Matthews Messenger February 2022

FEBRUARY 2022

Volume 4 — Issue 2

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In this issue...

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Summer Camp Fun!

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.

Construction begins on Irvins Creek Greenway

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Welcome Deputy Fire Chief Kent Davis!

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www.matthewsnc.gov

Matthews Messenger | february 2022

MANAGER’S MESSAGE January certainly brought our share of winter weather.

Matthews residents saw some snow accumulation three weeks in a row. Fortunately we didn’t experience major power outages or extremely dangerous driving conditions.

of Matthews, I encourage you to consider joining one of our advisory boards or committees. These advisory groups play an important role in Town business, acting as advisors to the Board of Commissioners. Read more on page 3.

All Town departments come together to prepare for these types of weather events. Our Public Works Department does a great job of pretreating and then clearing roads when the snow/ ice begins. As always, the Matthews Police Department and Matthews Fire & EMS are prepared and ready to respond to any emergencies.

I want to thank all of our Town employees who work day and night to keep our Town safe, particularly during a winter storm.

Matthews Fire & EMS welcomed a new Deputy Chief last month. Kent Davis comes to Matthews from the Charlotte Fire Department.

In this newly created role, Chief Davis will oversee Operations, working to improve our operational efficiency, effectiveness, and consistency. Read more about him on page 5.

If you’re looking to get more involved in the future

Check out the calendar on page 6 for 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 MATTHEWS TOWN MANAGER HBLODGETT@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

BECKY HAWKE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

summer camp fun!

2022 SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Camps for June - August

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Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Department has a great lineup of camps for Summer 2022. There are lots of new summer camp activities to choose from, along with the return of some favorites that many have enjoyed for years. Creative Chefs, Star Wars, Pet Palooza, and NBA Legend Muggsy Bogues Basketball Camp are only a few examples!

Town staff and instructors will be well equipped to provide a fun and safe camp experience for everyone.

Summer camp registration is now open.

Visit www.matthewsnc.gov to register!

Matthews Messenger | february 2022

Now Seeking Applicants for Town Advisory Boards and Committees Are you interested in getting more involved in Matthews? We have many opportunities for citizen participation, and one of the best ways to get involved 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. Below is a list of all advisory boards/committees and some frequently asked questions about the role of an advisory board member.

Appearance/Tree Advisory Committee Board of Adjustment Cultural Diversity Committee Economic Development Advisory Committee Environmental Advisory Committee Historic Preservation Advisory Committee Matthews Committee on Education Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resource Committee Planning Board Transportation Advisory Committee Matthews Veterans Advisory Committee What is the role of an advisory board member?

Advisory boards and committees advise the Board of Commissioners on relevant issues of importance. One exception of the Board of Adjustment, which is a quasi-judicial board that interprets town ordinances and policies for unique situations or special cases related to the town Zoning Ordinance.

How do I apply?

Complete an application on the Town website. We also encourage applicants to attend a committee meeting to get a sense of what it is like to serve. Some committees seek applicants with certain qualifications or expertise, although many do not require a specific skillset. Applicants will be interviewed before being appointed.

Applicants must reside within the Town limits of Matthews to be considered for most appointments. The following committees do not have a residency requirement: Matthews Veterans Advisory Committee, the Economic Development Advisory Committee and the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee.

How much time will I need to commit?

Advisory board/committee members are required to attend meetings - typically held once a month. There may be some additional work to prepare for the meetings.

Members are appointed for a two-year term for most committees.

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Matthews Messenger | february 2022

yard waste containers now permitted Residents now have the option of using a container for yard waste disposal instead of plastic bags. The container must be reusable, purchased by the resident, and labeled “Yard Waste.”

The containers cannot be larger than your current trash/recycling container.

Construction Begins on Irvins Creek Greenway Construction will begin this month on the new Irvins Creek Greenway.

This trail will be approximately 1.5 miles long and provide a connection between Crown Point Elementary School and Idlewild Road Park. There will be pedestrian/ bike access points at Idlewild Road, Idlewild Road Park near the playground, Keziah Road, Sam Newell Road, and Lakeview Circle.

The trail is being built in partnership with Mecklenburg County and is expected to be completed in Spring 2023.

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Matthews Messenger | february 2022

Matthews fire & EMS welcomes deputy chief kent davis Matthews Fire & EMS announced Kent Davis has joined the department as Deputy Chief. Chief Davis began his new role with the Town last month.

“I’m very pleased to join the team at Matthews Fire & EMS,” said Kent.

“Under Chief Kinniburgh’s leadership, this Department has made significant strides in recent years. I look forward to continuing that growth and working alongside this excellent group of men and women.”

Chief Davis comes to Matthews Fire & EMS with over 29 years of experience with the Charlotte Fire Department where he last served as the Special Operations Division Chief, overseeing Urban Search & Rescue, Haz Mat, and Heavy Rescue Operations.

Over his career, Chief Davis served as a firefighter at several stations, Captain at Rescue 3, Battalion 1 in uptown, and as an Operations Division Chief. He was highly involved in developing collaborative CFD/CMPD Active Shooter protocols. He has a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from UNCC and is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program.

Chief Davis will oversee operations at Matthews, working to improve the department’s operational efficiency, effectiveness, and consistency.

Matthews Hometown Hero Banner Program Applications are once again being accepted for the Matthews Hometown Hero Banner Program. Banners honoring military service members will be displayed in downtown Matthews.

Applications are due by April 4. Visit www.matthewsnc.gov/mvac.

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Matthews Messenger | february 2022

February 2022 Events Calendar Any questions? Contact us!

7:00 PM Veterans Advisory Committee remote meeting

6:45 PM Matthews Committee on Education Meeting

7:00 PM board of adjustment Meeting

6:00 PM Crews Family Fun Night

6:30 PM Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Advisory Com. mtg

7:00 PM Board of Commissioners Meeting

10:00 AM Red Cross Blood Drive

7:00 PM Planning Board Meeting 7:00 PM cultural diversity mtg Board of Commissioners annual planning conference

7:00 PM Board of Commissioners Meeting

Board of Commissioners annual planning conference

7:00 PM Veterans Advisory Committee remote meeting

7:00 PM board of adjustment Meeting

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6:00 PM Crews Family Fun Night

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

Have any questions about the community? Contact us!

Mayor John Higdon mayorhigdon@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner mark tofano mtofano@matthewsnc.gov

TOWN HALL

Mayor Pro Tem Ken McCool kmccool@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner John Urban jurban@matthewsnc.gov

PHONE

Commissioner Renee garner rgarner@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner Larry Whitley lwhitley@matthewsnc.gov

E-MAIL

Commissioner gina hoover ghoover@matthewsnc.gov

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

www.matthewsnc.gov