OurTown

NEWSLETTER
Our T own
Published weekly by the Town of Burgaw | October 20-24, 2025
The Town of Burgaw Board of Commissioners is proud to announce its completion of
the North Carolina League of Municipalities ’ Commit to Civility Program, which
empowers municipal government leaders to encourage and embrace respectful and
productive communication, while navigating the different challenges that come with
governing.
In September, the Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution to officially practice
and promote civility throughout the course of its municipal business in accordance
with the program ’s requirements. The resolution was the final action needed of the
multi-step program that showcases a city or town council's pledge to civil conduct
and leadership. In August, the Town of Burgaw board members attended the two -
hour Commit to Civility training and signed an individual pledge demonstrating a
commitment to employing strategies and skills to lead with civility at the forefront.
“With the adoption of the Commit to Civility resolution, we have strengthened the
foundation of our governance, ” said Mayor Olivia Dawson. “As a board, we are
excited to finalize the Commit to Civility program, so that we can begin the work of
enacting the principles we learned about to build trust with each other and the
community.”
The League’s Municipal Civility certificate program engages and challenges municipal
officials to embrace civility throughout the course of their work within their
communities. This program equips leaders with the information and skills needed to
maintain composure and move through emotionally charged situations with a
respectful and solutions-oriented approach.
Town of Burgaw Completes Statewide Commit to
Civility Program
Notice of Special Meeting
The Town of Burgaw Board of Commissioners will
hold a special meeting on October 28, 2025 at
9:00 AM at the Burgaw Town Center, 108 E.
Wilmington Street. The purpose of this meeting is
to discuss projects and priorities of the town. All
interested parties are invited to attend.
The Town of Burgaw is a sponsor
of the Pender Arts Council
SCAN FOR MORE INFO
AND PURCHASE TICKETS
Where history and
folklore come alive in
downtown Burga w
The
Ghostwalk
of
Pender’s
Past
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
DOWNTOWN BURGAW
EVENT SPONSORED BY
PENDER ARTS COUNCIL
AND VISIT BURGAW, NC

October 25 | 5:30 PM-9:00 PM
Ghostwalk of Pender’s Past
Downtown
October 28 | 9:00 AM
Special Board of Commissioners Meeting:
Work Session
Burgaw Town Center
October 28 | 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
Public Input Session: Storm Water Master Plan
Burgaw Town Center
November 4
Municipal Election Day
November 6 | 8:30 AM
Tourism Development Authority Regular
Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
November 7 | 8:30 AM
Beautification Committee Regular Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
November 7 | 6:30 PM
Movie in the Park: Mufasa
Dees Park
November 10 | 5:30 PM
Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
Regular Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
November 11
Town offices closed in observance of Veterans
Day
November 11 | 11:00 AM
Veterans Day Ceremony
Historic Train Depot
November 18 | 4:30 PM
Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
November 20 | 5:30 PM
Planning Board Regular Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
Our Town | Page 2
UPCOMING
Last day to purchase
Hometown Hero
Banners is October 31
Banners purchased during this
period will be displayed beginning
in January 2026.
For more information and to submit
an application, visit
burgawnc.gov/hometownhero
At the end of September, the Burgaw
Fire Department received exciting
news: the award of two federal grants
through FEMA — the Assistance to
Firefighters Grant (AFG) and the
Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) grant.
The AFG funding will allow the
department to install a state-of-the-art
exhaust capture system, designed to
control and remove vehicle exhaust
from the apparatus bays. This important upgrade will significantly
reduce exposure to harmful carcinogens, creating a safer
environment for both our firefighters and visitors to the station.
The SAFER grant will provide critical funding to add six additional
full-time staff members to the department. These new positions
will strengthen our response capabilities, enhance personnel
safety during fireground operations, and improve our overall
ability to protect lives and property.
Together, these two grants represent nearly $1 million in federal
funding, marking a major investment in the safety and resilience
of our community.
“We at the Burgaw Fire Department are sincerely grateful to our
partners at Firehouse Grants for their invaluable assistance in
securing these awards,” said Fire Chief Prevatte. “We also extend
our heartfelt appreciation to our Town administration and Town
Council for their unwavering support and ongoing commitment to
the safety and well-being of our citizens.”
These grants will help ensure that our firefighters are better
equipped, our facilities safer, and our community stronger for
years to come.
Burgaw Fire Department receives nearly
$1 million in Federal Grant Funding

Our Town | Page 3
The town of Burgaw was incorporated by an
act of the North Carolina General Assembly
(Private Laws, Chapter 23) on February 25,
1879, and on December 8, 1879, the name of
the post office was changed from “Burgaw
Depot” to just plain “Burgaw”.
DID YOU KNOW?
Once Upon a Time in Burgaw...
Volunteers from the Burgaw Master
Gardeners recently partnered with the Town
of Burgaw to trim the lower branches from
the Crepe Myrtle trees along Dickerson
Street in front of Burgaw Middle School. The
project was led by Tiffanee Boone with the
Pender County NC Cooperative Extension,
who generously shared her expertise in tree
care. The Town extends sincere
appreciation to the Master Gardeners for
their time and dedication in helping keep
Burgaw beautiful.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Town offices will be closed
on November 11th in honor
of Veterans Day. The Town
of Burgaw Board of
Commissioners regular
meeting normally held on
the second Tuesday of the
month will be held on
November 18, 2025.
Thank you, Master Gardeners!
The Town of Burgaw
invites residents and
property owners to join
the conversation during a
Public Input Session for
the Storm Water Master
Plan Project! This
informal drop-in meeting
will be held Tuesday,
October 28, 2025
between 4-6 PM at the
Burgaw Town Center. This
is your chance to share
feedback and learn more
about ongoing efforts to
improve drainage
infrastructure and
stormwater management
within the town limits.
ST O RM WAT ER
M AST ER PL AN

Our Town | Page 4
B U R G A W F I R E D E P A R T M E N T N E W S
Be Safe, Be Seen
• Carry a flashlight or glow stick and add reflective tape to costumes or treat bags.
• Choose flame-resistant costumes that fit well and don’t drag on the ground.
• Skip the masks if they block vision — use face paint instead.
Decorate with Care
• Use battery-operated candles or glow sticks in pumpkins instead of real flames.
• Keep decorations away from open flames, heaters, or light bulbs.
• Never block exits with decorations — keep walkways clear.
T rick-or-T reat Smart
• Stick to well-lit areas and cross streets at corners.
• Adults should accompany young children.
• Inspect candy before eating and toss anything unwrapped.
From all of us at Station 15—have a frightfully fun, safe, and glowing Halloween! Make
sure to stop by for safety treats Halloween night! We will be out in front of the station.
Fire Marshal MaryBeth Kratovel & the T own of Burgaw Fire Department
Halloween is next Friday — and we can’t wait to see all the spooky costumes around town!
Our friends at the
Burgaw Police
Department
recommends
trick-or-treating
between 5-8 PM!
Stay safe and
have fun!
Before you head out for trick-or-treating, the T own of Burgaw Fire Department and Fire Marshal’s Office want to
share a few quick reminders to help keep everyone safe and seen this Halloween night.
(3) Fire Captain positions
Made possible through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program
N O W H I R I N G Burgaw Fire Department
Salary $56,147-$84,221 | Excellent benefit package

Burgaw Parks, Recreation & Tourism Activities and Events
Our Town | Page 5
Mark your calendars and spend Christmas with us!
Join us for the
November 29
Christmas Tree Lighting
December 6
Christmas on the Square
December 12
Movie in the Park
December 13
Santa's Workshop
December 13
Annual Christmas Parade
December 17
Senior Christmas Luncheon
December 20
Breakfast With Santa
December 31
New Years Eve Blueberry Drop
of the year! Most Wonderful Time
VISIT BURGAWNC.GOV FOR EVENT DETAILS
November 19 | 12 PM
Burgaw Town Center | Ages 55+
Guest Speaker:
Sandy Harris, Pender Christian Services
Call 910-661-3101 to register
Senior Lunch & Learn
Thanks for joining us!

@® Early voting will be held at the Pender County
Cooperative Extension Auditorium in Burgaw and
Early the Surf City Community Center Gym in Surf City
Voting from Thursday, October 16, 2025, to Saturday,
Information November 1, 2025.
9
Early
Voting Surf City Community Center Gym
Location 201 Community Center Drive
Surf City, NC 28445
uu Thursday, October 16, from 8 am-5 pm
Friday, October 17, from 8am-5 pm
Monday, October 20, from 8 am-5 pm
Tuesday, October 21, from 8 am-5 pm
Wednesday, October 22, from 8am -5 pm
Thursday, October 23, from 8 am-5 pm
Friday, October 24, from 8 am-5 pm
Monday, October 27, from 8am-5 pm
Tuesday, October 28, from 8 am - 5 pm
Wednesday, October 29, from 8am -5 pm
Thursday, October 30, from 8 am-5 pm
Friday, October 31, from 8am-5 pm
Wescnimesicms Saturday, November 1, from 8 am -3pm
Pender County Cooperative Extension Auditorium
801 S. Walker St.
Burgaw, NC 28425
Early
Voting
Dates and
Times
See Absentee ballots will be mailed starting Oct. 3 to
ams voters who requested them. Requests can be
Absentee submitted at votebymail.ncsbe.gov or on a form from
Ballots the Pender County Board of Elections. The deadline is
5 pm Oct. 21.
INFORMATION
Flection Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025, for Municipal Elections
VOTING
The Municipal Election for the Voter registration deadline is 5 pm, Oct. 10. Eligible
: GC residents can also register and vote at any early voting
Town of Burgaw, Village of St. site during the early voting period. New registrants
Helena, Town of Atkinson, Voter will be required to provide documentation of their
Town of Surf City, Town of Registration residence.
Topsail Beach, and the Town of
Watha will be held on Tuesday,
November 4, 2025. Polls will
be open from 6:30 am to 7:30
pm on Election Day.
Call the Pender County Board of Elections Office at
(910) 259 - 1220 or send an email to
penderBOE@pendercountync.gov
Our Town | Page 6

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
Connect with us!