BLACK MOUNTAIN – Black Mountain Public Works Director Jamey Matthews presented Town Council with a report at the May 12 meeting and called the report “unlike any report (he’s) ever done.”
In his report, Matthews provided an update from the department after Tropical Storm Helene while also tackling what he described as mis- and disinformation posted on social media about town staff.
“I’m very proud of my staff and they get beat up bad on social media,” Matthews said. “That’s something I’m not proud of.”
He said, before the storm, the town’s water system was functioning within capacity and providing 40% of the town’s water.
Matthews said after the destruction Helene brought Sept. 27, the town was able to get its distribution system functioning with nonpotable water Oct. 9.
Black Mountain was the first municipality in Buncombe County to bring in water. Matthews said this water came from Davis Water, an organization he called an “ally.”
He pointed to a sign that had been posted in a local business saying that Mayor Michael Sobol was working on getting town water. At the May 12 meeting, Matthews said it was staff who worked to get the water.
Sobol responded to what he described as “digs” toward him and said he wanted to bring water back in zones. He also questioned why some public works vehicles and equipment were not moved as the storm was happening.
Matthews detailed having to rescue employees as floodwaters rose, trapping the employees on top of their trucks.
In an address to council, Matthews said more people are seeing government as a “punching bag” and that not everything can be done at once.
He said he saw “each and every one” of the council members every day in the aftermath of Helene.
“I thank you for letting me present tonight,” Matthews said. “I respect each and every one of you, I do, but the truth has to come out sooner or later. I don’t appreciate being personally attacked by anyone and when I am, I will combat it with the truth.”
Following Matthews presentation, Sobol called for a five-minute break.
Before the public works presentation, Town Council heard an update on Helene recovery planning by Jeremiah LeRoy, Buncombe County’s sustainability director and deputy recovery officer.
LeRoy said the county has moved out of emergency response and into recovery, something he said was symbolized by the closing of the last community care station at Owen Pool at the end of April.
He said the county is currently in the process of working on a long-term recovery plan.
“It names what’s important to us,” LeRoy said. “It’s an opportunity to identify project-specific goals that reflect what you all and what your community thinks is important in the short, medium and very long-term.”
LeRoy said this plan also helps secure potential sources of funding.
He said while the plan will be county-wide, municipalities will retain authority for specific projects.
LeRoy encouraged residents to take the Envision Buncombe survey to provide their ideas. Once the survey closes, a draft plan will be made available “hopefully” by the end of September to get more community feedback. LeRoy said a plan should be adopted by late October or early November.
Later in the meeting, council unanimously approved the voluntary annexation of two pieces of property on Frances Avenue and Tabernacle Road, owned by Givens Highland Farms, into town. Council also unanimously voted to approve the rezoning of these properties from R-1 to OI-6, moving the parcels from residential to office and institutional district.
Town Council unanimously approved an amendment to the stormwater ordinance, adjusting the stormwater control measures threshold, moving it to half an acre from 5,000 square feet. Projects will be classified into high-density projects requiring periodic permit renewals and low-density projects that will be monitored for built upon area change.
Annual inspections can be completed by property owners should they be qualified, or a qualified professional. Records can be kept onsite.
In the first public comment portion of the meeting, nine residents spoke in support of getting the Black Mountain Golf Course open.
Three firefighters − Lt. Chance Hensley and firefighters Charles Woody and Andrew Operato − who responded to a house fire and were able to rescue someone trapped inside were awarded a lifesaving award by Fire Chief John Coffey.
Karrigan Monk is the Swannanoa Valley communities reporter for Black Mountain News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kmonk@blackmountainnews.com.
