The February Highlands Town Board meeting is tonight at 7 p.m. at the Highlands Community Center.
Let me review some of the agenda items.
First on the agenda will be a presentation by Sam Lupas on the status of the Dogwood Health Trust. Sam is a member of the Dogwood Board for this area. The Dogwood is in its initial stages of operation, and I look forward to Sam’s update about this important Western Carolina foundation. The Dogwood was formed as a part of the HCA/Mission sale transaction. Its goal is to support and fund throughout the 18 county region health and wellness programs operated by community nonprofit organizations and government service departments.
The board will also hear requests from the Highlands Motoring Festival and the Coalition for Non-Native Invasive Plants. The Motoring Festival will be taking place in June, and there are several routine items to approve. CNNIP will be making a request for continued support from the town. I just read a Carolina Press article concerning the growing spread of non-native invasive plant species throughout the forest of Western Carolina. If left unchecked, invasive species could change the entire ecology of the region.
The board will also review a draft of an RFP for hiring a consulting firm to guide the Highlands Planning Board through the development of a new comprehensive plan. The selection of a firm needs to be done ASAP in order to get the process underway by the start of the new fiscal year.
On the agenda is a presentation by the Greenway Trail Committee concerning a new trail entrance on Oak Street across from the Baptist Church. The trail has been under construction for several months.
There are several amendments to the UDO that our assistant planner, Michael Mathis, will present. These amendments will require a public hearing, which will take place at the March meeting.
I had planned to resume the Community Coffee with the Mayor at the end of March, but the plan has changed.The first coffee will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28. These community coffees are always held at the conference room at the Hudson Library. I appreciate the support the library board and staff provide in organizing these events.
I decided to have a coffee in February before the Town Retreat, which is scheduled for March 5. The town retreat focuses on budget priorities and recommendations for the coming year. I will share my budget priorities and solicit citizen feedback at the coffee. I hope folks will come and share any budget priorities that they may have, whether they are a small or big ticket item. Some of the smaller items may be funded as we end this fiscal year when unspent funds become available.
As always I can be contacted at 828-506-3138. Also, I welcome feedback and suggestions by email. My email address is mayor@highlandsnc.org.