Mayor Encourages Residents to Find Their Village
Mayor Mark Bell delivered his first State of the Town address Monday, April 22, focusing on the positive impact of community groups in Hillsborough.
How we see ourselves
Bell began his address by reflecting on how the town views itself. Starting with the Revolutionary War period, he highlighted the impact that Hillsborough had on the independence movement, both nationally and locally.
Now, as one of the smallest municipalities in the rapidly growing Triangle region, Hillsborough is a cultural cornerstone of the area.
“The combination of historic Hillsborough meets cultural Hillsborough — that’s the magic combination that forms the core of how we see ourselves in Hillsborough,” Bell said.
Challenges
The mayor continued by sharing the challenges the town will soon face. The town’s general budget will include large capital projects and large goals, including building a new fire station and greenway, increasing the affordable housing supply and meeting the town’s climate goals.
In the water and sewer budget, the town’s aging utilities infrastructure needs significant improvements and repairs and the town faces challenges from the market demand for new developments which creates additional demand for water and sewer service.
Bell noted the planned projects will cost several times more than the annual budget of the town.
“The challenge is maintaining Hillsborough’s quality of life and sense of place while the state, the region and the town all grow,” Bell said.
While the town works through these challenges, town staff and elected officials value resident input. Bell encouraged residents to assist the town by serving on appointed boards, taking surveys and participating in Engage Hillsborough events.
Strengths
The mayor cited the recently completed Comprehensive Sustainability Plan as a significant town strength. The plan gives the town a road map to tackle challenges — outlining actions, strategies, goals and an implementation framework.
The town also draws strength from the various communities, or villages, that create purpose for the participants and value for the residents of the town, Bell said.
Find your village
“The village of Hillsborough has grown,” the mayor said. “I feel that we are a village of villages, connected to each other with different things to contribute.”
Highlighting some of the villages that have had an impact on our town, Bell discussed the Occaneechi village replica, PORCH Hillsborough, Fairview Community Watch and the Hillsborough Climate Challenge.
The replica village honors the indigenous people who were in Hillsborough before the town was founded in 1754. The group working on the village — affectionately nicknamed the “Village People” — follow traditional methods to build structures, maintain the village and preserve history.
PORCH Hillsborough addresses food insecurities in Hillsborough and the surrounding areas, developing a community around helping our neighbors during hard times.
Fairview Community Watch provides programs and beneficial partnerships to Fairview residents, including programming at the Dorothy N. Johnson Community Center. The organization also advocates for the needs of the community’s residents.
The Hillsborough Climate Challenge provides a series of activities to address climate change, recognizing that action must be undertaken by both local government and individuals. The group behind the challenge started in late 2023 with a simple question: “What can I do to impact climate change?”
“My challenge to you is to find your village — or two, or three,” the mayor said. “Engage with your village to provide your thoughts and concerns to the town. Contribute something to your village, whether that is time, financial support or encouragement.
“I think Hillsborough has a lot to offer, and we want to help you find it.”
View the address
If you were unable to attend, you still can view the address on the town’s YouTube channel.
