Student urges Robersonville to repair park; restaurant owner seeks state permitting help

At its May 12 meeting, the Robersonville Town Council heard from 11-year-old Austin Lee Moore, who told the Council that the town park is “in poor condition” compared with parks in surrounding towns and urged upgrades including separate playground areas for older and younger children and repairs to tennis and basketball courts.

Austin Lee Moore, a fifth-grade student at South Creek Elementary School, said there is “generally not much for youth to do in Robersonville,” drawing attention to lack of recreational options for children and teens. The remark was part of the public-comment period after Town Clerk Wynesha Crandell read the rules for speakers.

Mary Sawyer, co-owner of Tipsy Palate Restaurant, also spoke during public comment about permitting delays following a local mixed-beverage referendum. Sawyer said her restaurant has been communicating with state officials in Raleigh but has not succeeded in securing the necessary certificate and asked the Town to help contact the appropriate state agencies to determine what additional information is required.

Town Manager Jonathan Russell told the Council the Town will contact Raleigh to determine what additional information may be needed to help speed the permitting process. “We will contact Raleigh to determine what additional information may be needed to help speed up the process,” Russell said.

No formal council action on park improvements or permitting assistance was recorded in the minutes; the public comments were received during the hearing and will inform future staff follow-up. The meeting also included a public hearing on the FY 2026-27 Proposed Budget, which was presented by the Town Manager but not adopted at the session.

The Council adjourned after routine business; Manager Russell or staff are expected to follow up on Sawyer’s permit request and the park concerns raised by Moore.