Spruce Pine reviews interim manager agreement, staffing and service impacts after storm

Council members and staff discussed interim management and operational challenges at the Dec. 9 meeting as the town continues recovery from recent storm damage.

Staff presented an employment agreement proposing that Richard Cuny begin as acting town manager on Dec. 10, paid $50 per hour in a part-time arrangement and serving as acting manager through Dec. 31 and then as interim until a permanent manager is hired. The agreement specifies duties and refers to exhibit materials in the packet; staff described the arrangement as statutorily permitted for interim municipal employment. The council discussed the need to approve the contract and the timeline for hiring a full‑time manager, noting interviews were scheduled for Jan. 7.

Council and department heads also detailed staffing and service impacts. The police department reported two patrol vehicles were totaled during the storm, identified a donated 2016 Explorer being prepared as a replacement and said two officers plan to leave at the end of the year, creating imminent hiring needs. Parks and public-works staff described severe staff shortages for park maintenance (seasonal staff reduced from roughly 22 to 2), damage to trails and shelters, and equipment constraints that limit the town’s ability to clear debris without contractor support.

Staff also updated the council on utility operations: several lift stations and pump components were damaged and are being bypassed; some repairs have been completed and others require replacement pumps and electrical work. Staff emphasized the need to track costs separately for FEMA reimbursement and said they would present a FEMA project ordinance to formalize that accounting.

Council members thanked departing staff and reviewed next steps for hiring, contracting and ensuring continuity of critical services through the winter.