By Lorraine Bennett
Staff Writer
Hayesville Town Council members learned Monday that the town is expecting its first Electric Vehicle charging station unit to arrive sometime this week.
Town Councilman Harry Baughn stood in at the regular council meeting for Mayor Joe Slaton, who was out of town. Baughn said he was not certain exactly when the unit will be on town hall property but it is expected very soon.
Reading from the mayor’s report, Baughn said a number of steps will be needed before the unit is assembled and operational. These include:
• Installing the electrical service.
• Mounting the unit.
• Installing signage.
• Painting access lanes to keep clear access for vehicle owners who require a charge.
• Securing wireless telephone communication so customers can pay with a credit card.
“It will take time to get it operational,” Baughn said. The unit will be installed behind Town Hall.
Hayesville received a grant when Volkswagen settled with federal authorities after violating emission laws in vehicles previously advertised as having low emissions. The settlement included funds for Environmental Mitigation Trust to be distributed to states where the offending vehicles were sold. The funds were to be targeted for projects that reduce pollution.
The town also received a private donation to begin the installation.
In other action at Monday’s meeting, the council had no update on the issue of short-term rentals in Hayesville and is still waiting on new state laws expected to apply to short-term rentals.
In September the council tabled a proposed ordinance that would limit short-term rentals in Hayesville to 30 days. Any further action on the matter is expected to go before the Hayesville Planning and Zoning Board.
A speaker’s platform for the gazebo area on town square was completed by Interstate Welding and wheels are being added so the platform can be easily moved. Baughn said the platform will be ready in time for the Hayesville Christmas parade.
Historic Hayesville’s tenth annual Trash to Treasure sale is underway from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 78 Sanderson Street in downtown Hayesville. Sandy Zimmerman reported more than 120 people visited last weekend.
Christmas lights and decorations will be going up around the square the Monday after Thanksgiving.