Matthews Messenger | August 2020

AUGUST — 2020

Volume 2 — Issue 8

Improvements are coming to the Stumptown Park Veterans Memorial.

Read more in the Manager’s Message on page 2.

In this issue...

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Read more about opportunities to serve your Town

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.

Find out the latest on the S. Trade Street project

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Learn more in a Q&A with Mayor John Higdon

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Matthews Messenger | AUGUST 2020

MANAGER’S MESSAGE If you’ve driven through downtown Matthews lately, then you have noticed some changes. In last month’s newsletter, we told you about the pedestrian safety improvements being made at the intersection of N. Trade Street and Matthews Stations Street. That project is coming along nicely and should be completed in the next few weeks. Read more about the project here: https://www. matthewsnc.gov/newsview. aspx?nid=6460

You may have also noticed some work taking place in Stumptown Park. The Town has partnered with Hooks-Orr American Legion Post 235 to restore the Veterans Memorial area in the park. The new and improved memorial will consist of four sections: Memorial Wall, Memorial Garden, Memorial Plaza and Memorial Entrance.

Construction began earlier this month and is scheduled to be completed by the end of October 2020.

Other improvements are being made along Matthews Station Street and around Town Hall. The road has been resurfaced and accessibility improvements have been made for American with Disabilities Act compliance.

Although this summer has been unlike any other – I hope that you had some time to enjoy with your friends and family. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if we can be of assistance.

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

BECKY HAWKE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

Town Advisory Boards and Committees Now Accepting Applications Applications are being accepted through August 21, 2020 for openings on several advisory boards and committees for the Town of Matthews. Citizens serving on these committees play an important role in Matthews, making recommendations to staff and the Board of Commissioners on a wide range of issues.

Here is a list of all Town Advisory Boards and Committees: • Appearance/Tree Advisory Committee • Board of Adjustment • Cultural Diversity Committee • Economic Development Advisory Committee • Environmental Advisory Committee

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• Historic Preservation Advisory Committee • Matthews Committee on Education • Matthews Veterans Advisory Committee • Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resource • Planning Board • Silver Line Task Force • Transportation Advisory Committee If you are interested, please fill out an application and submit it to Town Clerk Lori Canapinno by August 21. For more information and to apply, please visit: https://www.matthewsnc.gov/pview. aspx?id=20706&catid=566

Matthews Messenger | AUGUST 2020

Update on S. Trade Street Project NCDOT officials provided an update on the South Trade Street project during the July 13th Town Board meeting. The presentation can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/XphwIQcep8U?t=7786 The project includes expanding the road from two to four lanes between Chaphyn Place and Marque Place. A concrete median is also being built from Weddington Road to just north of Brenham Lane, giving motorists a right-in and right-out access at Brenham Lane.

Work also includes extending the Four Mile Creek culvert, building headwalls for a future pedestrian

connection, and adding sidewalk and bicycle lanes.

The project team has encountered many delays, however, weather depending, the contractor indicates the remaining work can be completed in 2-3 months.

Read more about this project and the latest update from NCDOT here: https://www. matthewsnc.gov/newsview.aspx?nid=6468 Citizens can contact Resident Engineer Brian Davis for more information at bddavis@ncdot.gov.

Photo courtesy of NCDOT.

Recycle Right:

Tips to Remember For Your Ccurbside Recycling Recycling rules vary by locality, and they change regularly – so keeping things straight can be complicated.

Below are some helpful tips and guidelines to remember when recycling in Matthews.

Not accepted in curbside recycling:

X Plastic bags X Solo cups and other plasticware X Shredded paper X Scrap metal

Accepted in curbside recycling:

√ Glass bottles and jars √ Plastic bottles and jugs with neck √ Cans √ Paper and books

Please remember to wash out your recyclables before placing them in your bin. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pickup for trash and recycling are limited to cart content only.

For the complete list of acceptable items, please visit our website: https://www.matthewsnc.gov/pview. aspx?id=20714&catid=567. Some items that are not accepted in your curbside pickup may still be recycled at one of Mecklenburg County’s Full Service Recycling Centers. Visit www.wipeoutwaste.com for more information.

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Matthews Messenger | AUGUST 2020

Q&A with Mayor Higdon

Mayor John Higdon is serving his first term as Mayor, having been elected in November 2019. Prior to being elected Mayor, he served three terms as Commissioner including two as Mayor Pro-Tem.

What are you most proud of regarding how Matthews has managed through the COVID-19 pandemic?

No one in Matthews has been untouched in some way by COVID-19, but the virus has also led to an unprecedented outpouring of generosity and cooperation between religious, secular, neighborhood and business communities that in many cases previously rarely worked together.

I am particularly impressed by the willingness of our businesses to take the

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necessary steps to curtail the spread of the disease, even when it has meant economic hardship. When the virus is behind us, or at least under control, and our businesses begin to more fully reopen or open for the first time, I encourage Matthews residents to shop and dine locally like never before to help our businesses recover. I am also proud of how our residents have looked out for one another by checking in and shopping for elderly and/or infirmed neighbors, wearing face coverings, socially distancing and washing their hands often. Many have also stepped up by donating to the Matthews Helping Matthews campaign, which has set a goal of raising $100,000 by Labor Day. All funds raised by this effort are distributed to local residents by the Matthews Help Center, which provides temporary assistance to those struggling to pay for rent, mortgages, utilities, groceries or other expenses during these difficult times. To date about 75% of the goal has been achieved, and I encourage those that are able to make a donation of any amount to do so.

What are the biggest challenges facing Matthews as the pandemic continues?

The pandemic has created many challenges (mental exhaustion, depression, sickness, money concerns, etc.), but I believe our number one

Matthews Messenger | AUGUST 2020

issue heading into fall is determining how we will safely and effectively teach our children. On July 30th, CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston announced students will start fully remote instruction beginning August 17th, and will continue in that manner until further notice. The decision was in response to safety concerns due to the virus and staffing shortages including not having enough custodians, nurses, school bus drivers or teachers to begin the year safely. Private schools face similar challenges. While I am encouraged by the much more structured approach being used to deliver remote lessons, students missing out on important social interactions coupled with working parents struggling to find adequate and affordable daycare for their children is of great concern. Town staff and leaders are working both internally and with the private sector to find solutions.

How have you and other elected officials continued to be connected with the community during the pandemic?

norm, and I participate in many every week addressing many different topics.

Surprisingly I don’t think the pandemic has affected our residents’ ability to access their elected leaders.

What are you most looking forward to once the shutdown is over?

I miss the human interaction that a flat panel screen can’t do justice to hearing laughter in person, going to a movie or to church, hugging a friend, and eating a meal in a fully occupied restaurant. The greatest minds in the world are working on a vaccine or other solution, and I believe we will have one soon. I remain eternally optimistic and look forward to seeing everyone experiencing our great town in the near future unencumbered with the concern of contracting a deadly virus.

Mayor Higdon can be reached at

mayorhigdon@matthewsnc.gov

Just today I spoke to about ten residents on a variety of issues by phone. We are also in constant contact using text and e-mail. Town meetings are held using the Zoom video teleconferencing platform and are also live streamed on YouTube.

Virtual meetings have become the

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Matthews Messenger | AUGUST 2020

August 2020 Events Calendar Any questions?

Contact us!

Board of Commissioners Meeting via ZOOM. Please visit www.matthewsnc.gov for more details.

Board of Commissioners Meeting via ZOOM. Please visit www.matthewsnc.gov for more details.

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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