The Town of Weaverville has prepared the following signage that may be used by businesses in re-opening:
For businesses that are requiring face coverings:
Explore Asheville and the Chamber of Commerce have provided the following signage and materials for any Buncombe County businesses:
Re-Opening Resources:
The following section provides Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 141 and FAQs for Phase 2 Re-Opening:
May 22, 2020
The Town of Weaverville withdrew from Buncombe County’s May 1 “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, opting to follow Governor Cooper’s Executive Order instead. For this reason, today’s Buncombe County order mandating masks is not applicable in the Town of Weaverville. In keeping with the Governor’s Orders, the Town strongly encourages the use of face coverings, but is not mandating them.
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Selena D. Coffey, Town Manager
Phone (828) 645-7116
Media Inquiries: [email protected]
May 21, 2020
LOCAL GROUPS URGE CONTINUED COVID-19 CRISIS OUTREACH TO OLDER ADULTS
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – With older people accounting for nearly 90 percent of COVID-19 related deaths in North Carolina, and thousands of individuals over the age of 65 socially isolated for almost two months due to the State’s stay-at-home order, a team of Buncombe-area community organizers, agencies, and providers are collaborating to identify and address the aging population’s increased needs during the COVID-19 crisis.
Buncombe County Government, in collaboration with Buncombe Aging Services Alliance (BASA), is working to distribute information about available community resources promoting safety and social connection for seniors. Collaborators are calling on our community to keep a watchful eye on family, friends, and neighbors and share the following resources with those who need them.
“We fear that older adults who were already experiencing isolation or having a difficult time with aging are at an even greater risk for depression, neglect, or decline as a result of prolonged social distancing,” said Elizabeth Williams, Executive Director of MountainCare, a local agency offering adult care services. “Providers within the aging community have been working hard to serve existing clients in innovative ways. We are now turning our focus towards outreach for folks who are not on our radar.”
Compared with April 2019, there was a 28.4% decrease in reports to the Buncombe County Adult Protective Services (APS) registry last month, raising concerns about underreporting in the area. APS is available 24 hours a day to respond to the needs of adults during COVID-19 and can be reached at (828) 250-5800.
According to the National Institute on Aging in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death.
As of May 8th, older adults comprised 86% of COVID-19 related deaths in North Carolina. Currently more than 16% of COVID-19 cases in the county and 1 in 5 cases statewide belong to individuals over the age of 65, with concerns that number may increase as more seniors begin to venture out in public during the first phase of reopening. Even with restrictions slowly lifting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend avoiding exposure by limiting close contact, washing hands frequently, wearing cloth face coverings, and disinfecting touched surfaces.
Heather Bauer, Executive Director of The Council on Aging of Buncombe County (CoA), notes that this high-risk group may not be aware of the services and assistance available to them. “We wish to ensure that basic needs are met, that unnecessary exposure is avoided, such as going to the grocery store, and that those who lack adequate resources are connected to available help,” Bauer said. For instance, CoA offers nutrition services to low- and middle-income older adults through food delivery programs. Staff and volunteers deliver a food bag of shelf-stable items to your door, serving approximately 4 meals per bag. Call (828) 277-8288 for details and a brief eligibility screening (must be 60 or older). You can also connect with a resource coordinator for assistance with SNAP applications, Affordable Care Act help, Medicare counseling, and care management. For a full list of services, visit www.coabc.org.
To address social needs, UNC Asheville, UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC, and Healthy Aging North Carolina teamed to develop the Social Bridging Project, a service pairing older adults with trained student volunteers who provide conversation, check-ins, and technology training to help seniors connect socially with friends and loved ones. Volunteers are also able to provide referrals for additional resources if desired. Please leave a message at 828-771-3445 or send an email to [email protected] to sign-up or for more information.
The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) at Land of Sky Regional Council is encouraging older adults to continue focusing on their general health and disease prevention.
“With so much outside of our control right now, and increased concern for older adults’ health, it’s important to stay vigilant in managing chronic conditions,” said Stephanie Stewart, Land of Sky Regional Council Aging Program Specialist. “By keeping healthy and active at home, older adults can reduce unnecessary medical appointments and feel more in control of their lives and well-being.”
A program through AAA provides tool kits for a self-led chronic disease education program and offers weekly coaching calls with a group of up to four other participants. The tool kit includes a resource book, an exercise CD, and a stress reduction and relaxation CD. If you are interested in learning more about this free program, please call or email Stephanie Stewart at (828) 251-7438 or [email protected]
It is also important for those over the age of 65 to enroll their household in Community Connect to help first responders in the event that they are called to your home. Community Connect is a free, secure, and easy to use platform that allows you to share critical information about your household that will aid first responders and emergency response personnel when responding to your residence. By providing information about your household that you feel is important for us to know about at the time of an emergency, we can ensure you and everything you care about is protected to the best of our ability. Visit www.buncombeready.org to sign up for Community Connect or contact your local fire department to get signed up.
If you or someone you know is struggling and unsure of where to begin, one recommended starting point is to call 2-1-1, a community information and social services referral line. NC 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access for those with a hearing impairment. More information and additional resources to support our aging community can be found here. This document will be updated periodically to
ADDITIONAL AREA SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS:
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Stacey Wood
Communications Team | Public Information Officer
Buncombe County Health & Human Services
Media Line: (828) 775-1321\
Media Email: [email protected]
May 20, 2020
Governor Cooper announced that North Carolina will move into Phase 2 of lifting COVID-19 restrictions beginning on Friday, May 22nd at 5:00pm. Below is the Executive Order 141 as well as Phase 2 FAQs.
NOTICE OF WEAVERVILLE TOWN COUNCIL RECESSED MEETING
VIA REMOTE ELECTRONIC MEETING ON MAY 20, 2020
The Weaverville Town Council regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 18, 2020, was recessed to Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at 6:00 pm and will be held as a remote electronic meeting.
This NOTICE OF REMOTE ELECTRONIC MEETING is to inform the public that the Weaverville Town Council will hold a recessed meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. as an electronic video/audio meeting via Zoom Meeting. Access to the meeting will begin at 5:55 p.m. and the recessed meeting will start at 6:00 p.m. The instructions to access this public meeting are:
To join the meeting by computer, go to this link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87513712738 . You may be asked for permission to access your computer’s video and audio. If so, click “allow.” You will then be asked for the Meeting ID which is: 875 1371 2738
To join the meeting by phone, call: (253) 215-8782 or (301)715 8592 . You will then be asked for the Meeting ID which is: 875 1371 2738 . There is no password for this meeting, so if asked for one just press the # button.
To listen to an audio recording of the meeting and view related materials, please visit the Town’s website at https://www.weavervillenc.org. An audio recording of the meeting will be posted to the Town’s website for public access within 24 hours of the meeting.
As general public comments were heard and received by Town Council on Monday, May 18, 2020, further general public comments will not be heard at this meeting.
For questions or additional assistance in how to participate in this meeting or in providing public comments, please call (828)645-7116.
Allan P. Root, Mayor
5/19/2020
The Town of Weaverville Town Council held a special called remote electronic meeting – public hearing and regular monthly meeting remote electronic meeting on May 18, 2020. Below is the link for the audio from the meeting.
May 16, 2020
Buncombe County Government and Western North Carolina Community Health Services (WNCCHS) will partner to offer community-based COVID-19 testing in the coming weeks for people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. This is an important and necessary step in understanding and addressing the spread of COVID-19 in Buncombe County.
Due to historic and present-day inequities, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 both locally and nationally. Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center’s Rapid Response & Recovery Equity Action Team is identifying the testing site locations based on an equity analysis reliant on relevant data and community input.
WNCCHS medical clinic staff will collect specimens from those who are tested, send the specimens for testing through a commercial lab, and communicate with everyone tested when results return. Buncombe County Communicable Disease nurses will contact those individuals with lab-confirmed COVID-19 to provide guidance and perform contact tracing. The Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center has made arrangements for safe isolation and quarantine lodging for residents who may need additional resources to limit the spread of coronavirus to others in their household.
Residents of Buncombe County are encouraged to use the COVID-19 Self-Checker to assess whether or not they should be tested for COVID-19.
| Pisgah View Community: 1 Granada St. Asheville NC 28806 Tuesday, May 19, 2020 1 – 4pm |
| Sandy Mush Community Center 19 School Rd. Leicester, NC 28748 Wednesday, May 20, 2020 1 – 4pm |
| Deaverview Community 275 Deaverview Rd. Asheville, NC 28806 Thursday, May 21 1 – 4pm |
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued updated guidance on who should be tested for COVID-19. The new guidance recommends that clinicians test any patient in whom COVID-19 is suspected.
The new guidance recommends that clinicians ensure the following populations have access to testing, regardless of symptoms:
What Are the Costs?
Testing is available to both the insured and uninsured, with no out of pocket cost. Those with health insurance should bring their insurance information with them to the testing site. Language access services will be available at all sites during hours of operation.
In addition to these community-based testing sites, for those who are unable to obtain COVID-19 testing through their primary care provider, MAHEC Family Health Center at Biltmore, Mercy Urgent Care, Mission Virtual Clinic and Range Urgent Care have all expanded testing access. Please see a map here of COVID-19 testing locations and call before you arrive for testing.
If you have questions about COVID-19 testing in Buncombe County, please visit www.buncombeready.org or call the Ready Team at (828) 419-0095, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. We stand ready to serve our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Language access services will be available at all sites during hours of operation.
To respect the privacy of individuals at the testing sites, there is a strict no media policy while the testing site is active. Plans are underway to provide media access and interviews regarding community testing. More information will be provided once details are finalized.
Notice of Public Hearing
on the Proposed FY 2020/2021 Budget
for the Weaverville ABC Board
Notice is hereby given in order to inform the public that the ABC Board of the Town of Weaverville will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 3, 2019, at 10:00 am within the Community Room of Town Hall located at 30 South Main Street, Weaverville, NC, on its proposed FY 2020-2021 Budget. This public hearing will be held in accordance with Section 18B-702 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Copies of the proposed budget can be obtained on the ABC store website at https://weaverville.ncabcboards.com or by calling the Weaverville ABC store at 828-645-3399.
Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency in-person attendance by the public may be limited or staggered and social distancing during the hearing will be required.
Written public comments can be submitted in advance of the public hearing and will be included in the record of the public hearing. Written public comments can be submitted as follows: (1) by emailing to [email protected] at least 6 hours prior to the meeting, (2) by putting your written comment in a drop box at Town Hall (located at front entrance and back parking lot) at least 6 hours prior to the meeting, or (3) by mailing your written comment (must be received not later than Wednesday’s mail delivery on June 3) to: Weaverville ABC Board, 7 Northridge Commons Parkway, Suite 101, Weaverville, NC, 28787, Attn: Public Comments.
Robert Chason, Chairman
May 15, 2020
TOWN OF WEAVERVILLE
NOTICE OF REMOTE ELECTRONIC MEETING AND
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 9, 2020
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that the Weaverville Town Council will hold its regular monthly workshop meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, beginning at 6:00 p.m.. At this meeting the Town will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2020/2021 Budget for the Town of Weaverville. The proposed FY 2020-2021 budget has been posted on the Town’s website at www.weavervillenc.org or you to access and review.
The public hearing will occur within Council Chambers at Town Hall located at 30 South Main Street, Weaverville, NC, and as an electronic video meeting via Zoom Meeting. Access to the public hearing will begin at 5:45 p.m. and the hearing will start at 6:00 p.m. In compliance with the COVID-19 regulations, in person attendance by the public may be limited or staggered and social distancing during the hearing will be required.
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS that are submitted up to 24 hours after to the public hearing will be considered by Town Council, but only those that are received 6 hours prior to the public hearing will be read into the record of the hearing. Written public comments can be submitted as follows:
(1) by EMAILING to [email protected],
(2) by putting your written comment in a DROP BOX at Town Hall (located at front entrance and back parking lot), or
(3) BY MAILING your written comment to: Town of Weaverville, PO Box 338, Weaverville, NC, 28787, Attn: Public Comments.
The INSTRUCTIONS TO ACCESS THE REMOTE ELECTRONIC PUBLIC MEETING are:
To join the meeting BY COMPUTER, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86933148422 .
You may be asked for permission to access your computer’s video and audio. If so, click “allow.” You will then be asked for the Meeting ID which is: 869 3314 8422 .
To join the meeting BY PHONE, call: (253) 215-8782 or (301) 715 8592. You will then be asked for the Meeting ID which is: 869 3314 8422 . There is no password for this meeting. If you are asked for one, just press the # button.
If you would like ADDITIONAL INFORMATION or have questions regarding how to submit a comment or join the meeting, you may contact Town Clerk Derek Huninghake at [email protected] or Finance Director Tonya Dozier at [email protected] They can both be reached by phone at 828-645-7116.
Allan P. Root, Mayor
The Town of Weaverville Town Council held their regular budget workshop remote electronic meeting on May 12, 2020. Below is the link for the audio from the meeting.
