Chimney Rock council Tackles Recovery, Finances and Elections

The Chimney Rock Town Council met on April 14 to discuss storm recovery, town finances, and an upcoming municipal election. WCAB News was the only media organization present.

Town Administrator Stephen Duncan, Mayor Peter O’Leary, Mayor Pro Tem Buck Meliski and council members Patrick Warncke and Bruce Godzik attended. Council member April Schick was absent.

Also present were former mayor Barbara Meliski, engineer J Meliski of McGill Associates and business owner Kristen Sottile, who is assisting with Federal Emergency Management Agency projects.

The near-empty room stood in stark contrast to the previous week, when national media gathered during a visit coordinated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Public Affairs featuring Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin alongside Sen. Ted Budd, Rep. Tim Moore, Rep. Chuck Edwards, State Sen. Tim Moffitt, and State Reps. Jake Johnson and Jennifer Balkcom. The visit was not discussed during the meeting.

Two council seats — held by Schick and Godzik — are up for election Nov. 3, according to the Rutherford County Board of Elections. Filing runs July 6–17. Officials said candidates must live within town limits and pay a $10 filing fee. Godzik is not eligible to run under current residency rules. It is unclear whether Schick will seek reelection.

Godzik’s situation comes as he continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, which destroyed his home and business along Main Street. Property records show he still owns the parcel. Public records show an attorney has notified the North Carolina Department of Transportation of a potential inverse condemnation claim tied to a temporary road built across the property. The NCDOT matter was not discussed during the meeting.

Much of the council’s discussion focused on financing the rebuild. Officials outlined a plan to pursue a revolving loan of up to $5 million to cover upfront construction and engineering costs, with reimbursement from the state expected within weeks. Approval from the North Carolina Local Government Commission may be required.

A draft audit showed no major deficiencies in financial controls, though officials cited delays due to the volume of post-disaster documentation.

Council members also began work on the next budget, noting steady revenues but warning that water and sewer rates may need modest increases due to higher operating costs. Property values remain below pre-storm levels.

The council set April 21 for its formal audit review and indicated more budget discussions ahead.

Officials also confirmed that former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Lee Zeldin of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have visited the region in recent months without holding events in Chimney Rock.

With no audience beyond a single attendee who is not being paid by the town (WCAB News), the meeting underscored the ongoing work of rebuilding the town after the historic 2024 storm. The town is open for business, and many roads have reopened.