Town Manager outlines priorities: emergency alerts, grants, 9/11 memorial and community events

Town Manager Kamara Barnett reported several near‑term and longer‑term priorities to the Yanceyville Town Council on April 4, focusing on public safety, communications and downtown economic development.

Barnett said the town is prioritizing capital improvements, particularly water and sewer infrastructure, and is actively seeking rural grant funding to support small‑town projects. On emergency communications she said the town has been proactive in sending a postcard to citizens about water issues and is exploring alternatives to the county Red Code alert system after being told by Barry Lynch, Director of Emergency Management for Caswell County, that manual data entry of emails and phone numbers is required for the town to use that system.

"As our mission statement reads, public safety is one of the primary reasons the Town exists, and it is incumbent upon us to have the proper means of communications for our citizens," Barnett said. She said she is investigating text‑based alert systems designed for rural and small towns that appear user friendly and more affordable than initially thought.

Barnett also announced community events and projects: Easter egg hunts hosted by the library and Parks and Rec, a Farmers Market on April 20 at the Pavilion, a Health Revival hosted by Compassion Health Care on April 16, and a Town of Yanceyville 9/11 Memorial project with a 150‑day construction schedule to be completed by Sept. 11, 2023. She told council she will continue to update them on grant pursuit and alert‑system options.

No formal council votes were required for the items Barnett presented.