Matthews Messenger - July 2022

JULY 2022

Volume 4 — Issue 7

In this issue...

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bird e-scooters land in matthews Read more about page 3

Chris Clark named Employee of the Year MATTHEWSNC.GOV

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

@MATTHEWSNC

TOWN OF MATTHEWS

Board pursuing bond referendum for November 2022 Queen City News highlights Matthews

www.matthewsnc.gov

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

Matthews Messenger | july 2022

MANAGER’S MESSAGE I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July celebration last weekend and that you were able to enjoy the concert in Stumptown Park and fireworks in Matthews. It was a fantastic show and a great night in our town!

You may have noticed more people using scooters to get around Town this past week. Bird e-scooters launched in Matthews last Friday. The Town has entered into an agreement with Bird to offer this type of transportation to residents. Read more about this program and Bird e-scooters on page 3.

Firefighter/EMT Chris Clark has been named Employee of the Year for his tireless work and dedication to Matthews. I was very pleased to present this honor to Chris last month. His family and fellow firefighters helped plan a surprise to present him this award.

Read more about Chris below.

Queen City News featured Matthews as part of their Hometown Series last month.

They visited and broadcast their 5:00 pm news from Matthews. In case you missed it, see page 5 to find out more about their coverage of our town. They really captured what’s so special about Matthews.

A public hearing on the potential 2022 Bond Referendum will be held on Monday, July 11 at 7:00 pm at Matthews Town Hall.

Residents are invited to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom or YouTube to learn more about the bonds. See page 4 for additional details.

Becky Hawke BECKY HAWKE MATTHEWS TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

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.

MATTHEWS FIREFIGHTER CHRIS CLARK AWARDED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Firefighter/EMT Chris Clark was named the 2021 Employee of the Year for the Town of Matthews.

Chris was recognized for his passion, dedication and professionalism that he brings to Matthews Fire & EMS every day. His commitment to providing the best service possible to the department and to the residents of Matthews is inspiring.

Chris (center) is pictured with his family after being named Employee of the Year.

As one of his fellow firefighters noted, “From our newest rookies to our most senior members, we all have an opportunity to learn from Chris.”

Congratulations Chris!

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Matthews Messenger | july 2022

BIRD E-SCOOTERS LAND IN MATTHEWS The Town of Matthews and Bird, a leader in environmentally-friendly electric transportation, have teamed up to bring shared e-scooters to Matthews. Fifty e-scooters became available for use in Matthews on July 1.

Mayor Pro-Tem Ken McCool joined several Town staff members to take the first Bird e-scooter ride in Matthews last week.

To help keep Matthews safe and accessible for everyone, riders are asked to follow these guidelines when riding e-scooters in Matthews: - Be mindful of pedestrians and other riders.

- One rider per scooter.

- Wear a helmet.

- Sidewalk riding is permitted in Matthews, but please be mindful of pedestrians and ride responsibly.

- You must be 18 or older to ride.

- Bird e-scooters are calibrated to go no faster than 15 mph to maintain a safe speed.

- Park e-scooters responsibly and at bike racks where possible. Do not block doorways, ramps, sidewalks or right of way.

A geofence, or virtual perimeter, is in place so that Bird e-scooters will not operate in a two-block radius on Trade Street from Charles Street to E. Matthews Street due to high pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Read more here: https://www.matthewsnc.gov/newsview.aspx?nid=6747

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Matthews Messenger | july 2022

Public Hearing on Bond Referendum to be held July 11 As was featured in last month’s newsletter, the Matthews Board of Commissioners is interested in obtaining General Obligation (GO) bonds to complete $21 million in Transportation projects and $14 million in Parks and Recreation projects throughout town. Each GO bond must be authorized (approved) by a voter referendum during the general election in November.

A number of steps must be completed before the Town can ask voters for this authorization. The next step is a public hearing, scheduled for Monday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m. During the public hearing, residents are invited to learn more about both the Transportation and Parks and Recreation Bonds and provide feedback on the Town’s plan for a voter referendum in November.

The Board will then consider adoption of a Bond Order. If approved, the Bond Order gives the Town permission to add questions to the November 8, 2022 general election ballot. The ballot questions will ask voters whether they agree to authorize financing for up to $21 million for Transportation and up to $14 million for Parks and Recreation bonds.

I f one or both voter referendum questions

are approved by voters in November, the Town will then have up to seven years to execute bond financing for qualifying projects.

The projects identified for funding touch all parts of the community and are investments to improve the quality of life for residents of Matthews and generations to come.

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Priority projects include: - Completing Purser Hulsey Park - Adding over 100 new parking spaces downtown - Completing the Matthews Downtown Loop multi-use path - Creating a more walkable and accessible downtown area with wider sidewalks - Adding new playground equipment and restrooms at parks in Matthews - Extending Greylock Ridge Road -Improving the intersection of E. Charles Street and Crestdale Road -Filling sidewalk gaps throughout town If one or both bonds fail to gain voter approval in November, most projects will be delayed or canceled due to lack of funding.

More information and a complete list of projects being considered can be found here: www.matthewsnc.gov/bonds A public hearing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 11, 2022 at Matthews Town Hall, 232 Matthews Station Street. Citizens may participate in the meeting on site or remotely via the free Zoom virtual meeting platform.

The meeting will also be available to view via Zoom and the Town of Matthews’ YouTube channel. Details are available here: https://www. matthewsnc.gov/pview.aspx?id=20784 Early voting begins October 20, 2022.

Election Day is November 8, 2022.

Matthews Messenger | july 2022

Queen City News Highlights Matthews

Last month Queen City News visited Matthews and broadcast their 5:00 pm newscast from Trade Street as part of their Hometown Series.

Their coverage highlighted the history of Matthews, Crestdale, our Bee City designation, public art throughout town, and much more. https://www.facebook.com/matthewsnc/posts/397698065731788

MATTHEWS RESIDENTS ENJOYED A FANTASTIC FIREWORKS DISPLAY FROM ARTHUR GOODMAN PARK (HOME OF MARA - MATTHEWS ATHLETIC & RECREATION ASSOCIATION) ON SATURDAY, JULY 2 IN CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY. Photo taken by Ericka Ficker

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Matthews Messenger | july 2022

July 2022 Events Calendar Any questions? Contact us!

6:00 pm independence day celebration

7:00 PM board of adjustment Meeting 7:00 PM Veterans Advisory Committee meeting

7:00 PM Board of Commissioners Meeting & public hearing

7:00 pm environmental advisory cmte mtg

6:30 PM Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Advisory Com. mtg 8:00 am car seat checking station 5:30 PM Cultural diversity cmte meeting

7:00 pm transportation advisory committee meeting

4:30 pm economic development advisory committee

6:00 pm national night out

7:00 PM board of adjustment Meeting

5:00 PM 6:00 Beats PM ‘n Bites Crews Family Fun Night

8:00 am car seat checking station

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