Matthews Messenger | September 2021

SEPTEMBER — 2021

Volume 3 — Issue 9

Matthews Gives Back to Schools donated 120 backpacks filled with supplies to local students in need. See page 4 for more details.

In this issue...

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Masks required indoors in Matthews. See 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.

Summer Concert Series wraps up this month. Page 3.

MATTHEWSNC.GOV

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

Matthews Fire Corps makes a difference.

Page 5.

@MATTHEWSNC

TOWN OF MATTHEWS

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

www.matthewsnc.gov

Matthews Messenger | september 2021

MANAGER’S MESSAGE As summer draws to an end and students head back to school, I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy.

The Town Board enacted a mask mandate last month in an effort to stop the rapid spread of Covid-19 in our community. Masks must be worn in indoor places, businesses and establishments throughout Matthews. The mask mandate was a recommended policy from public health officials with the Mecklenburg County Department of Public Health, and officials from Atrium Health and Novant Health. Since the mask mandate was implemented in Matthews on August 20, a Public Health Rule is now in effect requiring masks be worn indoors in all of Mecklenburg County.

We are fortunate here in Matthews to have dedicated volunteers.

One volunteer group that certainly makes a difference is the Matthews Fire Corps. From trash pickups, maintaining fire hydrants and supporting Matthews Fire & EMS – the Fire Corps civilian volunteers stay busy. Read more about this group on page 3.

Another successful school supply drive was held last month.

Matthews Gives Back to School collected and donated 120 backpacks filled with supplies to local students in need. This annual event is made possible by our generous community. More information about this can be found on page 4.

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

Hazen Blodgett HAZEN BLODGETT TOWN MANAGER HBLODGETT@MATTHEWSNC.GOV BECKY HAWKE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

MASK MANDATE IN THE TOWN OF MATTHEWS BOARD TAKES ACTION FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS Due to the increase in Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and positivity rate in our community, the Matthews Board of Commissioners recently voted to pass a proclamation that mandates masks be worn in any indoor public place, business, or establishment within the Town of Matthews. The mandate went into effect on Friday, August 20.

“Immediate action is needed to slow the spread of Covid-19 in our community,” said Mayor John Higdon. “One of the most important things we can do now is wear a mask to protect ourselves and the people around us – particularly the most vulnerable among us and children under the age of 12 who are not eligible to receive the vaccine. Vaccinations remain critically important in fighting this virus, and I encourage everyone to get the vaccine.”

The Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners issued a Public Health Rule requiring masks be worn. The Matthews Board of Commissioners passed this proclamation as an interim measure before the Public Health Rule could go into effect.

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Matthews Messenger | september 2021

Join us for the last 2021 Outdoor Concert Our Summer Outdoor Concert Series comes to a close this month. Join us for an evening of live music and good food on September 24th featuring Thurston Howell band. Event will be at Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade, Matthews, NC. Food and dessert trucks will be on site. Gates and food trucks will open at 5 PM. Live music begins at 6 PM. Learn more at https://matthewsfun.com

Town Advisory Boards/Committees Seeking Applicants Applications are now being accepted for a number of open spots on our Town Advisory Boards/Committees.

Interested in getting more involved in Matthews? One of the best ways to do so is to serve on one of our advisory boards/committees. Applications are

now being accepted for a number of open spots, so please consider applying!

For more info and to apply, visit: https://www.matthewsnc.gov/pview. aspx?id=20706&catid=566

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Matthews Messenger | september 2021

MATTHEWS GIVES BACK TO SCHOOL Each year the Matthews Police Department partners with the Matthews HELP Center to collect school supplies for local families in need. This annual event brings the community together to provide the students in our area with the needed supplies to kick off a great year of learning.

Kids enjoyed exploring some equipment on display from the Town’s Public Works Department.

Backpacks were distributed to students at a community cookout held at the Matthews Sportsplex on August 20. Families enjoyed music, games and great food as they geared up for the coming school year. Matthews Gives Back to School provided 120 fully stocked backpacks.

We want to recognize all of the wonderful sponsors listed below as well as the all the citizens of Matthews who donated supplies: • Matthews HELP Center • Kiwanis Club of Matthews • Sam’s Club • Jumpin Jacks • Bank of America • Target • SunTrust • BB&T • Costco • Publix 4

Officer Quincy Smith plays musical chairs with a group of kids at the community cookout.

Matthews Messenger | september 2021

FIRE CORP VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MATTHEWS The Matthews Fire Corps is a civilian volunteer group that supports Matthews Fire & EMS in non-emergency tasks. The Fire Corps extends the department’s reach by helping with traffic control, community outreach, fire prevention and life safety education, and other special projects. The Fire Corps provides community support that allows first responders to focus on operational duties, training and responding to emergencies.

The Fire Corps is currently working on maintaining and painting the over 860 fire hydrants located in Matthews. It is hoped your neighborhood fire hydrant will never be needed, but when it is, it must be visible and in working order. The Matthews Fire Corps looks for problems with

hydrants

and

improves

their

visibility and access by clearing weeds and other vegetation. A 36-inch clear space should be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants so it can be seen easily from the street and hoses can be connected.

The Fire Corps also conducts a monthly trash pickup on Northeast Parkway.

Some interesting items have been found including a large 18” action figure, a night gown, dozens of face masks, a headboard, several wallets and keys. The group has collected over 32 bags of trash to date.

If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer group, please contact Matthews Fire & EMS at 704-847-9400.

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Matthews Messenger | september 2021

September 2021 Events Calendar Any questions?

Contact us! veterans advisory Committee Meeting

Parks, rec, & cultural resource advisory Committee Meeting

Board of Commissioners Meeting at 7:00 pm

Outdoor Concert series Stumptown Park

Public Input Meeting Matthews Chapel Road Mural

Transportation Advisory Committee mtg

Outdoor Concert series Stumptown Park

Board of Commissioners Meeting at 7:00 pm

Cultural Diversity Committee Meeting

For additional details, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/calendar.aspx Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners

Have any questions about the community? Contact us!

Mayor John Higdon mayorhigdon@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner Jeff Miller jmiller@matthewsnc.gov

TOWN HALL

Mayor Pro Tem Renee Garner rgarner@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner John Urban jurban@matthewsnc.gov

PHONE

Commissioner Dave Bland dbland@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner Larry Whitley lwhitley@matthewsnc.gov

E-MAIL

Commissioner Ken McCool kmccool@matthewsnc.gov

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232 Matthews Station St. | Matthews, NC 28105 (704) 847- 4411 matthews@matthewsnc.gov WEB

www.matthewsnc.gov