Cramerton manager reports: yaupon holly plantings, Goat Island bridge work, new code-enforcement officer

Town Manager David Pugh presented several staff updates and the board heard routine department reports at the Oct. 21 meeting.

Pugh said the City of Gastonia allowed the town to consult its arborist, who recommended yaupon holly for plantings on Mayflower Avenue; the species is on Duke Energy’s approved planting list and should reach about 20 feet at maturity, with low invasiveness to adjacent yards, staff said. The board consented to a policy change to waive special-event insurance for neighborhood block-party permits under the town’s general liability coverage; Attorney Karen Wolter confirmed this would fall under the town’s existing general liability.

Parks and Recreation staff reported that work on the Goat Island Bridge will continue at least another week, with the bridge open on weekends. Parks staff said three donated art pieces have been installed at Central Park (footers were required), and the department is planning the town’s Christmas parade for the first Thursday in December.

Planning Director Josh Watkins announced a Land Use Plan meeting on Oct. 26 (4–7 p.m.) at the Community Center and introduced Aaron Parks as the town’s new Code Enforcement Officer. Watkins also noted inquiries about zoning signage on New Hope Road related to a City of Gastonia project that proposes 103 townhomes on 16 acres in Cramer Woods; he said the ETJ position remains open and he will contact the Raleigh representative about a possible special bill to exempt the town from an absentee policy requirement.

What’s next

Staff will provide a timeline for the Masonic Lodge parking-lot project at the Nov. 4 meeting, and the Planning Director will post Land Use Plan meeting details and continue follow-up on the New Hope Road zoning inquiries.