Weaverville's e-Focus Newsletter

December 2020 | Volume 60

Important Notice Regarding Mandated Face Coverings

On November 23, 2020, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 180, “Increase Face Covering Requirements to Prevent The Rapid Spread of Covid-19.” It went into effect on Wednesday, November 25 at 5:00 p.m., and currently runs through December 11, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., and is subject to extension by the Governor. It contains requirements for the wearing of face masks in virtually all places of business and outdoors, and specifically includes wearing masks on sidewalks due to routine and frequent pedestrian traffic. Business owners must require masks to be worn by employees and customers in their places of business. A violation of this order is a Class 2 misdemeanor. The Town of Weaverville will be enforcing this Order within town limits. To aid in this enforcement, violations may be reported by sending an email to covid19@weavervillenc.org or by calling the Town’s Police Department at (828)645-5700.

The Governor's Order and additional information can be viewed here: https://governor.nc.gov/documents/executive-order-no-180

New Recycling Carts Delivered

The new blue recycling carts are here! After being delivered to the Town in mid-November, decals and wheels were installed on the carts, and the first load was delivered on November 20 to the Creekside community by our Public Works Department. The educational decals applied to the carts by our staff will assist residents with understanding what materials can be recycled (“YES”) and which cannot (“NO”). Empty clean recyclable materials should be placed directly into the carts without the need for blue bags, which will no longer be allowed after June 30, 2021. The delivery of blue carts will continue weekly as weather and other duties allow. Any questions about the blue recycling carts or recycling can be directed to town hall at 645-7116 or to Public Works at 645-0606, or emailed to Dale Pennell, Public Works Director at dale.pennell@weavervillenc.org.

Note from Weaverville Fire Dept.

As the holiday season winds into full swing, even in a pandemic, the fire department asks that you please continue to think about fire safety in all that you do. While the season is filled with the joys of decorating your home, choosing and decorating a tree and filling your home with scented candles to trigger all your senses to the season we must stay vigilant about keeping our families and homes safe. Please see the attached NFPA info sheets and follow their suggestions as a great way to maintain fire safety with regards to the extras we add to our homes and lives during the holidays. As always if you have any questions that we can answer to help make your holidays more fire safe please call and let us help. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your Weaverville Fire Department!

Buncombe County Housing Assistance Program

Attention Buncombe County residents:

If you are struggling to pay your rent or mortgage, Buncombe County’s COVID Housing Assistance Program may be able to help. “We understand the effects of the pandemic have strained family finances,” says Economic Services Director Phillip Hardin. “We want our community to know that financial assistance is available to support community members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who need support with rent, mortgage, or utilities.”

To qualify to receive relief funds earmarked for the Housing Assistance Program, households must meet the following eligibility requirements:

The applicant/household lost income due to COVID-19.
There is a sustainability plan to pay shelter expenses going forward after the County assists with past due bills.
Income limit of 200% of the federal poverty level ($52,400) for a family of four.

Buncombe County is now accepting inquiries and applications. Please fill out the attached form and return to Buncombe County Health and Human Services or call (828) 250-5500 to be connected with a caseworker to start the application process.

Fall Leaf Collection

Submitted by Weaverville Public Works

Welcome to the beauty of autumn in Weaverville! After several “Chamber of Commerce” days of blue skies and colorful foliage, it is time to rake those beautiful leaves to the curb for pickup by the Town’s Public Works crews. Beginning on October 15, our crews have started following the streets around town using our leaf trucks to vacuum any leaves that are left at the curb for pickup. The crews will continue to collect leaves through December 15, and will repeat the process in 2021 from March 1 through May 1.

We ask all town residents to respect our worker’s safety and wisely use our taxpayer dollars by following some simple guidelines regarding their leaves:

First and foremost, do not mix any other yard waste or garbage materials with the leaves. The powerful suction of the vacuum trucks can pick up small articles such as children’s toys, branches, yard debris, and garbage bags, and these become lodged in the motor of the vacuum, causing our crews to stop the vacuum to clean out or repair the damage. The damage caused by these items can require expensive repairs, and when the truck is out of service, it seriously affects our schedule to visit all neighborhoods in an efficient manner.

When raking or blowing your leaves to the curb or street, don’t cover your water meter cover. The vacuum is strong enough to actually lift the lid off the water meter box – causing the same problems as described above.

When piling up your leaves, try not to block sidewalks or parts of the roadway; use the grass shoulder or edge of your lawn.

If there is a drainage grate over a storm drain box, do not block or cover the grate. This can cause a drainage problem and possible flooding issue within the roadway or onto a neighbor’s property, or a safety issue for pedestrians.

In 2019, leaves fell later in the autumn, causing our leaf collection to be extended into early January. Thus far in 2020, it seems that leaves are falling sooner and more quickly and our crews are already very busy. The Public Works Department thanks you in advance for following the simple guidance listed above to make this valuable service for our citizens a quick and safe operation.