News Flash

[North Wilkesboro, NC, March 30, 2020] – Beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2020, non-essential town employees will be asked to stay-at-home to support the goals of Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order No. 121. Because of this reduction in available workforce, some town services will be halted or postponed until further notice. Please see descriptions below for the most current information.

North Wilkesboro Police Department – No changes to public facing services. Residents are urged to dial 911 in case of emergency.

North Wilkesboro Fire Department – Medical calls involving patients with flu-like symptoms are being dispatched to Wilkes County EMS. North Wilkesboro Fire Department personnel are assisting as needed. Fire and other emergency calls are being fielded as normal. Residents are urged to dial 911 in case of emergency.

Water/Sewer Department – No changes to water/sewer service. Disconnections for non-payment are being halted at this time. Late payment fees will not be incurred during the State of Emergency. Customers are still responsible for paying water bills; water payments are not being waived. Utility bills not paid during the State of Emergency will accrue and be owed in arrears at the completion of the State of Emergency. The town will be operating with fewer collection staff during the Stay-At-Home period, so customers are strongly encouraged to use online bill pay at www.north-wilkesborowater.com. In person bill pay is available only at the Town Hall’s walk-up payment window on Main St. No public access to Town Hall lobby for bill pay.

Parks and Recreation – Playgrounds, picnic shelters, sports courts, skateboard parks and other recreations amenities that accommodate mass gatherings are closed. Bathrooms are closed. Woodlawn Recreation Center is closed. All events scheduled for March and April at Town of North Wilkesboro facilities are cancelled or postponed. Fields and hiking trails remain available for individual use, subject to limitations on mass gatherings as outlined in the governor’s Executive Order No. 121.

Planning and Inspections – Planning services remain available, but with modifications. Applications for zoning permits, rezonings, sign permits, conditional use permits, special use permits, and plat approvals must be submitted in draft form to planning@north-wilkesboro.com for review. Comments and suggested modifications will be provided via email or phone. When ready, the town planner will contact applicants with instructions on how to attain official approvals. Call 336-466-5275. Turnaround time will be delayed. Building code inspections will be conducted by appointment only, with additional safeguards at inspection meetings to maintain social distancing. Call 336-466-5254.

Public Works – Normal curbside refuse and recycling collection will continue on a regular schedule. Brush/yard waste collection and bulky item collection are halted until further notice. Residents are asked NOT to place these items on the curb. Non-emergency street repair is being halted. Landscape management/mowing at cemeteries, in street rights-of-way, and other public areas is being postponed. Residents may voluntarily mow planting strips in front of their home or property.

Tourism – The Yadkin Valley Farmers Market will be closed through the month of April. Cruise-Ins scheduled for April 4 and April 11 are cancelled. 

Administration – The Town Clerk will be working remotely, fielding customer telephone calls daily from 10 AM – 3:30 PM at 336-928-5342. The Town Manager is available by appointment only and will be conducting business by phone and virtually when able.

Finance – Finance staff will be working an amended schedule, with only two physically present at one time. Staff will be available by appointment only. Call 336-667-7129. Staff will conduct business by phone and virtually when able.

Board of Commissioners – The Budget Workshops scheduled for March 31 and April 2 have been cancelled. The April 7 Regular Meeting will be held virtually. The town will publicize a link where the general public may view that meeting at a later date. Board meetings will be held virtually until further notice.