Hayesville Town Councilmen Joe Slaton, Will Penland and Austin Hedden were told the town’s audit was good during a report by auditor Kaseson Hooper of Turner and Company.
At the Tuesday, Dec. 14 council meeting, Hooper said everything looked pretty good and there were no problems. Town Clerk Susan Morgan said Hooper had found one small problem with the amount the town owes for fire tax. As she presented the town’s balance sheet, she requested $712 be moved from the bike path fund to the fire service contact to remedy it.
The councilmen approved the change. Hayesville Mayor Harry Baughn said property taxes have begun to be collected so next month’s balance sheet will be higher. “We had property tax increases in addition to a couple of annexations, too,” he said. Morgan added, “Plus, the county did a big push for collections which helped us.”
Other new business included text amendments recommended by the Hayesville Planning and Zoning Board. Zoning Administrator George Schaaf explained the change from two acres to 1.5 acres for group projects of two residences. “We often encourage sub-dividing property when people buy and want multiple residences,” he said.
The council agreed to send the amendment recommendation to a public hearing prior to the January town council meeting. As Schaaf provided the zoning report, Baughn said, “George is super busy. He has lot of zoning compliance issues, variances and ordinance violations. He has lots of calls from businesses and potential owners.”
As part of his mayor’s report, Baughn explained the town was turned down for the NCDOT bike path grant. He was surprised because they felt their application was strong. Next, he plans to write a grant for a charging station. “Blairsville has one and they do so well with it, they are looking at adding another one in town,” Baughn said.
He is applying for funds for a Level 2 charging station, which will charge two vehicles in four hours. Baughn thanked Sandy Zimmerman for helping to coordinate refurbishing of the old Welcome to Hayesville sign. A local couple, Stan and Sara Rasmussen, volunteered to do the work and it looks brand new. It will be placed after the roundabout towards downtown, on the school side of the road.
Baughn and Zimmerman displayed a certificate presented to them on behalf of town volunteers who had worked to make renovation of the Historic Courthouse possible. “We were the only town in the Small Town Main Street program who got this particular award,” Zimmerman said. The previous weekend, a ceremony was held at the courthouse, now known as the Beal Center, to recognize everyone named on the certificate.
Zimmerman continued with public comment. “For this town, it is how we all work together, especially this year,” she said. “We have great partnerships with the town and the three major non-profits.” Then she added, “For example, did you know Mayor Baughn changed every light bulb on every single Christmas light to make them LED?”
She also shared the Shop Small, Shop Local event went well, despite the pandemic and people mostly staying home to shop. As the meeting closed, Baughn complimented the council for all they had accomplished during the past few years. “It’s amazing what we’ve done. Your support to change the Christmas decorations to LED has given is lots of kudos,” he said. “I also want to thank Blue Ridge EMC for making us a pilot project for downcast lighting around town.” Baughn ended the meeting by saying, “Merry Christmas or however you celebrate. We will see you in 2021.”
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.