[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6612287,"mediaKeyId","2891884-8e3f15d4c793eb9573e3354bf70f4130","parentId",2891884,"title","Avery County commissioners approve archaeological monitoring contract, grant, audit and resolutions; private-debris removal continues","audioSeconds",803,"startMs",3209000,"endMs",4012000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891884-8e3f15d4c793eb9573e3354bf70f4130&start=3209&end=4012","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891884-8e3f15d4c793eb9573e3354bf70f4130/thumbnail_3209000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612287/Avery-County/North-Carolina/Avery-County-commissioners-approve-archaeological-monitoring-contract-grant-audit-and-resolutions-private-debris-removal-continues","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612287-68e48e6fafe73831b8875ed7d482e6c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187411&Signature=LJH8W2~f09gDh9f43y9h66P6wC2lCkfBUT4DMVcVHCY-hvzDpDOCBiMjLyw1HJIrw7uvkCzylOIyXumdFQSmOnKyS0hp9lyzU76nZ22aqHFr8wgmgXXp0qMvYFyuhNrvFDIrhog38uX679trtqKfsH0y~lenRFHZv2GSysTx7rebOIDie8nZUh7uob2wDg-HbzVuPdxug9DWy5XLhR6eyov9Md2MBfMNNZo1vPcuVKGIKwRHySieAps1FsCUhkwLhHj~QQQ17kFPoTTrDKjrPCxp6u0lOEz1gZf55IYEVC~ejvLlCYci5WYReABUFEc7-MuQFHycv3XvPdK92G0SVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Avery County","date","2025-04-07T23:04:06.907Z","article","At its meeting (date not specified), the Avery County Board of Commissioners approved several administrative and recovery-related items, including a contract for archaeological monitoring tied to debris-removal work and a resolution supporting state legislation on adopted birth records.

Archaeological monitoring and debris removal

The board voted to approve an archaeological monitoring contract with a not-to-exceed amount of $19,000. County staff explained that FEMA and the state environmental/historic-review office (EHP/SHPO) determine which debris sites require an archaeological monitor prior to work; staff said the monitoring cost could be roughly $3,000 per day in a worst-case scenario and that staff currently identify five sites that may require monitoring. The county recorded a procedural recusal for Commissioner Benfield from discussion on related property matters; the contract approval then passed by voice vote.

Private-property debris removal

Staff reported 299 sign-ups in Avery County for private-property debris removal, with 94 packets submitted for approval and contractor notice-to-proceed processing. The board gave consensus to continue the private-property and commercial debris-removal effort; staff said demolition would be a separate, later step.

Grants and finance

The board accepted a $25,000 grant from the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation to repair Schultz Circle Park following storm damage and approved the associated budget amendment. The board also authorized Blackburn, Childers and Stegall to perform the county audit for the year ending June 30, 2025, at a price not to exceed $41,500; staff said the audit will begin in May with a reporting deadline no later than Dec. 31, 2025.

Personnel and finance items

Because of an upcoming retirement in the Register of Deeds office, the board approved a temporary full-time position and a budget amendment to provide roughly $6,616 for salary and associated FICA to allow training of a new hire before August 1; the transcript shows the amount requested and that the motion carried.

Other approvals

The board adopted a proclamation naming April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and approved a resolution (Resolution 11-20-25) supporting North Carolina Senate Bill 248, which would authorize registered-deeds offices to issue birth records for adopted individuals at the local level. The board approved routine financial collections, releases and reported sales figures during the meeting.

Ending: Staff said they will continue to process debris-removal packets, pursue grant funding, and return with contract and budget details as work proceeds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Avery County Board of Commissioners Meeting 4/7/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved multiple agenda items including a not-to-exceed archaeological monitoring contract ($19,000), a $25,000 park repair grant from the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation, an audit contract not to exceed $41,500, a temporary register of deeds position funding, and a resolution supporting North Carolina Senate Bill 248.","taxTitle","Avery County, North Carolina","taxId",74616,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612292,"Avery County ranger: storm damaged timber, increased wildfire risk; county urged to pursue mitigation and funding",1251,1161000,2412000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891884-8e3f15d4c793eb9573e3354bf70f4130&start=1161&end=2412","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891884-8e3f15d4c793eb9573e3354bf70f4130/thumbnail_1161000.jpg","/articles/6612292/Avery-County/North-Carolina/Avery-County-ranger-storm-damaged-timber-increased-wildfire-risk-county-urged-to-pursue-mitigation-and-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612292-710846a40a0bfb6cfb66c0bca206626e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187411&Signature=K13seVeDX7uiJE5MAAyufHP3vR2zOEq3Nu~IsifffkLj3ObJNC6f4f61P96ioqY3oNyRPGmlSVeeOMZL6JddhC15r8g6zZdtlhM1X4Cz74oI2StOR24jPld7GYLhRfUhFRixwQyJ8RAfLDl7baKWoMSSyDZkzMb3SEOp47KlgBTgpDYpkFnQj6tP9vUKdgzVAXlR6BkEZadLxhlgR5JwO-S8Gc7fq7A3q89hQdr3f9JqBgKTpgJmdEKfjYZgl7lYer~AWkvJDP5eQt7tqG-3SmSq9SggypdTS938U7as3K13BUVIzxnzb0YY8wY0b2c15fHYGO3J~r0HuZ2Ls2bu5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richard Carpenter, the Avery County ranger, told the Board of Commissioners that storm damage has left substantial timber loss and increased wildfire danger across the county.

Carpenter said field data and satellite imagery show widespread canopy disturbance; he reported an estimated 35 wildfires during fiscal year 2023-24 that burned about 16.54 acres, with a five-year average of about 38 wildfires per year. He said the largest fire he reviewed during the briefing had been about 4 acres. Carpenter also reported that firefighters protected 13 houses during the period and said estimated emergency costs were about $2,370,000 with replacement values for those structures about $2,790,000.

Carpenter and other staff described the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 emergency forest restoration program, which they said can reimburse up to 75 percent of planning and restoration costs for eligible work such as logging roads, fuel reduction and erosion control. Carpenter said the county has identified damaged timber areas and is working with the Forest Service and federal partners on mapping and potential grants.

Staff also outlined programs for private landowners, including a fuel-removal program and regional mitigation crews. Carpenter said the region has requested a 22-person crew to be stationed across the mountain region to assist with firefighting and fuel-mitigation work; he recommended adding county capacity because a single full-time ranger is stretched thin. Dylan Moody was introduced as the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000's new smoke chaser, who started the day of the meeting.

Carpenter and staff emphasized that landowners must take the first steps to reduce fuels around homes and that much of the damaged brush and small fuels will remain a heightened fire threat for years. They said some federal programs require planning steps and that work on public lands will likely proceed through forest-service actions including salvage cuts. The ranger said the county plans aerial flights to better quantify timber loss and continue to pursue federal grants and technical assistance.

Ending: Staff asked the board to consider funding or positions to bolster local wildfire response capacity and said they will return with more precise acreage and cost estimates when additional assessments and flights are completed.","County ranger Richard Carpenter told the Avery County Board of Commissioners that recent storm damage removed a large share of canopy across the county, increasing wildfire risk; staff described grant options and a request for added personnel and regional crews.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6612297,"Avery County resident warns of gap in senior services after center flood damage; board seeks facility options",3057,737000,3794000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891884-8e3f15d4c793eb9573e3354bf70f4130&start=737&end=3794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891884-8e3f15d4c793eb9573e3354bf70f4130/thumbnail_737000.jpg","/articles/6612297/Avery-County/North-Carolina/Avery-County-resident-warns-of-gap-in-senior-services-after-center-flood-damage-board-seeks-facility-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612297-c012784cebc5945609fa8646af5628c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771187411&Signature=IQ6m4UlpllesXRlSYxd-T871ZYlndMbl2SGwLkCr-SOvrPbirvzcRY6E9P6ndmW~iYGQX0b9QLibNWCqlfyNrfr1tB6OYVu6nfBRMtkB59r63u3YatsSGbrXBO27cEfZrqLHarJKaXZg-FcnVyNhVV4rJYNHMH-5kvHtAZKiQK7dveiapmebeVY~gLRONog~NFOdri9Q-6ANtaCIKORoBD95jtp2jb47bzfyinYmr1mUqnn3doslGIsAMNYy5~gxRm1FbUV1nFVSIOzR~a0pGTt2yMq56cOpRr-saPZWgKBjLkpbmvjtH~pC2AYbTL7wDdEmvFwynWe6BCNPDWP0Dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rebecca Corrigan, a long-time volunteer, urged the Avery County Board of Commissioners on April (date not specified) to act after flood damage forced suspension of the county senior center\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 and its home-delivered meals program.

\"This center is a lifeline to many of our seniors and disabled residents,\" Corrigan told the board, describing two decades of volunteer service including delivering \"close to 10,000 meals\" and providing routine wellness checks for homebound clients. She said a local resort had temporarily hosted congregate meals and meal preparation after the flood and extended that help through April, and she asked why formal bidding for a replacement kitchen had not been opened earlier.

Corrigan said she personally alerted the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 and her account prompted a telephone town hall with U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards; she said his office told her it would \"look into that immediately.\" Corrigan said she distributed letters to meal recipients informing them the home-delivered meals program was suspended indefinitely.

County staff told the board they are exploring options for a replacement facility. The county attorney asked the board to grant the county manager authority to enter into a memorandum of intent or purchase contract for properties that could be used as a senior center; the board gave consensus to that request. The agenda also included a separate item asking staff to seek bids for a replacement kitchen; a county staff member said bids had been opened for an 18-day period earlier in the year and asked how many submissions were received (the number submitted was not stated in the meeting record).

The discussion occurred during the public-comment and staff-report portions of the meeting, and several board members and staff later referenced ongoing recovery work from the hurricane-flood event. County staff also referred citizens to a local disaster recovery center and the county Facebook page for updates about private property debris removal and other recovery resources.

Corrigan\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 stressed the role of volunteers in identifying medical or safety issues during meal deliveries; staff acknowledged volunteers and a local resort\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 in maintaining services. No formal timeline for reopening the county senior center was provided in the meeting record.

Ending: The board directed staff to continue pursuing short-term facility options and to return with details; county staff said they would help residents sign up for private-property debris-removal and other recovery services via the county website and disaster recovery center.","A resident told the Avery County Board of Commissioners the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Avery County commissioners approve archaeological monitoring contract, grant, audit and resolutions; private-debris removal continues

Avery County ranger: storm damaged timber, increased wildfire risk; county urged to pursue mitigation and funding

Avery County resident warns of gap in senior services after center flood damage; board seeks facility options