OurTown

NEWSLETTER
Our T own
Published weekly by the Town of Burgaw | November 17-21, 2025
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude,
reflection, and coming together with
family, friends, and neighbors. Rooted
in harvest traditions, the holiday
encourages us to pause and give
thanks for the blessings in our lives
and the strength of our community.
As we share meals, memories, and
moments of kindness, we are
reminded of the importance of
generosity, service to others, and
supporting those in need. The Town
of Burgaw extends warm wishes for a
safe, joyful Thanksgiving to all!
Town administrative offices will be closed
Thursday, November 27th and Friday,
November 28th in observance of
Thanksgiving. There will not be a
newsletter published the week of
Thanksgiving.
A Thanksgiving Message
from the Town of Burgaw
Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 29th
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Courthouse Square
Festivities begin at 5:00 PM and include food trucks,
s’mores, a visit from Santa, and live entertainment. The
tree will be lit at 6:00 PM. Families are encouraged to
bundle up, bring their chairs, and don’t forget your
cameras for pictures with Santa.
It’s that magical time of year again, and Santa ’s
mailbox has officially arrived in downtown Burgaw!
Children of all ages are invited to share their
Christmas wishes by dropping a letter in Santa ’s
special red and gold mailbox, located on the
Courthouse Square near the big Christmas tree.
From now through December 14th, families can stop
by and mail letters straight to the North Pole.
Parents are encouraged to help little ones write down their wish lists, holiday hopes,
or even a simple “Merry Christmas” to Santa.
To make sure Santa can send a letter back, please remember to include your child ’s
name and return mailing address on the letter or envelope. Santa and his helpers
will be busy reading every note and working hard to respond before Christmas.
We invite you to make it a family tradition —grab some hot chocolate, enjoy the
lights on the Courthouse Square, and make a special memory as you send your
Christmas wishes on their way to Santa!
The Town of Burgaw cordially
invites you to its annual
From Burgaw to the North Pole: Get your letters ready
for Santa!

November 27-28
Town offices closed for Thanksgiving
November 29 | 5:00-7:00 PM
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Courthouse Square
December 4 | 8:30 AM
Tourism Development Authority Regular
Meeting
Burgaw Visitor Center
December 6 | 10 AM-4 PM
Christmas on the Square
Downtown
December 6 | 3:00-7:00 PM
Holiday Homes Tour
Hosted by Pender Historical Society
December 9 | 4:30 PM
Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
December 12 | 6:30 PM
Movie in the Park: Christmas Vacation
Dees Park
December 13 | 1:00-3:00 PM
Santa’s Workshop
Burgaw Town Center
December 13 | 5:30 PM
Annual Christmas Parade
Downtown
Our Town | Page 2
UPCOMING
Mayor Dawson proclaims November as
National Hospice and Palliative Care
Month in the Town of Burgaw
During the recent Board of Commissioners
meeting, Mayor Dawson proclaimed
November 2025 as National Hospice and
Palliative Care Month, recognizing the
exceptional work of Lower Cape Fear
LifeCare in our community.
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, a local
nonprofit, recently received a five -star
rating from families and caregivers in the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services hospice survey and ranks among
the top hospices nationwide for compassionate, person -centered
care. Serving more than 8,000 patients and families each year,
including many in Pender County, the organization provides
hospice, palliative care, dementia support, and emotional and
spiritual care for patients and their loved ones.
The Town encourages residents to learn more about hospice and
palliative care and the support available to families facing serious
illness.
TOY DRIVE
Now through December 17
Drop off new, unwrapped
toys at Town Hall
Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM
Christmas
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The following item will be heard for consideration at the Town of
Burgaw Board of Commissioners Meeting on December 9, 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 text amendment to the
Unified Development Ordinance requested by Planning Staff to
amend Section 3.5 Tree Board, to remove the duties from the
Planning Board and appoint them to town staff, to the Town of
Burgaw Planning and Zoning Board. Assigned staff: Ron Meredith,
rmeredith@burgawnc.gov, 910.663.3451

Town of Burgaw staff enjoyed attending
8th Grade Career Day, held on Friday,
November 21st at Heide Trask High
School, where they shared information
about local government careers and
encouraged students to explore future
opportunities in public service.
Career Day
Our Town | Page 3

Burgaw Parks, Recreation & Tourism Activities and Events
Our Town | Page 4

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
Connect with us!
Board of Commissioners Meetings
Second Tuesday of every month at 4:30 PM
Public Forum/Public Hearings at 5:30 PM
Burgaw Town Center, 108 E. Wilmington St.
Planning Board Meetings
Third Thursday of every month at 5:30 PM
Burgaw Town Center, 108 E. Wilmington St.
Tourism Development Authority Meetings
First Thursday of every month at 8:30 AM
Burgaw Visitor Center (Old Jail)
106 E. Wilmington St.
Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
Meetings
Second Monday of February, May, August,
November at 5:30 PM
Burgaw Visitor Center (Old Jail)
106 E. Wilmington St.
Beautification Committee Meetings
First Friday of every month at 8:30 AM
Burgaw Town Center, 108 E. Wilmington St.
CURRENT MEETI NG
SCHED ULE
All meetings listed above are open to
the public; oral and written
comments always welcome.
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.