OurTown

NEWSLETTER
JUNE 18 | 6:30 PM | THE RETROS
Our T own
Published weekly by the Town of Burgaw | June 8-12, 2026
Property Revaluation and the Town Budget:
What Burgaw Residents Should Know
The Town of Burgaw understands that many residents have questions about
Pender County's 2026 property revaluation, Senate Bill 889, and what these
developments mean for the Town's budget and property taxes.
To help residents better understand the situation, we have prepared a brief
guide explaining what has occurred, how recent state legislation may affect
property values, and how the Town is responding as we finalize the FY 2026-
27 budget.
Our goal is to provide clear, factual information so residents know where
the Town stands, what decisions remain ahead, and where to find reliable
information as the process continues. We encourage everyone to review the
guide on pages 7 -8 and contact Town Hall with any questions. The guide
may also be found on the town’s website.
For additional information, budget updates, and Town announcements,
please visit https://BurgawNC.gov.
Thank you for staying informed and engaged in your local government.
There’s still time to register
for these two town events:
Team Puzzle Competition
Wednesday, June 17 at 6:00 PM
Burgaw Town Center
Teams of 2–4 participants will compete
to complete a 750-piece puzzle.
Registration is $25 per team.
Register at burgawnc.gov/puzzle
Blueberry Bingo Night
Tuesday, June 16 at 6:00 PM
Burgaw Train Depot
Registration is $10 per person.
Register at burgawnc.gov/bingo
LET THE FUN BEGIN AS WE
WELCOME THE NC BLUEBERRY
FESTIVAL AND CELEBRATE
AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY!
Join us for the next

Our Town | Page 2
UPCOMING
June 16 | 6:00 PM
Blueberry Bingo
Historic Train Depot
June 17 | 5:30 PM
Senior Lunch & Learn
Burgaw Town Center
June 17 | 6:00 PM
Team Puzzle Competition
Burgaw Town Center
June 18 | 5:30 PM
Special Board of Adjustment Meeting and
Regular Planning Board Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
June 18 | 6:30-8:30 PM
Summer on the Square Concert
Courthouse Square
June 19 –20
North Carolina Blueberry Festival
Downtown
June 22 | 8:00 AM
Town Council Special Meeting: Budget Work
Session
Burgaw Town Center
June 26-27
Juneteenth Celebration
Downtown
June 29 | 9:00 AM
Town Council Special Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
July 3
Town offices closed in observance of
Independence Day
July 4 | 10:00 AM
4th of July Parade
Downtown
Public Notices
Notice is hereby given that the Town of Burgaw Board of
Adjustment will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday,
June 18, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Burgaw Town Center,
located at 108 E. Wilmington Street, Burgaw, North
Carolina, to allow public comment in consideration of a
minor special use permit for an accessory apartment/
dwelling unit in the R -7, Residential District, located at
701 W Wilmington St. (PIN: 3229 -02-7450-0000). The
request would permit an accessory apartment/dwelling
unit to be built as an accessory to the existing principal
structure. Applicant: Joseph Keech. Contact Ron Meredith,
Planning Director, 910-663-3451.
Following the Special Board of Adjustment Meeting on
June 18, 2026, the Planning Board will allow public
comment in consideration of a proposed rezoning request
for ±21.53 acres of land from R -20, Residential District, to
RA, Rural Agricultural District, located on the southern
side of NC Hwy 53 (PIN: 3219 -70-1651-0000). Applicant:
Anton and Jennifer Devries. Contact Ron Meredith,
Planning Director, 910-663-3451.
Senior Lunch & Learn
June 17 | 12 PM | Burgaw Town Center
Presentation from Micheal Stewart Taylor of the
Pender County Library on beginners astronomy.
Register at burgawnc.gov/register
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS
Notice is hereby given that the Burgaw Town Council has
scheduled the following Special Meetings at the Burgaw
Town Center, 108 E. Wilmington Street, Burgaw, North
Carolina:
• Monday, June 22, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. – Special Budget
Work Session for the continued review and discussion
of the proposed Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Budget.
• Monday, June 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. – Special Meeting
for consideration of the adoption of the Fiscal Year
2026–2027 Budget.

Our Town | Page 3
Employee Recognitions & Team
Accomplishments
• Congratulations to Junior Volunteer Firefighters
Sarah Irvin and Lucas Chargualaf on their recent high
school graduations.
• Congratulations to Mike Willingmyre on his
promotion to Fire Engineer.
• Welcome Johnathan Ryan, who was hired as a Fire
Engineer after serving as a Volunteer Firefighter.
• Welcome Arlene Avalar and Daniel Burleson,
recently hired as Part-Time Firefighters.
• Parks, Recreation and Tourism has added part -time
staff to assist with summer camps and special events
during the busy summer season.
• Town employees came together for a successful
clean-up day on May 22 at the Public Services
Department, demonstrating the spirit of teamwork
and their shared commitment to serving the Burgaw
community.
Highlights from the June 9th Town Council Meeting
COUNCIL MEETING RECAP
Highlights from Council
• Council appointed a new member to the Burgaw
Tourism Development Authority, helping to fill a
vacancy and support the Authority's ongoing efforts
to promote tourism, economic development, and
community engagement within Burgaw.
• Council conducted a public hearing on the proposed
Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget. The current budget
process continues to present challenges due to
uncertainty surrounding Pender County's recent
property revaluation and pending state legislation
that could impact how local governments address tax
rates following revaluation. Town Manager James
Gantt presented the proposed budget and Council
provided an opportunity for public comment;
however, no citizens were present to speak during
the hearing.
To allow for continued review and discussion of the
proposed budget, Council has scheduled a special
budget work session for June 22 at 8:00 a.m. A
second special meeting is scheduled for June 29 at
9:00 a.m., at which time Council is expected to
consider adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026–2027
budget prior to the June 30 statutory deadline.
Stay updated with the latest
budget information:
BurgawNC.gov/Budget

Our Town | Page 4
During the June 9 Town Council meeting, Mayor Olivia Dawson
presented proclamations recognizing both Blueberry Week and
Juneteenth Celebration Day in the Town of Burgaw.
The Blueberry Week proclamation officially designates June 14–20,
2026, as Blueberry Week in celebration of Burgaw's blueberry heritage
and the upcoming North Carolina Blueberry Festival. The proclamation
highlights the festival's growth since its founding in 2004 and recognizes
the many residents, businesses, volunteers, and organizations that help
make the annual event a success. In recognition of America's 250th
Anniversary, this year's celebration will feature a patriotic theme,
encouraging the community to "Turn Our Town Red, White &
Blueberries" throughout the week.
Mayor Dawson also proclaimed the fourth Saturday of June as
Juneteenth Celebration Day in Burgaw. The proclamation recognizes the historical
significance of June 19, 1865, as the day enslaved African Americans in Texas were
informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation
Proclamation was issued. It further acknowledges Juneteenth as a celebration of
freedom, history, culture, and achievement while encouraging reflection, education,
and unity within the community.
The Juneteenth proclamation was presented to the 1865 Society of Pender County
during the June 9 meeting in recognition of their efforts to preserve and promote
awareness of this important chapter in our nation's history.
The Town of Burgaw encourages residents to participate in both celebrations and join
in recognizing the rich history, heritage, and community spirit that make Burgaw a
special place to call home.
Mayor Dawson Proclaims Blueberry W eek and Juneteenth
Celebration Day
23RD ANNUAL NORTH CAROLINA
Blueberry Festival Blueberry Festival
JUNE 19 -20, 2026 | DOWNTOWN BURGAW
VISIT NCBLUEBERRYFESTIVAL.COM FOR EVENT DETAILS

Our Town | Page 5
One of the most important responsibilities we have
as a town government is being good stewards of
the tax dollars entrusted to us by our residents.
Every budget decision we make is guided by a
simple question: How can we provide the greatest
benefit to our community while being responsible
with public funds?
Over the past several years, Burgaw has made
significant investments in improving our
community. From a dog park to sidewalk
improvements and street paving projects to
downtown revitalization efforts, we have focused
on projects that enhance safety, improve quality of
life, and support economic growth.
These investments are funded through the tax
dollars that residents and businesses contribute
each year. Maintaining and improving our safety
services and our infrastructure is core functions of
local government, and we are committed to making
sure those dollars are used wisely and efficiently.
At the same time, many residents may not realize
that some of our most exciting community projects
have been made possible through grants,
partnerships, donations, and fundraising efforts
rather than local tax dollars alone.
For example, our future Splash Pad project is being
funded through private donations, sponsorships,
and community fundraising efforts.
Making Every Tax Dollar Count in Burgaw
Mayor Dawson’s Latest Blog on the Town Website
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
This project represents what can be accomplished
when residents, businesses, and community
partners come together to invest in Burgaw's
future.
Similarly, the West Side Trail expansion was made
possible through a matching PARTF (Parks and
Recreation Trust Fund) grant. This state grant
program helped us leverage local resources to
create additional recreational opportunities for
residents and visitors while reducing the financial
burden on our taxpayers.
In addition, our Stormwater Master Plan and Water
and Sewer Master Plan were funded through grant
opportunities. These planning efforts are critical for
preparing Burgaw for future growth, identifying
infrastructure needs, and ensuring we make
informed decisions about future investments.
Securing grant funding allowed us to complete
these important studies without relying solely on
local tax revenues.
This approach reflects our philosophy as a town:
whenever possible, we seek outside funding
opportunities that allow Burgaw to accomplish
more while protecting taxpayer resources. Grants,
partnerships, and private contributions help stretch
every local dollar further and allow us to pursue
projects that may not otherwise be possible.
Continued on page 6

How Your Town Tax
Dollars Are Used
The Town also actively seeks grants, partnerships,
donations, and sponsorships whenever possible to help
fund projects and reduce the burden on local taxpayers.
Mayor Dawson
As Mayor, I am proud of the work our staff, Council
Members, volunteers, and community partners
have done to secure these resources and move our
town forward. Whether it is improving our streets
and sidewalks, enhancing our parks and recreation
facilities, planning for future infrastructure needs,
or revitalizing our historic downtown, we remain
committed to investing in Burgaw's future in a
fiscally responsible manner.
Our Town | Page 6
The progress we see throughout our town is not the
result of any one project or funding source. It is the
result of careful planning, responsible budgeting,
and a commitment to leveraging every opportunity
available to make Burgaw an even better place to
live, work, and visit.
Thank you for your continued support as we work
together to build a stronger Burgaw for future
generations.
Making Every Tax Dollar Count in Burgaw continued
Your tax dollars help provide the
services, facilities, and infrastructure
that keep Burgaw safe, functional, and
growing - while supporting the quality
of life that residents enjoy every day. Property tax dollars collected by the Town of Burgaw
help fund essential local government services and
community improvements, including:
Simply put...

Our Town | Page 7
A Resident’s Guide to the FY 2026-27
Budget & Property Tax Revaluation
Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 Updated June 10, 2026

Our Town | Page 8
Town of Burgaw
109 N Walker St, Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-2151 https://BurgawNC.gov
Legal references: G.S. 105-283, 105-317; G.S. 159-13; Senate
Bill 889 (2025-2026). For general public information only; not
legal or tax advice.

Our Town | Page 9
CELEBRATE
JUNETEENTH
IN BURGAW
The Town of Burgaw is proud to support the
1865 Society of Pender County's annual
Juneteenth Celebration, taking place June 26–
27, 2026.
The celebration kicks off on Friday, June 26 at
6:00 p.m. with the Night of Excellence:
Celebration of the Arts and Poetry Jam at the
Historic Train Depot, featuring North Carolina
Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green and other
talented poets.
The festivities continue on Saturday, June 27
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 100 S. Wright
Street with a day filled with exhibits, art,
entertainment, vendors, food trucks, and
more.
The celebration concludes with a free Gospel
Concert at 5:00 p.m. on the Courthouse Square
featuring Monica Ross and Family along with
additional special guests.
Join us as we celebrate freedom, culture,
history, and community right here in
downtown Burgaw.

Mayor
Olivia Dawson
Mayor Pro Tem
James Malloy
Council Members
Bill George
William Rivenbark
Michael Pearsall
Myra McDuffie
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 Services
Department
259-2901
Police Department
Non-Emergency
259-4924
Fire Department
Non-Emergency
259-7494
Elected & Appointed
Officials
Connect with us!
Town Council 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 Board
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.