Political newcomer Marc Hehn was sworn in as a Highlands town commissioner during the Board of Commissioners’ Thursday, Dec. 12 meeting, joining re-elected incumbents Brian Stiehler and John ‘Buz’ Dotson on the board.
The commissioners were sworn in by Vic Perry, the Macon County Clerk of Court.
Former commissioner Eric Pierson was defeated by four votes during the Nov. 6 election, finishing in fourth place behind Stiehler, Hehn and Dotson.
Taylor praised Pierson for his years of service to the town.
“We do appreciate his service to the community,” the mayor said.
Taylor expressed his congratulations to all our newly elected town commissioners.
“I look forward to working with you.”
Hehn read from a recent Christmas card he sent to every town resident who voted.
“Let’s continue to believe in our community and ourselves,” Hehn said. “Doing so and by working together, I believe we can achieve a fully-staffed hospital and fully-staffed medical practice on the plateau. Whenever there’s a need there is an opportunity for kindness. Mr. Mayor, I look forward to working with your, the commissioners and town staff.”
Incumbent Brian Stiehler said he appreciated the voters’ support.
“I look forward to another four years working with fellow commissioners and the town staff, too,” Stiehler said. “You guys definitely pull the heavy weight and it’s a pleasure to work with you… and focus on long range planning. I look forward to four more years.”
Dotson said expressed his appreciation for the town’s staff and crew.
“I like to say, I think we have an excellent town staff and town crew, and it’s been an absolute pleasure to work with them over these years, and I look forward to working with them for four more years,” he said.
In other commissioners’ business:
• Town Manager Josh Ward said in his manager’s report, Town Hall will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Christmas Day, Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday. According to meeting documents, picking the days the town would observe for holidays during the year falls to the town manager. Ward also released the days town offices will be closed in 2020. To view the holiday schedule for 2020 visit the town’s website at www.highlandsnc.org.
• Commissioners unanimously approved a vote for Request For Qualifications for a Construction Manager at Risk position with the construction of the town’s new fire station. The town wants a point man with experience in construction management and building fire departments, Ward said.
“The construction manager will submit for bid each phase of construction to determine the subcontractors for the project,” he said. “The process provides more oversight for the town and should allow local subcontractors to bid on each phase, if they so choose.”
Commissioner Amy Patterson said the Construction Manager at Risk will take the town through the bid process.
“We’ll be able to mix and match subcontractors at our discretion instead of hiring a general contractor who will use his own subs,” she said.
Commissioner Stiehler said using a Construction Manager would allow the town keep it local.
“We’re using local subcontractors that are familiar with the weather and the logistics of working in Highlands, he said.
RFQ submissions are due to the town by 2 p.m. Jan. 23, 2020.
