New stripes will soon highlight parking spaces in downtown Hayesville. On Monday, Hayesville Town Council approved the $2,405 project quote for Pro Stripe of Blairsville to paint new stripes in town.
The company will also add directional arrows on one-way streets to reduce traffic driving the wrong way. Funds will come from the Powell Bill, a state street aid fund which allocates money to incorporated municipalities per North Carolina General Statute 136-41.1 through 136-41.4. With no new business to report, the meeting was over quickly yet there was plenty to hear.
During his zoning administrator report, George Schaaf said both the planning and zoning board and the board of adjustment are fully staffed. No November meetings were held for either board because there were no applications to consider. Town Clerk Susan Morgan has electronically updated the zoning and ordinance book.
Schaaf said new books were last printed in 2016, but the boards will need to reprint a small run to have on hand for realtors, applicants, councilmen and to use by board members during zoning meetings. “Anytime we have applicants in here, it makes it easier to have booklets rather than trying to share a computer screen,” Schaff explained.
When asked about the proposed apartment complex near the Clay County Courthouse, Schaff and Mayor Harry Baughn said it has been re-planned to comply to roof heights and it is expected to start being built in the next several months. Baughn said the drive-thru Halloween event hosted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office was a success. “It was very organized and cars were directed through in an orderly manner,” he said. “The cars were lined up onto the highway. The sheriff advertised it from 7-8 p.m. and we got out at 10 p.m.” Councilman Will Penland said he was told there were 500 cars at the event.
Baughn also reported the NCDOT bicycle path grant application should be reported in December. In addition, he is gradually replacing the town’s Christmas lights with LED’s as he has time. “I think it will be pretty with the LED’s,” he said. Morgan explained some of the items on the town’s balance sheet, as well as the profit and loss statement.
The main items not commonly found in the financial information were expenses for candy for the Trick-orTreat event and additional legal ads in the Clay County Progress because of extra public hearings. “We had two public hearings so both had to be advertised,” Morgan said.
During public comment, Sandy Zimmerman said it will be great to have the Christmas lights up soon because Historic Hayesville, Inc, is coordinating Shop Small, Shop Local, a local shopping event for Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27 and 28. “We will run ads telling more about it, but more than 20 businesses are taking part,” she explained. “They will stay open later and there will be a drawing for gift baskets worth more than $150.”
Zimmerman reminded everyone to look at the town’s new sculpture, which had been dedicated on Sunday. “Look for the mouse and the cat’s paw,” she smiled. Baughn said a steady stream of people walking or driving cars has stopped to look at the sculpture, which is in front of Hayesville Town Hall. There are plans for landscaping around the sculpture.
The councilmen and the mayor thanked Zimmerman for the group’s hard work. “Sandy wears out the sidewalks around town every day,” Baughn laughed. She also shared: • The Welcome to Hayesville sign has been refurbished and will be placed in the Hayesville Heritage Park. • Historic Hayesville, Inc. has new volunteers who have worked hard along with current volunteers. • An awards coffee reception will be held in December for HHI to honor some of those who have contributed to the organization’s success.
The town council and mayor entered closed session after the public meeting; however, no information had been reported at press time. Hayesville Town Council meets at Hayesville Town Hall at 5:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month. To enforce social distancing, masks are required.