OurTown

NEWSLETTER
Our T own
Published weekly by the Town of Burgaw | July 6-10, 2026
Your Town, Your Budget
What FY 2026-27 means
for Burgaw
On June 29, the Town Council adopted Burgaw ’s
budget for the fiscal year that began July 1. It ’s an
$11.4 million plan for everything from police patrols
and fire response to the water that comes out of
your tap. Here ’s what it means for you, in plain
terms.
Balanced, with savings intact. Every dollar
of spending this year is covered by this year ’s
projected revenues, and the Town ’s reserves remain
above our 25% policy target: our cushion for
hurricanes and the unexpected.
The tax rate, explained. The property tax rate
is $0.6400 per $100 of value, four cents higher than
last year. Here ’s the honest reason: a new state law
froze Pender County ’s 2026 property revaluation for
one year, so the Town must budget on older, lower
values while costs keep rising. For a $200,000 home,
the change is about $80 per year, or under $7 a
month.
Four firefighters on every shift, around
the clock. This is the first full year of six new
firefighter positions added through a federal SAFER
grant, largely paid for by federal dollars rather than
local taxes. With them, Burgaw now staffs every shift
with four full -time firefighters, which means faster
response times and EMS first -response support for
our community.
Continued on page 2
Town Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 | 4:30 PM
Public Forum will be held at 5:30 PM
Burgaw Town Center
108 E. Wilmington Street, Burgaw
Visit burgawnc.gov for agenda and livestreaming access.
Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate the season
in Downtown Burgaw! The Town of Burgaw's annual
Autumn Fest returns on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., bringing a full day of family-friendly
fun, local entertainment, and fall festivities.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the day,
including live music, arts and craft vendors, delicious food
trucks, axe throwing, mini golf, pumpkin decorating, a 5K
race, a 1 Mile Fun Run, and much more. Whether you're
looking to shop, compete, enjoy great food, or spend time
with family and friends, Autumn Fest offers something for
everyone.
Those interested in participating as a vendor can register
beginning July 20. Registration for arts and craft vendors,
nonprofit organizations, and food vendors will be available
online at burgawnc.gov/register.
Registration for the Autumn Fest 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run is
expected to open at the end of July.
Visit burgawnc.gov/autumnfest or contact the Town of
Burgaw Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department at
recreation@burgawnc.gov or 910-300-6401.
Save the Date for Burgaw’s 2026
Autumn Fest
A Message from the Town Manager

Our Town | Page 2
UPCOMING
July 14 | 4:30 PM
Town Council Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
July 16 | 5:30 PM
Board of Adjustment Special Meeting and
Planning Board Regular Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
August 3 | 9:00 AM
Town Council Special Meeting: Work Session
Burgaw Town Center
August 4 | 6:00-8:00 PM
National Night Out
Downtown
August 6 | 8:30 AM
Tourism Development Authority Meeting
Burgaw Visitor Center
August 7 | 8:30 AM
Beautification Committee Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
August 11 | 4:30 PM
Town Council Meeting
Burgaw Town Center
Meeting Notices
Notice is hereby given that the Town of Burgaw Board of Adjustment will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, July 16,
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 404 W. Satchwell St (PIN 3229 -11-8970-0000). The request would permit an accessory
apartment/dwelling unit to be built as an accessory to the existing principal structure. Applicant: Bernette Stanley.
Assigned Staff: Ron Meredith, rmeredith@burgawnc.gov, 910.663-3452
Following the Special Board of Adjustment Meeting on July 16, 2026, the Planning Board will hold their regular
meeting and 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. Assigned Staff: Ron Meredith, rmeredith@burgawnc.gov,
910.663.3451.
Your utility bill. Water and stormwater rates are
unchanged. Sewer rises 10%, and not by our choice:
the regional partner that treats our wastewater raised
its charges. With small solid -waste adjustments, the
typical household will see about $4.78 more per
month, roughly 16 cents a day.
Investing in what ’s ahead. With more than 900
new housing units approved or pending, this budget
plans for growth: a planned public safety training
facility, a street sweeper, and master plans for our
water, sewer and stormwater systems.
A splash pad, powered by community
generosity. The new splash pad is being fully
funded by the Burgaw Parks Foundation, a local
nonprofit, through fundraising and donations. The
budget simply advances the dollars so the project can
move forward much faster, and the Foundation
reimburses every one of them. That ’s a community
amenity at no net cost to taxpayers, and it deserves a
round of applause.
See for yourself. Transparency is a promise, not a
slogan. That ’s why we ’ve made the budget easy to
explore. Visit burgawnc.gov/budget for the full
adopted budget, the new Budget in Brief (a short,
visual guide built for residents) and the Budget
Snapshot for the big picture in numbers. Have a
question? Call Town Hall at (910) 259 -2151 or join us
at a Council meeting, held the second Tuesday of each
month.
Budget continued
It’s your town and your money — and we ’re
proud to show you exactly how it’s put to work.

Our Town | Page 3
Burgaw proudly
recognizes July as Park
and Recreation Month
The Town of Burgaw is proud to recognize July as Park and
Recreation Month, an annual celebration led by the National
Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). In recognition of this
nationwide observance, Mayor Olivia Dawson has proclaimed
July as Park and Recreation Month in Burgaw, celebrating the
vital role our parks, trails, programs, and outdoor spaces play
in strengthening our community and enhancing the quality of
life for residents and visitors.
"Parks and recreation are about much more than playgrounds
and green spaces —they're where our community comes
together. As one of the many important services and
amenities the Town is proud to provide, our parks, trails,
programs, and community events create opportunities for
families to make memories, neighbors to build friendships,
children to play, and visitors to experience the charm that
makes Burgaw the wonderful place we're proud to call home,"
said Mayor Dawson.
This year's theme, "The Power Of," celebrates the many ways
parks and recreation strengthen our communities. From
fostering connections and encouraging active, healthy
lifestyles to providing welcoming spaces where everyone
belongs, parks and recreation enrich the quality of life for
residents and visitors alike. They also support economic
vitality, preserve natural resources, and enhance the beauty
and character of our community, helping make Burgaw a
vibrant place to live, work, play, and visit. Throughout July, we
invite everyone to experience the power of Burgaw's parks,
trails, programs, and community events.
"Thank you to our residents and visitors for your continued
support and participation in our parks and recreational
opportunities, and to our dedicated Town staff for the hard
work they put in every day to keep our parks, programs and
events welcoming, safe, and enjoyable for everyone," Mayor
Dawson added.
Every gathering in our parks, every community event, every
walk along our trails, and every shared moment with family
and friends becomes part of Burgaw's story. Together, we're
creating new chapters filled with recreation, connection,
community pride, and memories that will endure for
generations to come.

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
Aiden C. Radke Junior Firefighter Camp 2026
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Junior Firefighter Camp such a
success! From our dedicated firefighters and volunteers to the families and campers who
participated, we appreciate each of you for helping us teach, inspire, and create a fun-
filled camp for our future firefighters.
The Burgaw Fire Department will conduct a scheduled live burn training on
Saturday, July 18, beginning at 7:00 PM, at a property on Harrell Road.
Residents in the area may see smoke and emergency vehicles during the training exercise.
This is a planned event, and there is no cause for alarm.
Thank you for your understanding as our firefighters continue training to better serve our community.
PUBLIC NOTICE - LIVE BURN TRAINING

Our Town | Page 5

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.