FEBRUARY— 2020
Volume 2 — Issue 2
RESIDENTS RECEIVE FREE TREES AT MATTHEWS TREESTORE EVENT PHOTOS COURTESY OF TREESCHARLOTTE
What’ s g oi ng on i n mat t hew s
In this issue...
2
Finance Department receives the Government Finance Officers Association Award
3 4
Matthews TreeStore gives away several hundred trees and educates residents on proper care Work continues for Matthews Transportation projects
Keep These Messages
On Your Mind
Engage and Connect: Summer fun in Matthews! Registration for all of our summer camps is now open. Please visit www.matthewsfun.com for more information and to register.
MATTHEWSNC.GOV
@TOWNOFMATTHEWS
@MATTHEWSNC
TOWN OF MATTHEWS
@TOWNOFMATTHEWS
Matthews Messenger | FEBRUARY 2020
MANAGER’S MESSAGE We are thankful for a productive January
This month, there are updates to share
in
regarding
the
we
Town
gave
away
TreesCharlotte work
on
of
Matthews. hundreds
and
Matthews
are
In of
February,
transportation
projects
in
trees
with
Matthews, including South Trade Street.
continuing
the
We also encourage you to learn more
projects.
about the Downtown Mobility Plan by
Transportation
attending the Town Board Meeting on The Town of Matthews Finance Department
February 10 beginning at 7:00 p.m. Public
received the Government Finance Officers
comments will be received at the meeting
Association Award for the 21st consecutive
after a presentation on the plan. If you
year. Great job to the Finance Department for
can’t attend in-person, you can access
all their hard work. Read more about this great
the meeting live or at a later date through
achievement on behalf of the Town below.
our
website,
www.matthewsnc.gov.
Complete Mobility Study documents can We recently partnered with TreesCharlotte to
be viewed here: https://www.matthewsnc.
give away hundreds of trees to residents of
gov/pview.aspx?id=20928&catid=567.
Matthews. We had a great turnout at the event.
Read
It was great to see so many residents excited
updates
more
about
transportation
on
pages
4
and
5.
about planting their new, free trees. Thanks to TreesCharlotte and the work of the Matthews
There’s a full calendar on page 6 of
Appearance and Tree Advisory Committee
Matthews’
for their hard work planning the Matthews
of
TreeStore event. Find more information about
can
the Matthews TreeStore event on page 3.
in
robust
Commissioners stay all
that
events
and
meetings
involved Matthews
and has
so
Board you
engaged to
offer.
Hazen Blodgett HAZEN BLODGETT MATTHEWS TOWN MANAGER HBLODGETT@MATTHEWSNC.GOV
BECKY HAWKE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV
Town Finance Department Awarded for Excellence The Town of Matthews Finance Department has been awarded the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting for the 21st consecutive year. Assistant Town Manager Becky Hawke presented the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) at a recent Town Board meeting.
Pictured from left to right: Finance Director Beth Blair, Senior Finance Specialist Lindsay Wiggs, Finance Specialist Brian Lee, and Assistant Town Manager Becky Hawke
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Matthews Messenger | FEBRUARY 2020
MATTHEWS TREESTORE GIVES AWAY HUNDREDS OF TREES TO RESIDENTS Approximately 150 residents of Matthews lined up last Saturday morning to receive free trees being given away by Matthews TreeStore, a partnership with TreesCharlotte and the Matthews Appearance and Tree Advisory Committee. A variety of species, from small flowering plants to large screening evergreens were given away for planting. Each Matthews household was eligible to receive up to two free trees, with a variety of species offered. Each tree ranged from 6-10 feet tall and came in a 7-gallon bucket. Before receiving their trees, residents were educated on proper planting and care techniques and then promised to take care of their new trees by signing a Stewardship Pledge. Thank you to everyone who volunteered or participated in this event!
Photos courtesy of TreesCharlotte
MATTHEWS FAST FACTS
6
10
21
150
Minimum size of trees
Date in February to
Number of consecutive
Number of residents
given away at the
learn more about the
years the Finance
who received free
Matthews TreeStore,
Downtown Mobility
Department received
trees as part of
in feet
Study during the Town
the GFOA award
Matthews TreeStore
Board Meeting
3
Matthews Messenger | FEBRUARY 2020
Matthews Transportat
NEW BOARD MEMBERS SWORN IN ON DECEMBER 9
Upcoming Changes to U.S. 74 Major changes are coming to U.S. 74 in Matthews. NCDOT plans to add general purpose lanes, interchanges, bridges and an express lane in each direction. NCDOT recently held two public meetings to review the plans. Maps and additional information can be accessed here. Public comments are being accepted through February 29.
South Trade Street Project Continues Work continues on the NCDOT project to expand S. Trade Street to four lanes and lengthen the culvert. After experiencing lengthy delays, the expected completion date is in Spring 2020. Following the completion of the road project, a pedestrian tunnel and greenway connection will be built under S. Trade Street adjacent to the culvert. Read about this and other transportation projects in Matthews on our website: https://www.matthewsnc.gov/roadprojects
View interactive map at: https://mapmatthews.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Viewer/index.html?appid=f0ed56979b1842a7b6eeb217d0c5c1d0
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Matthews Messenger | FEBRUARY 2020
ation Project Updates
NEW BOARD MEMBERS SWORN IN ON DECEMBER 9
Downtown Mobility Plan Update The Town launched an effort last spring to evaluate ways to improve mobility in downtown Matthews. This includes walking, biking, using public transit, driving, and parking. The goal was to develop a clear vision for the future of traveling to, from, and around downtown. Following a presentation on the plan and its proposed solutions, the Town Board of Commissioners will receive public comments at their February 10 Regular Meeting, which begins at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 232 Matthews Station Street. Visit our website for more information: https://www.matthewsnc.gov/pview.aspx?id=20928&catid=567
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Matthews Messenger | FEBRUARY 2020
February 2020 Events Calendar Any questions? Contact us!
Valentine Dance (SOLD OUT) Crews Recreation Center
Board of Commissioners Meeting Town Hall
Board of Commissioners special Meeting Town Hall
Car Seat Checking station, 8-11:30AM Matthews Police Dept.
Board of Commissioners Meeting Town Hall
Car Seat Checking station, 8-11:30AM Matthews Police Dept.
CREWS Family Fun Night at 6pm Crews Recreation Center
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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