By Lorraine Bennett
Staff Writer
Like death and taxes, one of life’s certainties is that the cost of government always increases. The Hayesville Town Council turned that myth on its head Monday night by passing a 2021-2022 budget more than $24,300 smaller than the previous year.
Mayor Harry Baughn explained how the proposed $196,375 starting budget was trimmed partly because of the pandemic. Hayesville Town Clerk/Finance Officer Susan Morgan added there were no big projects proposed such as building restrooms and adding awnings around the square.
In other happy news, the mayor announced local non-profit grant awards to the Clay County Historical and Arts Council, the Peacock Performing Arts Center and the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association. A maximum grant award is $15,000, the mayor said.
The council reviewed three bids for janitorial work to clean public restrooms beside town hall. The bids ranged from $600 monthly to $80 weekly. The council voted to accept the low bid with work to begin Thursday, July 1.
Members also voted to accept language amendments to the zoning ordinance to comply with state requirements and also voted to accept a state-imposed change in building height from 35 to 40 feet. The changes conform to county restrictions and are consistent with the local land use plan.
They briefly discussed a grant from the N.C. Dept. of Transportation for planning pedestrian and biking trails around the town of Hayesville. The mayor agreed to meet with several local interested parties for further discussions.
CCCRA’s Paul Price introduced the council to Brooke Reynolds, new executive director of the Clay County Courthouse/Beal Center who began her official duties Tuesday, June 1. Reynolds informed the council of an upcoming open house and the summer concert series resuming in July.
The council voted to renew participation for the eighth year in the Small Town Main Street Program at an annual renewal fee of $375. Mayor Baughn explained one of the past benefits of the program was permitting the town to tap the Small Town Solutions Fund for seed money to help develop the Nocturnal Brewing Company in Hayesville.
The council listened to a video presentation by David Miller of the non-partisan N.C. Chatuge Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Miller asked the council to adopt a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to enact HR 2307, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act aimed at reducing U.S. carbon pollution by half by 2030 and working toward the goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“We need to send a message to Congress that it’s time to put a price on carbon,” Miller said. The town of Sylva has agreed to support the resolution, he said.
Local environmental activist Dr. Vernon Dixon spoke in support of the resolution, adding, “I’ve been working on this for years.”
“We need time to consider this,” Councilman Joe Slaton responded. The council voted to table the matter until further research is done.
The council also tabled for further study a possible truck braking ordinance. Local business leaders have complained about loud noise from dump trucks traveling local streets and applying engine brakes when passing through town.
Jody Jensen of Hayesville Brewing Company said the noise is impacting outdoor dining.
“They come through and they engine brake and that’s the end of your conversation,” he said. “Things will actually vibrate inside the brewery.” Owners of the Black Dog Tavern have complained as well, he said.
Mayor Baughn explained how the town does not have a noise pollution ordinance because scientific measurements are needed to determine what is an acceptable decibel level. He said the department of transportation could put up warning signage but the N.C. Highway Patrol won’t enforce it because the brakes are considered a safety feature on the trucks.
Councilman Austin Hedden made a motion to table that issue until the council can acquire more data and consider alternatives, such as determining weight limits on certain streets. Councilwoman Lauren Tiger seconded the motion.
In other action the council voted, without revealing specifics, to look into some residential cleanup. Mayor Baughn said a search should begin soon to find a replacement for veteran Hayesville Zoning Administrator George Schaaf, who will begin phasing out his work in the near future.
Historic Hayesville Inc.’s Sandy Zimmerman reminded the council of upcoming events on the Hayesville Square and the group’s annual Trash to Treasure sale. The sale begins this weekend with all proceeds going to restoration of the old Hayesville Town Hall.