Matthews Messenger | February 2021

FEBRUARY — 2020

Volume 3 — Issue 2

Matthews Fire & EMS earns top rating, among best in North Carolina.

In this issue...

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Matthews Finance Department Awarded Certificate for Excellence on page 2.

Keep These Messages On Your Mind Engage and Connect: Follow the Town of Matthews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, NextDoor and sign up to receive notifications.

Visit www.matthewsnc.gov for more info.

Love Matthews photo contest details on page 3.

MATTHEWSNC.GOV

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

Matthews Fire & EMS Receives Top Rating on page 5.

@MATTHEWSNC

TOWN OF MATTHEWS

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

www.matthewsnc.gov

Matthews Messenger | February 2021

MANAGER’S MESSAGE 2021 is off to a busy start.

There is a lot happening in the Town of Matthews this month.

We are very proud of the men and women of the Matthews Fire & EMS Department, lead by Chief Rob Kinniburgh, who received a Class 2 rating from the North Carolina Insurance Commission.

This puts the department in the top three percent of departments across the state. Congratulations Matthews Fire & EMS! Congratulations are also in order for the Town’s Finance Department. The department has been awarded the highest form of recognition in the area of

T

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government accounting and financial reporting for the 22nd consecutive year. Read about their achievement in the article below.

If you’re looking to become more involved in the decision-making process in Matthews, please consider applying to serve on a Town advisory board or committee. We have several openings on various committees. Advisory boards and committees make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners and play an important role in our community.

Check out the calendar on page 6 for Town events and Board of Commissioners meetings so you can stay involved and engaged in all that Matthews has to offer.

Hazen Blodgett HAZEN BLODGETT MATTHEWS TOWN MANAGER HBLODGETT@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

BECKY HAWKE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

Matthews Finance Department Awarded Certificate for Excellence

he Town’s Finance

this distinction. Assistant

government’s commitment

Department has

Town Manager Becky

to producing an annual

been awarded

Hawke presented the

report that evidences the

the highest form of

Certificate of Achievement

spirit of full disclosure and

recognition in the area of

for Excellence in Financial

transparency.” The current

government accounting

Reporting from the

CAFR, along with prior

and financial reporting for

Government Finance

years CAFRs, can be found

the 2019 Comprehensive

Officers Association (GFOA)

by visiting the Finance

Annual Financial Report

at a recent Town Board

Department’s webpage on

(CAFR). This is the 22nd

meeting. According to

the Town’s website: www.

consecutive year that

GFOA, this certificate

matthewsnc.gov.

Matthews has received

is a “testament to the

Matthews Messenger | February 2021

LOVE MATTHEWS PHOTO CONTEST | FEB 1ST - 14TH Learn more at www.matthewsnc.gov/photocontest.

LOV E M AT T H E W S P H OTO C O N T E S T Submit your photos now for a chance to win some great prizes!

February is the month for LOVE, and the Town of Matthews wants to see why you love your town in the Love Matthews Photo Contest.

• Photos will be accepted in 3 categories: Professional, Amateur, and Youth (15 & under).

• Photographers should capture the image that best represents their love for our community.

• Photo submissions will be accepted February 1st at 9am through February 14th at 5pm.

Judging will take place February 15-28.

• The three category winners, as well as the Fan Favorite, will receive a Valentine chocolate gift basket from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Matthews.

Go to www.matthewsnc.gov/photocontest for all the details and to enter your photos.

American Red Cross Blood Drive on February 18 We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive at Matthews Town Hall (232 Matthews Station Street) on Thursday, February 18 from 10:00 am until 2:30 pm. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood. org and enter: MATTHEWSTOWN to schedule an appointment.

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Matthews Messenger | February 2021

Racial Equity 21-Day Challenge Mayor Higdon, members of the Board of Commissioners, and the Matthews Cultural Diversity Committee recently participated in an educational program on racial equity. The United Way of Central Carolinas has launched the Racial Equity 21Day Challenge. This learning opportunity aims to help people develop a better understanding of systemic racism and the impact it has on our society.

A group of Town staff are now participating in the United Way program. To learn more about the Racial Equity 21-Day Challenge, visit: www.uwccequitychallenge. org. The Town’s Cultural Diversity Committee is working on a plan to bring this programming directly to the Matthews community. Stay tuned for more information.

uwccEquityChallenge.com

Join the conversation on social media using #uwccEquityChallenge

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Matthews Messenger | February 2021

Town Advisory Boards and Committees Now Accepting Applications Do you wish to be more involved in decisionmaking in Matthews? Do you wish to share your knowledge and talent with your community?

One of the best ways to get involved is to serve on one of the Town’s advisory boards/ committees. Citizens serving on these committees play an important role in Matthews as they make recommendations to staff and the Board of Commissioners on a wide range of issues.

Applications are being accepted now for openings on the following: • • • •

Appearance/Tree Board Board of Adjustment (alternate) Cultural Diversity Committee Committee on Education*

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• Environmental Advisory Committee • Economic Development Advisory Committee • Planning Board (alternate) • Veterans Advisory Committee *Please submit resume with application.

To learn more about these advisory boards and committees, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/ pview.aspx?id=20706&catid=566 If you are interested in any of these positions you may complete an application and submit it to Town Clerk Lori Canapinno by Friday, February 12. Please call 704-708-1222 with questions.

Matthews Fire & EMS Receives Top Rating

ou may notice a reduction in your insurance costs this year and that is thanks to Matthews Fire & EMS. The Department received a Class 2 rating from the North Carolina Insurance Commission, joining the top three percent of departments across the state.

“The improved rating – putting Matthews Fire & EMS among the top departments in the state clearly demonstrates the impact of significant investment in the department and clear direction under the leadership of Chief Kinniburgh,” said Matthews Mayor John Higdon. “We are very proud of the department’s achievements.”

The inspection, conducted by officials with the Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), is required on a regular basis as part of the North Carolina Response Rating System (NCRRS). Among other things, the routine inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities and availability of a water source.

Matthews Fire & EMS provides fire, rescue, and EMS service to the Town with a combination of 27 career members and 61 volunteer members.

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Matthews Messenger | February 2021

February 2021 Events Calendar Any questions?

Contact us!

Summer Camp registration opens

parks, recreation and cultural resources advisory committee mtg

Board of Commissioners Meeting at 7:00 pm

Appearance/ tree committee meeting

Board of Commissioners Meeting at 7:00 pm

American red cross blood drive

cultural diversity committee meeting

For additional details, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/calendar.aspx Have any questions about the community? Contact us!

TOWN HALL

232 Matthews Station St. | Matthews, NC 28105 PHONE

(704) 847- 4411 E-MAIL

matthews@matthewsnc.gov WEB

www.matthewsnc.gov

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