New Growth Continues

We continue to see the new homes going up all around Holly Ridge.  

•        Sage’s Ridge is moving along in their first phase and has completed the first row of homes along US 17.  
•        The Neighborhoods of Holly Ridge has started a second phase of another 53 homes to bring their total to just
over 100 so far in the last year.  
•        Summerhouse on Everett Bay is moving fast and we continue to see daily improvements.  They have put a
temporary sales office at US 17 and Sound Road while they build a permanent sales building on the site.
•        The first building of the Carolinian Condos has risen and the second one is underway.  Two more to go after that
for a total or 48 units.
•        Royal Builders continues to build duplexes on Lloyd Street.  
•        Holly Ridge Station on US 17 south consisting of 16 stores is breaking ground and should bring in some much
needed office space.  Let’s hope some of those fast food places take up residence there also!
•        A new Urgent Care is open in Town. It is open 24 hours a day.  They are located across from Truss Builders.


New Governmental Buildings

The Town Hall may soon see some renovation due to the increased service demand with the new growth.  Plans to
build a new meeting room on the side of the building and make offices out of the old meeting room are in the works.  

The Police Department may also see a new building built near the site of the original Town Hall that was located right
across the street from Lamb-Weston Foods.  

And finally, a Community Center is tied in with the expansion package and would be located near the basketball courts
off of Sound Road.  

Ball Field Lights

Here is an item that has long been discussed and needed.  Too long for some but a final decision was made in January
by the Town Council to install lighting on the ball field.  The lighting will allow night time games and activities.  

As a side note, the concession stand, pavilions, park, and ball field are all available for a small fee to rent for that
special occasion.     


ONWASA Water/Sewer Payments

We continue to operate a satellite office for ONWASA at the Town Hall.  Anyone in the county can use this office to
make any payments or turn on and off service concerning ONWASA water and sewer.

Note:  Try to avoid the times between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm since that is the time that we are closing out the drawer for
the day’s collections.   If you have any water or sewer questions, you can call the Town Hall at 329-7081.


New Town Manager Aboard

Tony Fann is the new Town Manager for Holly Ridge.  Tony started on January 11th, 2007 and has his job cut out for
him with all the new growth we are experiencing. He has hit the ground running and is usually available to speak with
anyone if they stop by. A previous Navy Senior Chief, Tony brings to the table a wide variety of experience and was
chosen out of a group of twenty-six applicants. So, come on by and say hello and welcome him to Holly Ridge.


Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)

There is a distinction of two different types of ETJ that surround Holly Ridge.  One type of ETJ is a planning and zoning
ETJ that has clear cut lines around the primary corporate limits of Town.  In this area we see our inspectors out there
issuing permits and zoning requests.  The other type of ETJ is for police and is a one mile buffer around any corporate
limits, which include all satellite corporate limits such as annexations.  Therefore, if we were to simply draw one mile
circles around all the satellite annexations, the police would be able to exercise police powers if need be in these outer
areas.  Although there is no plan to service any areas outside the corporate limits, those high speeders, DWI’s, and
motorcycles pulling wheelies at 80 miles per hour will now have to watch out on roads such as Folkstone, Tar Landing
and Holly Ridge Road.  You never know when a patrol unit is traveling to an annexed area may see one of these
violations.

Everyone knows about the many recent accidents in our area and the fatalities and injuries that have resulted from
them.  Speed and inattention is often the culprit.  Several fatalities may not have occurred had the occupants been
wearing seatbelts.  Imagine running at a wall at full speed and without slowing holding out your hands to stop yourself
from hitting the wall.  You most likely ran between 15-20 mph at top speed.  Now imagine yourself at 55 mph in a crash
with no restraint from stopping you from hitting the dashboard or worse, being ejected.  Simply put, seatbelts do save
lives and it is the law to wear one at all times.  


Comprehensive Plan (CP) Future Growth

You may remember that the Town was conducting a comprehensive growth plan which is a roadmap to the future for
the Town.  There have been ongoing meetings with the steering committee which has helped gather statistical
information.  The Division of Community Assistance (DCA) has aided the Town with the Plan and they will be holding a
public input meeting in March at the Fire Department.  There is an attachment with that information included with this
newsletter and it is important that residents turn out to voice their concerns about the future of Holly Ridge. Remember,
this is the time to say how or what you would like Holly Ridge to look like in five years.  Want a supermarket, more
stores, a library, etc.  Show up and tell this to the DCA staff and it will be included in the plan.

We will also be serving light refreshments.  So stop by and grab a bite!
                                                  

                                  
Children’s Christmas Party

As everyone is probably aware, the Town Hall employees hosted the Children’s Christmas Party this year due to lack of
Parks and Recreations Volunteers. It was definitely a success. We were able to provide pizza, chicken tenders,
cupcakes, chips, drinks, and lots of candy. We put together crafts like birdseed pinecones, felt Christmas ornaments,
and make your own gift bag. We had the fish for a prize game, which all the children were able to win at least one toy.
Best of all, Santa arrived in a Police Car with presents for every child that attended. Anyone who wishes to see the
pictures of the Children’s Christmas Party may do so at the Town’s website www.townofhollyridge.com
This event never would have been possible without all the donations and help from the surrounding businesses and
individuals who helped. Thank you so much and we hope to have this party again next year.


Addressing for the Town of Holly Ridge

For all residences and businesses in Holly Ridge, it is necessary for emergency services to be able to find your
location. On residences, addresses must be posted with numbers that are at least three (3) inches high in color that is
visible from the road. Businesses must be posted with numbers that are five (5) inches high and also in a color visible
from the road. If you are more than one hundred (100) feet from the roadway, you are required to have your address
posted at the roadway and also on your home or business. Thank you for the cooperation we are trying to insure that
when there is an emergency everyone can be reached and helped in a timely manner.


GED Classes at the Town Hall

We included the following information in our last newsletter and felt it was important to repeat it…..

Did you or someone you know not finish high school? Did you complete high school but wish to brush up on the basics.
Then the FREE GED classes held at the Town Hall are for you! They start at 6:30 p.m. and last until 9:00 p.m. Classes
prepare you for the GED test which is an equivalent to a high school diploma. Students attend until think they are
ready to take the GED test. Come in and see the instructor who gets here early and join!


A note from the Parks & Recreation

Spring greetings to all citizens of Holly Ridge! I would like to introduce myself as the new Holly Ridge Parks and
Recreation Chairperson. My family and I lived in Holly Ridge a few years ago. My husbands Navy career moved us to
Great lakes, IL for a while and now back to the great community of Holly Ridge.

As you all have heard, our Town of Holly Ridge is growing. With this change, the Parks and Recreation Department is
growing and changing too. We plan to continue all of the great Holly Ridge traditions such as the Easter Egg Hunt, 4th
of July Fireworks, Holly Festival and the Children’s Christmas Party. We are also planning fun, new events and
functions in the community for the young and young at heart.

To keep all the old traditions alive and get the new ones started the committee will need help from the Holly Ridge
Community. To help you can make a tax deductible donation of items, financial contributions or donate your time all are
greatly appreciated.     

The Parks and Recreation Committee meetings are held at the Town Hall the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
For more information about the Parks and Recreation Committee, to donate items or money contact the Town Hall at
329-7081 or stop by 212 N. Dyson Street, Holly Ridge, NC 28445.

Some of the upcoming events sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department are:

-        Pre-School Playtime Picnic at the Park the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 12:00 p.m. Bring a picnic lunch and
be ready to play and meet new friends.
-        Mother’s day tea on May 5th at the Smokehouse, you can buy tickets at the Town Hall in Holly Ridge and the
Smokehouse.
-        A Belly dancing class is being offered on May 6th at the Holly Ridge Town Hall. Registration can be made at the
Town Hall also.  
-        Yard Sale at the Fire Department on May 26th reserve your spot early at the Town Hall.
-        Free Concerts in the Summer and Community Talent Show. For more information contact the Town Hall.  
-        4th of July Festivities and Fireworks,
I hope with your help and participation we will see the Parks and Recreation Committee grow and change with the
growth of this great community, Holly Ridge, so keep your eyes open for new upcoming events. I would also like to
thank everyone who helped with the Easter Egg hunt, it was a success.

               Thank you,
               Anita Dingler
               Holly Ridge Parks & Recreation


Debris Burn Pile

The debris burn pile by the park has been closed.  Violators leaving debris there now will be warned and then cited for
illegal dumping.

    

                                                                                                                                                                                           
                              
Dates of Interest

Town Hall Closed on the following dates:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Day
Easter Monday and Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and the day after
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Veteran’s Day


Town Council Meetings

Second Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm

Parks and Recreation Meeting

First Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm

Planning Board

Fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm

Important Numbers

Town Hall                      329-7081
Police Department        329-4076
Fire Department           329-5101
Emergency                    911
             
****************************************************************

Mayor                          Elmer Padgett

Mayor Pro-Tem           Arnold Maloney

Councilwoman             Rena Bragg

Councilman                 Gregory Hines

Councilman                 Joseph Edwards

Councilman                 Elvin Summerlin

Provided courtesy of townofhollyridge.com