Almost everyone likes the idea of recy-cling, but the tough question is “Are you willing to pay for it?” An online survey is

open on our web site (www.ci.mooresville.nc.us) to record your comments about adding recycling as a curb-side service offered to Town residents.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 75% of what Americans throw in the trash could be recycled. Yet, only 25% is cur-rently recycled.

While previous surveys have shown strong sup-port for curb-side recycling, we hope to learn through this survey whether people are willing to pay for recycling and, if so, how much and by what method.

The most efficient way to provide town-wide ser-vice is the utilization of 96 gallon rollout contain-ers collected every other week. These containers are large enough to hold two weeks of recyclable materials from a typical household. The Town would provide each home with a rollout contain-er for recyclables and use the automated trucks to collect it. Recycling collections will require the use of a $225,000 vehicle, one container per household, one driver, fuel, maintenance, and a trip to the materials recovery (recycling) facility for processing.

Currently, the Town’s curb-side recycling program is limited by the capabilities of the recycling facility that accepts the materials. The Town has

Recycling: Share Your Thoughtsidentified a market where residents can mix all the recyclables together in one container, thus eliminating curb-side sorting and improving col-lection efficiency. Also, the Town has applied for grants to help offset the capital costs for both the equipment and the containers.

If the Town Board decides to move forward with implementing a town-wide, curb-side recycling program, we need to know what you think about the costs of recycling.

A sample survey item is listed below:

If everyone pays for recycling, the cost per household is likely to be less than $4 per month. If only those who want to subscribe to the service pay for it, the cost is likely to be more than $6 per month. It is my opinion that:

Recycling should be paid for on a voluntary, subscription basis.Everyone should pay for the availability of recycling whether they chose to participate or not.The town should not fund the program.

Please take the time to complete one survey per household at www.ci.mooresville.nc.us and let us know your thoughts.

Thank you for your input!

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Elected Officials

Chris Montgomery Mayor Mitchell Abraham Ward I Commissioner

Thurman Houston Ward II Commissioner

Mac HerringWard III Commissioner

Chris CarneyWard IV Commissioner,Mayor Pro Tem

Miles AtkinsAt-Large Commissioner

Rhett DusenburyAt-Large Commissioner

Town Officials Steve HusemannTown Manager

N. Erskine Smith Jr. Assistant Town Manager

Stephen P. GambillTown Attorney

Janet PopeTown Clerk

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Volume 0 Number 0 December 2010Volume 6 Number 2 February 2010

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Planning Retreat This year, the Board’s Annual Planning Retreat will be held February 18 - 20 at the Charles Mack Citizen Center. Holding the event in a town-owned facility will surely save money in rental fees, as well as staff time. However, the chal-lenge will be to capture the same commitment level and creativity that is often achieved at an out-of town retreat.

We have a number of tough challenges to be addressed at the retreat. Obviously, finances will be a big topic. While Town revenues continue to be healthy compared to other communities, we still face many challenges and will be looking at a difficult 2010-2011 budget.

Other topics on the retreat’s agenda include re-cycling, the Public Services building, golf course hole relocation plan, MI-Connection, park devel-opments, and the Capital Improvement Program.

The public is invited to attend all sessions of the retreat and opportunities for public input will be allowed. Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. all three days. Thursday and Friday sessions will end at 8:30 p.m.

More Public Information As a utility customer, you receive this newsletter every month with your utility bill. If you use the Internet, you can visit us on the web at www.ci.mooresville.nc.us. If you are a Face-book user, you can register to be a “fan” of the Town. All of these communication venues are intended to provide you, the citizen, with access to information about Town services. Whether it is a change in your sanitation pick-up schedule or a construction project delay, we seek to provide you with information that impacts where you live, work or play.

The Town is working on options to broadcast Town Board meetings on the local Government Access channel. These telecasts may be a little rough at first as we learn the best camera place-ments and determine equipment needs.

TownVoice

Planning Retreat & Public Access

DEPaRTMEnT PHOnE nUMBERS

Engineering704-663-4510

Employment704-799-4070

Fire (Non-Emergency)704-664-1338

Golf Course704-663-2539

Winnie Hooper Center704-663-0033

Library704-664-2927

Charles Mack Citizen Center704-662-3334

Planning704-662-7040

Police (Non-Emergency)704-664-3311

Recreation704-663-7026

Sanitation704-664-4278

War Memorial704-663-2670

Water704-663-3800

Zoning704-662-3191

FROM THE TOWn ManaGER...

How much of an expense is it to mail the Town Voice?

The postage for mailing the utility bill does not change when the newsletter is added. The Town spends approximately 12¢ per copy for the production, printing and inser-tion of the Town Voice.

What does online shopping [January 2010 cover story] have to do with Town business?

The Criminal Investigations Unit of the Mooresville Police Department was re-sponding to concerns raised by the commu-nity regarding online shopping (specifically identity theft) and recently began presenta-tions to community groups about this topic. We utilized their presentation material to reach a broader audience.

Town Voice c/o Town Manager’s Office Post Office Box 878 Mooresville, NC 28115 704-663-3800

comments@ci.mooresville.nc.us

Also, we are discussing additional programming with interviews and announcements about Town issues. So look for my smiling face with all the exciting news about Mooresville government.

Sincerely,

Steve Husemann Town Manager

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Broad Street Trees Being Replaced

The Town of Mooresville and the Mooresville Beauti-fication Committee are replacing the Bradford Pear trees along Broad Street. First planted in the early 1990s, the trees have become a safety hazard and must be removed.

In 1989, the Mooresville Beautification Com-mittee began a tree planting project to create a decorative border along the railroad and Broad Street. The citizens of Mooresville donated funds to purchase 59 Bradford Pear trees. The majority of the trees were purchased in memory or honor of a loved one.

Although one of the most popular landscape trees in the Southeast, Bradford Pears have a weak limb structure and vigorous growth. After approximately 20 years the trees become haz-ardous during storms and break easily.

“The time has come to replace these trees due to age and damage from storms,” said Town Manager Steve Husemann. “The Town has been working with the Beautification Committee to find a solution to the problem these trees now create while maintaining the integrity of the commit-tee’s project and citizens’ involvement twenty years ago.”

Beautification Committee Chairperson Angela Greene said, “We are excited that the committee and Town worked together to find a solution to this problem while still honoring the wishes of donors from twenty years ago. In keeping with the original intent, the replacement trees will be in honor or memory of the same loved ones as the first trees.”

The Town will replace the Bradford Pear trees with Autumnalis Cherry trees and Zelkova (Green Vase) trees. Both trees are low maintenance and recommended for this type of planting. The proj-ect will require hand digging because of space constraints but is expected to be completed by early March.

nEWS In BRIEF

Online Bill Pay. Online bill payment for water/sewer (utility) accounts is now available. To use this service, customers need their utility account number and customer identification number – both of which can be found on the utility bill. Just visit the Town’s web site at www.ci.mooresville.nc.us and click on “Pay Bill Online.” If you have problems or want a customer service representative to assist you, call 704-663-3800 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday - Friday).

White Oaks Road Construction Update. Construction on the White Oaks Road Culvert Replacement Project is scheduled for completion in February. Rains and cold temperatures caused many delays in the time line of this project.

arts & Crafts Festival. The Mooresville Recreation Department invites you to the Unique Creations Arts & Crafts Festival on Saturday, February 27 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Charles Mack Citizen Center. Admission is free. For more information, call 704-663-7026.

Free Family Movie in February. Bring the entire family for an evening of free entertainment on Saturday, February 20. “Movies on Main” presents the Disney/Pixar movie, “Up” (PG), sponsored by the Town of Mooresville and MI-Connection. Movie time is 7 p.m. in the Knox Auditorium in the Charles Mack Citizen Center. For more information or to view the movie trailer, visit the Town’s web site at www.ci.mooresville.nc.us.

Mooresville Concerts Presents Bayou Diesel. On Saturday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m., the Cajun/Zydeco/Louisiana-style dance band “Bayou Diesel” hits the stage of the Knox Auditorium in the Charles Mack Citizen Center as part of the Mooresville Concerts Series. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children ages 10 and under. Advance ticket purchase is suggested. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 704-662-3334.

Do not Block Intersections. The Mooresville Police Department urges all drivers to obey traffic laws and DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTIONS. Several traffic corridors in town have frequent problems with the blocking of inter-sections. Whether you have witnessed this or been the driver who blocks the intersection, this action creates a traffic hazard, is un-safe and illegal. Please make sure there is room for you to completely cross the intersec-tion before you pull forward.

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Mooresville’s newest At-Large Commissioner, Rhett Dusenbury, is a self-described “politi-cal junkie.” With a degree in political science, Dusenbury started watching politics in Moores-ville several years ago. His focus is the openness and transparency of government.

“If we are going to spend approximately $78 million of taxpayer money during the budget year, the process needs to be transparent,” said Dusenbury. “The first thing I wanted to try to initi-ate was the broadcasting of town meetings on MI-Connection. This makes citizen involvement easier and creates transparency.”

A vocal opponent of the MI-Connection purchase, Dusenbury admits that owning the local cable company provides a “great infrastructure” for the community but he wants more information. “If we are going to be in the service business, then I want to know how to maximize the dollars invested and provide the best service possible to achieve the highest return for the taxpayers...Since taxpayer funds are involved, the Commis-sioners are obligated to exercise oversight on their investment.”

As an At-Large Commissioner, Dusenbury repre-sents all of the citizens of Mooresville, not just one area of town. “I am for open government and will be seeking citizen input in all matters,” said Dusenbury. “We need to understand how the actions we or other groups take will impact our wallets. We do not need the actions of our federal, state or county governments to trickle down and hit us on the head.”

One of the biggest issues facing the new Board is the preparation of the 2010-2011 Budget. Since Dusenbury considers himself fiscally conservative, the recycling issue is an item to evaluate. “If we want recycling, we have to pay for it. It will require more money or cuts else-where. All services should be efficient, equitable and practical.”

Dusenbury and his wife, Cristin, enjoy spending time around Mooresville. “We are fairly low-key people,” said Dusenbury.

To contact Dusenbury, e-mail him at rdusenbury@ci.mooresville.nc.us.

Rhett Dusenbury, At-Large Commissioner

TownVoice

What is Happening at I-77 & Brawley School Road?The Town has received several inquiries regarding the construc-tion schedule for Phase B of the Brawley School Road Improvement Project, specifically the over-pass area with I-77. While a new bridge span will be constructed to accommodate the interchange with I-77, Brawley School Road will not be closed during the construction.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), “Brawley School Road will not be closed other than what is allowed for night-time lane closures...Basically, phasing of the bridge consists of constructing the south side of the new interchange (half the bridge) first, then switching Brawley School Road traffic to the newly constructed bridge.” NCDOT will then “tear down the old bridge” and “build the north half of the interchange.”

February 1Board of CommissionersTown Hall @ 6 p.m.

February 10Water Bills Due

February 11Planning BoardTown Hall @ 6 p.m.

February 18 - 20Board Planning Retreat Charles Mack Citizen Center 8:30 a.m.

March 2 Water Service Disconnected for Non-Payment

Ride the 83x to Uptown CharlotteThe Town of Mooresville contracts with the Char-lotte Area Transit System to offer a weekday ex-press bus with service between Mooresville and Uptown Charlotte. The Town offers this service to reduce congestion along the I-77 corridor, as well as to improve the region’s air quality status. The coach buses have a capacity of 45 passengers.

Passengers can access the 83x Mooresville Ex-press by parking in the Williamson Chapel United Methodist Church Park & Ride Lot (589 Brawley School Road). Riders can pay the $3 fare each way or purchase weekly, 10-ride or monthly passes at Food Lion (870 Williamson Road) or Bloom (516-10 River Highway - NC 150).

For more information about the 83x service, contact Neil Burke, the Town’s Transportation Planner, at nburke@ci.mooresville.nc.us or 704-663-2891.