Good morning, Clayton!

A short and sweet Dispatch this week!

I've got a few bigger stories in the works that need more time and attention, so instead of rushing them out, I'm keeping things simple this week.

We've got a rundown of Monday night's Town Council meeting, including some interesting discussions about Clayton's water supply, public participation, and a handful of decisions that deserve a closer look.

And, of course, we've got your Weekend Picks to help you figure out what's happening around town.

Let's get into it.

Town Hall Watch: November 2 Town Council Rundown

Clayton Town Council held its regular meeting on Monday, November 2, to discuss the Town's future water supply, public participation, and replacing a damaged fire engine. Council also approved several policy changes and other measures through its consent agenda.

Here's what happened.

Could Groundwater Wells Help Meet Clayton's Future Water Needs?

Water Resources Director Joshua Baird presented an update on whether groundwater wells could help meet Clayton's growing water demand. Planning board member Jason Carter first raised this at a previous council meeting.

According to Baird, the Town faces a near-term water supply need of approximately 4 million gallons per day, increasing to 8.6 million gallons per day by 2050.

Using an estimated yield of 40 gallons per minute per well, meeting those needs would require approximately 70 wells in the near term and 150 wells by 2050.

Baird explained that Clayton's geological conditions make groundwater availability highly variable. He also raised concerns about construction costs, land acquisition, water treatment, maintenance, and the potential impact on existing private wells.

While groundwater hasn't been ruled out entirely, staff questioned whether it could provide a reliable, cost-effective long-term solution.

No action was taken. Staff will continue evaluating water supply alternatives.

Council Approves Advisory Board Policy Changes

Council approved several changes to the Town's advisory board policies and bylaws as part of its consent agenda.

The changes establish updated appointment requirements and a formal process for handling alleged code-of-conduct violations.

Under the approved policies, applicants convicted of a felony are ineligible for appointment, residents generally may serve on only one Town advisory board at a time, and complaints against board members may lead to disciplinary action or removal.

The changes also establish procedures for reviewing complaints and providing members an opportunity to respond before disciplinary action is taken.

The amendments affect seven Town advisory boards, including the Downtown Development Advisory Board, Planning Board, and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

All changes were approved together without individual discussion during the meeting.

Council Authorizes Easement Acquisitions for Walnut Creek Outfall

Council approved Resolution 2026-95, authorizing the Town Attorney to acquire property interests needed for the Walnut Creek Outfall project.

The resolution identifies 10 parcels where temporary construction easements and permanent utility easements are needed.

The Town is authorized to negotiate purchases with property owners or pursue condemnation through eminent domain if voluntary agreements cannot be reached.

Approval of the resolution does not mean condemnation proceedings have begun, but it gives the Town authority to pursue that option if necessary.

The resolution passed as part of the consent agenda without individual discussion.

Residents Ask for Changes to Public Comment

During public comment, Clayton resident Mike Twining asked Council to consider three changes to improve public participation.

He suggested moving regular meetings from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., placing public comment earlier in the agenda, and establishing a process for reporting back to residents about concerns raised during meetings.

Another resident, John Scarpa, supported improved communication but suggested placing public comment at the end of meetings so residents could respond to staff presentations.

Mayor Jody McLeod addressed the suggestions during Council comments.

McLeod defended Clayton's relatively open public comment process and said he did not want to introduce the more restrictive procedures used by some other local governing bodies.

He acknowledged that improvements could be made and said he would give additional consideration to changing the meeting time. However, he also cited scheduling concerns for Council members and Town staff.

No changes were adopted.

Council Approves $1.14 Million Replacement Fire Engine

Council approved the purchase of a replacement fire engine following a September accident that resulted in one of the Town's newer trucks being declared a total loss.

Fire Chief David Ranes explained that the damaged engine was insured for $1.2 million.

An identical replacement was quoted at $1,193,000, with available discounts bringing the proposed purchase price down to $1,140,000.

The Town plans to use insurance proceeds to prepay for the replacement while preserving its existing financing arrangement.

The manufacturer expects delivery in approximately 12 months, considerably sooner than the typical 44-to-48-month wait discussed during the meeting.

Council approved the purchase without opposition.

Resident Again Calls for Removal of Flock Cameras

Resident Alan Huckle again addressed Council about Clayton's use of Flock Safety license plate recognition cameras.

Huckle acknowledged additional safeguards implemented by Flock but cited incidents of alleged misuse, false identification, and privacy concerns involving the technology elsewhere.

He repeated his request for the Town to cancel its contract and remove the cameras.

During Council comments, Council Member Porter Casey mentioned the availability of a Flock transparency portal and suggested police staff could provide additional information.

Council took no action on the contract.

Other Business

Council also approved the Town's 2025 Local Water Supply Plan, an interagency agreement concerning federal transportation funding, and a resolution confirming Allison Speight's appointment as Finance Officer.

The Town promoted Small Business Saturday, scheduled for November 28, encouraging residents to support Clayton's locally owned businesses.

Council also proclaimed November National Diabetes Awareness Month, recognizing the importance of education, prevention, and early detection.

Friday

Deep River Brewing Company | 700 W. Main Street, Suite 102

Ginger Snapped Oatmeal Stout Release | Starting at 2pm

Deep River is getting into the holiday spirit with the release of Ginger Snapped, a rich 8% ABV oatmeal stout featuring molasses, ginger, and plenty of seasonal spices. Hollywood Taco Shop will be serving up food from 5–9 pm, with live music from Jimmy Deve from 6:30–9:30 pm. The taproom is open from 2–10 pm, so stop by for a pint before the new brew hits stores next week.

Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library | 100 S. Church Street

Friendly 1,000-Piece Puzzle Competition | Time TBA

Think you've got what it takes to tackle 1,000 puzzle pieces under pressure? The library is hosting a friendly competition where teams of up to four race to complete the same puzzle in just 2.5 hours. Don't have a full team? You can register solo or with a smaller group and be matched with other participants. Every team gets to keep its puzzle, and the winners take home an additional prize. Registration is required, so be sure to sign up in advance.

Register Here

Clayton Rocks | 427 E. Main Street

William & The Derelicts | 8 pm

William & The Derelicts are back at Clayton Rocks this Friday night for an evening of live rock music. Head downtown, grab a drink, and settle in for a night of guitars and good old-fashioned rock and roll. Music starts at 8 pm.

Saturday

Cleveland Draft House | 461 Shotwell Road

Market on Tap | 12–5 pm

Market on Tap is bringing more than 20 local vendors to Cleveland Draft House for an afternoon of shopping, food, drinks, and live music. Browse handmade goods, treats, jewelry, and plenty more while Rob Cole, featured on Season 28 of The Voice, performs from 1–4 pm. There's also a raffle benefiting InterAct Family Violence Prevention Center and a vendor passport challenge where visiting every vendor enters you for a chance to win a $50 Cleveland Draft House gift card.

Pottery Camp | 12973 Clayton Boulevard

Intro to Glass Blowing | 4–6 pm

Ready to play with molten glass? Pottery Camp is hosting a hands-on glassblowing workshop where you'll create three colorful glass ornaments using your own custom color combinations. No experience necessary, and instructors will guide you through the process. The adults-only class is $59 per person, with all materials included. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Closed-toe shoes are a must, and long hair needs to be tied back.

Get Tickets

State Employees Credit Union | 37 Briarcliff Drive

Rooted in NC Fest | 1 pm – 5 pm

Celebrate everything North Carolina at Rooted in NC Fest, a free, family-friendly event bringing together local makers, small businesses, food trucks, live entertainment, and giveaways. Browse unique handmade goods, grab something to eat, and enjoy live music from Breakaway Student Rock Band at 1 pm, Aliyah Daughtry at 2 pm, and Davi Paige at 4 pm. It's an afternoon dedicated to supporting the people and businesses that make our community special.

November is Noirvember, a month-long celebration of shadowy cinematography, morally questionable characters, femme fatales, double-crosses, and stories where pretty much nobody can be trusted.

And thanks to Kanopy, you can celebrate without spending a dime.

If you've got a Clayton Library Card, you've also got access to Kanopy, a streaming service packed with classic movies, independent films, documentaries, and more. You get 18 streaming tickets per month, all courtesy of our local library.

Kanopy has put together a special Noirvember collection featuring everything from black-and-white classics to modern crime thrillers.

I'm leaning more into the Neo Noir sub-genre this year. These are a few that I will definitely be watching on Kanopy:

Chinatown (1974)

Jack Nicholson plays a private investigator in 1930s Los Angeles who stumbles into a tangled web of corruption, murder, and a conspiracy involving the city's water supply. Roman Polanski's neo-noir masterpiece features one of the greatest screenplays ever written and an ending you won't soon forget.

One of my favorite movies of all-time. This is PEAK Jack right here.

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)

William Friedkin takes film noir into the neon-soaked streets of 1980s Los Angeles. William Petersen plays a reckless Secret Service agent determined to bring down a counterfeiter played by Willem Dafoe. It's gritty, stylish, morally bankrupt, and features one of the wildest car chases ever put on film.

Everything about this movie screams 80s goodness, including a soundtrack by none other than Wang Chung.

No Country for Old Men (2007)

When a Texas welder discovers a suitcase full of cash at the scene of a drug deal gone wrong, he finds himself pursued by one of cinema's most terrifying villains. The Coen brothers deliver a relentlessly tense modern western about greed, violence, and the inevitability of fate.

Blue Velvet (1986)

A young man discovers a severed human ear in a field and gets pulled into the disturbing underbelly of his seemingly idyllic hometown. David Lynch's surreal neo-noir peels back the surface of small-town America to reveal something deeply strange and sinister lurking underneath. And Dennis Hopper is absolutely terrifying.

Also, fun fact! This movie was shot in Wilmington and is based in Lumberton, NC!

Breathless (1960)

Jean-Luc Godard's French New Wave classic follows a small-time criminal on the run in Paris and his complicated relationship with an American journalism student. With its jump cuts, improvisational energy, and effortless cool, Breathless helped rewrite the rules of filmmaking.

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

Robert Mitchum plays a murderous preacher pursuing two children who know the location of stolen money. Directed by Charles Laughton, this Southern Gothic nightmare is a stunning combination of fairy tale, horror, and film noir, with some of the most beautiful black-and-white cinematography ever captured.

Explore Kanopy Through the Clayton Library

Happy Noirvember, everyone! Let me know what you're planning to watch over on the Facebook page.

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