By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Unanimous approval for putting out to bid a $2.25 million installment loan — funding for the completion of the Memorial Park upgrades, the purchase of two real estate parcels, and needed improvements for Fire Station No. 1 — was the centerpiece of actions taken by the Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners on July 8 in the regular meeting of town council, but other issues might still have carried more intrigue.
(For the full video recording of the July 8, 2025 meeting of Blowing Rock’s Town Council, CLICK HERE.)
The $2.25 million loan is to have principal repayment in $225,000 annual installments over a period of 10 years.
Wrapping up the only public hearing (installment financing) on the evening’s agenda was relatively swift with little discussion among the commissioners and no one addressing the board from the audience. In other items:
- A 55-minute presentation by representatives of the North Carolina Historic Preservation Office, a program under the auspices of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources based in Raleigh. The virtual presentation (via Zoom) explained the distinction of three different levels of historic preservation efforts, from National to Local. The presentation was for informational purposes only, with no action taken by the commissioners. CLICK HERE to view the presentation.
- Included in the Consent Agenda:
- Annual tax report and order of collection
- Approval of fireworks permit for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce event, Symphony by the Lake
- Approval for staging parts of the Blue Ridge Relay (Sept. 4) through Blowing Rock, including an exchange station in the swimming pool parking lot
- A resolution supporting NCDOT improvements to U.S. 321 (Valley Boulevard) near its intersection with Possum Hollow Road and the entrance to Shoppes on the Parkway. According to the resolution, there have been 25 motor vehicle accidents and one fatality within the last six years. Commissioners Doug Matheson and Pete Gherini have taken the lead in asking the NCDOT to implement safety improvements, resulting in the adoption of this resolution to consider extending the median northward on U.S. 321 (to prevent cars and trucks from stopping in the left lane to turn into the Speedway parking lot or turning left [north]) out of the parking lot). Separately, Gherini and Matheson also sought NCDOT assistance in improving public safety at the U.S. 321 intersection with Aho Road, which is outside of the Blowing Rock town limits.
- Eric Brinker was the only public speaker to address the Town Council, seeking the town’s reconsideration for allowing food trucks, especially during the late spring, summer and early autumn months. He explained that his family’s restaurant, The Speckled Trout, was closed on Tuesdays and they would like to invite a rotation of different food trucks to use their parking lot to help feed the many visitors to town.
- The Commissioners unanimously passed a motion to assign (truck) loading zones to help improve public safety and alleviate traffic interruptions. After the Town Council’s discussion at the summer retreat, town staff proposed two loading zone sites, one on Main Street in front of the 1888 Museum and the other on Sunset Drive, near the intersection with Maple Street and adjacent to Blowing Rock School. There was minor discussion about how the new ordinance would be implemented and enforced, and questions about penalties for violations.
- The Commissioners unanimously passed a new Code of Conduct applicable to all of the Town’s elected and appointed officials. The new Code includes a review of Ethics, outlines Conduct with one another, town staff, the public, other public agencies, appointed boards and commissions, and the media. The final sections included sanctions and implementation.
- Under the various staff and council member reports, Mayor Charlie Sellers and Town Manager Shane Fox expressly thanked everyone involved in staging the annual 4th of July Parade (July 5). Reported Fox, “The weather was perfect and we had at least as many if not more people attending than ever before.”
- Commissioner Pete Gherini mentioned that with the new paving of Main Street from Valley Boulevard and in front of Chetola and beyond, he has gotten several calls about people speeding on the new road and asked for the Town to take steps to slow drivers down. Fox explained that because it is an NCDOT road, the options are limited but that he would suggest putting radar signs along the road.
- Fox also explained that the NCDOT paving of Main Street’s main section was occurring as the meeting was taking place and should be completed that night, with the southern section of Main Street to be completed the following night. He reported that there were some delays in the contractor’s ability to get asphalt, otherwise it would already have been completed and any problems now had been resolved.
The Town Council members, including the commissioners, mayor and relevant town staff members, went into closed session. No action was anticipated when they came out of closed session.
