



  1. Planning Board Meeting, March 7th, 6:30 PM
  2. Parks and Recreation Meeting, March 9th, 6:00 PM
  3. Board of Commissioners Meeting, March 27th, 6:30 PM


*Please check with the Town or follow press releases and notifications for meeting cancellations and changes. If you would like to get notified about meeting schedules via our email sunshine list please contact sniemann@townofbelville.com

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