Help Plan the Future of Coats!

What will Coats look like in twenty years? Are you concerned about future Land Use and Development, Infrastructure, Housing, Economic Development, Healthcare, Education, the Environment and the availability of other municipal services? Citizens of Coats are invited to join together in the creation of a comprehensive Land Use Plan. The Plan will incorporate desires of the community into an overall footprint used to guide beneficial long-term development. Together, we can set goals and objectives for how the town will grow and develop in the coming years. WE NEED YOUR CREATIVE THOUGHTS & IDEAS! The session is open to the public and will be held November 17 at 6:00 pm in the Town Hall located at 25 East Main Street; Coats, NC 27521. For additional information, please contact Town Manager/Clerk at 910-897-5184.

Coats Town Hall, 25 East Main Street, Coats, NC 27521 Web site address: http://www.coatsnc.org Phone number: 910-897-5183 Fax: 910-897-2662

Coats Corner

Town Newsletter Fall, 2014 Volume 2, Issue 1

“a peaceful place………a friendly face”

Coats Police Department Bicycle Safety!!!!!!!!!!!! On October 4th the Coats police Department held a Bicycle Safety Parade Sponsored by Kiwanis Club and Coats Area Chamber of Commerce. The event was a great success. We had approximately one hundred in attendance with about thirty five free bicycle helmets given out. Officer Matt Johnson our Governors Highway Safety Program Officer (G.H.S.P.) and Officer Dustin Miller lead the parade of bikes while teaching bicycle safety as the kids navigated the course of cones and street signs. All the participants received treat bags and were also able to learn about fire safety and hand on with fire truck and fire fighting equipment. Special thanks to Fire Chief Jay Smith and Coats Grove Fire & Rescue for bringing their equipment out to display to the children and their families. A great time was had by all and we look forward to more events like this in the future.

The following Holiday Safety Tips were compiled by the Coats Police Department to contribute to the safety and security of people during the holiday season. The holiday season is always a special time of year. It is also a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. We can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware. Please share this information with family, friends and neighbors. The Coats Police Department wishes you a safe, happy and peaceful holiday season. PLEASE, NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE !

Driving

• Avoid driving alone or at night. • Keep all car doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your car. Set your

alarm or use an anti-theft device. • If you must shop at night, park in a well-lighted area. • Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows. • Park as close as you can to your destination and take notice of where you parked. • Never leave your car unoccupied with the motor running or with children inside. • Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your car. This creates a temptation

for thieves. If you must leave something in the car, lock it in the trunk or put it out of sight.

A Few HolidAy Tips

Street Light Outage: If ,at any time, you observe a street light out or not properly working, please contact Public Works with the number of the pole and location. The pole number is a yellow tag with black letters and numbers, and will be 6 to 8 feet above the ground. Christmas Tree Collection: The Town will be collecting Christmas Trees. Please remove all ornaments and tinsel. Please do not put them in the ditch or on the edge of pavement. If you have questions about a certain tree or situation, please call us.

Public Works Tips

Limb Collection: Please cut limbs up into 4 foot lengths and place next to street. Please do not put them in the ditch or on the edge of pavement. If you have questions about a certain tree or situation, please call.(910-897-5183) Grass Clippings: Please do not place grass clippings in road side ditches. Debris in ditches cause drainage problems by clogging driveway pipes. Leaf Collection: Please do not add sticks or limbs in your leaf piles. Limbs will clog and damage our leaf vacuum equipment.

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By Gary Denton, Public Works Director

THE WATER DEPARTMENT HAS DISCONTINUED TAGGING DOORS FOR LATE PAYMENTS. Due to the cost of materials and labor, the Water Department will no longer be notifying costumers of cut-off of service due to non-payment. As of July 1, 2014, bills not paid by the 25th of each month will be subject to cut- off for non-payment.

Public Works teams with Duke Energy Our residents have enjoyed the beautiful trees through out our town for years. Unfortunately these trees have aged causing the Bradford Pears to split, causing damage, blocking our streets and causing power outages. Serious injuries or death can occur if energized lines are touched. Trees and tree limbs can tear down power lines. When trees grow close to and into the lines, there is a possibility of someone climbing a tree and making contact with an energized line. The lines are just as dangerous if touched by someone climbing in a tree as they would be if touched by someone standing on the ground. Transmission lines even have the potential of electrocuting persons on the ground near a tree, if the tree makes contact with a transmission line. The town staff and Duke Energy will be removing selected trees that may obstruct street lights or interfere with the power distribution grid of our town not only by making our town safer but making us storm ready.

Page 3 Coats Corner

Our 2014 soccer season is over and the kids played all their games this year without any weather interruptions. I’m so proud of all of our kids who participated in our soccer program and hoped everyone had a great time. Basketball registrations are underway right now and will end November 21st . You can

Visit our Recreation Website: http://www.coatsparksandrec.com/ Find us on http://www.facebook.com/ for more up to date information.

COATS RECREATION

Coats Corner Holiday Tips from page 2

• Be sure to locate your keys prior to going to your car.

• Keep a secure hold on your purse, handbag and parcels. Do not put them down or on top of the car in order to open the door.

• When approaching or leaving your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings.

• Do not approach your car alone if there are suspicious people in the area.

• Ask mall or store security for an escort before leaving your shopping

Automated Teller Machine (ATM) • If you must use an ATM, choose one that is

located inside a business, mall, or well-lighted location. Withdraw only the amount of cash you need.

• Protect your PIN by shielding the ATM keypad from anyone who is standing near you.

• Do not throw your ATM receipt away at the ATM location

Shopping Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.

print out a registration form from our website www.coatsparksandrec.com or pick one up at the Coats Town Hall. Practices will begin the first week in December and games will start the first week in January. We encourage everyone to register and expect to have a huge turn out so sign up early before teams fill up. The Parks and Recreation staff have been busy with over seeding our ball fields and infield repairs are underway. With those projects in progress we couldn’t overlook our park lighting. Duke Energy is in the process of installing new LED lighting along the driveway into the park. This will add a nice look to our park and give us more lighting as you drive in.

• Dress casually and comfortably. • Avoid wearing expensive jewelry. • Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible. • Always carry your valid NC Driver License or

Identification Card along with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card you expect to use.

• Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, stay alert to your surroundings.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. • Pay for purchases with a check or credit card

when possible. • Keep cash in your front pocket. • Notify the credit card issuer immediately if

your credit card is lost, stolen or misused. • Keep a record of all of your credit card

numbers in a safe place at home. • Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or

purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.

• Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.

• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

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Karen Wooten

Deputy Clerk, Karen Wooten, has been with the Town since 2011. She has attended the University of North Carolina Institute of Government where she has completed various classes in finance and employment law. Karen oversees the daily operations of the Town’s finances and duties of the Town Clerk in her absence; She has one child and two grandchildren. We are proud to call her “one of our own”.

Library Hours

Monday – Thursday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Friday: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday: Closed

"People are not your most important asset. The right people are."

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Employee Spot Light

Library Gets New Location!

The Town Library is currently located at 243 McKinley Street and will soon have a new location next to Town Hall on 25 East Main Street. In our 2014 Budget Work session, the Town Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the library relocation. The relocation is in alignment with the Board’s efforts to consolidate the locations of town property, utilize town staff in various functions and to continue the effort to revitalize our down town. The current library occupies 1900 square feet. The new 2000 square foot location will be next door to Town Hall with ample room for expansion. The tentative move date will take place in December 2014.

HAppy HolidAys FRoM THe sTAFF ANd CoMMissioNeRs AT TowN HAll !!!!!

Coats Corner Page 6

“Ordinance Highlight”

BuildiNg peRMiTs

The North Carolina State Building Code states, "No person, firm or corporation shall erect, construct, enlarge, install, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any building, structure, or service system without first obtaining a permit for such from the Inspections Department having jurisdiction."

In other words, a permit is required anytime work is done on a building or structure, or the systems serving the structure (including plumbing, mechanical and electrical wiring) with a few exceptions. Examples of everyday projects requiring permits include:

• Converting a residence to a business. • Constructing a deck, screened porch, or sunroom. • Installing an irrigation system. • Installing a swimming pool. • Adding a ceiling fan. • Finishing an attic or basement. • Replacing a furnace or air conditioner. • Replacing water heaters. • Installing gas logs, attic fans, skylights

A permit is not required for:

• Replacement of non-structural, cosmetic building elements, such as: floor and wall coverings; moldings and trim; cabinets and casework; roof coverings with same materials, etc.

• Residential accessory buildings that are no more than 12 feet in any dimension. • Replacement of electrical fixtures and components when work done within the wall or ceiling

cavity or behind the finished wall or ceiling surface. • Replacement of plumbing fixtures when the work goes beyond the trap seal. • Installation of low voltage exterior landscape lighting

Note: For a complete listing of our Building Codes please visit our website under our Code of Ordinances or give us a call so we can help you at 910-897-5183.

Want to have a Yard Sale ??? No problem! Make sure you get a permit from Town Hall.

There is no charge!!!!!

Board of Commissioners Walter Weeks, Mayor Dr. Linda Robinson, Mayor Pro Tem Allen Mosby, Town Commissioner JC Allen, Town Commissioner Jerry Beasley, Town Commissioner J.D. Raynor, Town Commissioner

Town Boards and Committees

Town of Coats 25 East Main Street

P.O. Box 675 Coats, NC 27521

Phone: 910-897-5183

Fax: 910-897-2662 Hours:

8-5 Monday –Friday Closed 1-2 Lunch

Holiday Closing:

Nov. 26,27, 28, Thanksgiving December 24,25,26, Christmas

January1, New Years Day

Web Address: http://www.coatsnc.org

Town Information

Planning Board Max Mathews, Chairman Vicky Abate Ed Lauder Carolyn Spears Magdalene Pleasant Debbie Greider Donna Pope

Parks and Recreation Committee JC Allen Jay Smith Yamil Aponte Laura Penny Robert Barefoot

Cemetery Committee

Margaret House Michele Godwin Diane Denning Sondra Smith Ted Penny Amy Johnson Andrea Watkins

Trash Collection:……………………………………………………………………………………… Fridays Recycling Collection:………………………………………………………………… Every other Friday Leaf, Limb & Furniture Collection: …………………………………………………………… Weekly Water Bills: …………………………………………………………………… Due the 10th of the month

Town Staff: Kenny Cole, Town Manager 910-897-5183 Ext. 24 Gary Denton, Public Works Director 910-897-5183 Ext. 34 Jeremy Hall, Chief of Police 910-897-5183 Ext. 28 Mike Collins, Recreation Director 910-890-4946 Cortney Kerns, Town Clerk 910-897-5183 Ext. 22 Karen Wooten, Finance Officer 910-897-5183 Ext. 33 Zoning 910-897-5183 Ext. 24 Trash Collection 910-897-5183 Ext. 22 Water Service 910-897-5183 Ext. 22 Animal Control 910-814-2952 Library 910-230-1944 Police (General Questions) 910-897-5183 Ext.29 (Police officers): Ken Storicks ,Dustin Miller, Ryan Sasser, Matt Johnson, Chad Garvin (Public Works): Rodney Pleasant, Robert Moore, Kenneth Snipes (Library): Rebecca DallaMura, Linda McNeil. DAIL 911 FOR POLICE AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Coats Annual Christmas Parade: December 13, 2014, at 2:00 pm Contact the Chamber at: 910-897-6213 or email: chamber@coatschamber.com for more information.

Coats Chamber Events- Enjoy Some Family Fun

CHECK GOVDEALS.COM FOR TOWN SURPLUS EQUIPMENT

Find us on facebook

The Planning Board meets the 1st Thursday of each month. The Board of Commissioners meets the 2nd Thursday of each month.

Page 7 Coats Corner