During public comment in the regular town of Bryson City meeting on Monday, June 1, Jeff Helpman addressed the board about having a Black Lives Matter rally planned for Bryson City next Monday. Helpman wants the rally to take place at the old courthouse beginning at noon and last till dusk with speakers, local pastors and a march through town. The march will take the normal parade route, according to Mr. Helpman.
Mayor Tom Sutton responded to Mr. Helpman’s request to the town by saying, “I speak for the board when I say we don’t have to give permission to exercise your 1st Amendment rights, and we offer up the services of the chief of police as far as public safety goes.”
Town Manager Regina Mathis said there might be a need for the board to vote if there is going to be streets blocked off. Mayor Sutton replied that it would be informal and that police Chief Robinson could take care of it if any traffic control was needed. Ben King expressed concern over traffic and wanted law enforcement to handle traffic control. The board did not vote on the matter.
New Business
The board unanimously reapproved a water/sewer application for Chester Bartlett. It approved an agreement with the Southwestern NC Home Consortium authorizing the mayor to enter into and execute a home investment partnership act consortium agreement.
Three applicants wanted to sit on the ABC board including Mark Pettit, Tom Lancaster and Mike Treadway.
King recommended Pettit because of his knowledge in alcohol sales at Mountain Layers Brewing Company, and Mayor Sutton said he wanted Mark and Mike. Town attorney Fred Moody Jr. asked if the vacancy had been advertised, and the county manager said it had. King made the motion to appoint Treadway to the ABC Board, and he said if another seat became open, Mike Pettit would be appointed. The motion passed unanimously.
Freedom Fest still up in the air
It is still undecided whether Freedom Fest, Bryson City’s Independence Day celebration, will take place this year. The board discussed the festival Monday but did not make a decision whether to cancel the event or not. There is “not a lot of guidance from the governor,” Mayor Sutton said. It was unclear how they would handle crowds and still comply with the state’s Phase 3 of lifting coronavirus social distancing measures. So far, 24 vendors have signed up to take part in the festival, and they still have until July 2 to make their final decision.
The board also made a proclamation to honor the Swain High School Class of 2020 on June 6.
Permits, parks
The board approved Chris Green’s request for an eight-inch line under the state road to his housing development after consulting with McGill, but told Mr. Green he must pay for everything, including encasing the line under the road and a valve on each side of the road.
Town attorney Moody discussed a group who wants a park on the Kelly Bennet property. Unnamed individuals want to finance and maintain most of the operation, he said. Still, they want the town to take care of the parking and picnic tables. Mr. Moody said he wants more detailed information on who the individuals are. There is also concern that the park will interfere with the residents of the subdivision on the same property, and the town needs more information on how close the trails will be to homes.
Moody said he is a “little concerned with a few individuals want to do this; what happens down the road when those individuals are no longer around?”
King mentioned the possibility of the town taking over the park, but added the board “needs to know what it would cost the town to maintain it down the road and what all is involved.”
Drug arrests
Several reports were given by various departments, including the Police Chief’s report for May. There were 340 calls received, up from 322 last May, two DWI arrests, and 24 drug-related arrests. There were 74 traffic stops and 24 citations issued.
The next meeting of the town board is a work session planned for 5:30 p.m.