By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — A light agenda led to an abbreviated regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners and Town Council on Sept. 9.
While the Council approved a wedding-related fireworks display at Blowing Rock Country Club on Oct. 4, 2025, in its Consent Agenda, there was little in the way of “fireworks” during the Regular Agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING: $2.25 Million Installment Load Approval
The Sept. 9 discussion was a mere formality and the culmination of a process that started at the July 8 meeting of the Board, where it unanimously voted to move forward with the solicitation of bids for an installment loan of $2.25 million. The loan proceeds are to reimburse the Town for the purchase of two parcels of land for future public safety and infrastructure needs, to fund the third and final phase of the Memorial Park project(s), and to replace the roof on Fire Station No. 1. With the bids received, the Board unanimously voted to accept a low bid received from JP Morgan Chase for a term of 10 years, at 3.55 percent interest.
Extending Art in the Park
In response to concerns raised by Police Chief Nathan Kirk, the Board voted to extend the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce’s right to host “Art in the Park” on Park Avenue, from Wallingford Street to Main Street one Saturday per Month from May to October, inclusive, but only for three years and not the requested five year extension.
Kirk is concerned about public safety and convenience because the event effectively blocks off access to the Blowing Rock Police Department Office, including using its parking lot for various artist exhibits. The Board members generally asked the Chamber to explore other locations for the event. In his letter to Town Council, Kirk reflected on his ongoing conversations with Robin Miller, CEO of Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, regarding not only his concerns but their discussion of other, potential venues for the highly popular event. Those locations included Laurel Lane, from Main Street to Wallingford Street; Ginny Stevens Lane, from Main Street to Wallingford Street (in front of the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum and along the south side of the Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church campus); Davant Field; or a potential partnership with Blowing Rock School.
In Official reports:
- Mayor Charlie Sellers asked everyone to be respectful of each other during the upcoming elections
- Commissioner Cat Perry reported on discussions she had been having recently with Commissioner Doug Matheson about another potential shuttle service to downtown, to help alleviate parking problems. She stated that for two days she conducted an informal survey of 82 downtown visitors and that 95 percent said they absolutely would use a shuttle. Perry stated she would go back on the street and try to speak with additional people to secure a larger number of participants in her survey.
- Town Manager Shane Fox provided updates on
- the final work for the Main Street paving;
- ongoing work for Maple Street and Green Street;
- Memorial Park is on its way toward being completed within 30-45 days, tennis courts to be poured Sept. 12-14, pickleball courts done, shuffleboard work in progress, sidewalks and edge paving soon;
- the Hurricane Helene-necessitated repairs to Valley View Road;
- work on the town audit starting on Sept. 10;
- and reported on an open house style meeting on Sept. 30 at the Watauga County Board of Commissioners meeting room, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to discuss updated flood maps.
- Construction of crosswalks in the spring, bringing options to the Commissioners soon
The Council went into closed session without expecting any vote-worthy decisions when they came out of closed session to adjourn the regular meeting.
