Contact Us: 336-284-2141
Zachary House, 131 Church Street, Cooleemee, NC 27014

Town of Cooleemee

Category: Announcements

Cooleemee Elementary’s Carmen Lawrence Named DCS District Teacher of the Year

Posted on by Cooleemee Admin

Davie County Schools District Teacher of the Year Carmen Lawrence. 

While standing on stage with nine other teachers representing schools in Davie County, Carmen Lawrence heard her name announced as Davie County District Teacher of the Year. With hands in the air, she gave a big shout-out to the faculty seated to her left because she was so happy for the school.

 “I don’t know why they chose me. All teachers strive to be the best they can be, and I’m not saying I’m better than all the rest, but it truly is an honor,” said Lawrence.

 In May of this year, Lawrence was awarded teacher of the year for Cooleemee School. She has been a first-grade teacher at Cooleemee School for the past six years. 

 Having a church family who gave her the opportunity to be involved in bible school helped keep her desire to become a teacher strong.

 In her classroom, she strives to provide a variety of learning levels and to respect different disabilities while recognizing their unique strengths and interests. Having each child experience a job or role develops their self-esteem and reinforces their sense of belonging to a team.

Lawrence admits teaching is a balancing act.  She isn’t the same teacher as she was nine years ago or last year.  Each year, she strives to do more, be better, grow and learn, and allow herself to learn from her own experiences. She is excited about implementing a first-grade improvement plan. Teaching a first grader to recall a memory by drawing pictures and then adding words to the pictures evolves into a sentence.  This simple concept is being used by all grade levels to make a difference in writing skills.

In the designated parking spot, Lawerence pulls in a new car provided by Flow Honda of Winston Salem, which she will drive for a full year. 

Each teacher of the year in Davie County schools received $100 from Chris Sheppard Reality.  A gold star showing her name is posted at her classroom door.

 Each teacher of the year in Davie County Schools received $595 dollars from the Davie Community Foundation. For the district teacher of the year, Davie Community Foundation awarded Cooleemee School $1000 dollars.

 “Anyone who works around children knows that children thrive off someone who listens to them, shows respect, sends encouragement, helps them, and believes in them. These are the things that I strive to do for children everywhere, whether that be in the classroom, my church, or even in the community,” says Lawerence.

 Congratulations Cooleemee School, you have the best.

 Feel free to contact me at cooleemeenews@gmail.com or call at 336.250.1133. I would love to hear from you.

Town of Cooleemee is Now Accepting RFQs for New Community Center

Posted on by Cooleemee Admin

Notice of RFQs

The Town of Cooleemee is now accepting Requests for Qualifications for the Design and Construction of a New Community Center.

The Town of Cooleemee will accept these requests until July 12, 2024, at 4:00 PM.

The requests will be presented to the Board on Monday, July 15, 2024. A selection from the presented requests will be made after that date.

We ask that all requests be sealed upon the Town receiving, you may mail those to PO Box 1080 Cooleemee NC, 27014 or, you may bring these to Town Hall located at 131 Church St. Cooleemee NC, 27014.

Packets can be picked up at Town Hall if desired, or you can read and download the details of our Request for Qualifications for Professional Architectural Services for a New Community Center below:

RFQ-form-Community-Center

Feel free to contact Town Hall for further questions at 336-284-2141 or email scorriher@cooleemee.org or any contact information included in the packet.

Request for Qualifications for Professional Architectural Services For a New Community Center

Submittals Due Date: July 12, 2024

Contact: Steven Corriher, Town Clerk
Town of Cooleemee
131 Church St PO Box 1080
Cooleemee, NC 27014
scorriher@cooleemee.org
Phone (336)284-2141

Purpose
The Town of Cooleemee, North Carolina is seeking proposals from qualified firms to provide complete architectural services for the design, oversee construction, keep projects on task, and provide information to the board on status of a new Community Center. The Town is Interested in finding a firm that will develop the design in a manner that reflects the surrounding streetscapes as well as meets our current and future needs and work with the building contractor through the construction and completion of the project to ensure completed by deadline.

Firms can direct any questions to Clerk Steven Corriher Town Hall 336-284-2141 or email scorriher@cooleemee.org or to Mayor Jeff Smith 336-250-1135 or email jsmith@cooleemee.org

Project Overview
The Town owns property at 124 Duke St (the Old Pool site) where the proposed Community Center is projected to be built. The anticipated size of the building will be approximately 4000 sq ft., must be ADA compliant, with an estimated total budget of $1.25 million to include design, survey, grading and ground prep, and construction.

The facility we hope has some brick mixed with vinyl siding to match the criteria of the Town houses located around it. The facility will house a Community Room/Council Meeting room, restrooms, small residential style kitchen, and potential Davie County Library.

The following shall be incorporated in the new facility:

  • 2 Offices for Town Hall 250sq/ft each 500sq /ft total
  • Council Meeting room 800sq/ft
  • Conference Room 300sq/ft
  • Restrooms Handicap Acc 250sq/ft each 500sq/ft total
  • Residential Kitchen 250sq/ft
  • Lobby with area for vending 400sq/ft
  • Library w/ storage 800sq/ft
  • Exercise Room 300sq/ft
  • Storage Space 50sq/ft
  • Hallway between meeting room offices and library 100sq/ft

Other items of current use:

  • Sprinkler system for fire
  • Fire and Security alarm (we would pay monitor fees)
  • Utilities including water, sewer, power, phone, internet (we would pay the monthly fees
  • Proper drainage outside around the facility.
  • At minimum have Handicap and Employee parking on site

Potential Future use:

  • Outdoor picnic area
  • Outdoor amp theater

Objectives
The Town of Cooleemee North Carolina proposes to retain a highly qualified firm to plan and design the project for a fixed cost. The Firm must have a commitment to designing a facility that functionally meets expected growth in the area while adhering to local architecture and history. Therefore, the successful Firm shall be familiar with local design themes and development processes. The Town of Cooleemee is the owner, and all financial and contract decisions will be made by the Town.
Submittal Requirements

  • The qualifications of the project team, the firm’s history, individual resumes, and current and completed projects over the last 5 years.
  • A list of similar projects current and completed by the firm within the last 5 years which are relevant to the scope, size, and complexity of the project as described above.
  • Provide examples of the experience of key members of the proposed team on the projects listed regarding demonstrated success with similar projects for local and state governments and educational institutions, preferably within North Carolina. Provide an organizational chart and resumes which will address the following:
    • Name the Principal in Charge, Project Manager, and other individuals to be assigned to the project, number of years of professional experience, and educational background inclusive of professional certifications.
  • List the following consultants that your firm plans on partnering with on this project such as Civil, Structural, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical.
  • List of client references for related projects with contact name, telephone number and email address.

EVALUATION CRITERIA
Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to demonstrate:
Describe no fewer than five projects in order of most relevant to least relevant that demonstrate the Designer/Team’s capabilities to provide design services for the project at hand. Identify whether the projects involved any of the firms/companies included in responder’s submittal for this RFQ. For each project, the following information should be provided:

  1. Project name.
  2. Project location.
  3. Dates during which services were performed.
  4. Physical description (e.g., square footage, number of stories, site area).
  5. Cost description (this description, at a minimum, must include: original project budget; final project cost and explanation of any differences in the original and final costs, if applicable)
  6. Brief description of project.
  7. Services performed as Designer.
  8. Statement of performance versus owner expectations in the areas of cost, quality, and schedule.
  9. Owner reference(s).

SELECTION PROCESS
Town of Cooleemee staff will evaluate each submitted RFQ and may select Firm(s) to interview. Upon selection, a recommendation will be made to the Town Council.

The Town of Cooleemee reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received as well as to waive any irregularities as they see fit.

Clerk’s Corner – Summer 2024

Posted on by Cooleemee Admin

Welcome to the Clerk’s Corner – Summer 2024 Edition

Check back each month for new updates from the Town of Cooleemee’s Clerk and Finance Officer, Steven Corriher.

July 4th Parade

We are about to start advertising for the July 4th Parade as it is planned for 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, starting at the school and ending at the Zachary House. If you or someone you know would like to help, enter, or watch, please make sure to join us. Also, if you see the posting on Facebook please share, share, share, we know not much talk of it has taken place at the moment, but other big things are in the works, and I have almost run short on time in preparation for this event. But we will have it!

Community Center

We have received a $1 million grant to aid with the construction of a new Community Center. Current plans are that the building will hold the Town Hall, Town Meetings, and the Davie County Library Cooleemee Branch, which will be relocated from the Shopping Center. The building will have a small Kitchen and a room available for rent with the use of that kitchen. We hope to add a small exercise room that perhaps will hold a few treadmills, a bike or two, and at least one workout machine for some weight training. We hope this Center is just the start and will grow in the coming years, adding bigger and even better things in and around the Center!

Code Enforcement

Being a big topic here in Town the past little while we have a contract that will be on the agenda in June for approval, we are very hopeful this will be started back up by July 1, 2024, and in full swing. We do ask that you bear with us, and the contractor selected to perform these duties as we get started back up in that division.  

Town Board Meetings

The next town board meeting is June 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Zachary House, 131 Church St. 

A Public Hearing for the budget will be set for June 24, 2024, before the full approval of the Towns 24/25 budget, which is expected the same night. 

However, the Budget Message and Budget Ordinance are available here at Town Hall for viewing, The Ordinance numbers are subject to change between now and the June 24, meeting.

Mobile Recreation Day

Davie County Recreation and Parks will host a mobile recreation day at the Zachary House in Cooleemee on June 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please bring your kids or grandkids to enjoy the free fun.

As always, thank you all for your contributions to the Town. I hope to see you all on Monday, June 17, at the meeting and to see everyone on July 4 at 10 a.m. for the July 4th Parade.

If you need anything, email scorriher@cooleemee.org or call 336-284-2141. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and we are usually closed between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. for lunch and errands. 

Keep up with the Latest News

Join the Town’s new contact list to receive the latest news right in your inbox! Stop by Town Hall or email your phone number and/or preferred email address to scorriher@cooleemee.org. Don’t forget to follow on Facebook so you don’t miss a moment of summer fun!

Town of Cooleemee Accepting Bids for Pool Demolition

Posted on by Cooleemee Admin

The Town of Cooleemee is now accepting bids for old pool demolition.

The Town of Cooleemee will be accepting bids for the demolition and removal of the Old Swimming Pool
located at 114 Duke St Cooleemee, NC, 27014, from May 6, 2024, through May 24, 2024.

In this bidding process, the Town will require 2 bids.

Bid One – disassemble and remove the pool along with all its contents, including all concrete, rebar in the
concrete, all plumbing, electric wiring (will be turned off beforehand), all fencing, all pumps, all filters, blocks,
bricks, pool completely disassembled, and hauled off including the service provider handling all EPA
compliance dumping and fees. Take the site to the ground, with any items located underground in this area
related to the pool also being removed and hauled off, in the same manner asked above, along with a small
water heater storage shed to be disassembled and hauled off with service provider handling all EPA
Compliance dumping and fees.

Bid Two – same as Bid One, in addition, a bid to remove the Bathhouse/Concession Stand at the entryway
of the pool location, including all block, brick, concrete, plumbing, and electrical (will be turned off
beforehand) taken down to the ground and hauled off including the service provider handling all EPA
compliance dumping and fees.

The area(s) would need to be prepared as flat as possible without much, if any, dirt being hauled in, using
land and dirt in the surrounding area, and re-seeded with grass as well as any other erosion control to help
prevent washouts during the time of non-use while the grass grows in. We need you, the contractor, to
maintain the erosion control for 6 months following completion of the work. To replace or fix washed-out
areas due to rain and weather conditions or possible areas of settlement in the worked area. (The Town will
maintain mowing maintenance if grass begins to grow within that 6 months)

We require that ALL bids received by the Town be sealed and mailed to P.O. Box 1080, Cooleemee, NC
27014, or dropped off at Town Hall, located at 131 Church St., Cooleemee, NC 27014.

With your submitted bids, please provide proof of your current, up-to-date bonding and liability insurance
policy with a minimum of $1,000,000 coverage per occurrence. The policy must be in the name of the
bidder/contractor.

Please include a projected time frame best for you to start and complete each bid. (such as I can start June 1, 2024, and expect to be finished within 45 days of start)

The projected payout for the project will be as follows: 1/3 deposit, 1/3 payment once deemed satisfactory and halfway
complete, and 1/3 final payment once the Town deems the project completed in a satisfying manner.

Failure to comply with any process in this notice during bidding will result in a disqualifying bid and will not be
considered for the awarding of the project.

Feel free to come by the location listed above to look at the project before bidding.

Bidding-on-Pool

Steven Corriher Appointed Cooleemee Town Clerk/Finance Officer 

Posted on by Jeanna White

Cooleemee’s Board of Commissioners appointed Steven Corriher as town clerk/finance officer during its board meeting on December 21st. He has been serving as interim clerk since August. Corriher brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as town clerk from February 2019 until April 2021 and as Cooleemee’s mayor from 2015 to 2019. 

Speaking on behalf of the board, Mayor Jeff Smith said, “We are pleased to announce the hiring of Steve Corriher to the full-time position of town clerk. Steve has been working for the Town on an interim basis as we have transitioned through the hiring process. He brings a detailed knowledge of the job and will be vital in helping us transform town functions into a more efficient operation.”

“Steve is well respected by the governments and agencies within Davie County and is a great asset to the Town of Cooleemee. Please welcome Steve back as part of the Cooleemee team.” 

Corriher is equally excited about the appointment.  “I am pleased to be back home; my heart has always been with Cooleemee and will forever be here. Anything I can bring to the table to assist this Town and its people, I will do. I am looking forward to a bright future for the Town.”

Corriher can be reached at Town Hall at (336) 284-2141 or by email at scorriher@cooleemee.org. The new office hours for town hall are now Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

A New Year Message From Cooleemee Mayor Jeff Smith

Posted on by Cooleemee Admin

Happy New Year

As 2023 winds down, I’m sure we all have experienced good and tough times during the year, but I hope that the good outnumbered the tough.

Every year brings its own challenges, but the new year always brings new hopes. I look forward to working with the Town Board in 2024 to continue to make Cooleemee all that it can be.

With your help and involvement, we can make that happen.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year for 2024.

Jeff Smith
Cooleemee Mayor

Cooleemee Park Gets New Playground Equipment

Posted on by Jeanna White

Students from Cooleemee Elementary School enjoy the upgrades at Cooleemee Park. 

With a new playset and fresh mulch, Cooleemee Park is getting a facelift. The playset, purchased with a grant from Davie County Recreation & Parks, replaces an outdated wooden structure and features a slide, bridge, swings, and a climbing section. 

“We hope that all the kids really enjoy this new playset,” said Town Clerk Aaron Thies, thanking Recreation & Parks for the grant that made it possible. He also expressed his gratitude to Hendrix Manufacturing of Woodleaf for donating the mulch, which has beautified the park, and Willard’s Grading for fixing the driveway, grading, and spreading the mulch. 

Stay Tuned for More!

Thies said there are more additions coming this year. The town has purchased two playsets for the little tots, which should be installed in the next few months. The Town will also redo the swingsets this spring. 

“We want to make sure we offer something for every age group and that the park is welcoming to all.” He plans to seek additional grant funding to continue updating the park and replace outdated equipment.