Monthly E-Newsletter

Town of Weaverville

REMEMBERING HELENE IN WEAVERILLE ONE YEAR LATER

One year ago, Hurricane Helene changed our lives forever.

It didn’t just tear through homes, streets, and forests—it tore through lives, families, and communities. We lost lives, homes, and trees. We lost pieces of our history, our sense of security, and for some, our livelihoods.

The days that followed were filled with work and hardship, but also with acts of incredible courage and compassion. First responders worked tirelessly. City workers spent many hours shoveling mud from our flooded water plant, by hand. Volunteers showed up from next door and from across the country, including a large group of electrical workers from Canada, I think we all got to know. Strangers became family. And in the midst of so much loss, there was also a powerful sense of unity.

We honor all Weavervillians who endured this storm, while recognizing some of our neighboring towns were hurt even worse. Smartly, we had thought ahead and built a water line to Mars Hill who had been largely unaffected. Therefore, we had water far sooner than others, so businesses re-opened early, and all of our friends from out of town came to visit us to get a shower! We are now extending water lines to other towns and will have an interconnected water system from Marshall to Mills River and east to Black Mountain. That is real resiliency. We recognize those who have had to start over, who have faced each new day with resilience and quiet strength. Rebuilding hasn’t been easy, and it has taken time. For many, it still isn’t over. But standing here today, I see a community that refused to be broken.

We are not defined by what struck us—we are defined by how we rose. How we helped each other. How we mourned, and then began to heal. How we’re still healing. This anniversary is a moment to reflect, to grieve, but also to hope. We remember the storm—but more importantly, we remember how we came together. Who would have thought we would be landing helicopters with relief supplies at First Baptist Church, or sitting in front of Publix with hundreds of our neighbors to get supplies and the only Wi-Fi in town?

I remember the many days of no power, communications or other services, but I also remember sharing meals with neighbors on my front porch, gathering each day together at 10am to hear storm updates with the only method we had, our car radios. I remember the huge sound of chainsaws all over town, a sound usually annoying, but was beautiful music in those first days after the storm.

I met daily with town staff at emergency management meetings and could tell you many stories of the dedication of our citizens, churches, businesses and staff that were revealed there.

One victim of the storm was the beloved, antique waterwheel that has stood on Reems Creek at Lake Louise Park for as long as Weaverville has been here, and 2025 is Weaverville’s 150^th anniversary. I am pleased to tell you that waterwheel has been rebuilt and is standing now ready to be installed again on the banks of Reems Creek! Go check it out in all of its red glory.

Let’s keep that spirit of community Helene gave us alive. Let’s continue to look out for one another. And let’s make sure that when future generations look back, they don’t just see a disaster on Sept. 27, 2024, they see a community that came back stronger, kinder, and more united than ever before.

Patrick Fitzsimmons, Mayor

CodeRED: Rapid Reliable Emergency Alert System

Hurricane Season means signing up for important alerts, town issues, emergencies, and notifications. In order to provide rapid notifications by your local emergency response team in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts, please sign-up for CodeRED.

Register- To register for an account in the CodeRED alert system, go to: Account Portal Onsolve Weaverville Alerts

Sign-up to CodeRED to better protect you, your family, and our community with the CodeRED notification system. Data collected is for Town-related notices only, your information is confidential and appropriate steps are taken to protect from unauthorized access or disclosure. Or if you have further questions please call Tamara Mercer, Town Clerk/ Assistant to the Town Manager at: (828) 484-7003.

A Message from the Weaverville Fire Department

Fire Prevention Week Oct. 5-11, and fall is in the air, and needless to say so is hurricane season. Please consider taking a little time, and some simple steps to strengthen your home. It will bring you some peace of mind and your loved ones will thank you!

We’re also entering wildland fire season. Are you, “Firewise” tips can be found by following the link below.

NFPA - Preparing homes for wildfire

If you have a question about making your house safer, please send us an email. Or you can call the Fire Department at (828) 645-3500. Our Fire Marshal Kile Davis will be happy to return your call.

https://www.weather.gov/media/safety/hurricane-brochure17.pdf

https://www.noaa.gov/hurricane-prep-social-media-en-espa-ol

Weaverville Water Treatment Plant awarded the Gold Star

Messages from Weaverville's Police Department

U-turns are among the most dangerous driving maneuvers. Illegal U-turns are particularly dangerous because drivers take risks that not only endanger their own safety but also endanger the safety and lives of others around them. They are risky, unexpected maneuvers that don’t allow adequate time for other drivers and involved pedestrians to react properly. 



 The Weaverville Police Department reminds everyone that U-turns in front of Town Hall on Main Street are prohibited. The pedestrian crosswalk, combined with three parking lots adjacent to the roadway, makes this area particularly active. A violation of this law will cost you over $200 in fines and court costs. Please help keep our town as safe as it can be and refrain from the temptation of making this dangerous move, as well as speeding and other common traffic violations.  

Halloween and trick-or-treaters:

Drivers

• The streets will be filled with trick-or-treaters dressed in dark colors running with excitement, so be patient and drive so slow…. it’s scary!
• Drive with your headlights on, even if it’s still light outside.
• Residential areas will be congested with vehicles and foot traffic, please pay extra attention.

Walkers

• Please know that NONE of our roads will be closed for Halloween so use sidewalks if at all possible.
• If you find yourself in a very crowded area, please hold on tight to the little ones. It is easy to lose small children in crowds and in the dark.
• Have a safety plan in place with your children in case you get separated. A cell phone can obviously help with this but so can pre-determined rally points and making sure your children know to reach to police if they get separated or lost.  
• Make sure costumes fit well so the little ones are not having trouble walking and tripping over the poorly fitted clothing.
• Wear reflective strips or glow sticks on your costumes to be seen better by the motoring public.
• Face painting is preferred over masks due to the poor visibility that goes along with wearing masks.
• Make sure your little ghouls know who they are with and not to go anywhere with strangers. 

Your police department will have extra patrols throughout town. If you see anything unsafe or suspicious, please call us at (828) 250-6670 so an officer will be dispatched to your location. If we all work together, we can ensure that Halloween will be safe and fun everyone!

'Tis the Leaf Season' – Tips for Managing the Piles of Piles

Where should we place loose leaves for collection?

Option 1: Collect curbside in paper bags or piles

Loose leaves may be piled curbside from October 15th through December 15th and from March 1st through May 1st and will be picked up by the town’s leaf vacuum. They may also be placed in brown paper bags for collection.

Option 2: Leave the leaves

Leaves provide food and shelter for butterflies, bees, beetles, moths and more over the winter season. Leave the leaves where they fall to support pollinators and biodiversity in your yard. A thin layer of leaves also protects and nourishes your lawn. Rake the rest around your trees, shrubs and beds for free mulch.

DO Not Block Storm Drains



Please keep the leaves out of the roads, sidewalks and drainage. Bicyclists and drivers risk accidents and injury because of leaves blocking traffic lanes. Leaves washed into storm drains can lead to clogging and flooding and add excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) to our waterways.

A Note from the Town of Weaverville Planning Department

Candidates Forum Oct. 23rd & Local Elections Nov. 4th

Everything You Need to Know - Buncombe County Board of Elections link

In Buncombe County, the Town of Weaverville, Town of Woodfin, and the Woodfin Water & Sewer District hold their municipal elections on odd-numbered years. This year’s Election Day is Nov. 4. Only residents of these 3 districts are allowed to vote in this upcoming election. If you have questions about your jurisdiction or want to see a sample ballot, click the Voter Information link on the website at buncombenc.gov/vote.

2025 Municipal Election-Early Voting begins Thursday, October 16, 2025

2025 Municipal Election for Town of Weaverville, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thurs, Oct. 16 to Fri, Oct. 31 at the Election Services Warehouse (in lieu of) – 50 Coxe Ave, Asheville 28801

2025 Municipal Election - Early Voting Schedule

Town of Weaverville ~

Site and Hour Requirements (odd year elections)

➢Board of Elections Office (or In lieu of site) open during normal business hours, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday – Friday.

•Election Services Warehouse (in lieu of) – 50 Coxe Ave, Asheville 28801

• 2025 Municipal Election Early Voting Schedule (PDF)

1. For Sat. Nov. 1st Early Voting site at Weaverville Community Center from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.
2. Election Day- Tues. Nov. 4th at Weaverville Community Center from 6:30 am - 7:30 pm.

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Weaverville Candidates Forum for Town Council

moderated by past Mayor, Al Root & outgoing Mayor, Patrick Fitzsimmons

Thurs. Oct. 23rd at 6:00 pm

Town Hall

30 S. Main St. Weaverville, NC

Weaverville Flu Clinic Oct. 14th from 3m - 7pm

Join us for the Weaverville 2026 Citizens Academy

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. Past academies have promoted the collaboration between residents and government. The curriculum covers current town programs, services, policies, procedures, plus a “behind the scenes” look at how Weaverville’s government operates.



The Weaverville Citizens’ Academy offers citizens insight into how the town functions with workshop sessions led by town department heads, town staff, and elected officials.

Most sessions are held at the given department, which allows department staff to provide a tour. An overview of the department functions, along with a question-and-answer session at the end of each program are also part of each session. Given a foundation of knowledge regarding town government and services; students receive hands-on interaction with the Town’s key department staff creating a stronger, informed community, which makes it easier for the town government to function smoothly.

Sessions are held once per month, January through June, on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m.

The award of certificates and final wrap-up of the annual Weaverville Citizens’ Academy is held in June at the Town Council meeting. In order to graduate, participants are expected to attend at least five of the seven sessions and attend one Weaverville Town Council meeting.

Applications for the 2026 session can be sent to Weaverville Town Clerk, Tamara Mercer via mail at P.O. Box 338, Weaverville, NC 28787, or via email at tmercer@weavervillenc.org. Applications may also be hand-delivered to the Weaverville Town Hall.

Citizens-Academy-Application and 2026 schedule

Weaverville Boards & Committees Application

The Weaverville Town Council appoints Boards and Committees to help guide decision-making in Weaverville and to hear and make decisions that require special procedures. The purpose and role of the town appointed advisory boards help provide guidance and recommendations either to the elected body, community or to citizens on a specific focus or area of the town.

The Town is always seeking citizens wishing to participate in local government through service on a board or committee.

Most appointments are for three-year terms and do not provide any compensation for services.

If you are interested in serving on a board or committee, complete the online application linked below. Questions: call the Town Clerk’s office, (828)484-7003

TownOfWeavervilleBoardApplicationForm

2025/2026 Music on the Knoll Winter Series

Join Us for the first installment of Weaverville’s Music on the Knoll concert series which begins, October 11th at 7pm. These concerts are essentially an extension of our Summer Concert series, happening through the fall and winter but inside! Music on the Knoll will feature weekend shows in October, November, and January, in the Weaverville Community Center's Albert Weaver Room.

This first show we will be joined by 'Laurel Canyon East' FREE and open to the public!

For all programming, follow us on: Facebook

or subscribe to the Weaverville Community Center Newsletter at: kkrizanek@weavervillenc.org

Fall Weaverville Art Safari is Nov. 1st & 2nd

2025 October Meetings:

• Oct. 1: Tree Board Meeting @ 6pm
• Oct. 6: Planning Board Meeting @ 4pm
• Oct. 13: Board of Adjustment Meeting @ 6pm

• Oct. 21: Town Council Workshop @ 6pm

• Oct. 27: Town Council Meeting @ 6pm

 For more information click here for latest news.

Weaverville Town Hall

30 South Main Street,

P.O. Box 338,

Weaverville, NC 28787

Phone: (828) 645-7116