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TRYON—On Wednesday evening, the Town of Tryon Board of Commissioners met for a packed agenda, including the swearing-in of a new deputy, appointments to local boards, and valuable information shared during the Q&A. 

The session began with the swearing-in ceremony for Tryon’s newest police officer, Keyandre Thomas, attended by more than a dozen of Thomas’s family and friends. 

The Board, led by Mayor Alan Peoples, then moved on to equipment purchases, beginning with the news from Town Manager Jim Fatland that a finance agreement had been found with Hometrust Bank for a new fire truck for the Tryon Fire Department. The new truck will cost $852,000 and will be financed at a 4.99% rate. The Board then began the process of purchasing a new side-arm mower for the street department and a new tractor for Harmon Field to replace decades-old equipment. 

Fatland also announced the awarding of a contract to build the Pacolet/Depot Pedestrian Deck. Mayor Pro-Tempore Chrelle Booker motioned to dedicate the deck to Tryon Commissioner Crys Armbrust, who recently passed away. Armbrust’s plaque had flowers beside it during the work session. Commissioner Bill Crowell seconded this motion. 

Later in the meeting, the town made three new appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission: Lynne Perlmutter, Wendi Coddington, and Julia Calhoun. The Commission is responsible for helping establish historic preservation guidelines. This was followed by Greg Miner’s appointment to the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors.

Fatland announced that Lourdes Gutierrez had been hired full-time to head the Tryon Downtown Development Association. 

Other topics included news from Planning Director Tim Daniels regarding decorations for Halloween and Christmas, the success of recent 4th Friday events, and the TDDA annual meeting at the Fitzgerald on October 21. 

During the Q&A with citizens in attendance, disappointment with the Tryon Water Department was expressed, and Fatland gave an update on the department. He highlighted recent changes, including a new employee, a training program, and replacing the water meter batteries that have a 10-year lifespan and are reaching their end. He asked the community to allow two to three months for the changes to take effect and then to return with feedback. 

Other Tryon residents mentioned during the Q&A that Duke Energy often left the old power poles in place after replacing them. A possible solution was given to contact the North Carolina Utilities Commission, and the Board said they would bring the community concern up to Duke Energy.