Waynesville Advances $2.84M Emergency Water Link With Canton, Clyde

Waynesville moved a regional emergency water connection with Canton and Clyde closer to construction Monday, Oct. 13, 2026. Town Council endorsed McGill Associates as project engineer and adopted a $2,841,800 project ordinance backed by a fully forgivable state loan. Council also set new limits on signs on town property and named an 1897 Boundary Street home a local landmark.

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• Water interconnect advances: McGill Associates picked as engineer; $2,841,800 project ordinance adopted
• New signs ordinance limits town-property signs to four categories, with election carve-outs
• Manager discretion flagged as staff warn of legal risk over "civic expression" banners
• 437 Boundary Street named a local landmark, bringing owners a 50% property tax cut

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Regional Water Safety Net Moves to Engineering

Why it matters: The interconnect would let Waynesville, Canton and Clyde supply one another during emergencies like Helene or a major fire. State money covers Waynesville's share, so local taxpayers do not pay for it.

The basics: North Carolina law requires local governments to hire engineers based on qualifications rather than price. The process is often called the Mini-Brooks Act. The State Revolving Fund (SRF), run by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, finances water and sewer infrastructure.

Where things stand: A staff presenter said the Emergency Water Interconnect Committee reviewed two statements of qualifications, from Withers Ravenel and McGill. The committee chose McGill.

Interim Town Manager Rick Howell said preliminary engineering puts the total project at roughly $19.2 million. Waynesville's portion is $2.841 million. He said the state money comes with an important condition in the town's favor.

"It is technically a loan, but it is 100% forgivable," said Howell.

Mayor Gary Caldwell stressed that the link is not a way to sell water and said Waynesville has plenty of supply. "This is an emergency use in case our water plant shuts down," said Caldwell. He also called it fortunate to get "this $2 million without taxpayer funding to have this done."

The other side: No one spoke against the project. The main caution was about timing, because Waynesville cannot move ahead alone. "It would probably behoove you all to make these motions contingent upon approval by the other local government units," the staff presenter told council.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Council took two votes.

• The first endorsed McGill and asked the committee to negotiate a contract for council to consider later. That approval depends on sign-off from all participating towns and the county.
• The second adopted the $2,841,800 capital project ordinance, funded by the NC DEQ State Revolving Fund.

Both passed by voice vote. No tally was announced and no dissent was recorded.

Residents and businesses in all three towns gain a backup water source. McGill gains a potential regional engineering contract. The main risk is coordination: the project depends on Canton, Clyde and the county.

What's next: The committee will negotiate a contract with McGill and bring it back to council. The other local governments must also approve.

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Council Tightens Rules on Signs on Town Property

Why it matters: The ordinance decides whose banners can hang on town property. It also gives the town manager discretion that both the manager and the attorney said could invite disputes.

Where things stand: The town attorney recommended placing the ordinance in the general ordinances rather than the land development standards. That means moving it to Article 3 of Chapter 46, under the town's police power. He said this change allows adoption on first reading without a public hearing.

The ordinance allows four categories of signs on town property:

• Public safety
• Government operations
• Town-sanctioned events
• Civic expression or pride

Any other sign requires a council resolution. Political signs at polling places must follow Board of Elections rules, including designated areas outside the buffer zone. Asked about a 37-hour window, the attorney said the state statute sets it at 36 hours.

The other side: Howell warned that the "civic expression" category is loosely defined and urged tighter language. "It does allow a significant amount of discretion, does put a great deal of power in the hands of the town manager," said Howell.

The attorney agreed there is legal risk if the town creates a limited public forum and then judges sign messages. "It does invite a certain amount of content-based scrutiny, which can lead to trouble," he said.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Council adopted the ordinance as written, revised to place it in Chapter 46. The vote was by voice, with no tally announced and no dissent recorded. The attorney had said unanimous adoption on first reading would make the ordinance effective immediately.

Event organizers and civic groups now have clear categories to work within. However, the process for requesting approval has not yet been developed. Campaigns must follow state election rules at polling sites. The manager's office takes on gatekeeping duties that carry legal exposure.

What's next: Staff still need to create a request process. Groups planning banners should watch for guidance on what counts as "civic expression."

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1897 Boundary Street Home Becomes Local Landmark

Why it matters: Landmark status cuts the owners' property taxes in half. In exchange, future changes to the property require approval, which preserves a restored home in a National Register historic district.

Where things stand: Staff presented the application from Shannon and Sherry Morgan for the Hannah Graham Morgan House at 437 Boundary Street. The house was built in 1897 and sits in the Spread Out Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend designation.

A staff member explained that the designation "provides the owner with a 50% reduction in their property taxes." In return, any alterations require a certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission.

Council asked about a second house on the lot. Staff said the designation applies to the whole property, not only the main structure.

The other side: No opposition was recorded. One of the owners described buying the house in 2010 and years of restoration since. The owner also explained that a prospective buyer had wanted the house for its wood. "His answer was he was going to tear it down for the chestnut lumber that was inside the house," the owner said.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Council voted to open and close the public hearing, then voted to designate the property. All votes were by voice, with no tally announced and no dissent recorded.

The owners get tax relief in exchange for design oversight. The town keeps a historic structure that was nearly torn down for salvage lumber.

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Minor Items

• Police vehicle: Council approved a budget amendment using ABC law enforcement funds to buy and equip a 2027 Dodge Durango. The vote was by voice. "It won't cost the taxpayers anything other than the ones who purchased alcohol at ABC Store," said the police chief, who hopes the remaining balance can fund a second vehicle.
• Energy fair co-sponsorship: Council voted to co-sponsor the Waynesville Energy Fair. Kip Sutton, director of the Environmental Action Community, said the event will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Vance Street Park. "At this point, there's no financial obligation," said Sutton.
• Help for an evicted resident: Councilmember Julia Boyd Freeman thanked police and the manager for working after hours to help an elderly woman with a dog who had been evicted. The chief said the department's social worker is seeking resources for her.
• Proclamation: Boyd Freeman read a proclamation naming October Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
• Consent agenda and closed session: Council approved the consent agenda by voice vote, then went into closed session on a personnel matter.

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Looking Ahead

Council's next regular meeting is Oct. 27. The Waynesville Energy Fair takes place Nov. 7 at Vance Street Park.