By Lorraine Bennett
Staff Writer
The Hayesville Town Council learned Monday, Jan. 8 the town is enjoying another clean audit report. Kaseson Hooper of Turner & Company accountants used words such as "good audit, clean as usual, budget looks good, no problems” in presenting the report to the council.
He said the town's expenses were up a little but there was nothing outstanding on the negative side in the report.
In other business Mayor Joe Slaton said parts of the long-awaited electric vehicle charging station are in house and the town is working to obtain the necessary parts for full installation behind Town Hall soon. “The installer needs to obtain heavy gage copper wire for the next step in the process,” Slaton said.
Under new business Slaton said the local Master Gardeners' group is preparing to plant about 30 daffodils by Town Hall as part of the ongoing Daffodil Project.
Zoning Administrator Ron Wallace reported he is close to getting a permit application for a new sign for Rib Country. N.C. Highway 69 beside the restaurant has been under extensive construction and that has impacted not only local businesses but signage as well.
Wallace said any action on the issue of short-term rentals in Hayesville is still on hold, awaiting an update on new state laws that are expected to apply to short-term rentals. Last fall the Hayesville Town Council tabled a proposed ordinance that would have limited short-term rentals in Hayesville to 30 days.
Last month the Town of Hayesville received notice it is the recipient of a $250,000 state grant to be used for capital improvements or equipment. Slaton said he is working on ideas for how best to use those funds.
Sandy Zimmerman of Historic Hayesville Inc. told the council she is soliciting requests for ideas on how HHI can help with funding contributions. Zimmerman said the annual Trash to Treasures fundraiser has netted about $15,000 in sales. Most of the sales have come through customers outside the Hayesville area, she said.
Having the sale in a location on the square has been most helpful, she said.
“We’re here in a great location for at least another month,” Zimmerman said. “It’s good to be back in town. This is helping us get up to the point we needed to maintain our budget.”
The council’s brief meeting adjourned after about 25 minutes.