OurTown

NEWSLETTER
Our T own
Published weekly by the Town of Burgaw | July 21-25, 2025
The Town of Burgaw is currently
accepting applications for one (1)
vacancy on the Planning Board for
the ETJ Position. Please visit
burgawnc.gov for more information
and to download an application.
Applications may also be picked up
at Town Hall, 109 N. Walker Street.
Completed applications must be
submitted to the Town Clerk at 109
N. Walker Street, Burgaw.
For information about the ETJ Position,
call the Planning Department at 910-
663-3451.
Now seeking applicants
for Planning Board
The Town of Burgaw Board of
Commissioners will hold a
special meeting on July 29, 2025
at 9:00 AM. The purpose of the
meeting is to discuss various
projects and plans for the future
of Burgaw. This meeting will be
held at Burgaw Town Center,
located at 108 E. Wilmington
Street, Burgaw. All interested
parties are invited to attend.
Notice of Special
Meeting
We are pleased to announce the hiring of James
Rowell as its new Chief of Police, effective August 4, 2025.
Chief Rowell will succeed current Chief Jim Hock, who will
retire on August 31, 2025 after years of dedicated service
to the Burgaw community. To ensure a seamless
leadership transition, Chief Rowell will work alongside
Chief Hock throughout the month of August.
With more than 26 years of experience in law
enforcement—including 23 years in supervisory roles —
Chief Rowell brings deep knowledge, leadership, and a strong commitment to
community policing. His distinguished career includes service as a sergeant,
lieutenant, and most recently as captain with the Pender County Sheriff ’s
Office, where he oversaw units including Civil, School Resource Officers (SRO),
Courts, and Investigations.
Throughout his tenure, Chief Rowell has demonstrated excellence in crisis
management, team leadership, training coordination, and policy
implementation. He has served as the Sheriff ’s Office Public Information Officer
for eight years and commanded the agency ’s Special Response Team (SRT) for
nearly a decade. His administrative experience includes preparing compliance
reports and audits for NC Sheriffs Training and Standards, handling media
relations, and participating in budget planning.
A certified General Instructor and Rapid Deployment Instructor, Chief Rowell
has logged over 2,800 hours of law enforcement training, including 400 hours in
community policing. He is a graduate of the Law Enforcement Executive
Program through NC State University and the UNC Institute of Government.
Town Manager James Gantt commented, “We are excited to welcome Chief
Rowell to the Town of Burgaw. His experience, training, and community -
centered leadership philosophy align perfectly with our vision for the Burgaw
Police Department. We are confident he will lead with integrity and build strong
connections with our community.”
Chief Rowell has strong roots in the region, having served the citizens of Pender
County and surrounding areas throughout his career. He looks forward to
building relationships with residents, enhancing public safety, and leading the
department into a new chapter of excellence and community engagement.
Please join us in welcoming James Rowell as Burgaw’s new Chief of Police.
Town of Burgaw Announces New Chief of Police

July 29 | 9:00 AM
Board of Commissioners Special Meeting:
Work Session
Burgaw Town Center
August 1 | 8:30 AM
Beautification Committee Regular Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
August 7 | 8:30 AM
Tourism Development Authority Regular
Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
August 7 | 6:00 PM
State of the Town
Burgaw Town Center
August 11 | 5:30 PM
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
August 12 | 4:30 PM
Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
August 14 | 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
Summer on the Square Concert: Thirsty
Horses
Courthouse Square
August 15 | 6:00 PM
Back to School Bingo
Pre-registration required.
Historic Train Depot
August 21 | 5:30 PM
Planning Board Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
Our Town | Page 2
UPCOMING
The Town offers excellent benefits such as paid vacation, paid sick
leave, paid employee health, dental, and vision insurance,
Longevity pay, 401K retirement plan, and NC State Retirement
plan. For more information, please visit burgawnc.gov/jobs.
Current Employment
Opportunities:
• Public Services Director
• Equipment Operator
• Water & Sewer Maintenance
Worker
Looking for a rewarding career?
Consider joining the Town of Burgaw!
N O T I C E O F P U B L I C H E A R I N G S
The following items will be heard for consideration at the Town
of Burgaw Board of Commissioners Meeting on August 12,
2025 beginning at 5:30 PM (or thereabout ) at the Burgaw
Town Center, 108 E. Wilmington Street, Burgaw. All interested
parties are invited to attend. Written and oral comments
welcome.
Agenda Item 1: Consideration of a preliminary plat for a Major
Subdivision (Quasi-Judicial) on an existing RA, Rural Agricultural
district for a 191 -lot single -family detached residential
development located at 2630 NC HWY 53 W (PIN: 3218 -28-
4425-0000). Applicant Elizabeth Shelton on behalf of D.R.
Horton Inc. Assigned Staff: Ron Meredith,
rmeredith@burgawnc.gov, 910.663.3451
Agenda Item 2: Consideration of a Special Use Permit (Quasi -
Judicial) for a Planned Building Group to be on an existing O&I
(Office & Institutional) district for a 135 -unit townhome
development located on the east side of US HWY 117 and
North of Anne P. Faison Rd (PIN: 3229 -81-3143-0000, 3229-81-
9004-0000, 3229 -91-4024-0000, and 3229 -90-7421-0000).
Applicant, Robert J. Hollis on behalf of Tribute Companies, Inc.,
and Mark L. Maynard Sr. Assigned Staff: Ron Meredith,
rmeredith@burgawnc.gov, 910.663.3451

Our Town | Page 3
We encourage our citizens to always make sure to stay aware by following us on Facebook and our
website for important updates regarding severe weather and town emergencies. Town staff urges our
citizens to sign up with CodeRED Emergency Notifications. This program is free and easy to sign up. You
have the options to enter your phone numbers and/or email address to receive critical notifications from
the town, such as severe weather alerts, important information, boil water advisories, etc. Sign up today
by visiting our website at BurgawNC.gov, click “I want to ” menu at the top of the homepage, then click
“Sign up for CodeRED Emergency Notifications.” You may contact Town Hall at 259-2151 for questions or
assistance.
STAY ALERT, INFORMED AND SAFE
BACK TO SCHOOL BINGO
• Just $10 per person – includes 3 reusable bingo cards
• Pre-registration is required
• Register online at burgawnc.gov/bingo
• Begins at 6 PM. Doors open at 5:45 PM.
Join us for a fun-filled evening at the Historic
Burgaw Train Depot on Friday, August 15!
Don’t miss your chance to win prizes and
celebrate the back-to-school season with
friends, family, and plenty of BINGO fun!
Need School Supplies?
Families in need can apply for the
Burgaw Police Department’s Cram the
Cruiser Back-to-School Giveaway!
Supplies like notebooks, pencils, and
backpacks are available to help students
start the year prepared.
Apply in person at 109 N. Walker St
Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM
Deadline: August 8
For more info, call 910-259-4924.

Our Town | Page 4
PA R K S F O U N DAT I O N O F BURGA W
Visit www.burgawparks.com for more information
Scan to make a donation towards the Splash Pad Fundraiser!

Mayor
Olivia Dawson
Mayor Pro Tem
James Malloy
Commissioners
Jan Dawson
Bill George
William Rivenbark
Michael Pearsall
Town Manager
James H. Gantt
Town Clerk
Kristin J. Wells
Town Attorney
Norwood P. Blanchard, III
Town Hall
109 N. Walker St.
Burgaw, NC 28425
910-259-2151
mail@burgawnc.gov
www.burgawnc.gov
Office Hours
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday-Friday
PUBLIC WORKS
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
NUMBER
PHONE # 910-470-0457
This phone is only answered after
hours, between 4:30 PM - 7:30 AM,
and is for water and sewer
emergencies only . Unless Public
Works has been given prior notice
from Town Hall, Public Works
cannot turn your water on due to
non-payment shut off.
Utilities
663-3445
Parks & Town Events
300-6401
Human Resources
663-3444
Permitting & Inspections
663-3452
Public Works Department
259-2901
Police Department
Non-Emergency
259-4924
Fire Department
Non-Emergency
259-7494
Elected & Appointed
Officials
Board of Commissioners Meetings
Second Tuesday of every month at 4:30 PM
Public Forum/Public Hearings at 5:30 PM
Planning Board Meetings
Third Thursday of every month at 5:30 PM
Tourism Development Authority Meetings
First Thursday of every month at 8:30 AM
Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
Meetings
Second Monday of February, May, August,
November at 5:30 PM
Beautification Committee Meetings
First Friday of every month at 8:30 AM
All meetings listed above are open to
the public; oral and written
comments always welcome. The
meetings are held at the Burgaw
Town Center, located at 108 E.
Wilmington Street, Burgaw, unless
otherwise posted.
Meeting agendas can be found on the
town’s website at BurgawNC.gov.
Notices for cancelations and special
called meetings will be posted on the
town’s website and weekly
newsletter when necessary.
For questions or assistance, please
contact the Town Clerk at 910-663-
3441 or kwells@burgawnc.gov.
CURRENT MEETI NG
SCHED ULE
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