Robbinsville – Thanks to a split between the Town of Robbinsville and its tourism authority, residents and tourists alike will enjoy a spectacular display this holiday season.
First discussed as a possibility at the July 30’s tourism board meeting, aldermen gave the thumbs-up at the town’s Aug. 7 meeting to donating $6,200 toward the purchase of a 22-foot artificial Christmas tree. The tourism authority will shoulder the remaining balance of $6,273.50.
“This would save us money in the long run,” said Robbinsville Tourism Authority Director Karen Lail, noting that yearly purchases of 16-foot trees are typically $2,500.
The purchase comes at a significant discount, but the payment had to be submitted by today to lock in the special rate. The vendor is Bethlehem, Pa.-based Holiday Outdoor Decor, which has a location in Shelby that will be delivering the tree to the town sometime in the next few weeks.
The artificial tree comes in panels and will have a steel frame in the middle of it, with a ladder to help assemble from the inside of the 12-foot base. Town maintenance workers will be tasked with putting together the display, which will feature 995 individual lights.
Should a decision be made to lengthen the tree in the future, only additional panels will need to be ordered. Growth can be attached in 4-foot increments, maxing out at 52 feet. There is also a 5-year warranty attached.
Topping off the tree will be a 4-foot, multi-dimensional Nativity star.
Town and tourism officials alike have not announced where the new tree will be placed. A pair of holiday celebrations in both 2022 and 2023 were dampened by rainfall, but trees that were ordered were placed on property adjacent to Grace Mountainside Episcopalian/Lutheran Church on South Main Street.
Other news & notes
* In a corresponding move to the purchase of the tree – and to avoid future confusion – the town voted to relinquish the only two events it was responsible for to the Robbinsville Tourism Authority. This move switches the holiday gathering and the yearly Kids Fishing Derby over to the tourism board. Aldermen stressed that the town would still be willing to assist with the events, however.
* Town employees Chadd Carpenter and Lamar Williams received some additional duties. Instead of filling a lengthy vacancy, the board of aldermen came out of closed session and announced that Carpenter is officially in charge of both reading water meters and maintaining the town’s emergency notification system, “Code Red;” holding a number of water certifications gave Williams some extra work, as well. Both received pay raises as a result of the moves.