Weaverville – While the vote to expand Weaverville’s water treatment plant was the big news at February’s monthly meeting of the Weaverville Town Council (see article page??), it wasn’t the only thing.
The meeting began with the consent agenda, where Nagle asked that two items be placed on the action and discussion agendas. The two items were a water commitment extension for Greenwood Park and a resolution supporting local control of school calendars.
The rest of the consent agenda passed unanimously, which included, but was not limited to, an amendment to the police budget from the sale of several outdated vehicles for $18,732, which will go to the use of the department’s vehicle fleet, several proclamations, and a water commitment extension for the Garrison Branch Road commercial development.
In her monthly report, Town Manager Selena Coffey said, unfortunately, the town was not awarded the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Grant for the town’s resilience projects. She also said the town will be hosting early voting and a bicycle safety event in the spring should it receive helmets through the NCDOT Bike Helmet Initiative, for which the town has applied.
One person spoke during public comment. Eileen Riehman stated she does not believe the proper notice was given to residents about the 171 Monticello Road development, adding, “I hope we can follow all the steps if we’re going to trust the process.”
Under Item and Discussion
Weaverville resident Forrest Weaver then presented some local history for Black History Month. Weaver, a lifelong member of the Weaverville community, said his family came to Weaverville when his dad bought property on East Street back in the early 1950s, where other black families bought property.
“The property from the top of East Street to the top of Hillside going down toward Reems Creek Road (sic) were owned by black families,” he told the council. “Black families owned their homes. They owned their property, they worked, and paid their taxes. They contributed to this community. There were a total of 24 black-owned homes.”
He explained that the community church is 110 years old, and the community schoolhouse (now the community center) is where his mother attended school. “I was the first black student at North Buncombe High School. One of three.”
“I tell you all this to say we have been part of this community as long as I can remember…When I talk about our history, our roots run deep here.” He points out the many black residents who worked and lived in the town. “We’ve never lived off the state and never will. We are professionals…out of our community, we have policemen, school teachers, firemen, an assistant fire chief…Our history means so much to us now that it’s under attack.”
After Weaver finished, Weaverville Business Association President Bill Boughton reported on a $25,000 Duke Energy grant given to the group to give micro-grants to area businesses.
The 171 Monticello low-income development annexation and conditional district zoning then came up. The developer has pledged that 100 percent of the units will remain affordable housing for 30 years.
Nagle was most interested in the sidewalks that were not there. “We’ve talked time and time again as a council” about requiring sidewalks. The developer has agreed to build the sidewalk in front of the property and set aside a sidewalk fund of $150,000 to connect to future sidewalks. The motion passed 6-1, with Nagle voting no.
Next, Mark Endries presented a proposed concept related to biking for two town-owned properties: the Quarry Road properties and Weaverville’s 300-acre watershed. This concept allows for non-destructive development on the conservation-restricted property, which would contain a loop that would connect to a 13-mile loop with 1,500 feet of variation in elevation. Endries, who was not identified as a town resident or with any particular group, said his proposal meets all the requirements of the conservation easement property. He also volunteered to lead the funding drive for the project.
Councilwoman Catherine Cordell said since this is the “Year of the Trail” in North Carolina, there are lots of grants for such opportunities. She wondered what the town’s liability would be. Jackson said there would be liabilities and maintenance costs.
McKenna said this is a great resource to draw in mountain bikers. “I think this is all upside for us.” Coffey interjected, “I would want us to be careful about use in and around the reservoir.” Nagle said he could see a partnership with a non-profit like what is happening with the new community center. Coffey asked for time to look at the proposal to see what would be involved.
It was then that the two items removed from the consent agenda came up.First, regarding the lapsed water commitment, Town Attorney Jennifer Jackson said Greenwood Park was first approved in February of 2020, the development never began, and now they want to renew. “This is not a freebie,” said Jackson. She said they have to reapply and pay fees.
“What did they pay us to hold this water for them for two years?” asked Nagle. About $2,500 plus $100 and maybe $35, answered Jackson. After discussing whether or not $2500 was enough to incentivize developers to move forward with their projects, The board passed the request unanimously.
The other item was a letter supporting local control of the school calendar with some discussion; the item passed 5-2, with Nagle and McKenna voting no, saying they had not had enough time to look at the issue.
The cellular proposal for US Cellular to purchase a perpetual lease from the town for $325,770.85 arose again. The current annual lease amount from US Cellular is $22,251 (paid at approximately $1,850 monthly). Another cell tower company, TowerPoint, has expressed interest in the lease for $380,000 for a 99-year lease of the tower. The council took no action, leaving the annual fee of $22,251 in place.
More on the water system
The town also voted to move forward with the Water System Resiliency Project, which includes two generators and a gas conversion. Weaverville Public Works Director Dale Pennell said it would be at least two years before a connection with Woodfin, if they agreed, could be made, and Mars Hill cannot supply what Weaverville needs.
Coffey said one generator needed to be at the water treatment plant and the other at the river intake. She also said the council also wants to convert chlorine gas to sodium hydrochloride. “As you are aware, we did not receive the funds from the state.”
Pennell said the generators would give the system independence from other towns, terrorism, weather, and anything else. Pennell said the state has pointed out that the Weaverville system is the only one in Western North Carolina not to have backup generators.
After some discussion, a motion for the $1.924 million to be spent on the project was made by Nagle and passed 6-1, with Fitzsimmons voting no.
The council went on to discuss the Water System Development Fee Study, disposal of surplus personal property, and hear reports before going into an executive meeting and dismissing for the night.