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The Town of Sims is excited to introduce our new quarterly newsletter, packed with all the latest happenings, events, and fun stuff around town! The first issue is available for residents to read and published on the website.
You can check it out on our website in the “About” tab. Want it delivered straight to your inbox? Just click the sign-up link to subscribe!
Stay in the loop and let’s keep our community connected!
Mayor Boykin issues the oath of office to Eddie Henderson
The Town of Sims welcomes Eddie Henderson to the Board of Commissioners. Eddie has lived in Sims with his wife and son for over two years. He is a regular volunteer and helped with cleaning up trash along Wall St and Wall Rd, installing a new protective cover on the playground fence, spreading mulch at the playground, and installing rubber mats for the slides and swings.
Eddie has worked in local government parks and recreation for almost 8 years. Some of his accomplishments include being awarded $220,000 for an amphitheater renovation, holding Public Operator Pesticide License, being a certified Plant Professional and is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector. Eddie has over 10 years of experience speaking Spanish conversationally.
Mr. Henderson has experience organizing parks and recs advisory board meetings and reviewing development applications to ensure compliance with Town greenway and bike plans. He currently supervises and coordinates maintenance and custodial work for all parkland and park facilities.
Eddie is going to be a wonderful addition to the Board of Commissioners. Please stop and say hello at our next monthly meeting scheduled for October 14th at 6:30pm.
The Town of Sims currently has two openings on the Town Planning Board/Board of Adjustment. We plan to fill these vacancies as soon as possible.
The general purpose of the Planning Board is to provide for and guide the orderly growth and development of the community. The Planning Board is responsible for providing recommendations on key amendments to the zoning and the code of ordinances including text amendments, rezoning, and conditional zoning districts. The Board’s recommendation directly informs the Town Board of Commissioners to make decisions on these types of applications.
The Board of Adjustment is a “quasi-judicial” administrative body that operates on a level between the enforcement officers and the courts through interpretation of the zoning ordinance. The responsibility of the board is to interpret the meaning of parts of the ordinance that are unclear, apply the ordinance to particular factual situations and correct any misinterpretations the Zoning Administrator may have made in administering the ordinance.
If you are someone you know is interested in joining this board, please reach out to Town Hall at 252-237-4226. Or please attend the next meeting, October 1st, at 6pm at the Community Center, 6402 US Hwy 264 Alt, Sims, NC 27880
You must live within the Town limits of Sims to be eligible to fill these seats. The Board typically meets once a month, and the meeting date is usually chosen by the member’s availability.
The Town of Sims is scheduled to begin the replacement of resident’s current water meters with new radio read meters starting Monday, Sept 9th. During this time, you may each experience a very brief water outage while the meter at your particular location is being switched. If you are experiencing discolored water after the installation is complete, please let your cold water run for several minutes until it runs clear again. Due to Federal Regulation, it is required that the service line on the resident’s side be inspected. This may require some very slight digging near the meter box. The installation company is taking precaution as to not to disturb your lawn any more than is required. If you have questions about this process, please see the door hanger left at your residence. There you will find a contact number and more information. Below you will find frequently asked questions about the new meters.
Is there a charge for this service?
No. The meters are being replaced at no charge to the customer. However, these new meters will have a transmitter coming from the meter box. If the transmitter is ever damaged during lawn maintenance or negligence on the resident’s behalf, the cost to repair or replace it will be billed to the resident or business owner.
Why do I need a new meter?
Reading the old meters was very labor intensive and time consuming. The new meters will more accurately report consumption and provide the Town and its residents with a more accurate usage report.
How does the new meter reading system work?
The new meters are fitted with a radio device that transmits readings and data using drive-by technology.
Will my water bill go up?
Older meters tend to run slower and therefore do not measure all the water going through them. The new water meter will accurately measure even the smallest amounts of water that the old meters were not capable of registering. All new meters are tested at the factory to ensure that they register properly. If you see a higher bill, it is not because your new meter is reading too high; it is because the old meter was running slow. The Town will not back bill customers because their old meter was running slow, but all customers with new meters will now pay for their actual usage.
Will the timing of my water bills change?
There will be no change to your monthly billing period at this time. Your first bill after the new meter is installed will reflect charges for the consumption on your old meter to the point it was removed and the new meter starting at zero to whatever it reads when we read for your billing cycle. Subsequent months will, as in the past, show usage on your bill card.
How do I know that you have my reading and not someone else’s?
Each radio frequency device has a unique identification number, which is transmitted along with the meter reading. The unique identification number is compared to your account record to ensure that there is a match.
Why are we going to a new system?
To provide a more accurate recording of water consumption and a more cost effective way of transmitting that consumption data. In addition, this program will be more efficient and accurate as meter readers will no longer manually read each meter to get consumption data and will increase our ability to respond to customer inquiries. Also, leaks in the water system or in individual homes or businesses will be identified very quickly, and overall billing will become more efficient as well as monthly reporting.
How long with the meter installation take?
Under normal circumstances, the installation will take about 30 minutes. The water will need to be turned off at the meter during the exchange. Please be advised that there may be some trapped air or slight discoloration in the water line that may result from the change out. This will clear up after running your water for a few minutes. You may hear some noise as the air exits spigots and fixtures. This is normal.
How will I know your installer works for you?
All installers will be in clearly marked vehicles. Both their cars and clothing will be marked AMI.
The Town of Sims has recently launched a texting service for residents. This service allows the town to send general notifications as well as water updates and billing reminders, town event information and emergency alerts. Residents can also send the town messages and pictures regarding water outages, garbage issues, potholes, etc., and to make general inquiries. When a citizen sends a text it will be answered with a computer-generated response, and a message will be sent to Town Hall. The chat feature allows the Town Staff to communicate with residents during normal business hours. All after-hours messages will be responded to the next business day. If there is an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Please save the following numbers (252-281-2520) and (91896) in your phone so that you do not miss a text from Sims.
For more information, please visit our webpage TextMyGov — Town Of Sims (townofsimsnc.com)
Town Hall is open Mon-Thur 9am – 5pm and Fri 9am – 6pm, closed for lunch from 1pm-2pm daily. Please call 252-237-4226 or email info@townofsimsnc.com.
The Town of Sims currently has an open seat on the Board of Commissioners and we’re looking for residents who may be interested in filling this position. Commissioners must live within the town limits to serve on the Board.
If interested, please notify us at Town Hall by calling 252-237-4226 or emailing info@townofsimsnc.com before Friday, September 6, 2024, by 6pm.
For more information or to indicate interest in filling the position, please contact us at Town Hall. Thank you!
“Debby is expected to produce potentially historical rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches, with maximum amounts of 25 inches, bringing areas of catastrophic flooding across portions of southeast Georgia, the eastern half of South Carolina, and southeast North Carolina through Friday,” the Miami-based center said. “From northern North Carolina through portions of the Mid-Atlantic States, 4 to 8 inches of rainfall, with local amounts to 12 inches, are expected through Sunday morning. This rainfall will likely result in areas of considerable flash and urban flooding, with river flooding possible.” -CBS News
If you live in a low-lying flood-prone area, stay alert and follow the latest updates and warnings. Never attempt to drive through a flooded stretch of road or around barriers that signal a road closure.
Governor Roy Cooper has issued a State of Emergency for the entire State of North Carolina.
*update Wilson County has issued a county wide State of Emergency.
Below are some tips to help you stay prepared for severe weather conditions.
Plan
Every household needs an emergency plan in case of evacuation. Keeping a record of all important documents and contacts can be helpful in the event of an emergency.
Be sure to have copies of:
● Birth certificate/adoption certificates
● Social security cards
● Insurance Policies (home, auto, life, health, etc.)
● Contact info for family members
Prepare
Having an emergency kit together before a disaster is key. Most of the items in an emergency kit can be found in your house.
Items to put in an emergency kit:
● Hand sanitizer
● Sanitizing wipes
● Water – 1 gallon per person per day for 3 to 7 days
● Food – non-perishable and canned food supply for 3 to 7 days
● Radio
● Cell phone with charger
● First aid kit
● Flashlight and extra batteries
● Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, feminine supplies
● Cash and change
Stay Informed
Emergency messages are sent by state and local governments and the National Weather Service via television, radio, weather radios, social media and alerts on cellular phones. For more weather updates regarding Wilson County, click the link below:
Emergency Management | Wilson County (wilsoncountync.gov)
Plan. Prepare. Stay Informed. | Ready NC is a great source for emergency information.
There is an app you can download. Please follow the link below for either Android or Iphone
Tropical Storm Debby could impact North Carolina’s coast by late Monday. The Town of Sims is closely following the Wilson County Emergency Management for updates. Keep checking the town website and Facebook page for information and or instructions regarding inclement weather. Weather | Ready NC is a great source for updated information.
We would like to welcome Mykalia Steele to the team. She is a recent graduate of UNC Greensboro and is starting her fellowship with Lead for NC.
Lead for North Carolina (LFNC) recruits, trains, and places promising young leaders in paid, full-time local government fellowships. This program is part of the UNC School of Government and is an official AmeriCorps program, sponsored by the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.
During her time at UNCG, Mykalia held numerous leadership roles, including President of The Legal Professions Association, and was a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, The National Political Science Honor Society. Mykalia ‘ s vision for her community is centered on expanding resources, enhancing accessibility, and fostering informed decision-making. She aims to prioritize transparency to propel the community forward, ensuring growth that includes reaching new individuals while meeting the needs of current constituents. Mykalia hopes the Town of Sims will reflect on its progress, recognize the perseverance invested, and continue to strive for ongoing improvement and excellence.
She will be with the Town of Sims for the next year. Please stop by Town Hall and say hello and wish her luck on this new endeavor.
You should have recently received a form in the mail requesting that all residents update their customer contact information. It is important that we have the correct contact information for residents in case of an emergency or for important updates regarding water bills, water outages, road work or trash pickup, etc. Please return the form by mail, email, or drop it off at Town Hall. If you have not received a form, please click here.
We are in the process of implementing a new text alert service. Be sure to use a current cell number and check the box marked yes on the update form if you would like to subscribe to this service. You can opt out at any time. For more information click the textmygov link below.
