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North Wilkesboro commissioners approve grants, renew water plan and OK two event road closures
Summary
At the March 26 meeting the Board approved a $1,201,440 Rural Economic Development Grant for Industrial Park infrastructure, renewed the Water Shortage Response Plan required under state law, declared 28 Memorial Park light poles surplus to be auctioned, and approved two temporary road closures for April and July events.
The North Wilkesboro Board of Commissioners on March 26 approved several items intended to support local infrastructure, events and planning.
The board unanimously accepted a $1,201,440 Rural Economic Development Grant to install water and sewer and make minor road improvements in the town's Industrial Park. Town Manager Eddie Holland told commissioners the grant requires no local match and will provide water to the Lanes Drive property to support Retail Group Solutions (RGS). Commissioner Kristopher Hurley moved to accept the grant and Commissioner Andrew Palmer seconded; the motion carried 4-0.
Public Utilities Director Davis Poore presented the town's five-year Water Shortage Response Plan renewal, which he said is required by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality under N.C.G.S. 143-355(i) for systems serving more than 1,000 connections. Poore said the renewal primarily updates contact information and reiterated the plan's three-stage framework for voluntary, mandatory and emergency conservation measures. Commissioner Hurley moved to approve the plan; Commissioner Sandra Espin seconded and it passed unanimously (4-0). Poore agreed to make the plan available at the utilities payment counter in Town Hall.
The Board also approved two temporary road closures for public events. The Wilkes Art Gallery requested closing C Street from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on April 17, 2026, for an exhibition-related event; Community Development Director Taylor Berry said WAG Executive Director Brooke Horn was present and that the applicant requested additional trash cans. The Board approved Ordinance 2026-07 to authorize the closure under G.S. 20-169. Separately, the recurring Marketplace Meltdown event was approved for a July 4 closure of the CBD Loop between 9th and 7th Streets from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; staff has contacted the Department of Transportation regarding whether the CBD Loop could serve as a fireworks launch site. The Board approved Ordinance 2026-08 authorizing that temporary closure.
On routine business, the consent agenda passed unanimously (4-0), and Town Clerk J. Dylan Blankley confirmed the surplus property resolution covers 28 wooden, 40-foot light poles removed from Memorial Park; the resolution authorizes disposal via online auction (GovDeals) consistent with statutes governing municipal surplus property disposal. Town Manager Holland said the Memorial Park fields have been reopened for daytime use and staff will seek funding to replace lights.
All actions recorded at the meeting carried unanimously with a 4-0 vote (Commissioner Parsons absent). The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (including surplus resolution for 28 light poles): approved 4-0 (mover: Andrew Palmer; seconder: Kristopher Hurley). - Water Shortage Response Plan renewal (required by N.C.G.S. 143-355(i)): approved 4-0 (mover: Kristopher Hurley; seconder: Sandra Espin). - Ordinance 2026-07 (Wilkes Art Gallery road closure, April 17, 2026): approved 4-0 (mover: Andrew Palmer; seconder: Kristopher Hurley). - Ordinance 2026-08 (Marketplace Meltdown road closure, July 4, 2026): approved 4-0 (mover: Andrew Palmer; seconder: Sandra Espin). - Rural Economic Development Grant acceptance ($1,201,440): approved 4-0 (mover: Kristopher Hurley; seconder: Andrew Palmer).
