Your monthly e-Focus from the Town of Weaverville

e-Focus Monthly Newsletter

Town of Weaverville

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Message from Mayor Patrick Fitzsimmons

Happy Groundhog Day. I understand we are in for six more weeks of winter. I am SO pleased with that forecast!

I started writing this to you using our new, free public Wi-Fi system recently installed downtown, at Lake Louise and the Nature Park! Town Council initiated this project as a way to promote entrepreneurism, help local students and residents with smart phones! When in these areas, just look for the network, “Town of Weaverville”, and bam you’re online, no password, no fees, no hassle.

Water Plant Expansion update: Town Council has been contemplating an expansion of our water treatment plant for some time. You should know that currently we utilize about half of the water capacity we have, so there is no looming shortage or emergency. However we have to anticipate the future needs of town residents and how we influence development around us. Developing an expansion plan and building it is at least a five year project, and a costly one, so we must plan proactively.

The Water System Committee made up of Council Members Andrew Nagle, Jeff McKenna and John Chase did investigative work and developed a set of recommendations they presented to Council at our Jan. meeting which were adopted. The three adopted recommendations are: 1) Bring the current water plant up to date with improvements, 2) Direct Mayor and Manager to meet with potential regional partners to discuss possible collaborations that meet future water needs, and 3) delay start of any water plant expansion until the previous two recommendations have been implemented.

I’d like to express my thanks to the many voices involved in solving this complex problem, including the Water System Committee, Save Ivy River organization, and Withers Ravenel engineering firm. This is a complicated issue that will greatly affect the future of north Buncombe County. I appreciate the engagement of all who have worked and will continue to work on this project.

Public Hearing on Annexation Request: There will be a public hearing on an annexation request for 25 acres between US 25/70 and Ollie Weaver Blvd. before the regular Council meeting on Feb. 28 at 6pm. This property abuts town limits on three sides and whatever is built there will have an impact on the town. If we do not annex this property we will have zero influence over what is developed there. It is currently in the County and zoned much less restrictively than Weaverville would allow.

County Comprehensive Plan: Buncombe County has embarked on the creation of a new Comprehensive Plan that will be the blueprint for development for the next 20 years. This is a significant project and Weaverville needs to be part of it. I am pleased that we have been coordinating with the County on this project so far, and that is a good improvement. The first stages of the two year plan creation project is to gather input from the public. I encourage you to make your voice heard by participating in an upcoming public listening session.

Community meeting schedule:

Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, 6-8 p.m. Youth focus
Monday, March 14, 2022, 4-6 p.m.
Saturday, March 19, 2022, 10 a.m.-noon

Click here for the latest information, to watch previous meetings, or to register: https://publicinput.com/Y4853

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Help Prevent Water Pollution

The Town’s stormwater system takes rain water away from homes and streets through the storm drain openings you see on your neighborhood curb or the grates in the pavement. Illegal dumping, also called illicit discharge, occurs when anything other than natural precipitation enters the storm drain system. Materials illegally dumped in the storm drainage system not only block the system, causing localized flooding, but also cause or contribute to water pollution.

The following items should be kept out of storm drains:

yard waste, grass clippings
leaves, limbs, branches
trash
concrete, wet or dry
paint
oil
grease
fireworks
wastewater or wash water

Call the Weaverville Public Works Department at (828)645-0606 or e-mail dale.pennell@weavervillenc.org to report an illicit discharge or any other type of water pollution in our streams, ponds, ditches or rivers. If calling after working hours you will be prompted to leave a message which will be promptly received and handled as needed.

In case of emergencies, call 911.

A New Way to View and Pay Your Water Bill Online

Customers will soon have a new way to view and pay monthly water bills online through a payment portal called MyGovHub. This site allows you to easily create an account giving you the ability to view your current & past water bill amounts, usages, previous payments, etc. and pay your water bill all in one place! You can also make one-time water payments through MyGovHub, although we highly recommend creating an account due to the many benefits previously listed. Payments made through MyGovHub will also be real-time in our accounting software so we will be able to see your payment on your water account shortly after it is processed. The link for MyGovHub is: https://weavervillenc.mygovhub.com. If you have any questions regarding this new payment portal, please give our office a call at (828) 645-7116.

Welcome Officer Toms!

The Weaverville Police Department is proud to introduce Officer Travis Toms as the newest member of our department. Officer Toms attended Mars Hill University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree with specialized study in sociology and a concentration in criminal justice. He began his career in law enforcement by working as a telecommunicator for Buncombe County. He graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training in 2014 and accepted a position as a School Resource Officer for the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. In his nearly eight years, he has acquired further certifications to include, Field Training Officer, and has Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate with NC Criminal Justice Training & Standards. His long-term career goals include investigations and becoming a law enforcement instructor.

Travis loves to spend his free time with his wife, children, and German Shepard. An outdoorsman, he likes to hike, camp, kayak, and mountain bike. He is looking forward to dedicating the remainder of his career to this police department, in the town he knows and loves.

Our Town is excited to have him on board!

Avoiding Frozen Pipes

Why Pipe Freezing is a Problem

Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are:

Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

How to Protect Pipes From Freezing

Before the onset of cold weather, protect your pipes from freezing by following these recommendations:

Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer's or installer's directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful, and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.
Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
Add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.
Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are in unheated areas. Look in the garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold-water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a "pipe sleeve" or installing UL-listed "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes – even ¼” of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.
Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold-water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

How to Thaw Frozen Pipes

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.

Put a Freeze on Winter Fires

Mark your calendars

Event Information from the Weaverville Tailgate Market

Event Information from the WNC Bridge Foundation

Event Information for Buncombe County 2043 Plan

Public Input Meeting at Weaverville Community Center on 2043 Comprehensive Plan

As we start our work on the 2043 Comprehensive Plan, we are focused on accomplishing the following objectives:

Learning more about changes and issues that will impact residents now and in the future
Creating a community vision and priorities for Buncombe County
Attend one of the in-person, virtual, or self-paced meetings in February 2022, to be held around the county.

NOTE: January in-person meetings have been rescheduled as a result of the rising COVID-19 rates.

Weaverville Community Meeting

Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville, NC, USA

Thu, Feb 10 6:00 PM

Participate by phone: 855-925-2801

Meeting code: 2528

Email I11652@PublicInput.com

Meeting facilitators will walk participants through a community poll, priority exercise, and a mapping exercise.

Buncombe County is creating a comprehensive plan, and we want to ensure that our team hears input, ideas, opinions, and concerns from every corner in our community that will shape Buncombe County’s 20-year plan. The public is invited to: Buncombe 2043 Vision & Goals Community Meeting* with Spanish Interpretation.

For more information and to register for this meeting, please click on button below:

This Month's Message from the

Weaverville Center for Creative & Healthy Living

Dear Friends of the WCCHL,

With January in the rearview mirror, we are encouraged that your response to our activities remains strong. Thank you. The 2^nd Quarter planning effort has just begun so we would like to hear from you about the types of programs you might want to see added to our schedule. As the 2^nd Quarter begins on April 1^st, and as the days continue to get longer and warmer, we will have opportunities to explore some outdoor options. Please let us know you’re your thoughts so that our Board of Directors can begin to get programs in place for the Spring. Whether exercise, health lectures, entertainment, wellness initiatives, or walking groups, we want to hear from you. Parents - are there programs that you would like us to address such as exploring the physiology of school aged children, the psychology of adolescence, preparing to send your child away to college, signs of substance abuse, or perhaps reading and math camps during the summer break? Let us know what is on your mind.

Upcoming Special Events:

Monday, February 14^th, 7:30-9:00 PM, a special Valentine’s Day production of Love Letters, by A.R. Gurney will be performed at the Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive. Admission is FREE. Viewer Guidance: This performance contains mentions of racism, sexual content, and course language making it inappropriate for children. Attendees’ discretion is advised. Because several members of the production company are immunocompromised, we must invoke that all attendees show proof of vaccination with corresponding ID in order to attend. Please understand this is not an effort to exclude anyone but is merely an effort to be true to our mission as an organization focused on health and wellness. Thank you for understanding our Board’s position of caution and respect as the COVID virus continues to be among us. Who would have ever thought we could enjoy a theatrical production in downtown Weaverville? Make dinner reservations in town and call it a date!

Upcoming in March in the Community Room: Details to follow in future emails and Facebook notifications. (Make sure you send us your email or Like Us on our Facebook page so we can stay in touch.)

Winter Mountain Music Jam: These acoustic instrument jam sessions/concerts are open to all. Come play or just sit, toe tap, and sing along. Held on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of March at 6-7:30 PM.
Weaverville Storytellers: Another concert is being planned for early March. Their last concert was superb and nearly standing room only!
Trivia Night: We are planning another event in March. We had so much fun at the Fall event, there has been a clambering for another Winter Cookies & Trivia Night.
Health & Wellness Lecture Series: We are planning a lecture series on Health and Nutrition led by the expert staff from the North Caroling State University Extension Program.

As always, please feel free to communicate with us and yes, we are always looking for local volunteers to help lead, coach, instruct, and inspire us all.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of our Board of Directors,

Thomas M. Balestrieri, Board Chairperson / 904.347.3312

wcchl@weavervillenc.org / www.facebook.com/WCCHL

Note: Please refer to the attached Updated Program Schedule for a list of classes and activities. Just show up to participate or contact the instructor via email as posted on the Schedule for details.