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The Town of Laurel Park
O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R F O R T H E T O W N O F L A U R E L P A R K
L A U R E L P A R K , N C
NO TAX INCREASE
Your Council determined over a decade ago that we would strive to make tax rate
adjustments at re-evaluation years. Last year was a re-evaluation year and we adjusted
taxes accordingly. The next re-evaluation year is not until 2028. To fulfill our
commitment, we will not increase our tax rate for year 2024/2025.
We listened to resident’s major concerns and are committed to improve our
deteriorating roads and storm water drainage. We have budgeted an additional
$600,000, like last year’s commitment. All of us can recognize the changes. Our
engineering consultant feels confident that we will be ahead of “roadway
deterioration” by 2029 with this continued priority. While we can take pride in our
roadway improvements, we are equally proud of the work that our maintenance crews
and Parks and Greenways have achieved. Please walk our parks and trails and observer
the beautiful landscaping at Laurel Green, Rhododendron Lake Nature Park or Town
Hall. Have you observed the effects of the invasive vine removal along our major
roads?
This coming year, 2025, is very significant as it will be our centennial year since the NC
State Legislature granted incorporation. Our Centennial Committee is working to
celebrate this event throughout 2025. Significant improvements are envisioned with
the Ecusta Trail construction, Ecusta Crossing and Highway 64 improvements. Your
Council wishes to thank all our wonderful volunteers and caring residents. We live in a
magical community.
The Town of Laurel Park wishes to announce that Town Manager Alex Carmichael
resigned June 30, 2024. Council is grateful that Mr. Carmichael completed the 2025
budget before making this announcement. The Town has advertised and is seeking
applications for this position. The vacancy and job description for Town Manager was
posted on June 14th and will remain open until the position is filled. Council wishes to
thank Mr. Carmichael for his service to Laurel Park.
Our current Assistant to the Town Manager, Cara Reeves, will serve as Interim Town
Manager. Should residents seek further information please contact: Cara Reeves at
[email protected] or Mayor J. Carey O’Cain at mayor@laurelpark.org.
Respectfully,
Carey O'Cain
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L A U R E L P A R K , N C
The Town of Laurel Park has entered into a new contract for solid waste (trash) collection
and recycling with Maybin’s Garbage Services, locally owned and operated. Service will
begin on Friday, July 5th, due to the Independence Day holiday. Going forward, normal
service will remain on Thursdays.
Later this summer, all residents will receive a 65-gallon wheeled trash cart supplied (for
free) by Maybin’s. Please note, if you’d prefer a 96-gallon wheeled trash cart, you may call
the service line (828) 692-9872 to exchange sizes. Residential collection days will remain
the same, but collection times may vary. Please continue to have all solid waste and
recycling curbside by 7:30 A.M. If you choose to recycle with Maybin’s, two translucent
blue bags can be placed next to your trash cart at the curb.
If your residence is MISSED please call Maybin’s customer service line at (828) 692-9872. If
your issue is not resolved within one business day, you may reach out to the Town Hall
Office at 828-693-4840 for additional assistance.
Additional services that are not covered under the standard contract include bulky waste,
driveway service (rear-yard pickup) and double capacity (two bins). To learn more or to
sign up for any of these additional services, please contact Maybin’s directly at (828) 692-
9872.
When the time comes to replace your trash bins, below are some options to dispose of
your current trash bins:
·Donate
·You can bring them to the Public Works Department at 500 Toms Drive and Maybin’s will
collect them
·Use them as compost bins
·Sell them on Facebook Marketplace or similar platform
T H E C L I P P E R S
Garbage & Recycling Update
We are hopeful for a smooth transition and
look forward to working with our new
vendor moving forward.
Welcome to Town, Maybin’s!
Please check the town website
for more information.
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L A U R E L P A R K , N C
T H E C L I P P E R S
The Friends of Laurel Park (FLP) have a busy summer
schedule planned, with two events following our three
spring Jump Off Rock concerts.We will host two free
historical bus tours on July 20, at 9 and 11 am, meeting
at the First Congregational Church on West 5thAve.
Registration is required, starting on July 6.FLP also is
sponsoring a safe bike training class by Joe Sanders on
August 17 at 10 am at Laurel Green Park. The class will
be followed by two short bike rides in Laurel Park.The
FLP happily announces that, with our financial
assistance to the Town, a new water fountain was
recently installed at Jump Off Rock Park.In addition,
free Monday night Yam Yoga classes at JOR continue at
6 pm.The annual fund-raising campaign is underway,
and we hope to have continuing support from our
generous past sponsors and donors.FLP mailed out a
survey form in April to assess the interests of residents
in our activities and got a strong response (see the
results on the website below).The Board is seeking a
new member to fill a recent vacancy.For more details,
check the website:www.friendsoflaurelpark.org.
The Town of Laurel Park’s Bee City Renewal has finally
gone through, the Committee wishes to install signs
around Laurel Park showing everyone that we are a Bee
City USA Affiliate.
If you are interested in more information this link:
https://youtu.be/JgH8t9oJfXgsi=eh4V2s5eT4q5aPUR. It
talks about how Laurel Park's Bee City Committee is
committed to educating our residents on ways to protect
invertebrate pollinators in Laurel Park.Another helpful
link is our website:
https://www.laurelpark.org/parks/bee-pollinator-
information.
Please stay tuned for future updates and events!
Friends of Laurel Park
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L A U R E L P A R K , N C
T H E C L I P P E R S
The Town of Laurel Park’s Adopt-A-Garden Program is a volunteer program designed for
interested individuals, groups, and businesses to be able to adopt a street side or public
garden. The goal of the project is to provide adopters with an active role in the community
by maintaining and improving the Town’s street garden, as well as providing a way to grow
pride in the community. Anyone 18 years or older is eligible to adopt a garden; residents,
non-residents, individuals, groups and clubs, organizations, businesses, etc.
If you are interested, please email [email protected].
For safety reasons, residents' bushes and
tree limbs should be kept trimmed back
as to not extend into town roadways. If
Public Works staff performs this
operation it is done with a large tractor
mounted boom mower.
This equipment is primarily used for
rough cutting of banks and road
shoulders. It does not leave a clean cut on
branches larger than¼inch in diameter.
Your hedges, bushes, and limbs will
thank you for your attention onthis
matter!
The Town of Laurel Park values its
people, its strong sense of community,
and its mountain environment. The
Town envisions a future where balanced
decision-making results in a quality
community where people have choices.
Our Town is responsive to the needs of
residents today and adapts to serve our
neighbors of tomorrow.
Whether you are starting your career or
have years of training and professional
experience, the Town of Laurel Park has
opportunities that are currently open:
Town Manager
Resident Services Representative
Invasive Species Removal Technician
Parks/Maintenance Technician
To learn more and apply, please visit our
employment site at www.laurelpark.org.
Employment Opportunities
Adopt-A-Garden
A Friendly Reminder From
Your Public Works Staff
S A V E
the
D A T E
O C T O B E R 3 , 2 0 2 4 @ 6 : 0 0 P M
H E N D E R S O N V I L L E C O U N T R Y C L U B * T I C K E T S W I L L
B E S O L D B E G I N N I N G S E P T E M B E R 1 s t
$ 3 5 P E R P E R S O N
M O R E
I N F O R M A T I O N
O N T I C K E T S T O
B E A N N O U N C E D
P L E A S E K E E P A N
E Y E O N O U R
W E B S I T E
State of the Town Dinner
T O W N O F L A U R E L P A R K
LAUREL PARK CENTENNIAL
Are you interested in celebrating
with us? The Centennial Committee
has been meeting and planning
several activities for our
big 100 Year
Anniversary Celebration.
We would love your feedback!
Please visit our form to take the
survey and let staff at Town Hall
know if you want to get involved in
planning, sponsorship, or more.
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L A U R E L P A R K , N C
T H E C L I P P E R S
Valley Hill Fire & Rescue encourages everyone to follow these basic safety tips to avoid the
dangers of heat exposure this summer.
Stay inside during the hottest hours of the day.
Dress lightly, avoid dark colored clothes.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Avoid drinking alcohol and beverages that contain caffeine.
Properly supervise children during outdoor play, being sure to monitor them closely and
frequently.
Seek medical care right away if you become nauseous, start vomiting or experience
cramps.
Never leave a person or a pet in a car in hot conditions. People and pets can succumb to
heat exposure, which could lead to heat stroke or even death. Cars can become overheated
quickly. It's never safe.
If you have any questions, please
contact Fire and Life Safety Officer
Chris McDowell
828-692-2581 Ext 105
Summer Heat Safety Tips
Laurel Park Police Department
Don't forget about the three remaining Community Safety Classes, hosted by our
Police Department
July 18th - Wildlife: Turkeys, deer and bears oh my! Covers the basics of what you
need to know.
August 15th – Crime Scene Investigation: Love watching CSI TV? Get the real
procedures of a scene.
September 19th – Fraud and Scams: How to detect fraud or scam and how to protect
yourself.
For more information or to sign up for a class, please contact Officer Erich Junger at
[email protected] or by calling the Police Department at 828-692-9399.
J U L Y - A U G U S T 2 0 2 4
L A U R E L P A R K , N C
This report goes out with a special thanks to this hard-working volunteer Planning Board of Laurel Park
residents.
This is my first time writing for this newsletter as the new Chairman of the Planning Board. My first three years
on this very talented team, we saw a steady stream of issues with building permits that consisted of setback
variances and water mitigation. While our decisions had an immediate impact on the applicants, it was also our
task to consider the effects of our actions on the neighbors. Most of the time, these decisions were not especially
difficult or controversial when we had all of the information we needed.
Nevertheless, a few weeks ago we had to cope with a request for zoning for a parcel of land along the Brevard
Road corridor east of the town center that is about to undergo significant change. The process included a public
meeting with the property owners surrounding the parcel specifically invited to attend. It was clear that the
people present at the meeting wanted the parcel to be zoned residential while the trendline was to make it a form
of mixed usage in anticipation of the changes along Brevard Highway.
This dilemma was the most difficult task we have had in my brief tenure on the Planning Board. No matter what
zoning we applied to the parcel, somebody was not going to like it. A wise mentor who did brave things in his life
told me often “when you have a difficult decision to make, make it in favor of the future.” In a solemn ending to
the meeting, we made a unanimous recommendation to the Council in favor of the future and consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan approved eight years ago. The recommendation was for mixed usage zoning. Some number
of the nearby residents may not like this, but our task is to consider the greater good of Laurel Park by
encouraging responsible development that also increases the otherwise static tax base.
Over the next two years we will have the task of revising the Comprehensive Plan with strategies for the next ten
years. The existing Plan was carefully done and much of it has been or is being implemented (Ecusta Trail, for
example). Something I personally would like to see in the next Plan is an elevated concern for the effects of
climate change besides the elaborate requirements for water run-off from our steep slopes. It is my sincere hope
that we can strike a sustainable balance between preservation of the natural and social gifts of our town and the
need to adjust to our changing environment. There will be lots of public meetings and some may be contentious,
but it is my sincere hope that we will listen to each other and make wise decisions that will impact Laurel Park for
many years.
We ask you to begin thinking about your vision of the future of Laurel Park. As change is inevitable, how do you
see it happening? We look forward to hearing from you. Public meetings will be posted on the website and we
invite your feedback.
Philip Wiehe
For questions please contact Town Clerk Amin @ t[email protected].
A Message From the Planning Board Chair
L A U R E L P A R K , N C
J U L Y - A U G U S T 2 0 2 4
July 3, 2024 Fireworks at Hendersonville CC starting at 9:15 p.m.
July 4, 2024 Independence Day - Town Offices Closed (Trash Delayed to 7/5/24)
July 10, 2024 Laurel Park Volunteer Gardening At Canal Park @ 10:00 a.m.
July 16, 2024 Laurel Park Volunteer Gardening - Location TBD @ 10:00 a.m.
July 30, 2024 Laurel Park Volunteer Gardening - Location TBD @ 10:00 a.m.
August 6, 2024 Laurel Park Volunteer Gardening - Location TBD @ 10:00 a.m.
August 20, 2024 Laurel Park Volunteer Gardening - Location TBD @ 10:00 a.m.
September 3, 2024 Laurel Park Volunteer Gardening - Location TBD @ 10:00 a.m.
CALENDAR
THE CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE HANDLES
THE WATER AND SEWER SERVICES FOR LAUREL PARK.
FOR YOUR HOME SERVICE OR TO REPORT WATER
LEAKS IN THE STREET, PLEASE CALL:
M-F 828-697-3052
AFTER BUSINESS HOURS AND WEEKENDS:
828-891-7779
W E H O P E E V E R Y O N E I S E N J O Y I N G T H E P A R K
R E O P E N I N G A N D W I S H T O T H A N K A L L T H A T W E R E
I N V O L V E D I N T H I S W O N D E R F U L S T R E A M
R E S T O R A T I O N P R O J E C T !
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Town Contact Information
Town Hall                693-4840
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Mon - Fri
·
Police Office              692-9399
(Admin)
Police Non-Emergency 697-3025
Valley Hill Fire        692-2581
Mayor: J. Carey O’Cain
Mayor Pro Tem: Paul Hansen
Commissioners:
George W. Banta
Kristin Dunn
Deborah Hinson Bridges
Interim Town Manager: Cara R. Reeves
Town Clerk: Tamara Amin
Finance Director: Kirk Medlin
Zoning Administrator: Cara R. Reeves
Police Chief: Bobbie Trotter
Public Works Director: Brandon Johnson
L A U R E L P A R K , N C
Town Council Work Session
July 11 @ 9:30 am
August 15 @ 9:30 am
Town Council Regular Meeting
July 16 @ 9:30 am - Public Hearing
August 20 @ 9:30 am
Planning Board
July 9 @ 3:00 pm
August 13 @ 3:00 pm
Zoning Board of Adjustment
July 11 @ 4:00 pm - Public Hearing
Parks & Greenways Board
July 9 @ 9:30 am
August 13 @ 9:30 am
Parks & Greenways Site Meeting
July 25 @ 4:00 pm
August 22 @ 4:00 pm
*Site to be determined
Bicycle Committee
August 12 @ 3:00 pm
Invasive Species committee
August 7 @ 10:00 am
Centennial Committee
July 8 @ 11:30 am
August 12 @ 11:30 am
Bee Committee
July 9 @ 12:00 pm- Special Meeting *
July 16 @ 4:30 pm
August 20 @ 4:30 pm
*Meeting held at Layfield Residence
Public Meeting Schedule
(Please check back on our website for up-to-date meeting changes prior to attending)