By Lorraine Bennett
Staff Writer
The torch was passed at Town Hall Monday evening when former Councilman Joe Slaton took the oath of office as Hayesville’s new mayor. One of his first official acts was to propose former Mayor Harry Baughn be designated mayor pro-tem and the council agreed.
The council proposed Suzanne Hedden as Hayesville Town Clerk/Finance Officer to fill that slot after the wrenching and unexpected passing of Susan Morgan, who died suddenly on Nov. 30.
Baughn said the transition from Morgan to Hedden was made easier because Morgan, knowing she would not be holding her position indefinitely, had created a procedures manual for the office.
The Hon. Willis Whichard, retired justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, administered the oath of office first to Slaton, then to Baughn and council members Lauren Tiger and Austin Hedden.
The changing of the guard took place in a half hour meeting before an audience of about two dozen.
After Slaton assumed the mayor’s chair, Kaseson Hooper, staff accountant with Turner & Co. accounting firm in Murphy, presented the town’s annual audit.
“Everything is fine,” Hooper told the council. “There was a minor budget violation of a few hundred dollars but your total of $55,685 shows the town is profitable, which is great. Keep up the good work and watch the budget a little closer.”
Following the audit report, the council learned about 108 town residents have taken advantage of the $100 “token of appreciation” for offering proof of vaccination against the Covid-19 virus.
That program will continue through the end of the year.
“The council voted to donate our individual checks to REACH,” Slaton said, calling Judith Alvarado, executive director of REACH in Clay County, to receive the $400 gift. She thanked the council and Baughn for being “such a provider and supporter of REACH.” “This past year we have provided 26 families with emergency shelter,” she said. “On behalf of them, thank you so much and God bless you all.”
In other action Monday, the council agreed to move forward with establishing an electrical vehicle charging station. Slaton said the town had received an anonymous donation to install a level two charging station. The council had hoped to obtain a grant for a level one charging station but that has not materialized.
Councilman Austin Hedden said rather than waiting and hoping for a larger grant, he felt the council should move toward a level two station.
Baughn made the motion to authorize Slaton to start the process to obtain a level two station.
The difference between level one and level two stations is in the cost to install, and the amount of time needed to charge a vehicle.
The council also heard an update on new streetlights at Sanderson Street and Myers Chapel Road. Baughn said a contract has been signed for Blue Ridge EMC to install new lighting, but he does not know the date of installation.
The council voted to make Joe Slaton town manager as well as mayor. Councilwoman Lauren Tiger made that motion. Councilman Hedden seconded.
Hedden made the motion to install his mother, Suzanne Hedden, in the position of town clerk and finance officer. Baughn noted that Hedden had already been on the job in a volunteer basis.
Slaton presented a gift card to Baughn and thanked him for his service as councilman and eight years as Hayesville’s mayor. The card depicted a crossing of the finish line.
During public comment, volunteer Sandy Zimmerman, on behalf of Small Town Main Street and Historic Hayesville, Inc. board members, thanked Baughn for his work as mayor and his support of those organizations and told Slaton they look forward to working with him as new mayor.