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Town of Weaverville

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Monthly News & Updates

Status Of The Weaverville Water System Relative To Asheville’s Recent Water Crisis

During the 2022 holiday season, the western NC area experienced a period of sub-freezing weather over several days. One result of the extraordinarily cold weather was an unfortunate and extended water outage in the South Asheville area, which is served by the City of Asheville water system. Published information and press releases indicated that the Asheville water outages were caused by an accumulation of simultaneous problems within their system, including significant leaks on major water lines, equipment problems, several treatment plant issues, and increased water usage related to public service announcements about the need to allow faucets to drip during freezing weather.


Watching the emergency that took place with Asheville’s water outage, Weaverville’s water customers have asked our leadership about the condition of our water system and our ability to respond to a similar crisis. To answer these questions, the information in this article is intended to summarize Weaverville’s experiences during the same weather event, address our emergency response plan that would address a comparable event in Weaverville, and evaluate what is needed to continue to ensure a reliable supply of water for our current customers.


First, Weaverville’s weather during the holiday season starting on December 23 was similar to Asheville’s such that we also had sub-freezing weather for an extended period of time. The lowest temperature recorded by staff during these days was -4 degrees, which was observed around 6:30am on December 24. During the time from Friday, December 23 through Tuesday, December 27, the Weaverville water system only had one weather-related water leak. This leak was at an older service line connection under the walking trail at Lake Louise Park. Water maintenance staff was called in and the leak was repaired on the same day. Otherwise, the Town had no issues with any of our 65+ miles of water lines nor any problems at our Water Treatment Plant during the cold spell. The lack of further problems in Weaverville was likely due to the Town’s regular monitoring and replacement of water lines that are older or in need of repair. Public Works staff keeps a keen eye on our water distribution system throughout the year, but especially during inclement weather events.


Second, Weaverville’s water system is smaller than Asheville’s system, with Asheville having 1,700 miles of water lines and 3 large treatment plants while Weaverville has 65+ miles of water lines and 1 treatment plant. Weaverville also has a much smaller staff, with just 5 staff members at the Water Treatment Plant and 7 in our Water Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department. Although we have a smaller staff, our staff members have a wide range of experience, from 31 years with the Town to less than 1 year. Their familiarity with the system and their expertise with all types of equipment and supplies, as well as their experience with past repairs allows our staff members to be efficient and responsive to any leaks or problems in the system expeditiously. Most of the problems that are discovered or reported are repaired on a same-day basis. In-house maps are available to all staff to identify the locations of existing water lines, fire hydrants, valves, and other features of the Town’s water system. Our team has access to equipment needed for repairs on leaking water lines as well as duplicates of replacement parts (pipe, valves, meters, fittings, repair bands, clamps, pumps, etc.) and equipment (excavators, dump trucks, tools, vehicles, light tower, remote traffic signals, etc.). Staff are also equipped with test kits and supplies to test water within the system following these repairs. Our current staff and inventories of equipment and materials allow the Water Maintenance Division to be well-equipped to maintain the water supply for our citizens during any type of weather event or emergency situation.


Third, Town leadership is constantly looking for ways to make improvements so that staff can proactively address and communicate issues rather than waiting until an emergency happens. In addition to the Town’s social media and online platforms (Facebook and Instagram) used for notifying the public of emergency events, the Town has been reviewing proposals to enact an emergency notification or customer alert system that will provide real-time information to our customers via text and/or email in emergency situations. We are also taking the following actions to further improve the Town’s water system:

  • Staff is currently completing an advanced GIS mapping project of our water system that is in progress with a completion date of December 2023. This will further bolster our ability to pinpoint water line problem areas.
  • Staff has submitted a grant application for a “resiliency project” at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and will learn about the grant award in February. These funds will be used for the purchase of 2 emergency generators at the WTP to power the raw water pump station and the treatment plant, including the finish water pumps, which are necessary to send the treated water to town. Also, a new chlorine system is planned at the WTP to simplify the final water disinfection process.


Town staff is available to answer any questions you may have about our water system. Questions may be directed Dale Pennell, Public Works Director and Engineer for the Town of Weaverville. He can be reached by phone at 828-645-0606 or by email at dale.pennell@weavervillenc.org.

A Message From Buncombe County Government:

Start the year off on the right foot and make sure your home’s property record card is correct.  

 

All residential property owners in Buncombe County were recently mailed a property record card. This card outlines the information we have on file for your property. Please take the time to review your information and let us know if it is incorrect. In the current column on the left, you can see the information we have on file. If any of this this information is incorrect, you can fill out the updated column (on the right). Use the additional comments section to include any other relevant notes like replacing a roof or HVAC system. Once your card is complete, you can tear it off at the perforation and return it to us in the mail. We also want to know if your information is correct; write that on the card and return to us or note that on the website if you are submitting your information electronically. Watch this video for more help.

 

Interested in seeing this information online? Visit tax.buncombecounty.org to review and update your information using our new website. Use the search bar at the top of the page to search for your property by using your address, name, pin, or property tax bill number. Or simply scan the QR code on your mailer to be taken directly your digital property card and make your changes there. Bookmark this website as your homeowner’s tool kit. In addition to providing information about your property, you may also use it to file an appeal, access GIS mapping, check comparable sales, apply for property tax relief, and more. 

 

By working together, we can make sure that all properties in Buncombe County are accurately assessed. Have questions about your property record, a property listing form, or your property value? Join Land of the Sky Association of REALTORS at a free Property Appeal Clinic near you. Learn more at lotsar.org.

Click Here to Buy a Brick!

A Message From Weaverville's Police Department:

Weaverville prides itself on being pedestrian friendly and we urge drivers to be aware of pedestrians at all times, especially considering we have a few crosswalks in town. Distracted driving is when a driver turns their attention away from operating their motor vehicle to something else. There are three types of distracted driving:

  • Visual – taking your eyes off the road
  • Manual – taking your hands off the wheel
  • Cognitive – taking your focus away from driving



The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that “Taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds at 55mph is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed”. The consequences of distracted driving include a slower reaction time, traffic tickets, and insurance rate increases. Some solutions to manage distractions while driving include:

  • Never use a phone while driving
  • Don’t eat or drink while driving
  • Secure all gear before getting in the car
  • Don’t multitask


Following these handy tips, you can play a part in reducing accidents in our community. The few minutes you save in your schedule are not worth the consequences!



-Officer Melissa Borchardt

Pay Water Bills Online

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Have you created an account through our payment portal (MyGovHub) to be able to view and pay your water bills online with ease? This site allows you to easily create an account giving you the ability to view your current & past water bills, usages, previous payments, etc. and pay your water bill all in one place! All you need to get started is your water account number along with the first three characters in your service address as it appears on your bill. Payments made through MyGovHub will also be real-time in our accounting software so we will be able to see your payment on your water account shortly after it is processed. You can make a payment by credit card (the card company does charge a $3.50 service fee) or by e-check (no fee for this service).


The link for MyGovHub is: https://weavervillenc.mygovhub.com or you can access the site from our website under our “Quick Links” tab and then choosing the option for “Paying Town Bills.” We strongly encourage all our customers to create an account even if you do not plan to use it to make a payment as it is a great tool to keep tabs on your water account status. If you have any questions regarding this payment portal, please give our office a call at (828) 645-7116.

The Music On Main 2023 Songwriting Contest Is Now Open:

The Music on Main 2023 Planning Committee is looking for an original song *about Weaverville* to be performed at our annual event on Saturday, June 10, 2023. The winner (and their band) will perform the song – and a whole set – as this year’s opening act. This is a great opportunity for musicians of any genre to write and perform at Weaverville’s Music on Main. Deadline to submit is May 3rd, and more information is available here. In addition to an opening set, the winning songwriter will walk with $500 prize money.

Water Conservation Tips For Residents:

Water Conservation in the Laundry Room:


  • Run full loads of laundry.
  • When purchasing a new washing machine, buy a water saving model that can be adjusted to the load size.


“Water Conservation Tips for Residents.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, https://www3.epa.gov/region1/eco/drinkwater/water_conservation_residents.html. 

Mark Your Calendar

February Meetings:

  • February 7th: Planning Board Meeting


  • February 13th: Board of Adjustment Meeting


  • February 21st: Town Council Workshop


  • February 27th: Town Council Meeting


For more information on these meetings click here.

Weaverville Center for Creative & Healthy Living News

Weaverville Center for Creative & Healthy Living: Blog and Updated Schedule – 1 February 2023


UPCOMING EVENTS – Free Admission

  • Artisan Players Present: A. R. Gurney’s Love Letters. Tuesday, February 14th, 7:00-8:30 PM. This Readers’ Theater piece is comprised of letters exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. As the actors read the letters aloud, what is created is an evocative, touching, frequently funny but always telling pair of character studies in which what is implied is as revealing and meaningful as what is actually within the script itself. If you missed last year’s magnificent performance, this is a great opportunity to enjoy this moving production as performed by local professional actors Melissa Stone & Robert Dale Walker as directed by our own Janice Vertucci Schreiber.

 

  • Storytellers’ Concert: Love Stories. Feb 23rd, 7:00-8:30 PM. Touching, funny, tragic? Five local storytellers explore love in all it glorious, complicated facets. Full hearts, broken hearts, happily ever after? You be the judge. Join us for this timeless celebration of love. Featuring Chuck & Cindy Fink, Sherry Lovett. Jill Totman, and Pat Whitson.

 

  • Homespun Tales & Music of the Blueridge featuring Renown Appalachian Storytellers/Musicians Michael Reno Harrell & Josh Goforth Thursday, April 20th, 7:00-8:30 PM
  • Harrell: His natural knack for storytelling has earned him praise from not only the music community but from the storytelling world as well, being asked to perform at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN, numerous times. Michael’s unique artistic craft and ability to affect his audiences viscerally have taken him to folk festivals, fiddlers’ conventions, and bluegrass festivals here and abroad. His humor and wit as well as the emotional depth of his work keep his fan base growing and staying tuned in for whatever comes next. Michael has gathered a lifetime of facts, fabrications, and fibs which have seeped into his stories and songs like Appalachian rain. Humor was what “helped get those old timers through a hard existence” and it is a big part of Michael’s performances today.
  • Goforth: Goforth, native of Madison County, is a highly accomplished storyteller and acoustic musician.  A graduate of East Tennessee State University he was a member of ETSU’s famous Bluegrass and Country Music Program. In 2000, he played fiddle for the movie Songcatcher, both onscreen and on the soundtrack. He has toured extensively performing in all 50 US states, all over Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2000, 2003, and 2005, he was named Fiddler of the Festival at Fiddler’s Grove acquiring the designation of “Master Fiddler”. He has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, the Lincoln Center, as well as Carnegie Hall and in 2009 he was nominated for a Grammy. He currently is on faculty at the Academy for the Arts in Asheville and continues performing worldwide.  
  • Thanks to their mentor and colleague, David Holt for encouraging these two powerhouse storytellers to perform at The Weaverville Community Center on April 20th. Save the date.


  • Artisan Players Present: A Play To Be Determined. Sunday, March 26th, 7:00-8:30 PM. Save the date. Multiple provocative scripts are being discussed for presentation in the Readers’ Theater format. More details will be provided once the Artisan Players make a selection.

 

SCHEDULE MODIFICATIONS:

  • Martial Arts: Tuesday & Thursday, 6:00-7:00 PM, Albert Weaver Room. In response to your ample replies, we have added this exercise program to our schedule to be open to all levels of experience. The group will follow a curriculum from white to black belt. The group aims to improve quality of life through balancing body and mind with martial arts. Goals: develop and improve martial arts skills, create an encouraging atmosphere where all levels are welcome, meet friendly people, and have fun. For ages 16 years and older. Martial Arts training includes Kenpo, Chin Na, Kobudo, Kata, and self-defense. For more information, please contact Michael Nolan at: seay2nolan@yahoo.com.

 

  • Yoga (One Hour Session): Effective immediately, Wendy Lantis is teaching Yoga on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00-11:00 AM in the Albert Weaver Room. For more information, please contact Wendy at: bloomingself@gmail.com.


  • Mountain Music Jam/Music on the Back Porch: Our local musicians will continue to take a hiatus until later this spring or early summer at which time we intend to bring back this popular musical event. More details to follow in future Blogs.


  • Meditation: After a brief in person hiatus during the holiday season, Ronya Banks is back to holding in person and video-remote classes on Thursdays from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room. For more information, please contact Ronya at: ronyared8@gmail.com.    

                               

  • Ecstatic Dance: The volunteer/free attendance format was not sustainable for this activity so effective immediately, Ecstatic Dance, will be moving to downtown Asheville. For more information, please contact Audree Halasz at: shespinsfire@gmail.com.


NEW ACTIVITIES QUESTIONAIRE:

  • Chess Club: Drew Carter has offered to be our Group Champion for leading a group of Chess enthusiasts. If there is any interest in this activity, please respond with the days of the week and times that would work best for you. WCCHL has been trying to get a Chess Club going for several months now but we never had a Group Champion to lead this effort. Now is the time to let your voices be heard so that we can bring this group together to play, learn, and perhaps compete in a Weaverville based tournament or all levels and ages. Let us hear from you… [Reply to: wcchl@weavervillenc.org]


  • Parents and Toddlers Group: Is there anyone out there with specific skills in leading a group of parents and toddlers in a one-hour, midday activity that would include exercise, music, creative play, and storytelling? We are eager to identify a Group Champion for this activity as we have had several inquiries from parents with pre-school toddlers who would like to meet with other parents and their tots. We would like to see a resume and any applicable certifications that you might have to support your application. [Reply to: wcchl@weavervillenc.org]

 

Note: Parents - What days and times of the week might work best for you and your toddlers. What ages do you feel are most appropriate for a toddlers’ get together? We need your feedback to make this work. [Reply to: wcchl@weavervillenc.org]


NEWS FROM LAST MONTH:

  • Storytellers’ Concert: Thank you to the 100 plus attendees who came out on a Tuesday evening to watch four “rookie” storytellers perform for the first time on stage. Their performances were outstanding and the crowd enthusiastically embraced four personal and unique stories that left us all wanting for more. Something tells me we will be hearing from them again in the not too distant future.

 

  • Ballroom Dancing:  The word on the street was that there were 40 people who showed up for the first session of Renee Twilley’s initial foray into getting us on the dance floor. Congratulations, to Renee and all who attended. The next session is the 3rd Sunday of February (the 18th) from 6:00-8:00 PM. For more information, please contact Renee at: reneetwilley@gmail.com.


Thomas M. Balestrieri 

Board Chairperson 

Weaverville Center for Creative & Healthy Living 

26 Whitetail Drive 

Weaverville, NC 28787 

wcchl@weavervillenc.org 

904.347.3312 

www.facebook.com/WCCHL 

Town Elected Officials & Contact Information

Mayor & Town Council


Patrick Fitzsimmons, Mayor

e-mail: pfitzsimmons@weavervillenc.org


Jeff McKenna, Vice Mayor

email: jmckenna@weavervillenc.org


Doug Jackson, Councilman

email: djackson@weavervillenc.org


Andrew Nagle, Councilman

email: anagle@weavervillenc.org


John Chase, Councilman

email: jchase@weavervillenc.org


Michele Wood, Councilwoman

email: mwood@weavervillenc.org


Catherine Cordell, Councilwoman

email: ccordell@weavervillenc.org


Town Manager Selena Coffey

e-mail: scoffey@weavervillenc.org


Town Hall Physical Location:

30 South Main Street, Weaverville, NC


Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 338, Weaverville, NC 28787


Phone:

(828) 645-7116


Town Hall Business Hours:

8:30am - 5:00pm

(closed from 12:30-1:30pm)


Town Council Meetings:

4th Monday of each month at 6:00pm

30 South Main Street, Weaverville, NC

Town Council Agendas & Minutes
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Weaverville Town Hall

30 South Main Street, P.O. Box 338,

Weaverville, NC 28787

Phone: (828) 645-7116

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