Concerned Citizen Buttered Biscuit Meeting January 26, 2023

[Forum Member]

After prayer for our County and Government officials, Town of Waynesville Mayor Gary Caldwell was introduced. He grew up in Haywood County and attended Hazelwood School. The Mayor brought good news about a study he requested to evaluate the current NC floodplain mapping in Hazelwood. Some requests had come in from citizens wanting to remodel and Gary's thought was, "no way that's in a floodplain, so he ordered the study that should be completed by 2024.

Mayor Caldwell also announced the renovation on the historic Sulphur Springs Spring house will be completed in May, then he discussed the Fire Station No. 2 that has been in the works for at least 10 years. The property has been purchased and the next step is the architectural drawings. Gary also wants a substation for the Waynesville Police Department to be added the the plans. The problem is, now they have to pay for the new sewer system, so they don't have the money for the new Fire Department. Mayor Caldwell asked citizens to ask State House Representative Mark Pless for money to build the new Fire Station No. 2 because Mark told Gary he could get the money from the state.

Next Mayor Caldwell gave us some bad news about the South Main Street Renovation. The NC DOT has put it off until the year 2029! That's not good news for homes and businesses along the South Main Street corridor. He gave us an update about housing pouring into our town and the first big eyesore on Russ Avenue at the old Bi-Lo site was a big question and answer sesson. Not one citizen in the room liked it and questioned all the cars it will bring and and citizens questioned the number of parking spaces. That one apartment building will bring close to 500 cars if every household has two cars. The Bi-Lo Apartment complex will be completed in the Spring of 2024. The new "Balsam Edge" affordable housing on Howell Mill Road was also discussed, which will bring 84 affordable apartment units on Howell Mill Road, and again citizens voiced concern over the number of cars on Russ Avenue and lack of restaurants, department stores and gas stations.

Mayor Caldwell announced a new "Gateway to the Smokies" arch will be erected near the Watimi Restaurant crossing Main Street, like the sign the Town of Waynesville had from the 1930's to the 70's. It was one of the most photographed places in town. Most citizens were happy about the new sign erected by the new Downtown Waynesville Commission and the pictures Gary handed out were beautiful, but it sparked a discussion about the homeless and needle problem in our town. There were a number of business owners who gave examples of needles in their parking lots and even homeless people using their outside faucet for showers. When Gary was asked about the homeless camp clean-up next to the Waynesville Middle School that produced 60 discarded needles from homeless drug addicts and tons of trash, he had heard about it but didn't know about the needles.

When asked about the Social Workers Alderman Chuck Dickson was planning to put in police cars to ride around with our Waynesville police officers, Gary was unaware of this happening. He said he didn't agree with the idea. He said there would be no low barrier shelters in the Town of Waynesville and no money will go to Helping Hands.

We appreciate Mayor Gary Caldwell coming to the Buttered Biscuit to talk to the citizens. The Buttered Biscuit is a place for open discussion and gives the citizens a chance to get to know our elected officials and ask questions.

Mayor Gary Caldwell announces new "Gateway to the Smokies" arch!
https://wlos.com/news/local/plans-in-th ... ional-park