By Lorraine Bennett
Staff Writer
The Hayesville Town Council at Monday evening’s meeting briefly discussed a possible deterrence against panhandling in the town and agreed Mayor Joe Slaton will take the matter to Town Attorney Paul Lipof.
“We’ve had some panhandling and some complaints about it,” the mayor said. “We can get the town attorney to draw up an ordinance.”
Councilwoman Benita England noted that panhandling carries a negative connotation, especially when visitors come to Hayesville.
“One person has been out for about a month,” Slaton observed. The council took no vote on the issue but gave the mayor a green light to pursue the matter further.
Hayesville Town Clerk/Finance Officer Suzanne Hedden told the council the anticipated $250,000 grant to the town from the North Carolina legislature has arrived. The state grant was awarded to Hayesville last December and is designated for capital improvements or equipment.
The town intends to use the funding for development of bike and pedestrian trails.
Councilman Harry Baughn said, “I’m glad to see we finished the (fiscal) year with a little retention for future projects.”
On that note, the council voted to add Mountain True to the list of non-profits receiving donations from the town. The council agreed Mountain True will receive a gift of $1,000 as thanks for the organization’s assistance in helping clear trails at the Mayor’s Park and near Town Creek.
Five of the six new benches planned for the Mayor’s Park and the Town Creek Trail have been installed, the mayor said.
Mountain True is a grassroots environmental organization working to promote stewardship and care for the natural environment by monitoring and protecting the area’s waterways and championing resilient forests, clean waters and healthy communities in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
Under new business, the council appointed Lynn Myers, whose term expires Sept. 30, to continue serving on the Planning and Zoning Board. Zoning Administrator Ron Wallace said the board will meet in October.
The council announced the Mayor’s Fourth Annual Fall Clean-up for town residents to be held soon and notification letters will be mailed to residents.
The town is awaiting a report from an engineer addressing a drainage problem on Mill Street. The mayor said he expects that project to be completed this year.
Sandy Zimmerman, giving her report on Historic Hayesville Inc., said she is awaiting word from the Dogwood Foundation about a $20,000 grant for which the organization applied and she hopes to have word on the grant by Oct. 1.
Monday’s meeting lasted only about 30 minutes. Councilwoman Lauren Tiger was absent.