By Lorraine Bennett
Staff Writer
In a bold step to clean up the town and keep its residents healthier, the Hayesville Town Council is offering a financial “token of appreciation” to citizens who can provide proof they are indeed town residents and have been vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.
The town is offering a check for $100 for residents who bring their official vaccination card and proof of resident address to the Hayesville Town Hall. The offer applies to residents who have received a second dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by Dec. 1.
At Monday’s council meeting the members also voted to provide a dumpster behind town hall in mid-October. During that time residents may bring refuse and broken items and dispose of them for free.
Broken bicycles, lawn chairs and similar items can be brought to the dumpster. Toxic materials, tires, wheels, paint, tree limbs and roots, asphalt and concrete will not be accepted.
The dual offers are not available to residents outside town limits. Proof of resident address such as a valid driver’s license, utility bill or similar documentation will be required. Questions about either offer may be answered at town hall Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Residents can leave a message after hours and calls will be returned.
“The town has agreed to hold a cleanup for residents and will use some of the American Recovery funds to give a token of appreciation to those who are fully vaccinated,” Mayor Harry Baughn explained.
The dumpster is being provided “so residents can get rid of the junk in their yard,” Baughn said.
Last month the council adopted a resolution to accept funds provided under the American Rescue Plan Act. The $100 token of appreciation will be paid from these funds.
At Monday’s meeting, the council agreed to proceed with paving Sanderson Street and accepted a bid of just under $20,000 to remove existing asphalt, add gravel and apply an over-layer of new pavement.
The council will hold a public hearing next month on Planning and Zoning amendments. They appointed Sara Smith to the Board of Adjustment for another three-year term.
The addition of new street lights down Sanderson Street to Myers Chapel Road was discussed at length. Blue Ridge Mountain EMC representatives had suggested replacing current bulbs with higher wattage and recommended adding two or three more street lights at a cost of about $1,000 per light.
Councilwoman Lauren Tiger suggested waiting to see if illumination in the area improves after BRMEMC adds the higher wattage bulbs. The council agreed to table any motion until the impact of the new bulbs can be evaluated.
New Hayesville Zoning Administrator Sandy Benson said the Board of Adjustment had no new applications so the September meeting was canceled and the next meeting is planned for Oct. 14.
Benson said the Planning and Zoning Board had met to review compliance of zoning definitions and that board’s next meeting is Oct. 26.
Both boards are now fully staffed with five members and two alternates, she said.
Mayor Baughn is still awaiting a letter from the N.C. Dept. of Transportation awarding funds for pedestrian and biking trails. He has been assured the funds have been approved by the state but the town does not yet have the paperwork. Both the confirmation letter and the money are expected this month, he said.