COMMUNITY NOTICES ARCHIVE

---

Posted September 29, 2023

Posted August 3, 2023

Carrboro Town Manager announces departure

---

August Traffic-Safety Initiatives

The Chapel Hill Police Department is planning an enhanced number of pedestrian safety enforcement operations as students return to both UNC and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) at the end of August.

Scheduled pedestrian safety enforcement operations are in addition to normal patrols. The operations include – but are not limited to – the following dates:

• • • Monday, August 21, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. *first day of class for UNC-Chapel Hill students
    • Wednesday, August 23, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
    • Friday, August 25, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Scheduled pedestrian safety enforcement in and near CHCCS school zones:

• • • Monday, August 28, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. *first day of school for CHCCS students
    • Tuesday, August 29, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Wednesday, August 30, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
    • Thursday, August 31, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

*Dates and times are subject to change

Aside from school zones, efforts will focus on other areas with heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic, including downtown, and mid-block crosswalks (ex. along the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Estes Drive corridors).

The Chapel Hill Police Department is also planning at least five speed enforcement operations in August – in addition to normal patrols – with the main goal of improving safety for everyone who shares roads.

• • • Tuesday, August 1, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
    • Tuesday, August 8, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Tuesday, August 15, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Tuesday, August 22, 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
    • Tuesday, August 29, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

*Dates and times are subject to change

Back-to-School Driving Safety

We encourage drivers who are passing through school zones to slow down, be vigilant, and be patient as students, parents, and school staff settle into new routines. Drivers should consider leaving home early to account for any delays on their way to school, work, or appointments.

• • • Know when to stop for buses that are loading or unloading children.
    • Be on the lookout for school zone signals.
    • When entering a school zone, slow down and obey all traffic laws.
    • Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals.
    • Never pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone.
    • Watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, in school parking lots, etc.
    • Avoid using a cell phone unless it is completely hands-free.
    • Unless licensed to do so, never use handicap or emergency vehicle lanes or spaces to drop off or pick up children at school.

The Town will use its variable message sign (VMS) boards throughout Town to inform community members about the traffic-safety operations, as well as encouraging them to limit distractions and watch out for people walking and people riding their bikes.

We encourage everyone traveling, regardless of your mode of transportation, to remember that community safety is a shared responsibility.

Vision Zero

On October 13, 2021, Chapel Hill’s Town Council adopted a Vision Zero Resolution, which states that traffic injuries and deaths are not inevitable “accidents” but preventable crashes. The Town committed to eliminating all transportation and mobility related deaths and serious injuries by 2031. This will be achieved through a comprehensive and holistic approach to designing safe roadway systems for all users no matter how they choose to move throughout the community. View the resolution here.

---

Carrboro Police Investigating Homicide

---

---

Dewatering of Pond & Either Repair or Removal of Dam at 1714 Legion Road

• • • Department Public Works
    • Category Professional Services
    • RFP Number A/E24-001
    • Start Date 08/01/2023 12:15 PM
    • Close Date 08/15/2023 3:00 PM
    • RFP Post Status Open

---

ANIMAL SERVICES JOINS CLEAR THE SHELTERS™ DURING AUGUST 

 
Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) has joined NBCUniversal Local’s 2023 Clear the Shelters™ pet adoption campaign. This is the ninth consecutive year that NBC and Telemundo owned stations are partnering with affiliate stations and animal shelters and rescues to promote pet adoption and help raise funds to support animal welfare. Since its inception in 2015, Clear The Shelters has helped more than 860,000 pets find new homes.

---

Applicants Needed For Orange County Volunteer Boards and Commissions 

 
The Orange County Board of Commissioners is currently recruiting applicants for the following boards and commissions:

Agricultural Preservation Board – The Agricultural Preservation Board is charged to promote the economic and cultural importance of agriculture in the county, and to encourage voluntary preservation and protection of farmland for future production. This board typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. There is currently one (1) at-large vacancy and one (1) vacancy for a participating farm owner in the Schley/Eno Voluntary Agricultural District. 

Animal Services Advisory Board – This board is charged to advise the Board of County Commissioners on matters of concern regarding animal issues and animal services in Orange County. The Animal Services Advisory Board works with the Animal Services Director to ensure quality animal services and maintains contact with the stakeholder groups from which its members are appointed. The board also provides a venue in which stakeholder concerns about animals, animal policies and issues, and animal services programming may be voiced, considered, and referred as appropriate. The Animal Services Advisory Board typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. There is currently one (1) at-large vacancy.

Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool – The charge of the Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool is to hear appeals concerning violations of the Orange County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4 (“Animal Control Ordinance”), as provided in the Orange County Code of Ordinances, Section 4-53 Appeals and also potentially dangerous dog appeals as prescribed by N.C. Gen. Stat. §67-4.1(c).  It is the responsibility of pool members to conduct fair and impartial hearings for these appeals and they will receive training in both law and proper procedure prior to participating in a hearing.  Pool members are sought from the Towns of Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro as well as the part of Orange County that is unincorporated.  Appeals panels will be convened on an as needed basis for hearings. The Board of County Commissioners is currently recruiting applicants to fill one (1) seat for a resident living in the Town of Carrboro, one (1) seat for a resident living in the Town of Chapel Hill, two (2) at-large seats, one (1) seat for a resident living within an unincorporated area of the county, one (1) seat for a representative of the Public Safety Field, and one (1) seat for a representative of the Public Health Field. 

Board of Equalization and Review – The Board of Equalization and Review hears appeals from residents concerning various property tax issues, including valuation and exemption appeals. The Board of Equalization and Review is charged with ensuring that all taxable property is appraised and assessed according to the standards required by the North Carolina General Statutes. This board meets up to three days per week, for approximately three to four hours per meeting, for up to three consecutive months (typically April-June). Additional meetings may occur as needed during the year.  Members will be compensated for all meetings attended. Orange County residents with knowledge of real estate are specifically encouraged to apply, however, others will also be given consideration. The Board of County Commissions is currently recruiting applicants for three (3) alternate positions, who will participate in hearings when regular board members are unavailable.

Chapel Hill Board of Adjustment – The Town of Chapel Hill’s Board of Adjustment is authorized to hear variance cases regarding the provisions of the Chapel Hill Land Use Management Ordinance and appeal cases regarding decisions made by Town staff. The Chapel Hill Board of Adjustment meets on the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm, at Chapel Hill Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill, in the Council Chamber on the first floor. There is currently one (1) vacancy for a resident of the Chapel Hill Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) and one (1) vacancy for a resident of the ETJ or Joint Planning Area (JPA) to serve as alternate. Please review the map at the following link to see the boundaries of the Chapel Hill ETJ and JPA areas: http://orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16597/Chapel-Hill-and-Carrboro-Boundaries-Map.  You may also confirm the zoning information of your address by visiting: http://aries.orangecountync.gov/Aries/ZoningInformation.aspx.  

Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board – This board is charged with developing and coordinating visitor services in Orange County. It also implements marketing programs that will enhance economic activity and quality of life in the community. The Visitors Bureau Advisory Board typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 8:00 am. There is currently one (1) at-large vacancy and one (1) vacancy for a representative from the Orange County lodging industry.  

Chapel Hill Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Commission – This commission serves as the recreation policy advisory body for the Chapel Hill Department of Parks and Recreation and the Town of Chapel Hill. It consults with and advises the Chapel Hill Town Council on matters affecting the overall recreational policies of the Town, the acquisition and use of lands and properties related to the total community recreation program, and its long-range projected programs for recreation, parks, and playgrounds. The Chapel Hill Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Commission typically meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Chapel Hill Public Library. There is currently one (1) vacancy for an Orange County resident that does not reside within the Chapel Hill Town Limits. 

Commission for the Environment – This commission advises the Board of Commissioners on matters affecting the environment with particular emphasis on protection.  It educates public and local officials on environmental issues and performs special studies and projects. It also recommends environmental initiatives and studies changes in environmental science and local and federal regulations. The Commission for the Environment typically meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm. There is currently one (1) vacancy for an applicant with expertise in water resources. 

Hillsborough Board of Adjustment – This board hears and decides on applications for special use permits and variances, as well as appeals from decisions and determinations of Planning and Economic Development Division staff. The Hillsborough Board of Adjustment typically meets on the second Wednesday of each month, as needed, at 6:00 pm. There is currently a vacancy for an applicant residing in the Hillsborough Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) to serve as alternate. Please review the map at the following link to see the boundaries of the Hillsborough ETJ: http://orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16598/Hillsborough-Boundaries-Map. You may also confirm the zoning information of your address by visiting: http://aries.orangecountync.gov/Aries/ZoningInformation.aspx.

Hillsborough Planning Board – This board acquires and maintains information in order to understand past trends, prepare and amend the comprehensive plan for the development of the area, and prepare and recommend ordinances promoting orderly development. The Hillsborough Planning Board typically meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. There are currently two (2) open positions for applicants residing in the Hillsborough Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Please review the map at the following link to see the boundaries of the Hillsborough ETJ: http://orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16598/Hillsborough-Boundaries-Map. You may also confirm the zoning information of your address by visiting: http://aries.orangecountync.gov/Aries/ZoningInformation.aspx.

Human Relations Commission – The Human Relations Commission studies and makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners concerning problems in the field of human relationships. This commission seeks solutions to community issues that may create animosity and unrest, makes recommendations designed to promote goodwill and harmony among residents in the county, and addresses and attempts to remedy the violence, tensions, polarization, and other harm created through discrimination, bias, hatred, and inequity. The Human Relations Commission typically meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm. There is currently one (1) vacancy for a resident of the Town of Carrboro, one (1) vacancy for a resident of the Town of Hillsborough, and two (2) at-large vacancies.

Orange County Board of Adjustment – This board hears and decides on variance applications, appeals submitted related to official decisions/determinations made by the Planning Director, reviews and takes action on Class B Special Use Permit applications, as well as matters required to pass by the Unified Development Ordinance. This board typically meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm. There is currently one (1) at-large vacancy for an alternate member. 

Orange County Parks and Recreation Council – This council consults with and advises the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, and the Board of County Commissioners on matters affecting parks planning, development and operation; recreation facilities, policies and programs; and public trails and open space. The Parks and Recreation Council typically meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Applicants between the ages of 13 and 17 are needed for one (1) non-voting youth delegate position. Applicants interested in this position should complete the application at the following link: https://www.orangecountync.gov/FormCenter/Advisory-Boards-and-Commissions-27/Youth-Delegate-Application-for-the-Orang-296 

Orange Unified Transportation Board – The Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) advises the Orange County Board of County Commissioners and provides information and comments on major transportation issues. Specifically, the OUTBoard provides the Board of County Commissioners with recommendations regarding the overall planning and programming of transportation improvements in the County, including identification and prioritization of the County’s roadway and transit needs along with associated costs and specific sources of funding; provision of recommendations to the Board regarding Federal and State legislation affecting transportation in Orange County; and exploration and suggestion of recommendations on innovative techniques and methods to improve the efficiency and capacity of existing and future transportation systems. The OUTBoard typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. There are currently two (2) at-large vacancies and one (1) vacancy for a resident of Cedar Grove Township. Please review the map at the following link to see Township boundaries: http://orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2290/Township-Map-PDF.

If interested in any of the above positions, apply at www.orangecountync.gov/Apply.

Orange County strives for diverse representation on volunteer boards and commissions. Residents of all demographic backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply. Applicants must reside in Orange County unless applying for the Visitors Bureau Advisory Board. Volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have the opportunity to directly influence local decisions, policies, and priorities.

For additional information contact Tara May at 919-245-2125 or tmay@orangecountync.gov.

---

Youth Scholars to Showcase Local Black Histories at Chapel Hill Public Library

Students in the James Cates Scholars program have spent their summer uncovering Black history in Chapel Hill. The community is invited to a showcase of their work on Monday, August 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chapel Hill Public Library (100 Library Drive).

The James Cates Scholars are a youth-led, elder-informed group dedicated to centering, exploring, and sharing marginalized Black experiences through collaborative community history projects. The program is named in honor of James Cates, who was murdered on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus in 1970 by white supremacists. The Cates Scholars receive guidance from Bridging the Gap, a local nonprofit, and the Library’s Community History staff, as well as On the Books, a project of University Libraries at UNC-Chapel Hill.

This year, there are nine students in the program, ranging in age from 14 to 18. Many of the students are interested in pursuing journalism, graphic design, public speaking, and entrepreneurship. Over the summer months, they researched local history and collected oral history interviews from Orange County residents, shedding light on their experiences with Jim Crow laws while living in Chapel Hill.

“Through the James Cates Scholars, I found that sense of community. My lazy self from six weeks ago could not even imagine how far I would come as a person in the short period of time since starting this program,” said James Cates Scholar, Zan Coleman. “The lessons I’ve learned will forever impact me as a person. Though I am a poet it is hard to put in miniscule words how much community, knowledge, and empowerment I have found here.”

“The James Cates Scholars are an incredible gift to Chapel Hill,” said Molly Luby, Community History Coordinator at Chapel Hill Public Library. “They are passionate organizers who truly embody the values of community history: they demonstrate care and compassion for their elders, for history, and for each other. And they have so much fun while they work! They inspire the work we do all year round.”

“My experience with the Cates Scholars has been extremely enjoyable, while also educational and engrossing. My peers and I always have fun together and are able to laugh, while also learning and creating projects that showcase each of our individual talents and knowledge,” said James Cates Scholar, Zadie Taylor. “I am very thankful for the incredible opportunities that this program has offered me—from college application assistance to public speaking opportunities.”

For more information about the James Cates Scholars and the showcase event, please contact: jamescatesscholarsch@gmail.com

---

Orange County Living Wage (OCLW) is hiring a part-time executive director

The inaugural executive director will join at a time when OCLW is transitioning from a model where the board is deeply involved in operational activities to one where the executive director leads operations and the board acts in a governing capacity. The executive director will establish a more sustainable financial foundation through both grant funding and major gifts and will develop a volunteer network and staff to support and expand the programs offered by the organization. It is an exciting position for someone who is entrepreneurial and enjoys creating a strong financial and organizational structure upon which to grow a values-based organization. Learn more here, and please help to spread the word! 

---

Posted July 29, 2023

Registration for Fall Recreation Programs Begins Aug. 1

Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation has released our Fall RECREATE program guide. Featured this year are Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, a Campfire and Movie in the Park, a Camping and Caving trip, and our FINS Youth Swim Team. 

Residents of Orange County or Chapel Hill may register beginning 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 1; Non-residents may register beginning 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3. 

Browse programs and register online at www.chapelhillparks.org, or pick up a printed copy at one of our recreation or aquatic centers, Chapel Hill Public Library, Chapel Hill Public Housing offices, and Town Hall. 

---

Register Your Home and Business Alarms

Have you registered your home and business alarms? To reduce accidental alarm calls which tie up emergency services, alarms that are linked to emergency services are required to be registered. The program improves public safety and wisely manages Town safety resources.

Registering your alarms is free. Accidental alarms that occur at locations that have not registered will result in a $100 fine, with increased penalties for additional accidental alarm activations. 

You can register by phone at 1-855-725-7107 OR online at: https://www.townofchapelhill.org/alarms

---

National Night Out

The Town of Chapel Hill invites you and your neighbors to join its Police, Fire, Housing, and Parks and Recreation Departments – along with churches and community organizations – for free food, games, music, and family fun on National Night Out, Tuesday, August 1.

This year’s celebration is a big one as the community-building campaign celebrates 40 years!

National Night Out promotes police-community partnerships and stronger community safety across the country. The event is celebrated each year on the first Tuesday in August.

This year the Town is hosting block parties in four neighborhoods:

• • • Hargraves Center, 216 N. Roberson St., 6-8 p.m.
    • Eastwood, Piney Mountain Rd. and Louis Armstrong Ct., 5-7 p.m.
    • South Estes Drive (Ridgefield), S. Estes Dr. at Fordham Blvd., 5-7 p.m.
    • Colony Woods West, Jackie Robinson St. and Adelaide Walters St., 5-7 p.m.

View the  National Night Out 2023 flyer in five languages!

---

Last Call for Free Weekend Parking

This is the last weekend to take advantage of FREE parking in all Town-operated lots and spaces! 

---

Reserve the Ampitheatre at Blackwood Farm Park

Did you know that you can reserve the amphitheater at Blackwood Farm Park? It is a perfect site for events, concerts, theatrical productions and much more! 

Contact Travis Bogle at tbogle@orangecountync.gov for more information.

---

Estarán Abiertos Centros de Refrescamiento el Viernes y Sábado

El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional ha emitido un aviso de calor para el Condado de Orange hasta el sábado, 29 de julio a las 8:00 pm.

Se espera que el índice de calor alcance los 105 grados. Evite las actividades al aire libre si es posible y manténgase hidratado.

Para refrescarse, estos Centros estarán abiertos en horas prolongadas:

• • • Efland-Cheeks Centro Comunitario: 117 Richmond Rd., Efland
    • Rogers Road Centro Comunitario: 101 Edgar St., Chapel Hill
    • Cedar Grove Centro Comunitario: 5800 NC 86N, Hillsborough
    • Biblioteca Pública del Condado Orange: 137 W. Margaret Ln., Hillsborough
    • The Cibernética: 100 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro

Se espera que el índice de calor alcance los 105 grados. Evite las actividades al aire libre si es posible y manténgase hidratado. 

Para más información visite: https://www.orangecountync.gov/3193/Hot-Weather-Resources

¿Necesita transporte para ir a alguno de los centros de refrescamiento?

Orange County Mobility on Demand (MOD por sus siglas en inglés) brinda servicio de trasportación en todo el Condado.  El Vienes 28 de julio hasta las 9:00 pm y sábado 29 de julio de 9:00 am hasta 8:00 pm.  El transporte MOD cuesta $5 por viaje y el servicio es gratis para menores de 12 años. Información sobre cómo registrarse aquí https://www.orangecountync.gov/2624/MOD

---

---

Posted July 27, 2023

Hot Temperatures Expected This Weekend

Orange County is expecting temperatures well above normal and an elevated heat index from Thursday, July 27 through Sunday, July 30. The National Weather Service is predicting Saturday, July  29 to be the hottest day this weekend with high temperatures of 100F or above. 

Dangerously high temperatures and humidity can quickly cause heat stress or heat stroke if precautions are not taken. Consecutive days of dangerous heat indices have a cumulative affect on the body, significantly increasing the potential for heat related illnesses. Please take extra precautions and limit any outside work or activities. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible, and be sure to drink plenty of water!

More information:

• • • Stay informed about the weather at https://www.weather.gov/rah/weatherstory
    • For local emergency resources, visit https://www.carrboronc.gov/2633/Emergency-Resources-Carrboro-Ready
    • The county has compiled a list of resources available for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or needing shelter from extreme heat including public restrooms, cooling-off areas, and more at https://www.ocpehnc.com/resources.  The hot weather resources list is available to download and view as a PDF.

---

Prompt and United Response to Fire on West Franklin Street

A group of business and community leaders, including Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, the Town of Chapel Hill, and The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro continues to discuss how to best support businesses in the 400 block of West Franklin Street that were impacted by a fire that occurred on Saturday, July 22.

The group expresses their gratitude and appreciation to the many first responders and neighboring agencies who responded to this call, including Chapel Hill and Carrboro Fire Departments. The group commends their timely and effective response. Their dedication and bravery prevented any public injuries and put out the fire. The three Chapel Hill firefighters who suffered minor injuries are doing well.

As the business support efforts move forward, the priority remains supporting the affected businesses and their employees. The following establishments have sustained damage due to the fire, smoke, or water: Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering; db sutton & company; Moshi Moshi Means Hello; Simply Audrey; and Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

The electricity has been restored for most adjacent buildings, but some rooftops sustained minor smoke damage. There is also a possibility of water damage.

The Town of Chapel Hill is working closely with affected business owners to make sure they have the support they need throughout the re-opening process. Building inspectors are expediting the process, while maintaining safety as a top priority.

In response to the fire’s impact on Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering specifically, a GoFundMe campaign has been established. The primary objective of this fund is to provide financial support to the employees, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance during this challenging time.

We recognize the significance of these establishments as pillars of our community, and our collective support will be essential in helping them recover and rebuild. We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as this group assesses the needs of the affected businesses.

The Chapel Hill Fire Department continues to investigate the cause of the fire. As more updates become available, we will keep the community informed. Together we can demonstrate the resilience and spirit that defines Chapel Hill.

---

Animal Services offers grant program for animal welfare initiatives

Orange County Animal Services is offering The Pat Sanford Animal Welfare Grant, a program to support animal welfare initiatives and projects in Orange County, thanks to a generous donation from Friends of Orange County Animal Shelter for that purpose. This is the eighth year the award has been offered, and it will be awarded for initiatives up to $500. Applications must be received by Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.

The grant can be used for a wide range of pilot or seed projects or to supplement other programs, projects, and grants which support companion animals, including those animals used in recreation or therapy. It is available to individuals, groups, and organizations and although the recipients do not have to live in Orange County, the funds must be used to aid animal welfare efforts in Orange County. Past recipients include Hope Animal Rescue, Independent Animal Rescue, NC Therapeutic Riding Center, Pet Pals, Trestle Leaf Web Design, Carolina Boxer Rescue, Our Wild Neighbors and Meals on Wheels of Orange County.

The program honors Pat Sanford, former Executive Director of the Animal Protection Society of Orange County (APS). Sanford served there for 17 years, where she pushed for spay/neuter to combat the county’s pet overpopulation problem and helped expand the APS twice. After her retirement in 2002, Sanford continued her work for Orange County animals and served on the county’s Animal Services Advisory Board for several years.

Sanford’s accomplishments are vast and her contributions helped Orange County become one of the leading counties in the state and country for animal placement, recovery, and overall well-being. The grants awarded in her honor will support efforts that exemplify the same dedication and commitment to animal welfare in Orange County. The initial donation will sustain the program for a 10-year period. Additional donations are welcomed to increase the annual award amount and to extend the period in which the grant is awarded. 

For more information on the grant, to find the application, and to find out more about giving opportunities for this program, visit www.orangecountync.gov/368/Pat-Sanford-Animal-Welfare-Award.

---

Elliott Road Extension Opens Friday, July 28

The Town of Chapel Hill’s project to extend to South Elliott Road is complete and will open for public use on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 8 a.m.

This road is a vital component of the Ephesus Church/Fordham Small Area planning initiative, which recommends improvements to current roads and intersections in what is now referred to as the Blue Hill District. New roads like Elliott Road Extension allow for safer and more efficient bicycle and vehicle access.

The goal of this plan is to consider current traffic conditions, define future land uses, and determine solutions for the existing streets and intersection to encourage reinvestment in study area properties. This road infrastructure supports the increase in both residential and commercial growth.

In January 2017, Council accepted 25% design plans that included:

• • • widening Elliott Road on the west side of Fordham Boulevard
    • improving the Elliott-Fordham intersection
    • adding half of a mile of protected bike lanes and a multi-use path on both sides of the new road
    • installing a roundabout on Ephesus Church Road; and
    • improving the right-turn lane on northbound Fordham Boulevard to turn onto South Elliott Road

Construction for Elliott Road Extension began in January 2021. The Mayor and representatives from many Town departments participated in a ribbon-cutting on Thursday, July 27, to signify the opening of this important connection.

---

Posted July 25, 2023

BIPOC Carrboro voices needed on greenway

The Town of Carrboro has a summertime engagement effort underway about the Bolin Creek Greenway: “Which way for the greenway?” They are looking to increase engagement by BIPOC residents of Carrboro in their survey. Read more about the project and click below to take the survey.

---

Carrboro Mayor’s Message to the Community about Bolin Creek Greenway Survey

Dear Neighbors:

Today I write with excitement about the promise of completing Carrboro’s network of greenways, and with an invitation to participate in a community survey at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2869/Bolin-Creek-Greenway-Engagement-Survey 

For many years, Carrboro residents have supported improvements to our network of sidewalks, bikeways, and greenways to better connect our neighborhoods with each other and to schools and jobs, parks, civic and social opportunities, and our downtown. Together with our significant investments in the fare-free Chapel Hill Transit system, these improvements provide more options for more people for recreation and mobility throughout the community.

We’re making progress, slowly but steadily:

• • • Since the Bolin Creek Greenway concept plan was approved in 2009, we have completed two phases of the project. The Wilson Park Multi-use Path connects Wilson Park and nearby neighborhoods, Estes Drive, Estes Park Apartments, and the walking trails of the Adams Tract. The Homestead Road–Chapel Hill High School Multi-use Path connects the Winmore and Claremont neighborhoods to Chapel Hill High School, Smith Middle School, and Seawell Elementary School .
    • Since the Morgan Creek Greenway concept plan was approved in 2010, design of the first phase is nearly finished. This phase will connect the Berryhill and Canterbury  neighborhoods to Smith Level Road and planned greenway segments in Chapel Hill. Future phases will connect to neighborhoods near Jones Ferry Road, University Lake, and Carrboro High School.
    • The first segment of the Jones Creek Greenway was completed in 2011 from the future Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomp) Park to Morris Grove Elementary. Construction of the short connection to the Ballentine, Legends at Lake Hogan, and Lake Hogan Farms neighborhoods is expected to begin next year. Future phases will connect to the Fox Meadow and Winmore neighborhoods.

Now we need your help with a survey about the remaining phases of the Bolin Creek Greenway. Your input at this early stage will help the Town plan and design these phases, address engineering and environmental details, and secure federal funding and other grants to make the project a reality. While this public engagement is occurring, staff are reviewing the alternative greenway options in the concept plan for any technical or regulatory challenges.

Your survey responses will be considered along with previous public input, technical and scientific findings from professional field investigations, and the updated technical and regulatory review .

As you respond to the survey, I encourage you to think about how you and your neighbors use the greenways in Carrboro and Chapel Hill today. How do you envision using them in the future? What are the opportunities for connections and destinations? How can a complete greenway network support our recreational, transportation, environmental, and health goals as a community?

Your responses are important to us. Please learn more about the Bolin Creek Greenway concept plan at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2762/Bolin-Creek-Greenway  and share your thoughts through the online survey at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2869/Bolin-Creek-Greenway-Engagement-Survey  

---

Orange County Elections Board sworn in, holds first meeting

Orange County’s five-person Board of Elections was sworn in on Tuesday, July 18, and held its first meeting.

Jamie Cox was appointed Chair by Governor Roy Cooper, who appoints the chair for all 100 county boards of elections.

The other members of the board–two Democrats and two Republicans–are appointed by the State Board of Elections as recommended by county party chairs. All members serve two-year terms.

After being administered the oath of office by Orange County Clerk of Superior Court Mark Kleinschmidt, the Board organized and unanimously elected Jason Roberts as Secretary to the Board.

---

CHHS CLASS OF 1973 REUNITES FOR GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION

The members of the Chapel Hill High School Class of 1973 and their invited guests are excited to commemorate their 50 year graduation and celebrate with numerous events in Chapel Hill throughout the weekend of Friday, August 4 – Sunday, August 6, 2023—the first to take place over three-days.  Beachy Riggsbee Sanders, Chair of the CHHS 50^th Class Reunion Planning Committee, in a recent written interview expounded upon the reunion. 

“50 years and here we are…it is so exciting!” says, Beachy Riggsbee Sanders, Chair, CHHS 50^th Class Reunion Planning Committee.  She noted that it was an honor to have served her fellow alums.  “The fact that we have so many classmates, their spouses and significant others who are willing to travel to North Carolina to share in this moment with us is rewarding…” says Sanders.

For close to a year, the 50^th Reunion Planning Committee has been meeting, planning, reaching out to find “lost” classmates, acquiring venues, and taking care of details.  She added, “I would like to thank the planning committee for their dedication and hard work.  They, along with other classmates, went above and beyond with their support, donations, and service to make our 50^th Class Reunion a reality.  This group of people made it happen!”

“We have found some classmates and will continue our efforts even after the Reunion to find even more that we can reach out to and gather information about so that they can be included in our database to receive updates of events happening in the future.  During this Reunion, I am hopeful that the Class of 1973 will continue to talk to one another, have opportunities to see each other on occasions, and to keep our connections and the bonds that we have reestablished with each other or just to say HELLO!”… Sanders concluded.

Interesting Fact about the Reunion: 

This 50^th Class Reunion, the so called “Golden Jubilee” could easily be considered a misnomer or inaccurate designation, given that this class actually first came together in September, 1966. At that time, for the purposes of integration, the Chapel Hill City School’s Board-mandated and created, Lincoln Six Grade Center, at the former Lincoln High School building, the school system’s current administration building, Lincoln Center. It was the only sixth grade school in the district for one-year—the 1966-67 school year.  Dr. Paul N. Pritchard was the school principal.

It was the tumultuous and turbulent 1960’s.  The uncertainty of the times as society was turned upside down in so many different ways—from desegregation to integration, from blues and beach music to the Beatles and Rock and Roll.  This class was a role model for the classes that followed us. We came together and lived and worked together, as young people, then, to forge our way forward.  We learned, in the process, to respect each other—our similarities and our differences, as well as our common humanity. Our diversity has become our strength, and our legacy will bear witness of the same.

Attendees will visit the newly built Chapel Hill High School (construction completed 2021) on the same grounds where alumni attended; it was the only high school in Chapel Hill in 1973. 

Classmates are encouraged to explore and visit some of their favorite places of their youth in “a stroll down memory lane” while in Chapel Hill—the Southern Part of Heaven.

---

The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Board of Directors announces the appointment of Rebecca Mormino as Executive Director

Rebecca Mormino is a seasoned communications and engagement specialist with over fifteen years of experience orchestrating large-scale events, developing partnerships, and cultivating meaningful community connections. In her most recent role as the Assistant Director of External Affairs at the UNC’s Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Rebecca was pivotal in amplifying the institute’s mission to a global audience.

She has been instrumental in conceptualizing and launcing the institute’s translational research initiatives, and has significantly contributed to reshaping its brand identity, further strengthening its position in the thought leadership sector. Before joining the Kenan Institute, Rebecca refined her skills at several prominent arts festivals and organizations in the Triangle —including the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Hopscotch Music Festival, Moogfest, and Merge Records. She managed large-scale events, public programming, and collaborations with creative agencies and sponsors, including Google Play and Squarespace.

A Chapel Hill resident for over two decades and a proud alum of UNC-Chapel Hill, Rebecca is deeply committed to supporting local businesses and promoting the unique arts and culture that makes Chapel Hill an exceptional place to live.

Some fun facts about Rebecca:

In her early 20s, she went on tour with bands like Superchunk and Sonic Youth, selling their t-shirts and merchandise for two years. As a result, she’s visited every state in the continental U.S.!

She lived in Florence, Italy and attended school there three times in her life, and hopes to gain dual citizenship, as her father’s family is from Sicily.

She’s a big fan of horror movies!

---

Calling “Moth-ers” of all ages to come celebrate National Moth Week

National Moth Week celebrates the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths. “Moth-ers” of all ages and abilities are encouraged to learn about, observe, and document moths in their backyards, parks, and neighborhoods. National Moth Week is being held, worldwide, July 22 – 30. NMW offers everyone, everywhere a unique opportunity to become a Citizen Scientist and contribute scientific data about moths where they live. Through partnerships with major online biological data depositories, NMW participants can help map moth distribution and provide needed information on other life history aspects around the globe. Visit the National Moth Week organization online for more information.

You can join the Carrboro National Moth Week iNaturalist project on their website and participate anytime during the week,  or you can join us on Friday, July 28 at 8 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr Park for an  evening of moth-ing 

Moth Night
When: Friday, July 28 at 8:00 p.m. -10 p.m.
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Park Small Pavilion (1120 Hillsborough Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516)
Who: All ages are welcome, no RSVP is required. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
What: Join us for an in-person event celebrating National Moth Week in Carrboro. Meet at the small pavilion for a brief introduction to moth identification and how to use the iNaturalist app to log your observations then join staff at our light stations set up in the park to see what moths you can find!

Bring your:

• • • Smartphone/Device/Camera
    • Flashlight/Headlamp (the pathway is not illuminated)
    • Refillable water bottle
    •  A sense of adventure as we collect data for this exciting citizen science project!

Contact Heather Holley at hholley@carrboronc.gov or 919.548.9412 for more information. In the event of bad weather, please call/text Heather Holley 919.548.9412  or follow the Carrboro Stormwater Instagram page (@townofcarrborostormwater) to learn if the program has been canceled/postponed/rescheduled.

---

Posted July 20, 2023

---

Join the Carrboro Police Department at National Night Out

The Carrboro Police Department invites the community to come out for the National Night Out event being held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.

There will be games, free food (provided by Monterrey Mexican Restaurant), activities, a dunk tank, a youth bike skills course (provided by the Carrboro Bike Coalition), and many organizations in attendance with tables. 

Feel free to drop by, and bring the kids! 

Background

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. 

National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while keeping a true sense of community. It provides an excellent opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

For more information about National Night Out, please visit https://natw.org

---

Attention Anglers: Come share your thoughts on the Community Fishing Program

---

Take the Orange County Strategic Priorities Survey

Orange County Government continually strives to make our strategic priorities a reality. In doing so, it’s critical to evaluate the level of service we provide across all service areas, whether it’s creating a vibrant economy, fostering environmental stewardship, facilitating resident well-being, or any other key community needs. We need your thoughts on issues like economic development, the county’s recreational facilities, transportation, and how safe you feel in your community. That’s why we’re reaching out with this survey, and if you could give us 10-15 minutes of your time, your insights will be invaluable.

Your anonymous answers to the Orange County Community Survey will provide Commissioners and staff with vital feedback concerning opportunities and challenges facing our community. Please have anyone 18 years or older in your household complete the survey.

If you have any questions about the Orange County Community Survey, please contact Ryan Murray, ETC Institute’s Project Manager at Ryan.Murray@ETCInstitute.com or call (913) 254-4598.

• • • Take the Survey

---

---

Roberts named County Attorney of the Year by state association

Orange County Attorney John Roberts was named the outstanding County Attorney of the Year by the N.C. Association of County Attorneys (NCACA) at its annual conference in July.

“John has been a great asset and advocate for county issues,” said Whitney Parrish, the Lee County Attorney who is the current NCACA President. “During his time as president, he has worked diligently on an internship program to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in those entering local government law.”

Roberts has served as Orange County Attorney since April 2009. Prior to coming to Orange County, he served as County Attorney for Stanly County for two years.

As county attorney, he serves as in-house general counsel for the county government with a focus on North Carolina local government law, contracts, cybersecurity, privacy, and data breach response.

“I’m honored to receive this recognition,” Roberts said. “I have to emphasize that everything I worked on was part of a team effort. The other association officers, Whitney Parrish, Heather Baker, and Misty Leland and also Amy Bason with the NCACC and Kara Millonzi with the School of Government, did the hard work and my responsibilities were easy by comparison.”

Roberts is a graduate of Davenport University and holds a J.D. from NC Central University and an MPA from N.C. State University.

---

Community Climate Action Grant Open for FY23-24 Funding

The application period for Orange County’s Community Climate Action Grant is open for FY23-24. An estimated $282,042 in funding will be provided to support community expansion of climate change mitigation and resilience projects that build on Orange County’s long history of sustainable actions.  An additional $282,042 in funding will be set aside to fund applications from either of Orange County’s two public school districts.

All public and non-profit entities and small businesses are eligible to apply.  Details on grant eligibility, scoring and application materials are available at the grant program website.  The deadline to apply is Aug. 18, 2023.

---

Uproar Festival of Public Art is a new arts festival that launched this week in Orange County

From July 14 through Aug. 12, 60 bold, high-impact, outdoor works of art will be showcased throughout the downtown communities of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough.

The Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau will provide FREE trolley transportation in Chapel Hill and Carrboro on Saturdays (July 15 – August 12) from 12-8pm. The route can be found on the Uproar Map. It’s free, accessible and air conditioned!   An online map is available at https://uproarfestnc.com/art and https://artsorange.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MAP.pdf  

Cash prizes will be awarded based on public voting and a jury panel of experts.

More than 100 artists from throughout the Southeast applied to be a part of Uproar. Ultimately, 60 artists were selected from four states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Arkansas. 

Each work will have an accompanying sign with a QR code that links to a webpage for visitors to score that piece of art. The work with the highest score will win the $10,000 People’s Choice Prize.    

The winner will be announced at the Closing Party on Saturday, Aug. 12 (6-9 p.m.) at the Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough. Like the festival itself, the ceremony is free and open to all.

To learn more about the festival, visit https://uproarfestnc.com/ 

---

Bus Tracking Upgrade

New app and mobile site improve on previous versions

On July 17, 2023, Chapel Hill Transit customers have a new way to maximize their public transit commute. We are excited to roll-out our next iteration of bus tracking capabilities on a mobile app: CH Transit. Customers can install the app from their mobile app store; and if preferred, use the mobile-friendly website mychtransit.org.

This service improvement comes after a period without the technology available to customers due to changes in the cellular data network, a global pandemic, supply chain issues, and a new vendor partnership. Customers will be able to use CH Transit to locate the nearest bus stop, find routes, and estimated arrival times of their bus. Other options will allow customers to favorite their routes and stops, receive service alerts, or contact Chapel Hill Transit. The mobile site, mychtransit.org, can provide more information like capacity of buses.

Behind the scenes, the software provides the Chapel Hill Transit team with accurate data for analyzing and planning — all leading to more informed decisions and a better transit system.

Customers who currently track buses using Next Bus or Transloc will need to transition to the CH Transit app, as those will no longer be supported soon. We thank our customers for their patience during the technology’s absence and invite your feedback through email: chtransit@townofchapelhill.org

---

Posted July 13, 2023

Chelsea vs. Wrexham July 19

A significant increase of visitors is anticipated in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community when UK soccer teams Chelsea and Wrexham play at Kenan Memorial Stadium the evening of Wednesday, July 19, as part of the 2023 FC Series. These are two giant UK soccer clubs with international reputations.

Please expect an increase in traffic starting on July 17 and give yourself plenty of time to get around the area over the next few days.

Use these resources to plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to get around Chapel Hill:

• • • Parking on UNC-Chapel Hill’s Campus
    • Park & Ride via Tar Heel Express
    • Parking in Downtown Chapel Hill
    • FC Series InformationMore information:
      • https://move.unc.edu/news/2023/06/28/chelsea-fc-vs-wrexham-afc/
      • https://www.visitchapelhill.org/welcome-chelsea-and-wrexham-fans-to-chapel-hill/
      • Parking in Chapel Hill – https://parkonthehill.com/game-day/
      • Parking in Carrboro – https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11225/Carrboro-Parking-Map-?bidId=

---

National Night Out

The Town of Chapel Hill invites you and your neighbors to join its Police, Fire, Housing, and Parks and Recreation Departments — along with churches and community organizations — for free food, games, music, and family fun on National Night Out, Tuesday, August 1.

This year’s celebration is a big one as the community-building campaign celebrates 40 years!

National Night Out promotes police-community partnerships and stronger community safety across the country. The event is celebrated each year on the first Tuesday in August.

This year the Town is hosting block parties in four neighborhoods:

• • • Hargraves Center, 216 N. Roberson St., 6–8 p.m.
    • Eastwood, Piney Mountain Rd. and Louis Armstrong Ct., 5–7 p.m.
    • South Estes Drive (Ridgefield), S. Estes Dr. at Fordham Blvd., 5–7 p.m.
    • Colony Woods, Jackie Robinson St. and Adelaide Walters St., 5–7 p.m.

View our National Night Out 2023 flyer in five languages!

---

July Traffic-Safety Initiatives

The Chapel Hill Police Department is planning several pedestrian safety enforcement operations in July, in addition to normal patrols. Scheduled special operations include – but are not limited to – the following dates:

• • • Wednesday, July 12, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
    • Tuesday, July 18, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    • Friday, July 21, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    • Thursday, July 27, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

*Dates and times are subject to change

Each effort will focus on areas with heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic, including downtown, and mid-block crosswalks (ex. along the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Estes Drive corridors). We encourage everyone traveling, regardless of your mode of transportation, to remember that community safety is a shared responsibility.

The Chapel Hill Police Department is also planning several speed enforcement operations in July – in addition to normal patrols – with the main goal of improving safety for everyone who shares roads.

• • • Tuesday, July 11, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Tuesday, July 18, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
    • Tuesday, July 25, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

*Dates and times are subject to change

Footwork, Off the Field

You should expect to see more people walking, biking, and rolling in Chapel Hill as Chelsea and Wrexham soccer fans here at home, from across the country, and around the world, head to Chapel Hill for the teams’ highly-anticipated match on Wednesday, July 19.

No matter your method of transportation, make sure you give yourself extra time to get where you’re going. Drivers, drop the distractions, slow down, and leave room for your neighbors and the many visitors who will be in Chapel Hill. View match transportation and parking information here.

Vision Zero

On October 13, 2021, Chapel Hill’s Town Council adopted a Vision Zero Resolution, which states that traffic injuries and deaths are not inevitable “accidents” but preventable crashes. The Town committed to eliminating all transportation and mobility related deaths and serious injuries by 2031. This will be achieved through a comprehensive and holistic approach to designing safe roadway systems for all users no matter how they choose to move throughout the community. View the resolution here.

---

DCHC MPO Seeks Public Comment on Regional Short Range Transportation Plan

Input Requested by July 26

Now is the time to give your input on our region’s short range transportation plan.  We want to hear from people interested in bicycle, pedestrian, transit, rail, and highway transportation projects and hear how the funding of these projects impacts you. 

The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) seeks input by July 26. Please weigh in on the upcoming adoption of the FY 2024-2033 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP identifies highway, bus, rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and other transportation projects for this region over the next 10 years. Projects in the DCHC MPO TIP are a subset of projects from the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which contains projects across all of North Carolina. The first four years of the TIP must also match the first four years of the DCHC MPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP).

Residents and other stakeholders are asked to review the FY 2024-2033 TIP on the DCHC MPO website and provide comments at www.bit.ly/FY24-33TIP, or by email, or by calling (919) 503-4119 no later than July 26.

Residents are encouraged to provide comments directly to the DCHC MPO Board, either in person or virtually, at the Board’s public hearing for this item on Wednesday, August 9, at 9 a.m.  Send your request to speak at the hearing by email or by calling (919) 503-4119. The board meeting livestream will also be available for viewing on the DCHC MPO YouTube.

About the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization

The DCHC MPO is responsible for planning and programming state and federal transportation projects in all of Durham County and the urbanized areas of Orange County and Chatham County.  To learn more, follow the DCHC MPO Facebook and Twitter pages to stay up-to-date on news about their transportation planning efforts.

---

SPEND LABOR DAY WITH OCLW  

On Labor Day afternoon (Sept. 4 from 2 to 6 pm), we’re hosting a concert fundraiser at the beautiful Pluck Farm! 

We’ll reveal more details on our website and on social media in the coming weeks, but save the date for incredible local music, beer by living wage employer Steel String Brewery, and a celebration of local workers. 

---

Orange County Housing Dept. Announces Changes to Emergency Housing Assistance Program

The Orange County Housing Department has moved to a new set of eligibility guidelines for households requesting emergency housing assistance. Eligible households include those facing eviction, utility disconnection, or exiting homelessness. There are no income restrictions associated with qualifying for assistance, however, proof of income is required to apply. Additionally, there remains a $6,000 cap on the amount of funding a household can receive during a calendar year

The Orange County Housing Department, in collaboration with the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough, has administered the emergency housing assistance (EHA) program since early 2020. Full program information, including applications and the online application portal, can be found here.

“Emergency housing assistance has been successful in keeping individuals and families from being evicted, going without power or water, and from experiencing homelessness,” explained Corey Root, director of housing. “Our program changes reflect a tighter focus on assisting our most vulnerable residents.”

The Orange County Housing Department offers a variety of trauma-informed programs to help low-income residents remain in their homes or, if they are experiencing homeless, to find temporary shelter and long-term housing. Services include: emergency housing assistance, housing choice vouchers (formerly known as Section 8), housing repair and rehabilitation, property tax assistance for longtime homeowners, street outreach, and a housing helpline. For more information, visit the Orange County Housing Department website.

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A HOUSING CRISIS:

• • • Call the Housing Helpline 919-245-2655, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to speak with a member of our staff. Voicemails may be left anytime.
    • Email housinghelp@orangecountync.gov.
    • Drop by for in-person hours:
      • Mondays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the IFC Commons, 110 West Main St, Carrboro
      • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill

---

Tax Department offers e-billing solution to pay property tax bills

The Orange County Tax Department offers the option to enroll in e-billing to pay property tax bills through the county’s official online payment solution, MyOrangeCountyNC.

Electronic billing, or e-billing, is a convenient and secure way to receive your official property tax bills. If you choose to enroll, you will no longer receive property tax bills through the mail. Future statements will be delivered via email each year.

The deadline to enroll in ebilling for 2023 property tax bills is Friday, July 21. Click the link above to get started.

---

Senior Center to offer free memory screenings

Memory screenings are an important part of a good health and wellness routine for people of all ages. Screenings take just a few minutes, consist of a series of questions, and are conducted one-on-one with a certified screener. 

Schedule a time with our MOCA Certified staff to complete a screening and learn more about you or a loved one’s specific areas of cognitive strength and challenge. Appointments are 15 minutes.

Contact the Aging Helpline at 919-968-2087 or AgingTransitions@OrangeCountyNC.gov  to schedule your appointment.

---

---

Movies Under the Stars Returns to Forest Theatre During July, August

Kids of all ages can catch a fun, free movie in an iconic location as Movies Under the Stars returns to Forest Theatre for the summer. Sponsored by Community Arts & Culture, Chapel Hill Public Library, and UNC Arts Everywhere, Movies Under the Stars features a diverse array of animated movies on Thursday evenings during July and August:

July 20              The Princess and The Frog
July 27              Turning Red
August 10         Sing!
August 17         Shrek

The movies will begin at sundown and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and water, as well as a flashlight for when the movie is over. Free popcorn will be provided.

This year, there’s additional fun before the movie starts, with a DJ Dance Party and frozen treats for sale from different local vendors each week, including Mapleview Farms, Alsie’s, and Mike’s Icys. Pre-show fun starts at 7:15 p.m.

Movies Under the Stars is a collaborative effort of the town and the university to offer free, family-friendly entertainment during the summer months. The planning partners jointly curated the movies for this year, with a focus on diversity. “In choosing films such as The Princess and The Frog and Turning Red, we wanted to make sure that all Chapel Hill kids feel represented and celebrated,” said Susan Brown, Director of Community Arts & Culture and Chapel Hill Public Library.

Brown also said that ending the series with Shrek is a way to connect with UNC students and welcome them, whether they are first-year or returning students. “Last year, we ended with High School Musical and had a great turnout from UNC students, who sang along to every word. We chose Shrek as another nostalgic favorite and hope to see students with us again this year.”

Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture aims to inspire creativity and celebrate community for a better Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill Public Library’s mission is to spark curiosity, inspire learning, and create connections. UNC Arts Everywhere strives to make the arts a fundamental part of the University culture and daily campus life.

---

---

The board of directors of PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro has named Erin Riney as the non-profit’s new executive director, effective July 5. 

In addition to prior non-profit advocacy work and numerous volunteer roles, her past experience includes over 15 years as a community college educator and student champion. Chief among her many projects include collaborating with students to create Durham Technical Community College’s robust campus food pantry and spearheading the creation of interconnected holistic student supports for student parents and those experiencing housing insecurity and other basic needs challenges. 

Riney also led a statewide alliance of other college pantries, created the college’s civic and community engagement office, and wrote a college success textbook that has been utilized by community colleges across the state to help first-generation students navigate higher education. A resident of Chapel Hill since 2004, she is passionate about developing inclusive, equitable solutions to engage and support our Chapel Hill and Carrboro neighbors. 

“PORCH’s neighbors-helping-neighbors model provides the foundation for food justice work that can transform a community,” says Riney. “At the heart of the organization’s efforts is the sense of community formed between donors, volunteers, PORCH program participants, and community partner organizations – and I look forward to working with them all as we continue to address the problem of hunger and its root causes right here in our backyard.”

“PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro prides itself on 13 years of steady growth and program enhancement,” says Laura Malinchock, board chair. “We have filled gaps, worked with partners to enroll families who need our support, prioritized cultural preferences, and identified fresh food partners – all while navigating economic downturns and a global pandemic. Our board has embarked on a new strategic plan to meet the growing demands of families facing food insecurity. We want to strengthen our infrastructure, our leadership, and our programs to meet this increasing need. Our board is shifting from one that was operationally focused to a governing board with staff to support our mission. The addition of Erin to our team is crucial to our future growth. We look forward to supporting her in this new season of leadership for our beloved organization.”   

PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro fights hunger by mobilizing neighbors, building community, and providing fresh, healthy food to families, local pantries, and schools. Since its founding in 2010, PORCH has provided more than $5 million in hunger relief to Chapel Hill and Carrboro residents. In 2022, PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro provided a record amount of hunger relief – $824,900 in fresh food, non-perishable goods, and grocery gift card support. Each month, about 280 volunteers serve more than 550 families – about 2,275 individuals, which includes 1,300 children. Learn more at chapelhill.porchcommunities.org.

---

Posted July 5, 2023

Coffee with a Chapel Hill Cop

Join the Guardians of the Hill for Coffee with a Cop from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Flying Biscuit Cafe at 201 S. Estes Drive.

The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down the barriers between police officers and the community they serve by removing agendas and allowing opportunities to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the officers in your neighborhood.

---

Town of Chapel Hill to Receive $1 Million RAISE Grant 

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Town of Chapel Hill a $1,000,000 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant. This grant program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact.  

The Town’s grant proposal includes funding for feasibility studies for the Everywhere to Everywhere (E2E) Greenways project. The goal of the project is to work toward a multimodal network of facilities that connects schools, shopping, parks, healthcare opportunities, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

When fully complete, 57 percent of Chapel Hill residents will live within 1/4 mile of a transportation greenway.

---

Raney Preserve Added to Stillhouse Bottom Natural Area

On June 26, the Town Council, the North Carolina Botanical Garden, and other community partners celebrated the addition of the 25-acre Raney Preserve to the greater Stillhouse Bottom Natural Area in southern Chapel Hill. 

This Preserve is now free from future development and has perpetual public access. Adding this land to the Preserve supports strategies in the Town’s Climate Action Plan, like enhancing green infrastructure through partnerships. 

The process began In January 2021, when the North Carolina Botanical Garden Foundation, Inc. and the North Carolina Botanical Garden requested the Town’s support to help purchase approximately 25 acres of privately held property to add to its Stillhouse Bottom Nature Preserve. In November 2021, the Town Council resolved to pledge the requested contribution to be used for the purchase. The three organizations have a long history of collaborating, including on other land acquisitions for conservation purposes.

---

Town of Chapel Hill Receives Grant from AARP 

The Town of Chapel Hill is one of seven organizations chosen to receive 2023 Community Challenge grants from the AARP. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages 50 and older.

Chapel Hill will use grant funds to install pedestrian refuge medians and traffic calming apparatus to help prevent deaths and serious injuries to pedestrians.

---

DCHC MPO Seeks Public Comment on Transportation and Air Quality

Now is the time to give your input on proposed changes to our region’s long-range transportation plan. The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) wants to hear from people interested in bicycle, pedestrian, transit and highway transportation projects and their effect on air quality.

The 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan identifies future highway, bus, rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and other transportation projects for this region over the next 30 years. The Air Quality report demonstrates that the region will continue to attain air quality goals with the implementation of the amended 2050 MTP. 

Residents are encouraged to provide comments to the DCHC MPO Board, either in person or virtually, at the Board’s public hearing for this item on Wednesday, August 9, at 9 a.m. 

---

Chapel Hill Police Charge Four People Following Attempted Vehicle Break-Ins

The Chapel Hill Police Department arrested and charged four people following attempted vehicle break-ins this week, as investigators continue to look into an increase in vehicle break-ins this year – a trend communities across the region are experiencing.

Just before 1 a.m. Wednesday, officers saw several people pulling on vehicle door handles in a parking deck at Flemington Road and Glen Lennox Drive.

The following people face charges in this case:

• Daquan Lamarcus Hart, 19, of Durham
  • Misdemeanor Attempted Breaking Entering Motor Vehicle
  • Misdemeanor Conspiracy
  • Warrant for Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Jordan Keyshawn Bey, 20, of Durham
  • Misdemeanor Attempted Breaking Entering Motor Vehicle
  • Misdemeanor Conspiracy
• Jayvian Clarence Pegram, 19, of Durham
  • Misdemeanor Attempted Breaking Entering Motor Vehicle
  • Misdemeanor Conspiracy
• Javari Deshawn Jacobs, 20, of Greensboro
  • Misdemeanor Conspiracy

This year, the Chapel Hill Police Department has received 275 reports of breaking and entering vehicles, compared to 181 reports by this time last year.

Follow These Steps

In many of these cases, vehicles are left unlocked or valuable items are left in plain sight. The Department’s Community Services Unit is sharing these reminders:

• Always lock your vehicle, even if you are just stepping away for a few minutes
• Do not leave your purse, wallet, phone, or other valuables inside
• Place items out of sight if you have to leave them in your vehicle
• If you have a gun, do not leave it in your car

Hyundai & Kia Theft Risk

Certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles are being stolen at a higher rate, due to a vulnerability. Visit these websites to learn whether your Hyundai or Kia vehicle is affected.

In addition to anti-theft software upgrades, Hyundai Motor America recently sent free steering wheel locks to the Chapel Hill Police Department. Some of these locks are still available for drivers of affected vehicles.

If you’re interested in picking up a free lock, stop by Police Headquarters at 828 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard any time Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

---

July is Parks and Recreation Month in Carrboro

July is Parks and Recreation Month in Carrboro, as proclaimed by Mayor Damon Seils. 

 “I encourage all residents to enjoy our parks and natural areas, to take advantage of classes, camps, programs, and events provided by the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department, and to share appreciation and thanks with the department’s many dedicated employees and volunteers,” Mayor Seils said. 

 The National Park and Recreation Association has designated the theme of this year’s celebration as “Where Community Grows!” (hashtag #WhereCommunityGrows). 

 Parks and recreation programs are an integral part of communities because they help establish and maintain a good quality of life, contribute to the health of residents, and support the economic and environmental well-being of the community and the region.

•  Learn more about the programs and services of the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department of the Town of Carrboro at carrbororec.org
•  Read the full proclamation at: https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13178/2023-Recreation-and-Parks-Month

---

OWASA Receives National Recognition for Commitment to High-Quality Drinking Water

Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) received three awards in June from the Partnership for Safe Water: 10-Year Excellence in Water Treatment; Five-Year Presidents Award for Distribution System Operations; and 10-Year Directors Award for Distribution System Operations for 2022. These awards were presented to OWASA at AWWA’s ACE 23 Conference in Toronto, Canada.

OWASA is a member of the Partnership for Safe Water (Partnership), led by six organizations including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The goal of the partnership’s programs are to improve the quality of water delivered to customers by optimizing water treatment and distribution operations and improving performance above and beyond regulatory levels.

OWASA successfully optimized drinking water treatment processes to achieve higher standards than mandated by the state and the EPA. The 10-year Excellence in Water Treatment award celebrates OWASA’s continued commitment and success in meeting these goals for ten consecutive years.

The Five-Year Presidents and 10-Year Directors awards for Distribution System Operations are given to systems that successfully completed self-assessment and continuous improvement planning while demonstrating and maintaining outstanding performance and commitment to the community.  

OWASA is passionate about the partnership and the positive impacts it has had on operational performance, the organization’s culture and the ability to provide excellent service to the communities it serves.

Mary Darr, OWASA’s General Manager of Operations, sees these awards as a positive indicator of OWASA’s success. “Public health, our customers’ satisfaction with their service and confidence in us as their water and sewer utility are always our first priorities,” she said. “Participating in the Partnership for Safe Water and earning these awards demonstrate to our community that we are going the extra mile and performing well amongst our peers.”

OWASA has participated in the overall Partnership program since 2002. In addition to these water treatment and distribution system awards, OWASA’s Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant received the Partnership for Clean Water Directors Award in Wastewater Treatment in 2021.

---

Orange County discontinues pet licensing program, fee

Orange County, North Carolina, will no longer require pet licensing fees as of July 1, 2023. The discontinuation of this licensing program was approved by the Board of County Commissioners in accordance with recommendations made by Orange County Animal Services (OCAS).

This licensing program was primarily established to help offset the costs of managing pet overpopulation. However, OCAS recognizes that this community issue can now be managed in ways that are more convenient and feasible for Orange County residents.

Animal Services recommends that all pets are microchipped and wear updated I.D. tags for visual identification. If you have lost or found a pet, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/295/Lost-Found for more resources and information.

It is a requirement in North Carolina that all cats, dogs, and ferrets over 4 months of age are vaccinated against rabies. Rabies is a fatal viral infection that can affect humans and animals. Make sure your pets are current on their rabies vaccinations and consult your veterinarian for information and recommendations about any vaccinations. Visit www.orangecountync.gov/307/Rabies for more information. 

For more information about Orange County Animal Services, (including spay/neuter programs and animals available for adoption) please visit www.orangecountync.gov/AnimalServices or call 919-942-7387. 

---

THE CARRBORO FARMERS’ MARKET SIGNATURE ANNUAL EVENT “TOMATO DAY” RETURNS ON SATURDAY, JULY 15TH

Shoppers can enjoy slices of freshly-sliced tomatoes from market farmers, live music, guest appearances by local chefs, recipes, a town-wide raffle, and more.

On Saturday, July 15th the Carrboro Farmers’ Market will be celebrating the bounty of local tomatoes with its biggest annual event of the year – Tomato Day! Starting at 8:30am at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market (located at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W Main St in downtown Carrboro), the Market will be celebrating the summer tomato season with samples of different varieties of locally-grown tomatoes, a huge Carrboro-wide raffle, samples of tomato dishes and recipes, live music from local duo Sugaree String Society, and much more. This event is free and open to the public.

From old favorites like Sun Gold, Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, and Big Beef, to lesser-known varieties like Black Krim, Chef’s Choice, Mountain Magic, Super Sweet 100, and Tomimaru Mucho – farmers at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market grow over 70 different types of tomatoes!

From 8:30am to noon on Tomato Day, shoppers can pick up tomato “flights” to try different varieties of freshly-sliced tomatoes from CFM farmers. There will also be lots of summer recipes to inspire summer cooking with farmers market tomatoes and ingredients. Have questions about tomatoes? Ask a tomato farmer – Alex and Betsy Hitt of Peregrine Farm will be there to answer all your tomato questions.

As shoppers walk around the market, there will be samples of tomato recipes including dishes from acclaimed Chef Garret Fleming of Bombolo and from the Transplanting Traditions Community Farm Youth Program. Visitors can also find tomato specials from CFM vendors, as well as bites of tomato products and tomato pairings at vendor stalls around the market.

Brochures will be available with information on all the tomato varieties at the CFM as well as which farms grow them at both the Saturday and Wednesday markets. 

Don’t miss the town-wide Tomato Day raffle: shoppers can enter for a chance to win over 25 prizes and gift certificates from local Carrboro businesses like Weaver Street Market, Pizzeria Mercato, Orange County Social Club, This & That, Tesoro, and more.

And don’t forget the tomato swag – there will be special, limited-edition Tomato Day t-shirts designed by The Splinter Group in Carrboro and printed on ultra-soft, responsibly-sourced cotton by TS Designs in Burlington. 

CFM sponsor Southern Environmental Law Center will be giving out reusable kraft totes for anyone signing up to receive their e-newsletter. By signing up you will be sure to have the latest environmental news delivered right to your inbox.

Tomato Day is additionally supported by Laser Image Printing & Marketing, the Splinter Group, and Visit Carrboro.

Plan ahead for parking at Tomato Day! A map with free public parking in downtown Carrboro is available online through the Town of Carrboro. There are several places, such as along Fidelity Street, where on-street parking is available only during the farmers market. Market go-ers should make sure to check the on-street parking signs to make sure parking is allowed, and to NOT to park on S Laurel Ave or S Bim St. The CFM also has ample bicycle parking at the market, and is convenient to the CW, J, and F bus routes (all free through Chapel Hill Transit).

---

Orange County Housing Dept. Announces Changes to Emergency Housing Assistance (EHA) Program

The Orange County Housing Department has moved to a new set of eligibility guidelines for households requesting emergency housing assistance. Eligible households include those facing eviction, utility disconnection, or exiting homelessness. There are no income restrictions associated with qualifying for assistance, however, proof of income is required to apply. Additionally, there remains a $6,000 cap on the amount of funding a household can receive during a calendar year

The Orange County Housing Department, in collaboration with the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough, has administered the emergency housing assistance (EHA) program since early 2020. Full program information, including applications and the online application portal, can be found here.

“Emergency housing assistance has been successful in keeping individuals and families from being evicted, going without power or water, and from experiencing homelessness,” explained Corey Root, director of housing. “Our program changes reflect a tighter focus on assisting our most vulnerable residents.”
 
The Orange County Housing Department offers a variety of trauma-informed programs to help low-income residents remain in their homes or, if they are experiencing homeless, to find temporary shelter and long-term housing. Services include: emergency housing assistance, housing choice vouchers (formerly known as Section 8), housing repair and rehabilitation, property tax assistance for longtime homeowners, street outreach, and a housing helpline. For more information, visit the Orange County Housing Department website.

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A HOUSING CRISIS:

• Call the Housing Helpline 919-245-2655, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to speak with a member of our staff. Voicemails may be left anytime.
• Email housinghelp@orangecountync.gov
• Drop by for in-person hours
  1. Mondays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the IFC Commons, 110 West Main St, Carrboro
  2. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill

---

Posted June 29, 2023

Carrboro Community Fourth of July Celebration

The annual Fourth of July Celebration will be on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at the Carrboro Town Commons from 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  There will be a Kickoff Event at Weaver Street Market beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed by The People’s Parade from Weaver Street to Town Hall at 10:50 a.m. 

Pre-Event Activities at Weaver Street Market

Join us on the Weaver Street Market Lawn at 9:30 a.m. for pre-event activities!  There will be a Bike/Wagon Decorating Contest along with a Costume Contest for kids.

9:30 a.m. – Pre-Event Activities Begin
9:45 a.m. – Designing & Decorating Booths (Patriotic Tattoos, Hat Making & Decorating, Patriotic Flag Coloring, Bike & Wagon Decorating)
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – Registration for Costume Contest

Categories:

• Ages 1-5
• Ages 6-10
• Ages 11-15
• Family/Group
• Bike/Trike
• Wagon/Scooter/Other 

10:30 a.m. – Costume Contest Winners Announced
10:40 a.m. – Parade Assembly on East Weaver Street
10:50 a.m. – The People’s Parade from Weaver Street Market to Carrboro Town Hall led by The Bulltown Strutters (http://bulltownstrutters.org)

The People’s Parade

At approximately 10:50 a.m., the People’s Parade will begin and travel from Weaver Street Market to the Main Event at Carrboro Town Commons!  Dress up, bring your bikes and wagons, and join your fellow community members with a July 4th themed parade down Weaver!

Annual Reading of Frederick Douglass’ Essay

Mayor Damon Seils will host our annual gathering of community members for the annual Community Reading of Frederick Douglass’ essay, “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro.”   The reading will occur in the Carrboro Century Center’s Century Hall at 12:00pm.

Live Music at Town Hall

Below are the performances scheduled for this year’s event:
11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. – Stereo Doll
12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m. – Mix Tape Grab Bag
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Tre’ King Band

Other Events at Activities at Town Hall

Join us for the following during the main event from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Town Hall:

• Jr. Firefighter Obstacle Course
• Face Painting w/ Paint Savvy
• Carnival Games and Inflatables (Bounce House) 
• Baby Crawl Contest
• Free Expression Chalk Boards
• Toddler Square
• Revel Cube Gaming Truck
• Interactive Hoop Jam artist
• Bubble Artist
• Stilt Walker
• Food/Drink Vendors
• Non-Profit Booths
• Senior Bingo from 1:00 p.m. -2:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers
• Pie-Eating Contest (2:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m.)
  • 2:00 p.m. – Ages 6-8
  • 2:15 p.m. – Ages 9-12
  • 2:30 p.m. – Ages 13-17
  • 2:45 p.m. – Ages 18 & Up

Note: Registration for the pie-eating contest is on-site at the Information Booth from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Registration is first-come, first-served and a maximum of 8 participants will be accepted.  There is no registration fee, but a waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian.

• And more!

 For updates, please visit http://www.carrborojuly4th.com

---

Four on the Fourth 2023

A Carrboro road race is scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 4. Expect traffic delays around this time, and feel free to cheer on the runners! 

The four mile race begins in front of McDougle Middle School, winds through downtown Carrboro and its neighborhoods, and finishes on the McDougle track. 

McDougle Middle School is located at 900 Old Fayetteville Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

Four on the Fourth is the first race of the Cardinal Track Club’s three-race series, Le Tour de Carrboro. These local road races support nonprofits and their work to provide people with access to healthy food, mental and health services, rehabilitation, and more! 

Learn more at https://www.cardinaltrackclub.com/ 

---

Downtown Chapel Hill Small Business Relocation Grant Program

The Town of Chapel Hill Economic Development office is launching a new grant program to assist existing Downtown small businesses. The grant funding is made available through undesignated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that were allocated to the department in 2021. The grant parameters are a response to the continued redevelopment of Rosemary and Franklin Street. Recipients would be eligible to use the funds for revenue-generating space improvements, moving/relocation costs, lease payments, and gap financing to purchase commercial space. This program is made possible through a partnership with The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, which will assist in distributing grant funds to awardees.

The application will be available online on the Town website (tinyurl.com/dchgrant) starting July 1, 2023, and will remain open to receiving applications until August 30, 2023. The grant subcommittee is expected to review the applications and select the grant recipients in Fall 2023. Questions about the program guidelines or application can be sent via email to katie.bowden@townofchapelhill.org.

---

Traffic Alert

AT&T is performing utility work around the construction site of The 203 Project today and Friday, June 29-30. Traffic impacts will occur between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The utility work will reduce S. Greensboro Street down to one lane in this area. Flaggers will be on site directing traffic. Delays can be expected.

For more information, contact Carrboro Public Works at 919-918-7424 or PWorks@carrboronc.gov 

---

Chapel Hill Transit Receives $2.16M Grant for Bus Stop Improvements

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded Chapel Hill Transit an FTA grant worth $2,160,000. The FTA awarded 130 projects across the country, including eight in North Carolina, for a total of $1.7 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for transit projects. The grant funded to Chapel Hill Transit will advance their bus stop improvement plan.

With more than 500 bus stops in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, the funds will build or enhance accessibility, safety, and amenities at bus stops and bus shelters. Coordinated improvements with sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and greenways will ensure connectivity throughout the service area. This grant is a significant step in the Town’s commitment to the Vision Zero initiative.

Improving accessibility is a priority for Chapel Hill Transit. These improvements will ensure that individuals of all abilities can easily access public transportation. Improvements could include installing sidewalks with ramps for mobility devices, improving sidewalk conditions, and implementing features like tactile paving for visually impaired individuals.

Enhancing safety measures at bus stops is crucial to protect transit customers and their well-being. This may include installing better lighting to improve visibility and installing clear signage.

The bus stop improvement plan, supported by the grant award, will make public transportation more convenient, enjoyable, and inclusive for residents, visitors, and students in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. It will contribute to a more sustainable and connected community, encouraging the use of public transportation and reducing reliance on private vehicles.

Chapel Hill Transit would like to thank its team members, partners, and supporters who made the grant award possible, including the Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Carrboro, UNC-Chapel Hill, NEXT Chapel Hill & Carrboro, Regional Transportation Alliance, Southern Environmental Law Center, and Congresswoman Valerie Foushee.

Stay connected to Chapel Hill Transit online at chtransit.org or follow us on social media: twitter.com/chtransit and facebook.com/chtransit

---

Posted June 23, 2023

Carrboro Celebrates Pollinator Week with Free Movie Screening

As part of its commitment to Bee City USA, the Town of Carrboro celebrates Pollinator Week 2023! 

Join us for a free screening of the film, Nature: The Hummingbird Effect to learn more about these pollinators.

Costa Rica is bursting with some of the most spectacular wildlife and pristine ecosystems in the world. All this diversity thrives, in part, thanks to one surprising little creature: hummingbirds. Watch how these tiny birds play an outsize role in maintaining some of the richest and wildest environments on Earth. 

The screening will be held at the Cybrary at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510,  at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 25, 2023.

Contact Laura Janway, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator, with any questions at ljanway@carrboronc.gov or 919-918-7326.

More information can be found at this link: pbs.org/wnet/nature/abouthummingbird-effect/28638/.

---

Carrboro Pride Continues with the Food Truck Rodeo and Dance Party

Small Town Pride in Carrboro and Chapel Hill continues this June with the Pride Food Rodeo & Dance Party from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 30, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.

To get the party started, join the Batalá, an international samba reggae music group, to help roll the Rainbow Ram down Weaver Street from the Century Center to Town Commons for the Pride Food Truck Rodeo & Dance Party.  Join the group at the corner of Greensboro and Weaver Streets at about 4:30 p.m. 

There will be food, dance and frolicking on the lawn! Grab your friends, and come on out! 

Bring your appetites 
So much great food will be available, so kick your weekend off right! Sample the offerings from El Molcajete, Drizzle D’s, Golden K Dog, Sister Liu’s Kitchen, Vegan Ice Cream Man, Death By Taco, Funnel Cakes by Tonio, OMG Lemonade – and much more! 

Community resources, crafts, and more  
Participants offering information, crafts and service resources include Queer Ride Carrboro, Flyleaf Books, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews, Chapel in the Pines, and Piedmont Health Services. 

Music with WXYC – UNC-Chapel Hill  
Join us for curated tracks from the DJs at WXYC who will play the songs that will bring out your Freak-A-Zoid on the dance lawn!  

Drag Queen Show
Diamond Productions is coming to Carrboro! Created with community in mind, KiKi Diamond says her shows are designed so that everyone feels welcome, comfortable, and excited. “We believe that drag is for everyone, and we strive to create a space where everyone can enjoy the art of drag.”

More information 

• Visit www.carrboronc.gov/Pride or contact communications@carrboronc.gov 
• Parking information for Carrboro is available at  
• If you are interested in participating in event programming, please fill out the application form at
  https://www.carrboronc.gov/FormCenter/Communication-and-Engagement-Department-31/PRIDE-Events-at-Carrboro-Town-Commons-201

---

Freight Train Blues Concert Series Presents Shelton Powe, Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen at Cat’s Cradle

Enjoy Shelton Powe, Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen at this week’s Freight Train Blues Concert, Friday, June 23, 2023. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Cat’s Cradle (moved from Town Commons due to rain in the forecast).

The concert series runs every Friday night through June 23 and is a collaboration among Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke.

Public parking is available and free in downtown Carrboro.

Shelton Powe plays in the Piedmont finger-style guitar tradition of his parents and elders, but it took him a long time to get back to that music. Powe was born in 1957 in Charlotte, N.C., into a family of gifted instrumentalists, singers and dancers. His mother gave him harmonicas and guitars at Christmas, hoping to awaken a dormant musical aptitude, to no avail.

It wasn’t until the deaths of his mother and father in the late 1980s that Shelton became reacquainted with the rhythms and melodies of the old songs his parents used to sing. Picking up the guitar as a tribute to his deceased mother, Shelton set out to learn old-time blues and gospel the way he remembered it from his childhood. Living in Georgia, he immersed himself in the blues scene of Atlanta and soon found what he was looking for. Today, listening to him play and sing, you find yourself back at the wellspring of the Carolina Blues tradition. 

Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen shares the mettle, pathos and ocean-deep compassion of the blues singers she idolizes — Billie Holiday, Koko Taylor and Etta James. Despite losing her home twice, she keeps taking her talent and heart to the world. Pat’s performances have always unfurled the tapestry of her life experiences to her audience in soulful words and music. That compassion began to flow from Pat in brand new ways during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As her scheduled gigs disappeared, she began playing one-woman shows at nursing homes. She even made phone calls to individual people and sang to them. These works of compassion wound up making her the subject of touching stories on PBS Newshour and in Rolling Stone Magazine.More information: www.freighttrainblues.com 

---

---

Carrboro to hold 10th Annual Frederick Douglass Community Reading

Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils is pleased to announce that the Town of Carrboro will hold its 10th Annual Community Reading of the Frederick Douglass essay “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. 

The reading will occur from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Introductory remarks will be provided by Reginald F. Hildebrand, a retired professor of African American Studies and History at Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., and at UNC-Chapel Hill. Professor Hildebrand provided remarks during Carrboro’s first annual Frederick Douglass Community Reading. 

After retiring from UNC, Hildebrand served for three years as an adjunct instructor of history at Durham Technical Community College.  He is the author of “The Times were Strange and Stirring: Methodist Preachers and the Crisis of Emancipation” (Duke University Press, 1995), and is currently working on a book with the working title, “‘The Cleverest Document Issued This Century’: Abraham Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Meanings of Freedom.”   

In 2012, Professor Hildebrand was chosen to receive the Tanner Faculty Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching at UNC-Chapel Hill.  He is a former co-chair of the North Carolina Freedom Monument Project and a former trustee of the North Carolina Humanities Council.  In addition, he has served as a member of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission and as a member of the Advisory Board for the North Carolina Historical Review.  In 2018, he served as a member of the Historic Civil Rights Commemorations Task Force of the Town of Chapel Hill.  

About the Frederick Douglass Speech and Community Reading 

“What to the slave is the Fourth of July?” posed Frederick Douglass to a gathering of 500-600 abolitionists in Rochester, N.Y., on July 5, 1852. Admission to the speech was 12 cents, and the crowd at the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society was enthusiastic, voting unanimously to endorse the speech at its end. This speech would be remembered as one of the most poignant addresses by Douglass, a former slave turned statesman. Douglass gave it on July 5, refusing to celebrate the Fourth of July until all slaves were emancipated.

Frederick Douglass’ essay reflects a sobering point of view about what is commonly considered to be America’s Independence Day, and is a part of the history of this country that should be recognized and remembered. The community is urged to attend and listen to the reading of this compelling work.

• For more information, contact Mayor Damon Seils at dseils@carrboronc.gov
• The reading is one of the events included in the day-long Carrboro July 4th Celebration.
• View past Carrboro’s Frederick Douglass Community Readings at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5JEg4H8hocMjjl2BVMny6nnw_gMI6AAv
• Learn more at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/308/July-4th-Celebration

---

Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Open for FY23-24 Funding  

The application period for Orange County’s Community Climate Action Grant is open for FY23-24. An estimated $282,042 in funding will be provided to support community expansion of climate change mitigation and resilience projects that build on Orange County’s long history of sustainable actions.  An additional $282,042 in funding will be set aside to fund applications from either of Orange County’s two public school districts.

All public and non-profit entities and small businesses are eligible to apply.  Details on grant eligibility, scoring and application materials are available at the grant program website.  The deadline to apply is Aug. 18, 2023.

More Background

As part of the FY20 budget, the Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC) created the Orange County Climate Action Fund dedicated to accelerating climate change mitigation and resilience projects in Orange County. The first round of projects were proposed by the Commission for the Environment and approved by the Commissioners. These projects funded solar projects for each of the school districts, a LED lighting campaign for lower-income residents, and affordable housing weatherization. 

The BOCC considers social justice and racial equity in funding, so that those who benefit most directly from the county’s actions and investments are those that have been historically overlooked. The scoring formula used to rank potential projects reflects these priorities and will be used to rank climate action grant applications.

Applications are scored using a 26-point scale based on the following weighted criteria:

• Social Justice and Racial Equity (6pts)
• Greenhouse gas emissions reduced (4 pts)
• Efficient use of Funds (4 pts) 
• Capacity of Applicant (3 pts)
• Local Economic Development (3 pts)
• Amount and Duration of Engagement (3 pts)
• Time to complete (3 pts)

For more information, visit www.orangecountync.gov/CCAG or contact Orange County Sustainability Programs Manager, Amy Eckberg at aeckberg@orangecountync.gov.

---

 

Orange County Health Department Seeks Input for 2023 Community Health Assessment

The Orange County Health Department (OCHD) is conducting a countywide survey to learn more about the health and quality of life of residents and community members in Orange County. 

Participation will help determine the future direction and focus of human, physical, and financial resources for the OCHD, Healthy Carolinians of Orange County (HCOC), the Board of Health (BOH), and other county agencies and organizations.

The survey is completely voluntary and should take about 10–15 minutes to complete. There are no right or wrong answers to any question. All answers and information provided are and will remain confidential. 

The survey is available online at https://redcap.link/ochd2023cha_public. Please note that the online survey is only available in English.

Residents who prefer to take the survey over the phone, in another language (Spanish, Karen, Burmese, and Mandarin) or need special accommodations, please contact: Ashley Rawlinson, Public Health Program Manager at (919) 245-2440.

---

---

Smith named Orange County Cooperative Extension Director

Jonathon Smith is the new Orange County Cooperative Extension Director. Smith replaces Tyrone Fisher, who was promoted to North Central District Extension Director, which comprises 20 counties in the northern Piedmont. Smith had been serving as interim director for Orange County since June 2022.

“I have enjoyed my time in Orange County as a member of the Cooperative Extension team since 2017 and it will be my honor to serve the people of Orange County in this new leadership role,” said Smith. “We have wonderful people in Orange County, and I look forward to working with them to ensure Cooperative Extension provides responsive and effective educational programs in the areas of agriculture and food, health and nutrition, 4-H Youth Development, and community and rural development.  We want to be the ‘go-to’ resource and partner for farmers, families, businesses, and youth.”

Smith graduated from N.C. State University in 2013 with a B.S. in Agricultural Education. He earned his Master’s of Public Administration from N.C. State in 2015 and has obtained graduate certificates in Youth Development and Leadership, and Professional Communication and Managerial Skills.

He worked as an Agricultural Education teacher for Carteret County Schools for two years before beginning his career with Cooperative Extension in November 2017 as an Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, in Orange County.

Orange County Cooperative Extension strives to make positive impacts in the county and state through research-based educational programs in the areas of family and consumer sciences, agriculture, community and rural development, and 4-H youth development.

---

Which way for the greenway? Come take the survey about the Bolin Creek Greenway!

The Town of Carrboro invites participation in an engagement process for the Bolin Creek Greenway to receive input on alignment options for segments of the greenway identified as Phases 3 and 4.

Learn more at our project webpage, take the survey, view maps, take a virtual tour, and draw a route or make a comment on a Wikimapping platform where public input is collected on a map. The project webpage is located at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2762/Bolin-Creek-Greenway ;

Town staff will be available at some of our town’s favorite community events that draw lots of people. We’ll be hosting tables with information, maps and surveys at the Carrboro Farmers Market, Carrboro In Motion, July Fourth and the Latin American Festival, and the Carrboro Music Festival. Information will be provided in various formats and languages. 

We will also connect with people in less formal settings and will be seeking out participation throughout town at drop-by or pop-up stops. You may find Town staff outside your favorite grocery store, laundromat or hair salon as they seek public input on this project. Community outreach will occur through early October. 

The Bolin Creek Greenway Conceptual Master Plan, adopted by the Town of Carrboro in 2009, plans for improvements to the corridor along Bolin Creek and Jones Creek to allow for walking, wheeling and bicycling, including action steps, project prioritization and phasing, land acquisition strategies, and potential renovation recommendations. The corridor for these segments of the Bolin Creek Greenway extends about three miles. View the plan at https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12366/Bolin-Creek-Greenway-Conceptual-Master-Plan-

The planning area (Bolin Creek Conceptual Master Plan) starts at Estes Drive and encompasses the land around the creek through Carolina North Forest under Homestead Road. It continues to a point of connection with the existing Jones Creek Greenway in the future Twin Creeks Park that extends to Morris Grove Elementary School.

The Town’s project webpage https://www.carrboronc.gov/2762/Bolin-Creek-Greenway includes: 

• Survey to receive input on alignment options
• Map illustrating the alternative alignments 
• Background information and FAQs
• Story map to offer a virtual tour of the area
• Wikimapping platform to allow people to draw lines and make comments on a map

The Bolin Creek Greenway engagement effort was requested by the Town Council and is organized by the Communication and Engagement Department with technical support from the Planning, Zoning and Inspections Department and Steve Spindler Cartography. For more information, contact the staff team at communications@carrboronc.gov 

---

2023 Carrboro 4th of July Celebration

Join us for a day of family fun and entertainment at the 2023 Carrboro 4th of July Celebration.

The day will kick off at 9:30 a.m. on the Weaver Street Market lawn. Listen to music, make a hat, color a flag, decorate your wagon, and enter the costume contest.  

Join the People’s Parade to Town Hall at 10:50 a.m.

From 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. enjoy music, face painting, carnival games, pie eating contests, food & drink vendors, non-profit booths and so much more!

---

Posted June 16, 2023

Freight Train Blues Concert Series Presents Dedicated Men of Zion, Jr. Weaver Gospel Singers

Enjoy Dedicated Men of Zion, Jr. Weaver Gospel Singers at this week’s Freight Train Blues Concert, Friday, June 16, 2023. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street. Bring your picnic, lawn chairs, and blankets for an evening of live music on the lawn. 

The concert series runs every Friday night through June 23 and is a collaboration among Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke.

Public parking is available and free in downtown Carrboro.

The Dedicated Men of Zion formed in Greenville, N.C. in 2014. The four singers—Anthony Daniels, Antoine Daniels, Marcus Sugg, and Dexter Weaver—are all related by blood or marriage. They grew up steeped in the gospel of Eastern North Carolina with families that took singing and church seriously. “Music and the church, it’s like a sandwich,” says Anthony, the leader of the group. “You got to have two pieces of bread to have a sandwich. The singing and the church, it just goes together.” While this church background infuses the group’s music, they’re not confined to the church walls. Their 2020 release, Can’t Turn Me Around, was critically acclaimed and celebrated by sacred and secular audiences alike, and followed it with 2022’s The Devil Don’t Like It, which brought them to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts.

Surviving members of the Weaver Gospel Singers — in song and with oral history – will pay tribute to group leader Susie Weaver, who passed away in 1984. Mrs. Weaver’s original song “Freedom Comes To Chapel Hill” was recorded live at First Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, N.C. by JCP Records during the Civil Rights era. In addition to singing, Mrs. Weaver owned a funeral parlor and was active in the Civil Rights movement. The music will be accompanied by praise dancer Joshua Weaver, Mrs. Weaver’s grandson. This set is presented in partnership with the Marian Cheek Jackson Center.

More information: www.freighttrainblues.com 

---

Small Town Pride Events this June

Small Town Pride in Carrboro and Chapel Hill continues this June with the Pride Food Truck Rodeo & Dance Party from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 30, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.

To get the party started, join the Batalá, an international samba reggae music group, to help roll the Rainbow Ram down Weaver Street from the Century Center to Town Commons for the Pride Food Truck Rodeo & Dance Party.  Join the group at the corner of Greensboro and Weaver Streets at about 4:30 p.m.  and be a part of the Pride Piper Parade! 

There will be food, dance and frolicking on the lawn! Grab your friends, and come on out! 

Bring your appetites 
So much great food will be available, so kick your weekend off right! Sample the offerings from El Molcajete, Drizzle D’s, Golden K Dog, Sister Liu’s Kitchen, Vegan Ice Cream Man, Death By Taco, Funnel Cakes by Tonio, OMG Lemonade – and much more! 

Community resources, crafts, and more  
Participants offering information, crafts and service resources include Queer Ride Carrboro, Flyleaf Books, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews, Chapel in the Pines, Chapel Hill NOW and Piedmont Health Services. 

Music with WXYC – UNC-Chapel Hill  
Join us for curated tracks from the DJs at WXYC who will play the songs that will bring out your Freak-A-Zoid on the dance lawn! 

Drag Queen Show
Diamond Productions is coming to Carrboro! Created with community in mind, KiKi Diamond says her shows are designed so that everyone feels welcome, comfortable, and excited. “We believe that drag is for everyone, and we strive to create a space where everyone can enjoy the art of drag.”

---

Hargraves Community Center Inducted onto the NC Civil Rights Trail

The Town of Chapel Hill is proud to announce that Hargraves Community Center has been inducted onto the North Carolina Civil Rights Trail, a state-wide initiative to recognize and honor historic spaces and places. Located in Chapel Hill’s largest historic Black neighborhood, Hargraves has been the heart of the community for more than 80 years.

The community is invited to a marker dedication ceremony on Saturday, June 17 at 10 a.m. at Hargraves, which will serve as the official start of this year’s Chapel Hill-Carrboro Juneteenth Festival.

Hargraves has always been a place built of, by, and for Chapel Hill’s Black community. The formation of a community-led recreation center was an important act of self-determination for that community and laid the foundation for the local direct-action movement of the 1960s. The marker recognizes the Center’s rich history — from its earliest days housing the B-1 Navy Band during WWII, to the first meeting of our local NAACP chapter in 1947, to Dr. Martin Luther King’s visit to Chapel Hill, to the Freedom Schools of the 1960s.  Today, Hargraves continues to be a site for local people to engage in the ongoing struggle for social justice.

John French, Hargraves Center Director, says “The marker recognizes what the community has always known – that Hargraves is central to the history of both Chapel Hill and North Carolina. This is a place where community has always gathered, struggled, celebrated, and moved forward together. The Hargraves staff and the community we serve are thrilled and honored to be recognized in this way.”  

The work to bring an NC Civil Rights Trail marker to Chapel Hill began in 2022, when Town staff identified three possible sites. At last year’s Juneteenth Festival, community members voted on those three sites and Hargraves won an overwhelming majority. Staff then worked together and with community members to compile an extensive dossier about Hargraves and complete the application.

Another marker will be installed in Chapel Hill later this year at the former site of Watts Grill and the current site of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, who led the application efforts for that site.

The N.C. African American Heritage Commission leads the NC Civil Rights Trail with funding from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, and with support from Visit North Carolina and the North Carolina Office of Archives & History. The commission will work with communities across the state to designate up to 50 sites where trail markers will be placed, including 10 in Hometown Strong communities. An interactive web portal highlights these places and others to guide people to history and experiences from the past.

The fifth round of applications for the NC Civil Rights Trail are open through September 29, 2023. To learn more about the project or to apply for a marker, please visit: ­­­­­­­­­aahc.nc.gov/programs/civil-rights-trail

---

Orange County announces Juneteenth Closings, Events

Orange County administrative offices will be closed on Monday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. 

Solid Waste Management

Recycling and convenience centers, Solid Waste administrative offices and the landfill and all related services will be closed on June 19. Curbside recycling will not be collected as normally scheduled on Monday. Recycling will be delayed one day and will be collected on Tuesday, June 20. 

Orange County Public Transportation

OCPT will operate limited service serving the county dialysis route ONLY (Carolina Dialysis) on Monday. Full service will resume Tuesday, June 20. 

As always, emergency services are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

The county will resume normal operating schedules on Tuesday, June 20.

Orange County Hosts Juneteenth Events

Several Orange County departments are hosting special events to commemorate Juneteenth.

Library and Orange County Office of Equity and Inclusion

Join Orange County Public Library at 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough on Saturday, June 17, from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a number of events, including:

• an African-Influenced Mini Cookout
• a Black Business Pop-Up Market (Interested in being a vendor? Learn more here.)
• a Black Literature Fair
• a Guided tour of Hillsborough’s Black & Indigenous History (Registration is required for this event. Sign up here.)
• Learning, Door Prizes, and More 

Everyone is welcome! This celebration is being made possible with the support of the Orange County Office of Equity and Inclusion, The Alliance For Historic Hillsborough, the Friends of the Orange County Public Library, and Orange County Asset Management Services.tire

---

Fridays on the Front Porch

Every Friday
5:00pm- 8:00pm

Get your weekend off to an awesome start with one of Chapel Hill’s favorite gatherings, Fridays on the Front Porch.  Sip on crafted cocktails and North Carolina beers, enjoy live music and nibble on cuisine from our weekly food truck lineup. It’s fun for all ages!

---

Morehead Planetarium’s summer schedule is out!

Stop by Tuesday-Sunday and catch a planetarium show, presented using a full-dome digital video projection system, plus Science LIVE!, Launch Lab, and interactive exhibits included with admission.

Click here to learn more

---

The West End Bazaar and Craft Market!

Come out Saturday, June 25 and enjoy an inviting and vibrant atmosphere with vendors, face painting, food, and live music. The event will take place at the 427 West Franklin Street Lot between The Lantern and The Cat Tales Cat Cafe.

Click to learn more

---

---

Orange County Board of Commissioners  Business Meeting Agenda for June 20, 2023

The agenda for the Orange County Board of Commissioners’ business meeting on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 has been posted to the link below.  

https://www.orangecountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06202023-1801  

For a link to each agenda item as a separate file, please use the link below.

http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/WebLink/0/fol/70258/Row1.aspx     

Business Meeting
June 20, 2023
Donna S. Baker Meeting Room
Whitted Building
7:00 p.m.

Viewable on the link below 

http://orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos 

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

1. Regular Agenda
   Approval of Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget Ordinances and County Fee Schedule 

The Board will consider approving the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget Ordinances and County Fee Schedule

Accept the Ten-Year Capital Investment Plan (CIP) and Approve the FY 2023-24 Orange County Overall CIP Projects

The Board will consider accepting the FY 2023-33 Orange County Ten-Year Capital Investment Plan (CIP), and approval of FY 2023-24 Orange County Overall CIP Projects.

2022 Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) Program Evaluation

The Board will receive information about the results of the 2022 Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) program and consider options for program changes for a potential continuation of the LHA program in 2023

Proposed Designation of County Surplus Property and Proposed Release of Request for Proposals for Use of County Capital Investment Plan (CIP) and Bond Funds and Designated Surplus Land for Affordable Housing

The Board will receive the timeline to release Request for Proposals (RFP) for use of County bond funds and CIP funds for affordable housing projects, and consider approving the following:

1)  A resolution declaring eleven (11) County owned parcels surplus land for the purposes of affordable housing development and authorizing the County Manager the convey these parcels to affordable Housing developers by private sale or other means; and

2)  The schedule for release of the Housing Department RFP for use of the remaining amount of affordable housing bond funds, the first $5 million distribution of CIP affordable housing funds, and eleven (11) County-owned parcels for affordable housing development.

2. Consent Agenda 

•  Minutes
• Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds
• Property Tax Releases/Refunds
• Tax Refund Request – Walker Hall Busby, Jr.
•  Proclamation Recognizing Susan Worley
•  Renewal of Health Services Agreement with Southern Health Partners for Medical Services at the Orange County Detention Center
•  JCPC Certification and County Plan for FY 2023-2024
•  Extension of Food and Organic Waste Collection and Composting Contract
•  Orange County Climate Council Memorandum of Understanding
•  Approval of Contracts with Capital Area Workforce Development (CAWD) for Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program Services
•  Approval of Consortium Agreement with the Capital Area Workforce Development Board
•  Orange County Transit Governance
•  Boards and Commissions – Appointments
•  Designation of Three Properties as Orange County Historic Landmarks
•  Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget Amendment #11

---

---

Chapel Hill Town Council to Consider Proposed Modifications to the IFC Good Neighbor Plan 

The Chapel Hill Town Council will consider Inter-Faith Council for Social Service’s (IFC) proposed modifications to the Good Neighbor Plan at the June 21, 2023 Council meeting. (materials available evening of June 16)

The IFC board approved modifications to the plan to bring their Community House campus and operations in alignment with national best practices for shelters and local homeless system written standards.

The IFC SECU Community House is a 24-hour shelter for men experiencing homelessness in the Chapel Hill Community.  

The Good Neighbor Plan includes: a description of the facility operations and procedures, as well as outlines the process for amending the Good Neighbor Plan.  

At the Council meeting, Council may ask IFC representatives questions and provide them with feedback. They may also vote to approve the proposed modifications to the plan. 

You can provide input by: 

• Watching the meeting: https://chapelhill.legistar.com/  
• Attending the meeting: Council Chamber, Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King, Jr Blvd  
• Emailing mayorandcouncil@townofchapelhill.org

---

The Chapel Hill Town Council has adopted two important resolutions that will help create a more sustainable and resilient community.

Modernizing the Town’s energy policy for conditional rezoning applications and aligning it with the Climate Action and Response Plan. This means updated energy efficiency standards for new buildings, support for our transition to electric vehicles, and project designs that are in harmony with our climate goals. This policy will replace the previous one from 2007, and we will provide tools and templates to streamline the compliance process.

Aligning the Town’s 2030 carbon reduction goal with an updated science-based target. We’re updating our 2030 carbon reduction goal to match up with the latest climate science. This new goal maintains our pledge to limit global warming to 1.5˚C by raising our emissions reduction target from 50% to 59.31% compared to a 2005 baseline. This underscores our commitment to climate action, maintains our status as a CDP A-list community, and keeps us on the path to our long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. 

---

Make the Switch to Solar Energy

With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to think about making the switch to solar energy. That’s where Solarize the Triangle ’23 comes in!

Solarize the Triangle ’23 is a community-based group-purchasing program designed to make the transition to solar energy affordable and straightforward. It is a collaborative effort between nonprofit partners and 12 local communities, including the Town of Chapel Hill, with a shared vision for a more sustainable Triangle. Learn more at a virtual info session 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 27.

Why join Solarize the Triangle ’23?

• Savings
• Sustainability and Resilience
• Free Solar Evaluations
• Free Solar Workshops
• Vetted Contractors and Quality Materials
• Community Support

Seize the power of the summer sunshine and turn our community into a beacon of sustainability! Check out the Solarize the Triangle ’23 website to sign up for a free solar evaluation.

---

Orange County Animal Services reaches capacity with dogs

Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) is at full capacity for housing dogs at their facility in Chapel Hill. They are asking for assistance from anyone currently able to adopt a dog. During the month of June, all adoptable cats and dogs over four months old are available for only $25 as part of an adoption special. Adoption fees for some pets at OCAS have also been fully or partially sponsored to encourage adoptions.

“We are concerned about the increased dog population at our shelter,” said Dr. Sandra Strong, Director of Orange County Animal Services. “We really need more dog adoptions in order to balance the population and keep the shelter from becoming overcrowded. We have many wonderful dogs waiting for a home. We hope our community can help by visiting the shelter and adopting a new best friend.”

Anyone interested in adopting may stop by the shelter during operating hours. No appointment is needed to view available pets. The shelter is located at 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. For more information about available pets, visiting the facility, and adopting pets, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/287/Available-Pets or call the Adoption Desk at 919-942-7387, option 3.

---

Posted June 14, 2023

Carrboro Celebrates Juneteenth

---

Town Manager announces new Public Works Director

---

Chapel Hill Fire Department Responds to Fire on Fordham Boulevard

---

Posted June 10, 2023

Chapel Hill Approves Source of Income Protections Policy

On May 24, 2023, the Chapel Hill Town Council approved a Source of Income Protections policy. The policy requires housing developments that receive Town funding or involve the conveyance of Town property to accept all lawful sources of income, including housing choice vouchers.

The new policy is designed to prevent discrimination based on source of income and increase the supply of units that accept income-based housing subsidies. 

Housing choices vouchers and similar housing subsidy programs provide valuable financial assistance for low-income families seeking affordable housing.  However, there are limited opportunities for households with housing subsidies to use their voucher within Orange County, and especially in the Town of Chapel Hill. Despite generous incentive packages and outreach efforts to landlords, typically there are around 100 unleased vouchers at any given time, or about 15% of the County’s available vouchers.

Sarah Viñas, Director of the Town’s Department of Affordable Housing and Community Connections explained that “because North Carolina state law does not include source of income as a protected category in housing discrimination, municipalities are limited in what they can require of landlords.”

Several other North Carolina municipalities have addressed this by adopting narrow policies focused only on housing that receives local resources.

“This policy takes an important step forward in expanding protections for households relying on housing subsidies to live in Chapel Hill,” Viñas said.

The new policy supports the Town Council’s 2023-25 strategic focus area for Affordable Housing and Housing Production that seeks to increase housing access across a range of incomes and housing types and achieve equitable housing outcomes for historically marginalized populations.  The Town will begin implementing the policy immediately.

---

---

---

Look up! The Town of Carrboro is hanging new banners in downtown.

The banners spotlight new Carrboro marketing/values logos designed by The Splinter Group  as part of an update of the Brand Guidelines approved by the Town Council in May. The banner layouts are created by the Carrboro Communication & Engagement Department and printed by the Merch at 101 Lloyd St, Carrboro, NC 27510.

The Public Works Department will hang the banners for seasonal observances such as Pride Month, Juneteenth, July Fourth, Earth Month, Women’s History Month, Black History Month, Elizabeth Cotten’s Birthday, Celebrating Hispanic Heritage and Bike Month, as well as festivals such as the Carrboro Music Festival, West End Poetry Festival and Carrboro Film Fest. 

For more information, contact the Carrboro Communication & Engagement Department at communications@carrboronc.gov

---

June 6, 2023 BOCC Business Meeting Continued to June 12, 2023

The June 6, 2023 Orange County Board of Commissioners Business Meeting was recessed after the public hearing for item 5-b, to be reconvened on June 12, 2023.  The Board will continue discussion of item 5-b, but there will be no additional public comment on the item.  The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Whitted Building in Hillsborough, and the agenda is available at the following link:

https://www.orangecountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06062023-1795.

---

Juneteenth Holiday Chapel Hill Service Affectations

Monday, June 19, is a Town holiday. Some services will be affected. 

RESIDENTIAL TRASH will be collected Wednesday, June 21, instead of Monday, June 19. Yard trimmings collection will not be affected. 

CURBSIDE RECYCLING will not be collected on Monday. All recycling collection will be delayed by one day this week. 

CHAPEL HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY will be closed. 

CHAPEL HILL TRANSIT will operate Sunday service (no U route). FCX and NS routes will run.

PARKS AND RECREATION: Parks, greenways, trails, dog parks, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and outdoor park amenities are open. Some facilities will be closed on June 19. 

Open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, June 19: Chapel Hill Community Center and Gymnasium, Northside Gymnasium and AD Clark Pool

Open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Homestead Aquatic Center

---

Coker Arboretum Renovation Party at Dead Mule Club

Come out and hear about the arbor renovation project, learn the construction timeline, and help raise the funds to make it happen. Enjoy local food, beverages, and live music. Tickets are $50 per person; proceeds will benefit the David Robert Fund to support the arbor renovation project in the Coker Arboretum. You can register on-site at the check-in table with a credit card starting at 3 pm on Sunday. 

---

Explosives to Be Destroyed at Hillsborough Quarry on June 16

You may hear louder than normal noises from the quarry in Hillsborough on Friday, June 16, as a federal agency plans to destroy explosives in its storage.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will use the destruction of explosives as a training exercise at the Resco Products quarry off Eno Mountain Road. The burn is expected to start at about 10:30 a.m. and be completed within two hours. It may produce loud noises.

The site will be limited to ATF participants and Orange Rural Fire Department personnel, who will provide a truck as a water resource if needed.  

Please contact Fire and Life Safety Chief Elizabeth Farnan with the Orange County Fire Marshal Division with any questions: efarnan@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-6153.

---

The Orange County Department on Aging has scheduled a series of events from June 12-16 to celebrate Juneteenth.

---

203 Project June 2023 Community Update

Roof is coming this month! 

Crews continue to form and pour concrete for the 203 Project structure.  

The support columns for the roof have been constructed, and the roof slab pour is tentatively scheduled for June 20.   This will be the final concrete pour on the west side of the site.  Once the roof is up, the temporary shoring on the first and second floors can be removed, and framing for the windows and walls will begin.   

Parking deck construction is ongoing with the deck beginning to take shape over the coming weeks. 

Duke Energy has completed its work.  AT&T has informed the project team that their work will be starting soon. An update will be provided when more information is known.

---

Carrboro Town Council Update

Meeting agendas and updates are issued from the Town Clerk’s Office. To receive these by email or text, sign up for Carrboro Town News at https://www.carrboronc.gov/list.aspx 

Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. Reach the Town Council with your ideas, views, and questions at Council@carrboronc.gov

Coming Up

The Carrboro Town Council will hold the next Council Meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2023. The agenda is available at bit.ly/42Daybv  and https://carrboro.legistar.com/   

This meeting will not include public comment for items not on the agenda. This meeting’s agenda will only include a public hearing for the Town’s FY 24 Recommended Budget, and a continuation of a quasi-judicial public hearing for Jade Creek Architecturally Integrated Subdivision Special Use Permit-A at 8522 Old NC 86.  If you wish to speak on these items during the public hearings, a sign-up sheet is available at the Council Chambers meeting room.

This meeting will be held at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream YouTube.com/CarrboroNC OR at https://carrboro.legistar.com/   OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). 

The Council will hold a Work Session at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2023 for a cemetery discussion. The agenda will be available at https://carrboro.legistar.com/

Past Meetings 

The Carrboro Town Council met Tuesday, June 6, 2023, for a Council Meeting and took the following actions on agenda posted at  bit.ly/3NgMRRU    Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW_S7KJJpvI 

• Adopted a resolution to issue a Street Closing Permit Application submitted by El Centro Hispano, Inc. for the temporary closing and usage of W. Weaver Street from N. Greensboro Street to Elm Street from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2023, for Festival Latinoamericano.
• Awarded a service side arm to Lieutenant Willie Quick. Police Lieutenant Quick will retire from the Town of Carrboro Police Department on July 1, 2023 after about 10 years of service with the Town and 30 years of total law enforcement service.
• Awarded the 2023 Resurfacing Project to Daniels Inc. of Garner.
• Appointed members (Lindsay Griffin, Muhsin Omar and Rahat Sajwani) to the Affordable Housing Advisory Commission (AHAC) 
• Approved additional funding not to exceed $237,000 to close out the Homestead Road – Chapel Hill High School Multi-Use Path (previously referred to as the Bolin Creek Greenway Phase 1-B) project with NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT), NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). 
• Held a public hearing to receive public comment on a request for voluntary annexation of three properties, 820 and 904 Homestead Road and 310 Lucas Lane. 
• Held a public hearing on Proposed Conditional Rezoning at 820 and 904 Homestead Road and 310 Lucas Lane. This matter responds to a petition from Parker Louis, LLC, to rezone three properties at 820 and 904 Homestead Road, and 310 Lucas Lane from R-20 to R-3-CZ (Residential, 3000 square feet per dwelling unit, conditional) to allow for the subsequent submittal of an application to develop an Architecturally Integrated Subdivision (AIS) including single-family and multi-family residences. A draft ordinance has been prepared. This public hearing was continued to a future date to be announced. 
• Held a public hearing to consider amending the Land Use Ordinance to establish a complete streets policy. Council approved the amendment to establish the policy. The National Complete Streets Coalition was formed in 2005 and provides a framework for establishing complete streets policies (https://smartgrowthamerica.org/program/national-complete-streets-coalition). 
• Received the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24. The recommended budget will be posted for public review at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2864/Recommended-Annual-Operating-Budget-2023 

---

Posted June 5, 2023

Free Weekend Parking in Chapel Hill

Parking in Town-owned lots is FREE on Saturdays in June and July! 

---

Carolina Science Cafe

Designed for adults, this program explores science topics making national and international headlines and offers the chance to meet the experts behind the headlines. The Carolina Science Café will be hosted at Gizmo Brew Works on Tuesday, June 6th, starting at 6:00 p.m. 

Learn more

---

 

Celebrate Juneteenth with Portraits of Freedom exhibit at Eno Arts Mill

The Northern Orange Branch of the NAACP, Spirit Freedom, and the Orange County Arts Commission present Portraits of Freedom on Saturday, June 17, at the Eno Arts Mill. The event is free and open to the public.

The event will feature art exhibits by Donn Young, TJ Mundy, and Michelle Spaulding, poetry with Fred Joiner and Katie Bowler Young and performances from Soteria Shepperson, Regina Gale, and Bull City Music School’s Brown Sugar Strings.

Sample authentic African cuisine from Yagg Sii Tenn and ice cream from Vegan Ice Cream Man and tour artists studios with Eno Arts Mill Studio Artists

---

Board of County Commissioners to consider budget, CIP amendments at June 8 meeting

Each spring, the County Manager presents a Recommended Annual Operating Budget and Capital Investment Plan to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). In considering the Recommended Budget, the BOCC conducts multiple public hearings and budget work sessions. During these sessions, Commissioners and staff may propose to amend the budget as it was presented by the Manager.

Amendments to the Recommended Budget are subsequently voted on by the BOCC at the last work session prior to anticipated budget adoption. A final budget is approved by the BOCC each June.

Click here for a list of proposed amendments to the Manager’s Recommended FY 2023-24 Budget. Amendments that pass are subsequently incorporated into the full budget proposal to be considered for passage by the BOCC.

---

---

Northbound 86 Bridge over I-85 closed due to accident damage

The northbound lane of the N.C. 86 bridge over Interstate 85 in Hillsborough is expected to be closed for several weeks.

A steel support for the bridge under the northbound lane sustained damage from a traffic accident that occurred May 31, 2023, when a tractor trailer carrying construction equipment struck it. Both lanes of travel across the bridge were closed after the accident.

After further inspection, the North Carolina Department of Transportation determined it was safe to open the southbound lane. The bridge will remain closed to northbound traffic with a signed detour directing drivers to use I-85 North to Exit 170 and then travel on I-85 South to Exit 165.

NCDOT is scheduling repairs. As of noon June 1, NCDOT’s estimation of repair completion was June 30. Check DriveNC.gov for the latest information.

---

Orange County Animal Services lowers adoption fees in June

This June is the PURRFECT time to adopt a cat or a dog! The month-long Hot Dogs & Cool Cats adoption special has lowered the adoption fee to just $25 for adoptable dogs and cats over four months old! Visit www.orangecountync.gov/2997/Animal-Services or call 919-942-7387 for more information.

---

June in Bloom at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market

Join the Carrboro Farmers’ Market (CFM) in celebrating the beauty and bounty of local flowers with June in Bloom on Saturday, June 10th from 9:00am to 12:00pm! The Market will be celebrating flower season with make + take art (including live screenprinting of a special June in Bloom poster) with Peel Gallery and Super G Print Lab, a photo booth with ZimZoom Photo Booth, a raffle, special prizes for market-goers, samples of flower-inspired dishes around the market area, live music from local duo Blue Tango, and much more.

This event is free and open to the public. June in Bloom is supported by the CFM’s Big Beef Sponsor, Laser Image Printing & Marketing. The CFM is open Saturdays year-round (7am-12pm April-October and 9am-12pm November-March) and Wednesdays seasonally (3-6pm April-November) at Carrboro Town Commons.

---

Orange County Board of Commissioners  Business Meeting Agenda for June 6, 2023

The agenda for the Orange County Board of Commissioners’ business meeting on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 has been posted to the link below.  (Please be aware that it is a large file and make take longer to load.)

https://www.orangecountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06062023-1795   

For a link to each agenda item as a separate file, please use the link below.

http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/WebLink/0/fol/70161/Row1.aspx    

Business Meeting
June 6, 2023
Donna S. Baker Meeting Room
Whitted Building
7:00 p.m.

Viewable on the link below 

http://orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos 

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

Public Hearings

Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Performance Agreement Between Orange County, North Carolina and Terra Equity, Inc., and Approval of Budget Amendment #10-A

The Board will:

(1)    Receive information and hold a public hearing on the issuance of a performance-based agreement by the County to a private development company;

(2)    Consider approval of the proposed performance-based agreement, with claw-back provisions, for the extension of public utilities (water and sewer) into the Hillsborough Economic Development District; and

(3)    Consider approval of Budget Amendment #10-A.

Zoning Atlas Amendment MA22-0004 – Parcel Located off Lawrence Road and US 70A, in Eno Township

The Board will hold a public hearing, receive the Planning Board/staff recommendations and public comment, close the public hearing, and consider action on an applicant-initiated Zoning Atlas Amendment to rezone +/- 84.90 acres located off Lawrence Road and US 70A, within the Eno Township of Orange County.

8.  Consent Agenda 
9.  Minutes
10.  Motor Vehicle Property Tax Releases/Refunds
11.  Property Tax Releases/Refunds
12.  Proclamation Recognizing Juneteenth 2023
13.  Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget Amendment #10
14.  Enhanced Voluntary and Voluntary Agricultural District Designation – Multiple Farms
15. Opioid Advisory Committee Settlement Use Recommendation, and Approval of Budget Amendment #10-B
16. Contract Renewal with Central Square Technologies
17. Contract Renewal with NWN Corporation for DUO
18. Contract Amendment – Recreation Factory Partners, Inc. (Sportsplex)
19. Application for Amendments to the Joint Planning Land Use Plan, Future Land Use Map, and Zoning Atlas – 2106 Mount Carmel Church Road within the Chapel Hill Township 
20.  Request to Abandon Future Street at Acorn Ridge Trail
21.  Orange County FY 2024 Annual Transit Work Program
22.  Approval of the Sale of 0.45 Acre Property, PIN #0900832203
23.  Change in BOCC Meeting Schedule for 2023
24.  Revised Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Orange County Partnership   to End Homelessness (OCPEH)
25.  Amendments to the Orange County HOME-ARP Allocation Plan
26.  Hurricane Florence Hazard Mitigation Property Acquisition Authorization

---

Orange County Board of Commissioners Budget Work Session Agenda for June 8, 2023

The agenda for the Orange County Board of Commissioners’ budget work session on Thursday, June 8, 2023 has been posted to the link below.
 https://www.orangecountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06082023-1796

For a link to each agenda item as a separate file, please use:

http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/WebLink/0/fol/70193/Row1.aspx

The Board of Commissioners is conducting a Budget Work Session on June 8, 2023. The public is invited to attend the meeting. There will not be an opportunity for members of the public to speak as the Board does not receive public comments during work sessions. Members of the public may provide written comments by submitting them to the  ocbocc@orangecountync.gov email address.   Members of the public will be able to view and listen to the meeting via live streaming video at  https://www.orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange County Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable).
   
Budget Work Session
June 8, 2023
Donna S. Baker Meeting Room

Whitted Building
7:00 p.m.
Viewable on the link below  
 http://orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos 
  
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

1.  Discussion of FY 2023-24 Operating Budget 
2.  Discussion of FY 2023-33 Capital Investment Plan
3.  Discussion and Decision on the FY 2023-24 County Fee Schedule
4.  Discussion and Decision on the FY 2023-24 Tax Rates
5.  Break to allow Budget staff to formulate the Draft Resolution of Intent to Adopt FY 2023-24 Operating Budget
6.  Resolution of Intent to Adopt FY 2023-24 Annual Operating Budget

---

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS SAFETY TASK FORCE NOTICE OF TASK FORCE MEETING

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, Orange County provides notice that a meeting of the Orange County Schools Safety Task Force is scheduled for 5:30 pm on June 22, 2023 in the Donna S. Baker Meeting Room in the Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278.

Schools Safety Task Force meetings are for the purpose of considering ways to improve school safety and are open to the public to attend.  If you have any comments or questions, please email Greg Wilder at gwilder@orangecountync.gov before 2:00 pm on June 22, 2023.

---

Black Bear Sightings in Chapel Hill

---

Posted June 2, 2023

Chapel Hill Zetas and Chapel Hill NOW invites the community to a free film screening and discussion on Black Maternal Health

On June 10 there will be a free screening of the original documentary Aftershock, as well as a discussion of ways to improve Black maternal health. 108 Bim Street Carrboro, NC 27510

Seats are limited,  RSVP today.

---

FREIGHT TRAIN BLUES June 2: Faith & Harmony and Mangum & Co. Gospel Brass Choir

Bring your picnic, lawn chairs, and blankets for an evening of live music on the lawn. Enjoy Faith & Harmony and Mangum & Co. Gospel Brass Choir of the United House of Prayer for All People at this week’s Freight Train Blues Concert. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street.

The concert series runs every Friday night through June 23 and is a collaboration among Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke.

Public parking is available and free in downtown Carrboro.

Faith & Harmony comprises two sets of three sisters — all of them first cousins — who carry on a gospel singing tradition that runs deep in rural eastern North Carolina. Like their great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents before them, harmony and song have been part of the very essence of their existence. When they officially formed the group in 2012, they solidified their commitment to carrying on the family’s musical legacy. “You know how they pass the baton in a marathon?” asks member KeAmber Daniels, “Now it’s our turn to carry it as far as we can. Hopefully, we’ll be able to leave a legacy for our kids. And the future generations to come.” The group was featured in Sacred Soul of North Carolina, a documentary produced by Bible & Tire and Music Maker, which has aired on PBS and the NC Channel.

Led by soaring trombones with their slides pointed heavenward, Mangum & Company is a group of outstanding musicians representing many of Charlotte, N.C.’s United House of Prayer congregations. Shout bands are all-brass, gospel-based trombone choirs that represent a sacred musical tradition unique to United House of Prayer churches. They are central to worship services, inspiring congregants with joyous sounds of praise. “Our music feeds the soul,” says bandleader Charles Mangum, “It’s designed for the soul, and that’s what draws the people.”

More information: www.freighttrainblues.com 

---

Town of Chapel Hill and Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership Raise New Pride Flags on Franklin Street

The Town of Chapel Hill and the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership (the Partnership) will raise new Pride flags on Franklin St. from Peace & Justice Plaza to 140 West on June 1.

The Partnership sent out a survey earlier this year asking community members what types of pride flags they want to see on Franklin St.  The Partnership selected this year’s flags based on the more than 700 responses.

This flag collection is not complete; the Partnership plans to add more in the future when the budget allows.

The Town of Chapel Hill embraces inclusivity and diversity. The array of representation supports these values.

Staff will temporarily replace the Pride flags with American flags on June 14 for Flag Day.  They will raise the Pride flags again the day after for the rest of the month.

---

Chapel Hill Town Council Approves $629,000 CDBG Plan for Affordable Housing and Community Development

The Chapel Hill Town Council recently approved the 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan to use $629,892 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding provided through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Town of Chapel Hill has received CDBG funding from HUD each year since 1975.  The Town uses this funding for affordable housing, community development, and public service projects proposed by local non-profits that benefit low to moderate-income residents in Chapel Hill. Over the last 20 years, Chapel Hill has deployed over $10.5 million in CDBG funding into the community.

This year’s plan includes funding for:

• EMPOWERment Inc. to acquire two affordable rentals in Pine Knolls;
• The purchase of a house in Northside neighborhood to be rehabilitated and resold to one of Community Home Trust’s low-to-moderate income homebuyers;
• Home repairs for at least seven low-income homeowners through a partnership with Rebuilding Together of the Triangle and the Orange County Home Preservation Coalition;
• Homeownership counseling and down payment assistance for eight low-income homebuyers through an expansion of Community Empowerment Fund’s successful first-time homebuyers program;
• Part-time employment for 14 youth through the Town’s Summer Youth Employment Program;
• Transplanting Traditions Community Farm’s Growers School that will provide small business development and training for 13 refugee-owned farms;
• Inter-Faith Council for Social Service’s case management for households experiencing homelessness to access resources and secure permanent housing; and
• Crisis case management for limited English-proficient refugee and immigrant households experiencing housing instability or homelessness provided by Refugee Community Partnership’s multilingual staff.

To learn more about the Town’s CDBG program, visit www.townofchapelhill.org/cdbg or contact Megan Culp, Community Development Program Manager, at mculp@townofchapelhill.org.

---

June proclaimed as Pride Month in Carrboro

Carrboro is committed to supporting LGBTQ people and ensuring that all residents, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, are treated with respect and dignity. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated nationally each year in June to commemorate the Stonewall riots of 1969 and Mayor Damon Seils has proclaimed June 2023 to be Pride Month in Carrboro.

Carrboro has a proud history of advancing the rights of LGBTQ people, including:

• adding sexual orientation to the list of protected categories in the Town’s equal employment opportunity policy in 1990
• being the first municipality in the state to create a domestic partner registry in 1994
• being the first to elect a gay mayor in 1995 and, later, the first to elect a lesbian mayor and the first to elect a second gay mayor in 2021
• being among the first to support civil marriage for same-sex couples and the inclusion of LGBTQ families in comprehensive immigration reform
• being one of several local governments to oppose the North Carolina General Assembly’s discriminatory Senate Bill 2 in 2015
• being the first to call for repeal of the discriminatory House Bill 2 in 2016
• being among the first (with the Towns of Hillsborough and Chapel Hill and Orange County) to adopt an ordinance prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations and employment in 2021

There is still much physical and psychological violence inflicted on LGBTQ people. 2021 was the deadliest year on record for trans women. LGBTQ people, especially trans people and LGBTQ people of color, experience disproportionately high rates of poverty. There continues to be bullying and harassment of LGBTQ youth, who make up a disproportionate number of homeless youth in the United States. LGBTQ youth experience high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation and often do not receive mental health care because they fear discussing their mental health concerns or worry about obtaining parental consent. 

The North Carolina General Assembly continues to entertain bills that target LGBTQ people, including Senate Bill 631 and House Bill 574, which would prevent trans youth from participating in middle and high school sports; House Bill 808, which would ban best-practice medical care for trans youth; and Senate Bill 49, North Carolina’s own “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

“I encourage all residents to celebrate and affirm their LGBTQ family members, friends, and neighbors, and to participate in Small Town Pride events throughout the month,” Mayor Seils said. 

In 2022, Carrboro received a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index, a measure of how inclusive the Town’s laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ people who live and work here.

The Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill will cohost “Small Town Pride,” a series of celebrations that will include Orgulla Latinx Pride on Saturday, June 10, and culminating in a Pride Food Truck Rodeo & Dance Party on Friday, June 30.

To read the full Pride Month proclamation visit: https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12964/2023-Pride-Month-Proclamation 

---

A 5K Excursion on Fan Branch Trail for National Trails Day

In Chapel Hill, Orange County, and throughout the state, there’s a trail for everyone. On Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., join others for The American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day. Connect with other people who share the love of being outdoors.

Boost our health and wellness and get 6,000+ steps in for the day with a 5K walk-hike along the Fan Branch Trail at Southern Community Park.  A guided trail experience is planned and an opportunity to learn all the ways that trails provide a safe and pleasant transportation alternative.  

When you register in advance, get a FREE “Year of the Trail” T-Shirt from Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation while supplies last.

“We’ve developed a National Trails Day program which highlights many of the benefits of trails,” said Atuya Cornwell, Director of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation. “This is a great opportunity to engage with staff to learn more about the Year of the Trail and the benefits of our very own Fan Branch Trail.”

This outing is part of the Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department’s celebration for North Carolina’s Year of the Trail. The Year of the Trail underscores the importance of showcasing, promoting, and celebrating trails and greenways, and their positive impact on quality of life for NC residents.

Chapel Hill enjoys a network of interconnected trails and greenways that spans more than 17 miles. The trails and greenways offer wonderful experiences of the natural environment that also serve to connect neighborhoods, schools, recreational centers and key commercial areas.

For more information about Greenways and Trails in Chapel Hill, visit www.chapelhillparks.org

---

Chapel Hill June Traffic-Safety Initiatives

The Chapel Hill Police Department is planning speed and pedestrian safety enforcement operations in June, in addition to normal patrols. Scheduled special operations include – but are not limited to – the following dates:

• Tuesday, June 6, 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Tuesday, June 6, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 13, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
• Tuesday, June 20, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
• Thursday, June 22, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 27, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

*Dates and times are subject to change

Each effort will focus on heavily traveled areas. This includes areas with pedestrian and bicycle traffic (ex. along the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Estes Drive corridors). We encourage everyone traveling, regardless of your mode of transportation, to remember that community safety is a shared responsibility.

Just Drive

Distracted driving kills nearly nine people every day in the United States, according to the National Safety Council. The safety nonprofit is urging community members to “just drive.” Put down the phone, keep your hands on the wheel, and just focus on driving and safely sharing our roads. Learn more here.

Vision Zero

On October 13, 2021, Chapel Hill’s Town Council adopted a Vision Zero Resolution, which states that traffic injuries and deaths are not inevitable “accidents” but preventable crashes. The Town committed to eliminating all transportation and mobility related deaths and serious injuries by 2031. This will be achieved through a comprehensive and holistic approach to designing safe roadway systems for all users no matter how they choose to move throughout the community. View the resolution here.

---

Chapel Hill, Carrboro To Celebrate Juneteenth at Hargraves Community Center

The third annual Chapel Hill–Carrboro Juneteenth Festival returns to the Hargraves Community Center on Saturday, June 17 from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Hosted by the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, along with numerous community partners, the event celebrates Black culture and community with music, art, food, and more.

The Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro proclaimed the observance of Juneteenth in 2020 and encourage residents and employers to recognize the holiday. John French, Director of the Hargraves Community Center, says “Juneteenth is important for our country and for our community. We are excited to once again partner with Carrboro and many community organizations to celebrate local Black culture and excellence.”

Here’s what’s in store for this year’s celebration:

Historic Marker Dedication

Hargraves Community Center has been selected as a spot on the North Carolina Civil Rights Trail, with a marker that describes the Center’s importance in the local and national fight for civil rights. At 10 a.m., community will gather to dedicate this new marker and celebrate the past, present, and future of Hargraves Center.

Live Music & Entertainment

The Juneteenth stage will welcome a variety of local artists, representing a range of musical genres. Pittsboro-based group The Dowdy Boys will provide gospel music, while Mickey Mills & Steel will offer Caribbean music featuring steel drums. Local favorite Zone will play a rap set, while Finesse will get everyone on their feet with upbeat rhythm and blues. In between acts, DJ Dominic will keep everyone dancing and entertained.

Small Business Fair & Nonprofit Showcase

A wide variety of Black artisans and Black-owned businesses will be highlighted at the festival, with everything from handmade jewelry and figurines to roofing, healthcare, and other services. Likewise, a wide range of community organizations that represent and serve the Black community will have booths at the event, including the Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving and Making History, the Hannah Ruth Foundation, and the local alumni chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Zeta Beta Phi, and Delta Sigma Theta sororities.

Food Trucks & Kids Zone

Black-owned food trucks and businesses will offer festival goers a variety of food and drink, including African cuisine from Yagg Sii Tenn, soul food from McCamm’s, and wings, hotdogs, and more from Jolly’s Catering. The Kids Zone will have facepainting, street performers, mural making, and more – including a visit from Chapel Hill Public Library’s Circulator. The Northside Gymnasium will be open with basketball activities throughout the event.

An estimated 4,000 people attended last year’s event and a large crowd is expected again this year. Attendees are encouraged to consider biking, walking, carpooling, and riding Chapel Hill Transit. Festival parking will be available at Northside Elementary, and general information about parking around downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro can be found at parkonthehill.com. Information about the event can be found at www.chapelhillcarrborojuneteenth.com

---

Chapel Hill Public Library Presents Summer Blast 2023: A Celebration of Reading for All Ages

Summertime is here, which means Chapel Hill Public Library’s beloved summer reading program and events series, Summer Blast, is back and better than ever.

Summer Blast has something in store for all ages—including outdoor concerts, family movie screenings, educational events, and of course, the popular summer reading program with free books and prizes. The program runs from now until August 15.

“With Summer Blast, we aim to inspire a love of reading and welcome community into the library,” said Library Director Susan Brown. “We are excited to provide a diverse range of programs and events that will captivate and educate all summer long. We are grateful to the Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library for making this possible.”

Summer Reading Program

Starting Thursday June 1, kids, teens and adults can register for the program online or in person and pick up a reading log, with space to record and rate summer reads. Reading logs are available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Burmese, Karen and Arabic. Participants get to choose free book upon registration and add their name to the library’s colorful window display.

Readers complete a log by reading five books then come back to the library for a sticker pack, an official stamp, and a ticket to enter the Summer Blast raffle. The raffle features a wide variety of prizes generously provided by local businesses and restaurants. For each additional five books read, participants earn another entry into the raffle, increasing their chances of winning.

Karin Michel, Youth and Family Experiences Manager at Chapel Hill Public Library says the benefit of participation goes beyond fun and prizes. “We know that summer reading helps prevent the summer slide and has a significant, positive impact on student performance in school. And our program is for everyone, not just for kids! Stop into the library and sign up today,” Michel says. 

Events for All Ages

In addition to regular library programming such as Family Story Time, Sunday S.T.E.A.M., Board Game Night, and Make it Monday, Summer Blast features a variety of extra special events.

Monthly Family Fun Fridays are a highlight of the summer, featuring live music, food trucks, and outdoor games in front of the library. The first one takes place on June 9 from 6 to 8 p.m., and features live music from Ancestor Piratas, Utensilz Optional food truck, and Maple View Farm Ice Cream.

Fridays at 2 p.m. from June 18 through August 16, the library will host a family matinee movie series in Meeting Room B.

Adults can also join in the fun with special events, including Book Speed Dating in June, Around the World(s) Book Bar trivia in July, and Recycled Book Craft night in August. Attendance at these programs earns participants an extra entry into the Summer Blast raffle for a chance to win even more prizes.

Visit the library’s website for the full events calendar at www.chapelhillpubliclibrary.org/events.

Chapel Hill Public Library extends its gratitude to the local businesses and organizations that generously supported Summer Blast 2023 by providing raffle prizes.

Summer Blast is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library. More details about programs and activities are available at www.chapelhillpubliclibrary.org.

For media requests, please contact Hannah Olson, Library Marketing and Communications Coordinator at holson@townofchapelhill.org.

---

Posted May 27, 2023

Poetry in the Park with Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis

Come write poetry in the park with Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis this summer.

Free ecopoetry workshops are offered from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays on June 5, July 10, and August 7 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 1120 Hillsborough Road in Carrboro. The group will gather in the pavilion located inside the park (the pavilion furthest from the parking lot, located on the right-hand path).

Ecopoetry is poetry about the planet and our relationship to Earth. It supports ideas of conservation and sustainable living. Anyone can write ecopoetry and participants are welcome to write about whatever comes to them and whatever moves them. All are welcome. 

For more information, email lizawolff.francis@gmail.com

---

Mayor Proclaims Period Poverty Awareness Week in Carrboro

Mayor Damon Seils has proclaimed the week of May 22-28, 2023 to be Period Poverty Awareness Week in Carrboro.

Approximately half the population will have a period every month for decades of their lives. Period supplies are a necessary product for millions of people across the country, however national surveys and research studies report that one in four people who have a period struggle to secure enough period supplies due to a lack of income.

This lack of period supplies, known as “period poverty,” can adversely affect individuals’ health and well-being. Period poverty is a public health issue, and addressing period poverty can lead to improved health and economic opportunity, thus ensuring all people have access to basic necessities.

Carrboro is proud to be home to trusted community-based organizations, including Period Power, a program of the Diaper Bank of North Carolina, that recognizes the importance of period products and distributes period products through various channels.

“I encourage residents to share appreciation for local period supply banks and their staff, volunteers, and donors, and to contribute generously to period supply banks, product drives, and organizations that collect and distribute period products,” Mayor Seils said.

Read the full Period Poverty Awareness Week Proclamation: https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12871/2023-Period-Poverty-Proclamation-

---

Carrboro Town Offices Closed for Memorial Day

Town of Carrboro government offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday. 

A Memorial Day program with guest speaker Sgt. Maj. Devell “Bo” Durham, the American Legion (AL) National Security Commission Member, Chairman AL Department of North Carolina Internal Affairs Commission, Chairman AL Department of N.C. War on Terror Committee, is scheduled at 10:45 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the Veterans Memorial Site, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC. 
 

Learn more at https://ocveteransmemorial.com/events/ 

---

May is Historic Preservation Month in Chapel Hill. Explore the history of the Town and UNC history with walking tours.

On April 26, the Chapel Hill Town Council proclaimed May 2023 as Historic Preservation Month. The Town of Chapel Hill recognizes the value of historic preservation as a way to celebrate our exceptional heritage, maintain significant places that have contributed to the historical character of the Town, and create a stronger sense of community and local pride.

Read the Proclamation

Learn more about Chapel Hill and its history with walking tours:

• Hometown Ambassador Walking Tours
  “Walk with a Local,” a downtown walking tour of Chapel Hill’s past, present and future, is filled with our singular places, people, history, myths & lore, and traditions. This tour will introduce you to – or reacquaint you with – our beloved and storied town and campus.
  (Sponsored by Chapel Hill Historical Society, Preservation Chapel Hill, and Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau)

• Free Walking Tours of Chapel Hill
  Take an easy, barrier-free walking tour led by a native of Chapel Hill. Learn about the history of the town and its relationship to the oldest state university in the country. See the distinctive murals that decorate this slice of heaven and learn about some hidden gems.

• Self-Guided Tour of Carolina
  Take a self-guided tour of historic landmarks and places where students, faculty and staff conduct game-changing research, innovate for the public good, give back to our community and celebrate Tar Heel traditions. (UNC)

• Black and Carolina Blue Tour
  A Tour of Black life and history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Explore Carolina Tours
  An introduction to campus history and traditions as well as some of the University’s current endeavors in research and innovation. (UNC)
• More Walking Tours

---

---

Carrboro Town Council Update

Meeting agendas and updates are issued from the Town Clerk’s Office. To receive these by email or text, sign up for Carrboro Town News at https://www.carrboronc.gov/list.aspx 

The Carrboro Town Council will hold the next Council Meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2023. The agenda will be available at https://carrboro.legistar.com/   

This meeting will be held at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream YouTube.com/CarrboroNC OR at https://carrboro.legistar.com/  OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). 

Past Meetings 

The Carrboro Town Council met Tuesday, May 23, 2023, for a Council Meeting and took the following actions on agenda posted at https://carrboro.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1088373&GUID=64B42A7D-0932-4141-8174-42CB702EC7DC&Options=&Search= . Watch the video at  https://www.youtube.com/live/ev97HlrGHiU?feature=share  

• Recognized a 2023 Immigrant Heritage Month Proclamation – https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions  
• Amended the 203 S. Greensboro Street Project Ordinance to include Orange County Sustainability Grant Funds and additional Stormwater Enterprise Funds.
• Amended the Land Use Ordinance to allow certain multi-family residential uses into the M-3 zoning district with a special use permit, subject to certain criteria. The change responded to a petition to amend the M-3-CZ district at South Green. 
• Held a quasi-judicial public hearing for consideration of a Special Use Permit-A request for property at 8522 Old NC 86. This public hearing will be continued on June 13. 
• Held a public hearing to consider amendments to the Land Use Ordinance to revise notification associated with attendance requirements.
• Authorized the Town Manager to enter into a comprehensive participation agreement with the Transit Governance Interlocal Agreement (ILA) Parties. Participation is necessary to continue to receive transit funding for town infrastructure projects.
• Considered amendments to the Advisory Board Recruitment and Appointment Policy document, and the Rules of Procedure for Town of Carrboro Boards and Commission Administrative Policy. Proposed amendments to these policies were identified at the March 14, 2023 Town Council work session. The Council requested additional information and that this matter be brought back for further consideration on a later agenda.

---

Carrboro Music Festival accepting performer applications

The Carrboro Music Festival is accepting performer applications for the 2023 Carrboro Music Festival through Thursday, June 1. Apply at http://carrboromusicfestival.com/321/Application—Performers 

The 2023 festival is Sunday, October 1, 2023, with a kickoff show scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Musical acts selected by the Music Festival Planning Committee to perform in the event will receive an honorarium in the amount of $250.

The Carrboro Music Festival is a free one-day event (plus a kickoff show) showcasing Triangle-area performers and their varied musical styles.  

The event is coordinated by the Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department and the Carrboro Music Festival Planning Committee. This program is supported by the Town of Carrboro and the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority.  Generous support is also provided by the local business community.

Learn more about the Carrboro Music Festival: http://carrboromusicfestival.com/311/Carrboro-Music-Festival

---

---

Save the date for Chapel Hill-Carrboro’s Juneteenth celebration

Set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Hargraves Community Center, 216 N. Roberson St. in Chapel Hill. 

Here are a few highlights:

• The day starts at 10 a.m. with a dedication ceremony for the new Hargraves Historical Marker, part of the NC Civil Rights Trail.
• The stage will feature live music all day long, with gospel singers, steel drums, rap artists, and R & B. A DJ will keep the party – and the dancing – going between sets.
•  Black businesses will be on display throughout the event, from the food truck zone to the small business fair.
• Local non-profits will be showcase their good works and spread the good word about all they do.
• The Kids Zone will keep the young ones happy with face painting, street performers, mural-making and the CHPL Circulator.

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. The Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro proclaimed the observance and commemoration of Juneteenth on June 19, 2020 and encourage residents and employers to recognize the holiday.

---

Carrboro Mayor Proclaims June to be Immigrant Heritage Month

According to American Community Survey estimates in 2020, more than 1 out of every 8 Carrboro residents was born outside the United States. Our town is home to nonprofit organizations like El Centro Hispano, the Refugee Community Partnership, and the Refugee Support Center that support immigrants, migrants, and refugees through community building and organizing, language access, legal assistance, after-school programs, job training, distribution of food and essential goods, and more.

Generations of immigrants, migrants, and refugees from around the world have built the nation’s economy and shaped the character of our communities. Immigrants have been leaders, not only in securing their own rights and access to equal opportunity, but also in creating a fairer and more just society for everyone.

“I encourage all residents to celebrate the many contributions that immigrants have made in Carrboro and across the country, to learn more about immigrant communities and histories, and to offer assistance to local organizations that support local immigrant, migrant, and refugee communities,” said Mayor Seils.

Read more in this news flash about Immigrant Heritage Month.

---

Gun Violence Awareness Day Rally on June 2

On Friday, June 2 at 12:30 p.m., the Town of Chapel Hill will host its annual Gun Violence Awareness Day rally at Peace and Justice Plaza (179 E Franklin St.). Members of the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, Carrboro Town Council, Moms Demand Action, and North Carolinians Against Gun Violence will participate.  

Also known as #WearOrange Day, National Gun Violence Awareness Day is observed across the nation to raise awareness of the toll that gun violence is taking on our nation each year. It also provides an opportunity for individuals and communities to advocate for common sense gun legislation at the state and national level. This year’s event will include updates on state and federal legislation, a joint proclamation from the three jurisdictions, and a raising of the orange flag.

---

---

Virtual Police Reports in Chapel Hill

Did you know that you can file certain police reports online or by phone in the Town of Chapel Hill? This feature is convenient and available 24/7. 

Types of reports that can be filed virtually include theft from vehicle, damage to property, lost or stolen property, phone scams, and identity theft. 

If you need assistance, please call the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760. For emergencies or to request an officer, call 911.

𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯-𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘳

---

Alarm Registration

Have you registered your home and business alarms? To reduce accidental alarm calls which tie up emergency services, alarms that are linked to emergency services are required to be registered. The program improves public safety and wisely manages Town safety resources.

Registering your alarms is free. Accidental alarms that occur at locations that have not registered will result in a $100 fine, with increased penalties for additional accidental alarm activations. 

You can register by phone at 1-855-725-7107 or online at: townofchapelhill.org/alarms

---

Artists announced for Uproar Festival of Public Art

From July 14 to Aug. 12, Uproar Festival of Public Art will showcase 60 large-scale, bold works of art throughout the downtown areas of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. The full list of participating artists, along with their bios, can now be viewed on the festival’s website. 

Festival organizers reviewed 101 applications from artists in six states, evaluating artistic excellence, visual impact, creativity, and feasibility (including public safety, durability, and space required). Uproar will feature two-dimensional pieces, sculptures, projection, and installations. Participating artists will vie for cash prizes to be determined by both the public and a jury panel of experts.
  
“The response to Uproar has been incredible, from the number of artist applications to our fundraising campaign,” says Katie Murray, director of the Orange County Arts Commission (OCAC). “Uproar is going to help the local economy while supporting and celebrating the artists who are making it possible, all while providing a free and accessible experience that everyone can participate in.”   
  
The People’s Choice Winner will receive $10,000. The jury’s first-place winner will also receive $10,000, with a second-place winner earning $5,000 and a third-place winner receiving $2,500. Jurors include Larry Wheeler, retired director of the North Carolina Museum of Art; Stacey L. Kirby, installation artist and the winner of ArtPrize 8; and interdisciplinary award-winning artist Antoine Williams.
  
Inspired by ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and ArtFields in Lake Park, South Carolina, Uproar will be the first festival of its kind in the state and will prioritize accessibility. OCAC and nine community partners created the festival to celebrate artists, engage art lovers of all types, and support and celebrate the community. Since summer can be a slow time for small business owners, Uproar is also expected to boost the local economy.
 .
Uproar will launch with a kick-off party at CURRENT ArtSpace + Studio in Chapel Hill on July 14. An awards celebration at the Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough will close the festival on Aug. 12.

---

Orange County receives first positive rabies test of 2023

Orange County Animal Services has received a positive rabies test, according to the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health. This incident involved a raccoon and occurred on Mt. Carmel Church Road in Chapel Hill, NC.  For more information and statistics about rabies in North Carolina, visit The North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services.

This case originated on Saturday, May 20, when a Chapel Hill resident’s dog had an altercation with a raccoon. Animal Control was contacted and they removed the raccoon for rabies testing.

For any possible exposure of humans to rabies, a Communicable Disease Nurse from the Orange County Health Department will evaluate the risk of rabies exposure. A decision about the post-exposure prophylaxis that protects people from rabies is based upon an assessment of all the factors involved in this type of situation. If the dog involved in this incident has a valid rabies vaccination history, it is able to receive a booster rabies vaccination within the required window. When there is “a reasonable suspicion of exposure,” a dog, cat, or ferret with a valid vaccination history must receive a booster shot within 96 hours (four days). By contrast, an unvaccinated cat or dog must either be euthanized or quarantined for a period up to four months (or six months for a ferret).

Please make sure your pets are current on their rabies vaccinations. It is important for the health of your family and your pets. Rabies is a fatal viral infection. Your veterinarian is the best source of information on vaccinations for your pet. For more rabies information, you may review the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention.

In North Carolina and other areas, rabies is commonly found in raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, wolves, groundhogs, and beavers. A host species of rabies in our own region and others is the bat. Of the few cases of rabies in humans in our country in recent years, most have been traced to bats. If there is any possibility of exposure from a bat, it is critical that citizens immediately contact their animal control program. If an incident involving a bat – or other rabies vector, such as a raccoon or skunk – should occur outside regular hours of service, an Animal Control Officer should be reached right away through Emergency Communications (9-1-1).

---

---

Lumos announces schedule adjustment for Phase 1 of Orange County Broadband Project

Due to unforeseen circumstances with permitting and construction, Lumos has made the following schedule adjustment. Approximately 320 addresses in Phase 1 are expected to be completed by July 31 with the remaining Phase 1 addresses to be completed during the third quarter of 2023. Addresses in Phase 1 were initially expected to be served by June 2023.

Once identified, the impacted areas of Phase 1 will be highlighted on the Implementation Map. Lumos expects to have fiber built to approximately 3,200 homes on the list of unserved homes identified before the project began by the end of the year, putting future phases on, or ahead, of schedule.

To receive updates on availability in your area, visit www.lumosfiber.com/builtforthefuture/.

---

Chapel Hill Creamery, Orange County’s last dairy farm, to be sold to Alamance County farmers

Flo Hawley and Portia McKnight have decided to retire from Chapel Hill Creamery, a 20-year-old business at the heart of Orange County’s agricultural community and the last inspected dairy in the county. They have committed to a three-year transition during which Reverence Farms of Alamance County will assume day-to-day management of the creamery and purchase the business. Hawley and McKnight, pictured right, with Reverence Farms owners Suzanne Nelson Karreman and Hubert Karreman, VMD. 

---

Carrboro Public Works Traffic Alert

Duke Energy is performing some aerial utility work on S. Greensboro St on Wednesday, May 31. There will be a lane closure on S. Greensboro with flaggers starting around 2 p.m. and lasting for approximately 2 hours. 

For more information, contact Carrboro Public Works at 919-918-7424 or PWorks@carrboronc.gov 

---

Posted May 24, 2023

---

NCDOT to begin resurfacing Merritt Mill Road

NCDOT’s summer resurfacing work begins next week.  NCDOT has engaged Carolina Sunrock as the prime contractor for the resurfacing of Merritt Road from Rosemary Street to South Greensboro Street.  The project will include modifying the existing street cross section to remove the existing center turn lane and add new bike lanes, and green pavement markings. 

Fulcher, the project subcontractor, is scheduled to begin signal loop installation along Merritt Mill Road on Tuesday, May 23 – 26 with lane closures from 9 a.m. to Sunset.  NO WORK will be allowed during the Memorial holiday restriction from Sunset on Friday, May 26 until 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 30.

Motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles will have access through the work zone at all times.  This work should take approximately two weeks and the work area will be specific to the intersections and short in length with minimal traffic disruption. 

Utility adjustments are currently scheduled beginning May 30 – June 9, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to Sunset. The milling and paving operation will proceed after utility adjustments, with an anticipated date of mid-June or later and this will be a more intrusive operation.  NCDOT will provide message boards to advertise the milling and paving once the contractor has scheduled accordingly.  The milling and paving will also require lane closures Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to Sunset. 

Contact: John Howell, Residential Engineer, Division 7-District 1, NCDOT, 336-570-6830 or jhowell@ncdot.gov

---

Chapel Hill Hometown Ambassadors Tour

Take a downtown walking tour of Chapel Hill’s past, present & future, filled with our singular places, people, history, myths & lore, traditions, and impact. This tour is designed to introduce you – or reacquaint you! – to our beloved and storied town and campus. Tours leave the Chapel Hill/Orange County Welcome Center (308 W. Franklin Street) at 3 pm on May 19, June 2, June 9, and June 23.

Register here

---

---

Khalisa Rae, Ashley Lumpkin, CJ Suitt, & Soteria Shepperson at Epilogue

Join Epilogue Books for a conversation with Khalisa Rae, Ashley Lumpkin, CJ Suitt, and Soteria Shepperson about what it means to be Black and queer in the South on May 31st at 6:30pm. Get a free ticket below to let them know you’re coming!

Get your ticket

---

“Back to the Future” Themed Adult Prom in Carrboro Benefiting Boys & Girls Club

“Great Scott!” This isn’t just any Friday night. On June 16, from 8 PM to 11 PM, Carrboro Century Center is going “Back to the Future” with a themed adult prom, “Carrboro Prom 2023: Enchantment Under the Sea”. Dust off your poodle skirts or rock your 80s neon for a time-traveling adventure that’s sure to be the highlight of the year.

“Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!” But dancing shoes are a must as attendees groove to tunes from 1955 to 1985, played by the band Mix Tape Grab Bag. Your $115 ticket doesn’t just open the doors to this retro blast—it includes a feast of heavy appetizers provided by Mel’s Catering, a flowing selection of beer and wine, and access to a nostalgia-inducing photo booth. The night wouldn’t be complete without a crowning of the prom king and queen—could it be you?

All proceeds from this event will directly benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties. “Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one,” as Doc Brown says. By attending this prom, you’re not just reliving or reimagining a memorable night from high school, you’re investing in the future of our community.

“Remember, if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything,” Marty McFly advised. And accomplish we will! We’re thrilled that this event supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties, ensuring a bright future for our local youth.

Tickets are available now at carrboroprom.com. Don’t be a “slacker” – this event is expected to sell out, so secure your ticket now and mark June 16 on your calendar. As Marty would say, “This is heavy!”

About Carrboro Century Center: Carrboro Century Center is the heart of the community, hosting events from sock hops to weddings in its versatile spaces. Visit Carrboro Century Center to learn more.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties: Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties is our community’s flux capacitor, sparking change and fueling the journey toward great futures for our youth. Visit https://bgcdoc.org to learn more.

---

FREIGHT TRAIN BLUES CONCERT SERIES MAY 26: The Blue Ridge Opry hosted by Kelley Breiding

Enjoy Blue Ridge Opry hosted by Kelley Breiding at this week’s Freight Train Blues Concert, Friday, May 26, 2023. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street. Bring your picnic, lawn chairs, and blankets for an evening of live music on the lawn. 

The concert series runs every Friday night through June 23 and is a collaboration among Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke.

Public parking is available and free in downtown Carrboro.

The Blue Ridge Opry is a nostalgic country music variety show inspired by the early days of the Grand Old Opry and the heyday of classic country stars like Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Uncle Dave Macon, The Carter Family, Loretta Lynn, and the like. The program is hosted and produced by singer and multi-instrumentalist Kelley Breiding and features a variety of musical guest stars including Martha Bassett, Jim Lloyd, Larry Sigmon, Wayne Dye, Asa Nelson, and Kelley and The Cowboys as well as comedy and dancers from the Blue Ridge Mountains.

More information: www.freighttrainblues.com 

Posted May 18, 2023

Carrboro announces Green Neighborhoods Grant Program

As part of its Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) implementation, the Town of Carrboro is pleased to announce the Green Neighborhoods Grant Program that offers grants for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance ecosystem resiliency or contribute to climate action awareness or engagement. The maximum grant award is $2,500.

The Carrboro Town Council accepted the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) in 2017 to expand the Town’s existing climate action efforts and emphasize measures that community members can implement to help achieve greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The plan’s goal is to raise the community’s awareness and involvement in climate action and the enhancement of ecosystem resilience. In 2020, the Town updated the CCAP goals to recommend an 80% reduction of 2010 emissions levels by 2030. To achieve this goal, widespread community participation in every aspect of the plan is essential. 

The Green Neighborhoods Grant Program seeks to benefit low-income households and residents of color by bringing neighbors together to pursue projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create natural areas that are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, ultimately benefiting the entire community.  

The goals of the program include: 

• Educate and empower neighborhoods to address climate change 
• Build neighborhood capacity to engage in climate action 
• Develop and enhance community and Town partnerships 
• Leverage Town and neighborhood involvement and resources 
•  Distribute resources to low-income communities and communities of color who are disproportionately affected by climate change.  

The maximum grant award is $2,500. Applications are due by June 9, 2023 at 3 p.m. Info sessions will be held throughout May. 

Visit this webpage for more information: http://www.carrbororec.org/2778/Green-Neighborhoods-Grant-Program

For questions and additional information, contact Environmental Sustainability Coordinator Laura Janway at ljanway@carrboronc.gov or (919) 918-7326. 

---

Orange County Office of Equity and Inclusion to host Building a Healthy Community event

The Orange County Building a Healthy Community Roundtable Discussion & Resource Fair to be held on Monday, May 22, 2023 at Carrboro High School (201 Rock Haven Rd, Carrboro, NC 27510) from 6-8 p.m. brings together community members, local organizations, and leaders to promote health equity in Orange County. The roundtable theme, “Healthy Homes, Healthy Communities: A Critical Conversation” highlights the significant role housing plays in shaping health outcomes. Housing inequalities can have a harmful impact on overall community health.

During the roundtable discussion, participants engage in open dialogue and exchange ideas about healthy homes as a pathway to health equity and overall community health. The goal is to identify challenges and opportunities for promoting health equity, and develop action steps to address them.

The resource fair is an opportunity for organizations, businesses, and community groups to share information and resources that support healthy housing and healthy communities. This includes affordable housing programs, mental health and substance abuse support services, healthcare services, community-based organizations, financial education and budgeting support, tenant advocacy organizations, community gardening, and opportunities for community members to engage and learn from each other.

The overall goal of the event is to create a platform for community engagement and dialogue on health equity. By identifying challenges and opportunities for promoting health equity in Orange County, the event aims to develop action steps and approaches to address health equity issues.

For organizations, businesses, and community groups interested in participating as a volunteer, please visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/BHCRegisterComm to sign up and learn more about how you can contribute to this important event.

For community members, please let us know if you will be attending by https://www.orangecountync.gov/BHCRegisterComm.

---

Aging to host Meditation with a Cop on May 23

The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE Mental Wellness and Intergenerational Senior Resource Teams invite the public to attend a community event, Meditation with a Cop, on May 23.

The event aims to combat ageism through intergenerational engagement, foster connectedness with local law enforcement, and promote mental wellness for the community. Join the Chapel Hill Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, ProMedica and UNC Health/Triangle Falls Prevention Coalition to celebrate Mental Health Month! You’ll meet and get to know local law enforcement officers who serve and protect our community, while learning together about the importance of meditation and self-care!

Bring the kiddos, friends or the whole family for music free goodies and a sitting meditation session with Joe Gilbert, Certified Mindfulness Mediation Teacher with Cedar Walk Wellness Center of Hillsborough.

The event will take place on Tuesday, May 23 from 2-3 pm at the Seymour Center located at 2551 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill. Please register by Monday, May 22 with the Seymour Center front desk at 919-968-2070.

For more information, please contact Lydia Arnold at larnold@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4276.

---

Solarize the Triangle launches second campaign to bring solar energy to Orange County

The 12 Triangle partner governments that collaborated to organize Solarize the Triangle are set to launch a second time-limited campaign to make solar energy and battery storage more affordable for homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits located in 12 Triangle communities.

This special community event will take place on Monday, May 15, at Hi-Wire Brewing in Durham. Free and open to the public, the launch celebration will be open from 6-8 pm.

The 2023 version of the Solarize program is hosted by the Triangle Sustainability Partnership, a local government coalition. More than 180 home and business owners ultimately signed contracts to purchase renewable energy systems for their properties through the Partnership’s 2022 program, which concluded in March 2023. During the coming months, Solarize the Triangle again will offer an opportunity for local residents and businesses to purchase solar energy at discounted group rates.

Persons attending the Solarize ’23 debut event at 800 Taylor St. in Durham will find:

• Representatives from the Partnership that developed Solarize the Triangle;
• Experts in solar energy from the locally selected installer company chosen via competitive bidding;
• Details about the benefits of solar energy and battery storage;
• Special prices, refreshments, and drawings for attendees; and
• Information about how one can enroll for a free solar energy assessment of their residence or place of business via Solarize the Triangle.

In addition to attending, media are invited to interviews before/after the opening event in Durham. Solarize the Triangle is now accepting enrollment for the upcoming program. Interested residents may visit SolarizetheTriangle.com to learn more and sign up for a free evaluation without obligation.

---

Orange County Property values can be appealed through June 22

Property owners with concerns about property revaluation can appeal their values. The most recent valuation date for real properties in Orange County is Jan. 1, 2021, using sales from 2019 and 2020.

Appellants can submit their formal appeal of property value for 2023 taxes either online, by mailing in a paper copy (addressed to: Orange County Board of Equalization and Review, PO Box 8181, Hillsborough NC 27278-8181), emailing a scanned copy of the form or dropping off a paper copy at the drop box outside our office at 228 South Churton Street, Hillsborough. Formal appeals must be received by June 22, 2023, or 30 days after notification of a value change, whichever period expires last.

Use this website to file an appeal Online.

North Carolina General Statutes put the burden of proof on the property owner to show that a tax assessment is inaccurate. A change in assessment will be considered only if the owner can demonstrate that the assessed value is more or less than market value as of Jan. 1, 2021, or that it is inconsistent with assessments of similar properties. Assessments cannot be appealed based on the percentage of increase/decrease in value OR the taxpayer’s ability to pay the tax. The tax office will send results of formal appeals via mail.

---

Blackwood Farm Park set to reopen with special ceremony on Friday, May 19, at 11 a.m.

The Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation invites the public to join the Board of Orange County Commissioners (BOCC) for the official reopening of Blackwood Farm Park.

The ceremony will take place on Friday, May 19, at 11 a.m. at 4215 NC 86 S in Hillsborough. The park will operate daily Monday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Future phases of the park are planned.  

Blackwood Farm is a 152-acre park, featuring four miles of hiking trails, a historic farmhouse, barn, and additional outbuildings. New amenities at the park include: covered amphitheater, interactive educational trail, and large picnic shelter that can serve as an additional sound stage. Other amenities include open fields, small picnic shelter, fishing pond, and restrooms.

The Blackwood Farm property was acquired in 2001 through Orange County’s Lands Legacy Program. A Master Plan for the Park was adopted by the BOCC in 2011 and amended in 2018 and recently in 2021. The Master Plan called for low-impact recreation, while retaining components of the natural, scenic, agricultural, and historic character of the farm. The amended plan included a new park office, future learning center, and additional recreation area. 

For more information, such as hours of operation and location, please visit:

https://www.orangecountync.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Blackwood-Farm-Park-2

To review the Master Plan, please visit: 

https://www.orangecountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19870/Blackwood-Farm-Master-Plan-Map

---

Carrboro Town Council supports right to safe and comprehensive reproductive health care

The Carrboro Town Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night (May 16, 2023) supporting the right of all people to access the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, including abortion.

The resolution was in reaction to the North Carolina General Assembly party-line vote on Senate Bill 20 to limit the rights of women, specifically their bodily autonomy, by prohibiting abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy and restricting access to medication abortion after 10 weeks of pregnancy. 

“The Town Council urges Carrboro’s delegation in the General Assembly to prioritize the health care needs of all residents, to reject further attempts to restrict access to abortion, and to increase investment in access to health care, affordable birth control including emergency contraception, and comprehensive age-appropriate sex education,” the resolution states. 

“The Town Council encourages residents of Carrboro to speak out against these egregious attacks on bodily autonomy and make their views known to members of the General Assembly.”

Read the full resolution at https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12872/A-RESOLUTION-SUPPORTING-THE-RIGHT-OF-ALL-NORTH-CAROLINIANS-TO-SAFE-AND-COMPREHENSIVE-REPRODUCITVE-HEALTH-CARE_SB20_51623-Final 

---

---

Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils has proclaimed May 14-20, 2023 to be Police Week in Carrboro.

“I encourage residents to share their gratitude with the officers and other professionals in the Police Department for promoting the safety of Carrboro’s residents and visitors,” Mayor Seils said.

Employees in the Carrboro Police Department provide a vital public service by acting as first responders in emergency and crisis situations. Not only do they investigate and solve crimes, but the Police Department also offers a variety of community services to individuals, local businesses, and community organizations and agencies.

In 2022, the Police Department handled more than 17,000 calls for service and hosted more than 50 community events. This past year, two officers retired, and six new officers were hired. Two K-9s retired and two new K-9s were trained. Sergeant Charles Brent Hobby was named Carrboro’s 2022 Police Officer of the Year and was honored on Community Hero Night with Carolina Athletics.

Employees in the Police Department attended nearly 1,400 hours of training to stay updated on current policing techniques. The department strives to achieve the department’s bias-free policing goals and provide community services in a fair and professional manner through this ongoing training.

In the Town’s most recent biennial community survey, the Police Department was among the major categories of Town services that had the highest levels of satisfaction.

Mayor Seils encouraged residents to understand the duties and responsibilities of these essential employees and to remember the risks they often must face to help make Carrboro a safe and welcoming place to live.

Read the full proclamation here: https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12839/2023-Police-Week-Proclamation

---

---

May community update for the Carrboro 203 Project

Crews are currently working on forming up the third and final floor of the building.  Concrete for the third floor is scheduled to be poured on the morning of Thursday, May 18.  Once the third floor is complete, construction of the roof will begin and the building will be topped out.  

Focus will then shift to the building of the concrete parking deck.   

Duke Energy is currently scheduled to perform some aerial utility work on S. Greensboro St the morning of Tuesday, May 23.  This may involve a lane closure and short power interruption to some customers. Utility work is ongoing, please follow the Town’s social media for the latest utility work notifications. 

Background 

The $42 million development will be the future home of the Orange County Southern Branch Library. The facility will also provide a permanent home for the Orange County Skills Development Center; Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department; WCOM Radio; and performance/multipurpose uses. The 203 Project will provide opportunities for education, art and community connection.

More information:

• The Town of Carrboro posts regular updates to the community on the Town website and through social media. Sign up to receive Carrboro Town News updates at www.carrboronc.gov/signup 
• If you would like to be included on a neighborhood email distribution list, which includes residents living in the adjacent neighborhood and the local business community, please notify the203project@carrboronc.gov
• For more information and the latest drone videos, please visit  https://www.the203project.org/

---

Orange County Board of Commissioners Meeting Summary for May 16, 2023

The Orange County Board of Commissioners conducted a business meeting on May 16, 2023.   A replay of the meeting is viewable at the following link:

http://www.orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos.  

The agenda included the items below.  The following is a brief summary of the Board’s actions.  This summary should not be viewed as official minutes.

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Proclamations/Resolutions/Special Presentations

Proclamation Recognizing the Success and Accomplishments of Orange County High School Robotics Teams

The Board approved a proclamation recognizing five Orange County high schools for their robotics teams’ recent success and accomplishments. (Unanimous)

Resolution Honoring Chief Deputy Jamison R. Sykes for 28 Years of Law Enforcement Service and Awarding Him his Badge and Sidearm 

The Board approved a Resolution honoring Chief Deputy Jamison R. Sykes for 28 years of law enforcement service and awarding him his badge and sidearm, and authorized the Chair to sign the Resolution. (Unanimous)

Presentation Regarding Uproar Festival of Public Art

The Board received information on a new upcoming, countywide festival called Uproar Festival of Public Art.

Public Hearings

Joint Public Hearing with the Historic Preservation Commission Regarding the Proposed Designation of Three Properties as Orange County Local Landmarks

The Board conducted a joint public hearing with the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to receive public comment on the applications to designate the Harvey’s Chapel AME Church, Eno Quaker Burying Ground, and David Faucette House as Orange County Local Landmarks. 

Regular Agenda

2022 Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) Program Evaluation

This item was deferred to a future meeting.

Approval of a Professional Services Contract with Clarion Associates to Develop a Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and Approval of Budget Amendment #9-A

The Board received a brief staff presentation including an overview of the consultant selection process and scope of services to develop a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) for Orange County, approved a professional services contract (Attachment 1) with Clarion Associates, LLC, and approved Budget Amendment #9-A. (Unanimous)

Consent Agenda

Minutes (Approved)

EMS Week Proclamation (Approved)

Adoption of the Final Resolution Authorizing 2023 Installment Financing for Various Capital Investment Plan Projects for Up to $14,500,000 (Approved)

Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget Amendment #9 (Approved)

Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance – Approval and Certification of 2023 Report (Approved)

Amendments to the Orange County Arts Commission Advisory Board Policies and Procedures (Approved)

Resolution in Support of Safe and Legal Reproductive Healthcare (Approved)

Boards and Commissions – Appointments (Approved)

---

Booker Creek Working Group to Share Report Recommendations on May 22

The Booker Creek Working Group will meet virtually on Monday, May 22 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. They will discuss their report recommendations. The group will send their finalized report to Council this summer.

Their recommendations include:

• Advancement of green stormwater infrastructure
• Streambank stabilization project assistance
• Cost-effective flood damage reduction
• Preserving and protecting bottomland forests and natural stream corridors in Chapel Hill
• Modification to the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO) to address the 100-year storm event in Chapel Hill
• Community and staff engagement in stormwater policy improvement
• Standards for approving major stormwater projects
• Chapel Hill entry into the FEMA Community Rating System (CRS)
• Setting funding priorities for the maintenance of existing stormwater facilities in Chapel Hill
• Utilizing existing water bodies for flood water storage

Visit the Booker Creek Working Group webpage to view the full agenda, draft recommendation report, and past meeting materials.

Background

In September 2021, Council created a working group on stormwater management in the Booker Creek Watershed, or “Booker Creek Working Group.” Council also withdrew support of the remaining flood storage projects from the Lower Booker Creek Subwatershed study.

Participation

• Register for and attend the meeting
  • The final ten minutes will be open for public comment
  • Staff will record the meeting and post the video on www.townofchapelhill.org/BookerCreekStudies
• Email your thoughts to stormwater@townofchapelhill.org

---

Monday, May 29, is a Chapel Hill  Town holiday. Some services will be affected.

Monday, May 29, is a Town holiday. Some services will be affected.

RESIDENTIAL TRASH will be collected Wednesday, May 31, instead of Monday, May 29. Yard trimmings collection will not be affected.

CURBSIDE RECYCLING will not be collected on Monday. All recycling collection will be delayed by one day this week.

COMMERCIAL TRASH will not be collected Monday, May 29. Collections will be completed by the end of the week.

ORANGE COUNTY LANDFILL AND WASTE & RECYCLING CENTERS will be closed.

CHAPEL HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY will be closed.

CHAPEL HILL TRANSIT will not operate on Memorial Day.

PUBLIC HOUSING: Office and Maintenance Division will be closed. For emergency maintenance services, call (919) 968-2855.

PARKS AND RECREATION: Parks, greenways, trails, dog parks, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and outdoor park amenities are open.

Closed Monday, May 29:

• Administrative offices
• Chapel Hill Community Center Pool
• Hargraves Center
• Teen Center. 

Open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.:

• Northside Gymnasium
• Chapel Hill Community Center and Gymnasium
• Homestead Aquatic Center
• AD Clark Pool.

MORE INFORMATION

---

The Parking ticket payment and Transit Park & Ride permit purchases portal will be down for a system wide upgrade from 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21, until Friday, May 26.

The Parking ticket payment and Transit Park & Ride permit purchases portal will be down for a system-wide upgrade from 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21, until Friday, May 26. There will be no way to pay a ticket or purchase a Park & Ride permit. During this time, the only ticket appeal option is to email parking@townofchapelhill.org and follow the contest citation directions on the back of the ticket.

Please hold off on paying or purchasing during this time until the upgrade is completed. We will provide an update on our website and social channels once the system is operating normally.

Stay connected with Chapel Hill Parking at parkonthehill.com, Twitter, and Facebook.

---

Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture is excited to announce the return of the Chapel Hill Pride Promenade.  

• What:  Second annual Pride Promenade marking the beginning of Small Town Pride across Chapel Hill and Carrboro
• When:  Saturday, June 3 from 2 to 4 p.m.
  • 1:15 p.m.: Meet at Peace & Justice Plaza
  • 2:00 p.m.: Hear Mayor Pro Tem Karen Stegman’s remarks to signal the official start of the 2023 Pride Promenade
• Where: Meet at Henderson Street at 1:15 p.m.
• The march route:  Franklin Street from Peace & Justice Plaza to 140 West Plaza
• Wear festive colors and bring flags that show your support for the LGBTQIA+ community

The Town of Chapel Hill’s LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group (ERG) helped plan the event. Matt DeBellis, an ERG member says, “While this is only the second year for this event, it has already become something that the community looks forward to. This year, we helped bring several ally organizations to the Promenade, including Equality NC and the UNC LGBTQ Center. ”
More than a thousand people attended the inaugural Promenade in 2022. We expect another large crowd this year.

In addition to the march down Franklin Street, this year’s Promenade features many other highlights:

• The Triangle Pride Jazz Band (1:15 to 1:45 p.m.):  Join this LGBTQIA+ and ally community band at Peace & Justice Plaza as the crowd gathers for the march.  
• Public Art at 140 West Plaza:  Durham-based artist Julia Gartrell’s 13-foot-high pyramid highlights Pride Month’s themes of celebration, reflection, and action
• DJ at 140 West Plaza: Enjoy dance music as you join Freddy Bell’s community mural-making project and collect information from LGBTQIA+ and ally organizations
• The Chapel Hill Public Library’s Circulator: Join acclaimed Drag artist Naomi Dix at the Circulator, which will showcase books for all ages that reflect and celebrate LGBTQIA+ lives and stories

We encourage you to bike, cycle, walk, or take Chapel Hill Transit to the event. Information about downtown parking options is available at parkonthehill.com

To learn about other events that the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro have planned, visit:
chapelhillarts.org/festivals-events/smalltownpride/

We hope to see you at the Pride Piper Walk and Pride Food Truck Rodeo and Dance Party on June 30 at Carrboro Town Commons! 

---

Carrboro receives Excellence in Communications Awards

The Town of Carrboro was among 25 North Carolina jurisdictions to earn recognition in the North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) 2023 Excellence in Communications Awards. Carrboro won two first place awards in Citizen Participation and Most Creative With Least Dollars Spent. 

The awards were announced May 4, 2023, during NC3C’s annual conference. All 144 award program entries were judged by professional communications peers from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators.

“To win an award in this field of outstanding communicators is a real accomplishment,” said NC3C President Stacie Galloway. “The NC3C board extends our sincere congratulations to those working so hard to reach their communities in creative and effective ways.”

The awards spotlight programs that support the Town Council’s commitment to having an equitable public participation system that enfranchises everyone. The Communication & Engagement Department continues to explore ways to increase the influence and involvement of all residents in civic and community life.

Carrboro in Motion Fest/Festival de la Comunidad en Movimiento – The Town of Carrboro received a first place award in the Citizen Participation category for its program of community block parties at apartment complexes. The events create a method for the Town to establish a presence in underserved communities and neighborhoods, build relationships, offer multiple ways for residents to contribute input and feedback, and receive information about programs and services. The events leverage community assets and strengths from public agencies and partners, including El Centro Hispano, Bike Carrboro, Chapel Hill Transit, Kramden Institute, Carrboro Run Club, NEXT, Red Ridge NC Bike Share, Orange Literacy, Orange County Public Library, and Carrboro Transportation Choices.  “This sounds like a great initiative to meet residents where they’re at and get them to meet their neighbors, city staff and elected officials,” commented a judge.  Learn more at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2735/Carrboro-In-Motion 

Bilingual Calendar – The Town of Carrboro received a first place award in the Most Creative With Least Dollars Spent category for its bilingual (English/Spanish) calendar featuring free community events. Calendars were distributed to residents who live in the Qualified Census Tract, as well as those in apartment complexes and mobile home parks. A judge commented: “Excellent way of connecting with the community and sharing resources. Each month has a QR code with a resource link for employment opportunities, wellness activities, park programs, etc. without being an overwhelming list of links. I appreciate how it was staff that delivered the calendars to create a secondary opportunity to connect one-on-one with the public.” Download the calendar at https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12230/Carrboro-Calendar-2023–  

About NC3C 
The purpose of North Carolina City & County Communicators is to encourage professional development and networking among local governmental communications professionals. The organization was formed in March 2007, and consists of professional government communicators from around the state. For more information about NC3C, visit www.nc3c.com.

---

Join in Carrboro Bike Month Events this Saturday!

To close out Bike to Work Week, the Town of Carrboro will host the annual Bike on Bus demonstration event on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Carrboro Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.  

This is a great opportunity to learn how to use the bike rack on the front of the bus to load and unload your bike in a no pressure situation.  Staff will also have a table with bicycle-related information, gear and swag. Learn more at https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Your-Bike-on-the-Bus

At 12 noon, the Town will  host the inaugural Ride for the Ages.  This new group event is designed for riders of all ages and abilities.  Join us at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. The ride is scheduled to begin at noon or shortly thereafter.  The final route will be determined based on the participants.

---

FREIGHT TRAIN BLUES CONCERT SERIES MAY 19: Music Maker Blues Revue feat. Aretta Woodruff, Sugar Harp, Hermon Hitson, Albert White and Ardie Dean

Bring your picnic, lawn chairs, and blankets for an evening of live music on the lawn. Enjoy Music Maker Blues Revue feat. Aretta Woodruff, Sugar Harp, Hermon Hitson, Albert White and Ardie Dean at this week’s Freight Train Blues Concert. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street. 

The concert series runs every Friday night through June 23 and is a collaboration among Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke.

Public parking is available and free in downtown Carrboro.

The Music Maker Blues Revue is an all-star band and a thriving musical institution. It was born in the early 1990s as a backing band for Guitar Gabriel, and quickly became a power cell of Music Maker Foundation’s live presence. Featuring dozens of different Music Maker artists over the years—from Etta Baker and Macavine Hayes to Robert Lee Coleman and Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen—the Revue has played all over the world in every kind of venue. They’ve busked on the sidewalks of High Point, N.C., and received standing ovations at Carnegie Hall. From Argentina to Australia, Europe to Guatemala, and across the U.S., the Revue pleases all types of fans; “the boogiers and the bookworms,” as drummer Ardie Dean puts it.

Read more about the artists featured in the Music Maker Revue.

---

Pride Food Truck Rodeo & Dance Party on June 30 in Carrboro

Carrboro is planning for its Pride Food Truck Rodeo & Dance Party to be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 30, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.

Join us for food, dance, and frolicking on the lawn. This is a free, family-friendly, festival celebrating all that unites us and makes us unique.

If you’re interested in participating as a vendor or by setting up an information or resources table, fill out the application form at https://www.carrboronc.gov/FormCenter/Communication-and-Engagement-Department-31/PRIDE-Events-at-Carrboro-Town-Commons-201

Please Note: Selections for tablers will prioritize groups, organizations or businesses providing support and resources for our LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community.  

As part of our Small Town Pride joint celebration with Chapel Hill, we will update this page with more event details: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2706/Pride-Month

Questions? Contact our event team at communications@carrboronc.gov

---

Open House for new Waterstone Fire and EMS Station set for June 4

Orange County Emergency Services and Orange Rural Fire Department will celebrate the opening of the Waterstone Fire and EMS Station on Sunday, June 4, from 1-3 p.m.

The new facility will house one fire engine and one medical responder vehicle (Orange Rural Station 4) and one advanced life support ambulance (Orange County EMS Station 1). The public is invited to tour the facility.

The total budget of the project was $7.4 million. Orange Rural provided $4 million, with about $108,000 from the Town of Hillsborough. Orange County provided the remaining $3.4 million. The Fire Department and county divided equally the cost of design, survey, insurance and site work. Building costs were split based on how much space each side will utilize, with Orange Rural paying 58%.

The Town of Hillsborough provided the land for the station through a land swap with the Fire Department, trading two acres in the Waterstone development for land used as fire station parking next to the downtown station on South Churton Street. The town owns the downtown fire station and leases it to Orange Rural, which it contracts with for fire service.

The new facility in Waterstone can house up to 12 fire personnel and up to six EMS personnel. Orange County Emergency Services plans to start with one advanced life support ambulance staffed with two personnel.

“This station was designed with direct input of a joint team of fire and EMS response personnel,” said Orange County Emergency Services Director Kirby Saunders. “Many of the incorporated features and comforts were designed to optimize the health and well-being of our most valuable resource, our people.”

The facility is equipped with LED lighting and water-saving appliances. The apparatus bay is designed as a drive-thru bay to allow safer and more efficient entrances and exits.

Unique features include training props incorporated into the structure of the building on the fire side, such as rappelling points, confined space simulation, a sprinkler prop, and areas to practice rope rescues. Fire Chief Jeff Cabe said the training facilities were the brainchild of Jeff Holden, an Orange Rural firefighter who died in the line of duty in 2018.

“His ideas and vision resulted in the training props,” Cabe said. “Prior to his passing, Jeff was our training and special operations chief and managed all of our fire and EMS training.”

Cabe said the fire station will include a small memorial for Holden. The EMS portion of the station will also include a memorial wall dedicated to EMS providers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.

The facility meets design standards for critical facilities and is equipped with an emergency generator to ensure uninterrupted service delivery. Shared spaces include an exercise room, the bay area, and an outdoor patio equipped with a gas grill. Each side has a fully equipped kitchen, day room and decontamination areas. The EMS portion will contain a 24/7 publicly accessible lobby, restroom and automatic external defibrillator.

Both Orange Rural and the county integrated the latest in alerting technology to reduce cardiac impacts on responders from sudden loud noises and bright lights. The technology ramps up low-level lighting and emits tones that more gradually wake the responders.

The station’s exterior features low-maintenance plants, shrubs, and hardscapes. The partners will share maintenance of the facility and grounds that are shared spaces.

The new station will enhance the availability of public safety resources to the growing Hillsborough community and beyond.

---

Carrboro Celebrates Public Works Week

Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils has proclaimed Public Works Week in Carrboro May 21-27, 2023.

This year marks the 63rd annual observance of National Public Works Week, and the theme of this year’s observance is “Connecting the World Through Public Works,” highlighting how public works connects us all through infrastructure and services.

Carrboro Public Works makes important contributions to the community’s well-being by providing reliable solid waste collection; loose leaf collection; street, greenway, and right-of-way maintenance; snow removal; stormwater facility maintenance; mowing and landscaping of Town properties and rights-of-way; tree trimming and removal; ball field preparation and maintenance; facility maintenance; vehicle and equipment maintenance; cemetery maintenance and burials; and more.

The accomplishments of Carrboro Public Works in the past year include:

• awarding a construction contract and breaking ground on the 203 Project, a building designed to LEED Gold standards
• completing a townwide speed table improvement project
• completing sidewalk and curb ramp improvements to improve compliance of pedestrian infrastructure with the Americans With Disabilities Act
• installing bike boxes on West Main Street to improve the safety and convenience of travel by bicycle; and 
• replacing 54 trees at Martin Luther King Jr. Park
• facilitating the Town’s recertification as a Tree City USA for its 37th year
• completing bus shelter improvements
• adding two hybrid electric vehicles to the Public Works fleet, two electric mowers, one utility vehicle, and three weedeaters and backpack blowers—reducing the department’s overall fuel consumption and emissions
• continuing the leaf compost program on the Town’s property on Old NC 86 in accordance with the requirements of the NC Department of Environmental Quality

“I encourage all residents to thank and celebrate the Town’s public works employees and to recognize the importance of public works professionals and public works programs for protecting our health, safety, and quality of life and making Carrboro a great place to live,” said Mayor Seils.

Read the full proclamation here: https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12840/2023-Public-Works-Week-Proclamation

---

Go Chapel Hill Bikes & Kites Day

Enjoy Bikes & Kites Day for all ages, from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at the South-End Parking Area at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 940 Carmichael Street.

Bring your bicycle for a bike rodeo, safety information, kite fun, helmets and other great games and giveaways! Tables and games in English and Spanish!

Unless it is pouring rain, Bikes & Kites Day will be a GO! For more information email goch@townofchapelhill.org!

---

Downtown Mobility Public Studio Sessions

Do you have thoughts about walking, biking, and driving in Downtown Chapel Hill? Join us at public studio times May 22-25! ARPA funds are being used for a Streetscape Enhancement Mobility Plan that will make recommendations for improvements in mobility infrastructure. The goals of this project include public safety and economic vitality. It is one of many efforts for revitalization and improvement in Downtown Chapel Hill.

Public Studio Sessions at 306 West Franklin Suite F:

• Monday May 22 at 2:30–4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday May 23 at 4–5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday May 24 at 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
• “Reveal Event” Thursday May 25 at 5–6:30 p.m.

Pop- Up at Hargraves Community Center (216 N. Roberson St)

• Tuesday May 23 at 6–7:30 p.m.

---

Public Hearing: Housing Choices for a Complete Community

Chapel Hill Town Council expects to hold a Public Hearing on May 24, 2023 to discuss changes to the Town’s land use management rules (or LUMO). The changes would allow more diverse types of housing to be built in some areas. These changes are a part of the proposed “Housing Choices for a Complete Community” or “Housing Choices” Text Amendment.  

Visit chplan.us/housing-choices for more information and to take the survey. 

---

Posted May 11, 2023

Healthier Soil, Healthier Food: Compost! 

It’s International Compost Awareness Week (May 7– 13)! This year’s theme “For Healthier Soil, Healthier Food…Compost!” focuses on how compost can have a role in helping feed the world, by making our soil healthier which produces healthier food.  

Composting materials, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, converts these materials into a nutrient rich soil amendment that communities can use to promote soil fertility and productivity, improve water quality, reduce stormwater runoff and soil erosion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Are you interested in composting? The Town of Carrboro offers Earth Machine’s Backyard Compost Bins for just $45 and kitchen pails for $5.  To learn more about backyard composting or order a backyard compost bin or kitchen pail visit our Composting….     

Carrboro residents can also drop-off food scraps and non-recyclable paper at the Carrboro’s Farmer’s Market on Saturday’s or at one of Orange County’s Food Waste Drop-off Centers.

---

Apply to Join the Town of Chapel  Hill Housing Advisory Board

Apply now to have an impact on Chapel Hill. Are you interested in an opportunity to help shape the Town’s housing policies? Do you have experience, knowledge, or expertise in affordable housing? Consider serving on the Housing Advisory Board!

The Town of Chapel Hill is currently seeking a real estate broker (resident or non-resident) and a homeowner or tenant (Chapel Hill resident) to fill two vacant seats on the Housing Advisory Board. Housing Advisory Board members serve three-year terms.  The homeowner or tenant must reside in the Town of Chapel Hill.

Submit your application to the Housing Advisory Board by Monday, June 5 to ensure consideration. 

The Details

• Term length: three years
• Meetings: second Tuesday of each month, 6:30 p.m.
• Time commitment: 2-4 hours per month
• Experience: none necessary; we provide training and guidance to new members

Board Membership
The Town Council makes appointments to this nine-member board, including:

• Three Homeowners or Tenants
• One Non-Market Rate Housing Resident
• One Affordable Housing Advocate
• One Non-Profit Housing Provider/Professional
• One For-Profit Developer
• One Real Estate Broker
• One Housing, Planning or Public Policy Expert

Questions? Email advisoryboards@townofchapelhill.org or call 919-968-2844.

---

Downtown Chapel Hill  Mobility Public Studio Sessions

Do you have thoughts about walking, biking, and driving in Downtown Chapel Hill? Join us at a public studio times May 22-25! ARPA funds are being used for a Streetscape Enhancement Mobility Plan that will make recommendations for improvements in mobility infrastructure. This project has many goals including public safety and economic vitality and is one of many efforts for revitalization and improvement underway in Downtown Chapel Hill.

Public Studio Sessions at 306 West Franklin Suite F:

• Monday May 22 at 2:30–4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday May 23 at 4–5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday May 24 at 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
• “Reveal Event” Thursday May 25 at 5–6:30 p.m.

Pop-Up at Hargraves Community Center (216 N. Roberson St)

• Tuesday May 23 at 6–7:30 p.m.

---

Chapel Hill Police Investigate Car Break-Ins, Urge Community to Take Precautions

The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating an increase in car break-ins. During the past three months, there have been 122 reports of cars being broken into. In at least 70 of those cases, cars were unlocked. Most of the car break-ins have happened overnight in residential areas.

Investigators are working diligently to identify suspects in these cases.

The Department is urging you to take steps to reduce your risk of a car break-in:

• Always lock your car doors and windows, even when parked in your driveway or garage.
• Do not leave valuable items in plain sight, such as laptops, wallets, and cellphones. Place them in out of sight in the trunk or take them with you.
• Do not leave a gun in your car.
• Install a car alarm system or a tracking device to deter thieves or recover the vehicle.
• Park in well-lit areas or near security cameras, if possible.

“We want to remind everyone to take the simple but necessary precautions to protect their property and themselves,” said Community Services Sergeant Charlie Pardo. “The Guardians of the Hill are committed to keeping our community safe, but we need your help to achieve this goal together.”

Anyone with information should call 911 or contact the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 919-942-7515 or visit https://chapelhillcrimestoppers.com/
________________________

Chapel Hill Police Make Arrest Following Gunshots on Fordham Boulevard

An investigation identified Antonio Rogers, 27, of Durham, as one of the suspects in a shooting on May 8 at 1748 Fordham Boulevard. Rogers was arrested and charged with Discharging a Weapon into Occupied Property, Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill, Assault by Pointing a Gun, and Discharging a Firearm in City Limits. The investigation is ongoing.

An initial investigation found that people inside two vehicles fired shots at each other. No one reported any injuries.

Anyone with information should call 911 or contact the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 919-942-7515 or visit chapelhillcrimestoppers.com
________________________

Chapel Hill Police Investigating Gunshots on Timber Hollow Court

At 1:25 a.m. on May 6, Chapel Hill Police responded to a report of gunshots in the 100 block of Timber Hollow Court. Officers discovered bullet holes in a building. No one reported any injuries.

Anyone with information should call 911 or contact the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 919-942-7515 or visit chapelhillcrimestoppers.com.

---

Orange County Board of Commissioners Business Meeting Agenda for May 16, 2023

The agenda for the Orange County Board of Commissioners’ business meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 has been posted to the link below.
https://www.orangecountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05162023-1767  

For a link to each agenda item as a separate file, please use the link below.
http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/weblink/0/fol/70011/Row1.aspx   

Business Meeting
May 16, 2023
Donna S. Baker Meeting Room
Whitted Building

7:00 p.m.

Viewable on the link below 
http://orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos 

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

Proclamations/Resolutions/Special Presentations

Proclamation Recognizing the Success and Accomplishments of Orange County High School Robotics Teams

The Board will consider a proclamation recognizing five Orange County high schools for their robotics teams’ recent success and accomplishments.

Resolution Honoring Chief Deputy Jamison R. Sykes for 28 Years of Law Enforcement Service and Awarding Him his Badge and Sidearm 

The Board will consider:

-Adopting a Resolution honoring Chief Deputy Jamison R. Sykes for 28 years of law enforcement service and awarding him his badge and sidearm; and

-Authorizing the Chair to sign the Resolution.

Presentation Regarding Uproar Festival of Public Art

The Board will receive information on a new upcoming, countywide festival called Uproar Festival of Public Art.

Public Hearings

Joint Public Hearing with the Historic Preservation Commission Regarding the Proposed Designation of Three Properties as Orange County Local Landmarks

The Board will conduct a joint public hearing with the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) to receive public comment on the applications to designate the Harvey’s Chapel AME Church, Eno Quaker Burying Ground, and David Faucette House as Orange County Local Landmarks.  This is a routine joint public hearing required by state enabling legislation and the County’s Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Regular Agenda

2022 Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) Program Evaluation

The Board will receive information about the results of the 2022 Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) program and present options for program changes for a potential continuation of the LHA program in 2023.

Approval of a Professional Services Contract with Clarion Associates to Develop a Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and Approval of Budget Amendment #9-A

The Board will receive a brief staff presentation to include an overview of the consultant selection process and scope of services to develop a Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) for Orange County, consider approving a professional services contract (Attachment 1) with Clarion Associates, LLC, and consider approving Budget Amendment #9-A.

• Consent Agenda 
•  Minutes
• EMS Week Proclamation
• Adoption of the Final Resolution Authorizing 2023 Installment Financing for Various Capital Investment Plan Projects for Up to $14,500,000
• Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget Amendment #9
• Schools Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance – Approval and Certification of 2023 Report
• Amendments to the Orange County Arts Commission Advisory Board Policies and Procedures
• Resolution in Support of Safe and Legal Reproductive Healthcare
• Boards and Commissions – Appointments

---

Posted May 9, 2023

FREIGHT TRAIN BLUES CONCERT SERIES MAY 12: David Childers and Thomas Rhyant

The Town of Carrboro, N.C., proudly presents the Music Maker Foundation’s Freight Train Blues Concert Series. Come enjoy concerts every Friday evening from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., between May 5 and June 23, 2023, at the Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street. The series is a collaboration among  Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke.

David Childers

Born and raised in Mt. Holly, N.C., David Childers has written hundreds of songs and recorded nearly 20 albums on various record labels. David and his band, The Serpents, have played extensively in N.C., V.A., and T.N. for more than 20 years. They have played numerous festivals such as MerleFest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, AmericanaFest, Albino Skunk Fest, McMenamins Great Northwest Music Tour, Avetts at the Beach, Mountain Stage, and more. Childers, who has collaborated with members of The Avett Brothers for years, joined the band on stage at the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum, to sing his song, “The Prettiest Thing,” which they have covered since 2011.

Thomas Rhyant

After decades of touring in gospel quartets, Thomas Rhyant launched a solo career. His prowess for vocals and nimble acoustic guitar work are clearly felt in his touring tribute to Sam Cooke, whom he claims as his greatest influence. Rhyant uses music to tell the stories of those who came before him, allowing people to not only understand but emotionally connect with history. Rhyant’s 2022 album, Love Lifted Me, brought Rhyant to the Newport Folk Festival.

Bring your picnic, lawn chairs, and blankets for an evening of live music on the lawn. Public parking is available and free in downtown Carrboro.

More information: www.freighttrainblues.com 

---

Town of Chapel Hill recognized with three Excellence in Communications awards

North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) recognized the Town of Chapel Hill with three Excellence in Communications awards at its Annual Conference in Wilmington Thursday, May 4.

NC3C Excellence in Communications Awards recognize great local government communicators and foster achievement among members by showcasing top-level work. The awards were judged this year by members of the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC).

Celebrating Successes from 2022 – First Place: Video, Special Programming

Each year, the Chapel Hill Town Council holds a two-day planning retreat to discuss what it wants to accomplish in the year ahead and to give Town staff insight into preliminary budget priorities. It is also a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the previous year. Thirty-six Town employees were included in the full successes video. Ten other employees assisted with scripting, in addition to the roughly fourteen department heads that shared their list of successes.

Watch the video: youtu.be/91hJ5qhnuLY

Chapel Hill Crisis/Emergency Public Information Plan – Second Place: Crisis Communication

What if communication staff are incapacitated in an emergency? The goal of formalizing this plan is to give anyone who is tasked with sharing public information during a crisis or emergency on behalf of the Town a consistent set of tools, so we don’t miss a beat in the face of disaster.

Let’s Talk Town – Second Place: Citizen Participation

We understand and take it seriously that approaching government employees can be intimidating, especially when one needs to voice their opinions or concerns on a particular topic. Often, community members do not even know who to talk to or where to go to bring their issues to the Town’s attention. The initiative called Let’s Talk Town was founded to bridge this gap.

Town staff were also reaching out to community members for individual initiatives, using many staff hours for little return on investment. Let’s Talk Town sought to gather as many public information and input opportunities and share them together in a collaborative, organized way.

townofchapelhill.org/letstalktown

---

Carrboro Day 2023

It was lovely seeing everyone who came out for Carrboro Day — meeting your neighbors; enjoying a smashingly cool offering of music, poetry, plant sharing, arts and crafts, and food truck offerings; and chatting with town staff and local leaders about services and town initiatives! Thanks for helping make beautiful community connections!

---

Carrboro Town Council Update

Meeting agendas and updates are issued from the Town Clerk’s Office. To receive these by email or text, sign up for Carrboro Town News at https://www.carrboronc.gov/list.aspx 

Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. Reach the Town Council with your ideas, views, and questions at Council@carrboronc.gov

Coming Up

The Carrboro Town Council will hold the next Council Meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, 2023. The agenda is available at https://carrboro.legistar.com/  and https://bit.ly/40Rlxxh 

This meeting will be held at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream at https://carrboro.legistar.com/   OR YouTube.com/CarrboroNC OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). 

To download a copy of the full meeting calendar visit https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12313

Past Meetings 

The Carrboro Town Council met Tuesday, April 25, 2023, for a Council Meeting and took the following actions on the agenda posted at https://bit.ly/3H6Hotp  

• Recognized the Arbor Day Proclamation – https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions
• Recognized the Bike Month Proclamation – https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions
• Set legislative public hearings on May 23, 2023, to consider a request for conditional rezoning at 501 South Greensboro Street and associated text amendments. The application includes a request for a text amendment to add certain multi-family residential uses to the M-3-CZ district, and other associated changes relating to the proposed residential uses. 
•  Set a public hearing on May 23, 2023, to consider amendments to the Land Use Ordinance to revise notification associated with attendance requirements for boards and commissions. 
• Awarded a contract to Griffin & Strong PC to perform a disparity study for the Town of Carrboro contracting and procurement and to authorize the Town Manager to sign any necessary documents. 

---

Posted May 7, 2023

Chapel Hill Transit has three alerts for Transit customers during the month of May

• Safe Rides are paused during UNC Summer Break. There are no Safe Rides (late night service from Thursday through Saturday) after Spring semester classes end. Safe Ride routes will resume August 24, 2023.
• On May 15, the HS route returns to full service. The return to full service includes the previously discontinued early morning, mid-day, and evening trip times. You can find the updated schedule here: HS May Service Return
• There is no service on Memorial Day. Town of Chapel Hill and Chapel Hill Transit offices are closed.

---

A Message from Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger

Chapel Hill Community,

Summer break is on the horizon and, over the next six weeks, Town Council has a number of important issues on our plates. Today, I want to provide everyone with a general update on some of the work that is going on and, because there is a lot to cover, will follow up with more detailed information on specific topics in the coming weeks.

Town Budget and Five-Year Budget Strategy

As I shared in my February 8^th message, Town Council has been working with Interim Town Manager Chris Blue and his team on our annual budget for next year plus the Town’s first-ever five-year budget strategy.

Following many in-depth discussions, Manager Blue will be presenting his recommended budget next week at our May 10 meeting.  In advance of that conversation, I wanted to share a few things with everyone:

• The Town is in good financial shape.Our AAA bond rating has recently been renewed and our reserves are strong.
• Deploying the five-year budget strategy has brought into sharp focus the fact that, after many years of conservative fiscal management – including three years of holding the line during COVID – we have some catching up to do.
• Catching up will take time, which is why sticking with the five-year strategy is so critically important.
• The budget and five-year plan focus on making sure that our more than 750 employees have the resources they need to provide the high-quality services and amenities our community enjoys and expects.
• We have also built big ideas for Chapel Hill into this plan – including the creation of a new Parks Master Plan, a new Municipal Services Center for our employees, the Complete Community’s Everywhere-To-Everywhere greenway network, and our continued effort to strengthen our community’s access to affordable housing.

The budget process is intended to be a community conversation and we appreciate hearing from you. If you have questions or comments, there will be a Budget Public Forum Wednesday, May 24. Find more information at www.townofchapelhill.org/budget, or you can e-mail us at mayorandcouncil@townofchapelhill.org.

Growing the tax base, creating jobs

Since 2015, the Town has been working to broaden our commercial tax base and create new jobs here so that we are more economically sustainable and resilient. 

An early step in that direction was to proactively up-zone an area along Millhouse Road to create a new Enterprise Zone – for uses that were not allowed in Chapel Hill at the time.  Shortly after, the Carolina FlexPark was created and, this week, HonorBridge, the state’s largest organ donation company, cut the ribbon on its new headquarters, which will house 100 employees.

Also, in the northern area of Town, be on the lookout for the opening of a new Family Fun Park that will offer local families something fun to do here in town and increase our commercial tax base.

The Enterprise Zone and Fun Park are two recent examples of how our strategies are paying off for Chapel Hill. This month Council will be receiving an update on others, like our decision to recruit (Wegmans/companies like Wegmans and Well Dot) here. 

Downtown Revitalization

In Spring of 2021, UNC and the Town of Chapel Hill announced the Downtown Together Partnership – a comprehensive initiative aimed at revitalizing our downtown. 

On April 14, Council members received a Downtown Together update and a Downtown Market Analysis, which highlighted some of the progress being made. A critical driver has been the recent relocation of Innovate Carolina and Launch Chapel Hill to The Junction (formerly the CVS tower) where they are serving as the anchor to our rapidly growing downtown innovation hub.   

In addition, efforts to make downtown more clean and green – including hiring of a “Clean and Green team,” alleyway improvements, additional lighting, more frequent pressure washing, and new planters – are transforming the downtown into a safer, more enjoyable place for everyone.

Currently, the Town and our partners are getting ready to welcome visitors to downtown for graduation weekend and gearing up for a summer of music and fun in our downtown and townwide – including the sold-out game between the Wrexham and Chelsea football teams that will bring 50,000 fans to Chapel Hill on July 19.

From May 22–25, we invite everyone to help shape our Downtown Mobility Plan by sharing your thoughts and ideas about how we can make walking, biking, riding, and driving better in downtown. More information on those public input sessions can be found here.

Looking ahead:

I know there are a number of specific issues that are on people’s minds – including the proposed Housing Choices initiative.  After hearing from Council and the public, staff is working on this and other matters. In the interest of providing more complete information we will put out another message in the coming weeks.

Council meets next on May 10. The agenda and materials for that meeting will be posted Friday on the Town calendar page here.

---

Orange County Schools Safety Task Force Cancellation of May 11, 2023 Task Force Meeting

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, Orange County provides notice of the cancellation of the meeting of the Orange County Schools Safety Task Force scheduled for 5:30 pm on May 11, 2023 in the Meeting Room at the Solid Waste Operations Center, 1207 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

Schools Safety Task Force meetings are for the purpose of considering ways to improve school safety and are open to the public to attend.  If you have any comments or questions regarding the cancellation of the May 11, 2023 Task Force meeting, please email Greg Wilder at gwilder@orangecountync.gov.

---

Orange County Board of Commissioners Budget Work Session Agenda for May 11, 2023

The agenda for the Orange County Board of Commissioners’ budget work session on Thursday, May 11, 2023 has been posted to the link below.
 https://www.orangecountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05112023-1762    

For a link to each agenda item as a separate file, please use:

http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/weblink/0/fol/69944/Row1.aspx 

The Board of Commissioners is conducting a Budget Work Session on May 11, 2023.  The public is invited to attend the meeting. There will not be an opportunity for members of the public to speak as the Board does not receive public comments during work sessions. Members of the public may provide written comments by submitting them to the ocbocc@orangecountync.gov email address, or providing comments at the second Budget/Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Public Hearing on June 1, 2023.

As in prior meetings, members of the public will be able to view and listen to the meeting

via live streaming video at https://www.orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange County Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable).
  
Budget Work Session
May 11, 2023
Donna S. Baker Meeting Room

Whitted Building
7:00 p.m.
Viewable on the link below  
http://orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos 
 
AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

1.  Discussion Regarding Outside Agencies Funding for FY 2023-24
2.  FY 2023-24 Operating and CIP Budget Discussions:

     -Durham Technical Community College 

     -Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

     -Orange County Schools

---

Orange Country Living Wage New Certifications & Recertifications

These local employers have joined the roster of living wage employers: 

Endswell Water Cremation
Lubbers & Sons Tree Care 
Me-Gi’s Dog Bakery 
SKJAJA Fund 

In addition, the following businesses and organizations have become recertified in recent weeks, which means they’ve been committed to paying a living wage for at least four years: 

Acupuncture & Apothecary
Beer Study 
Berkshire Chapel Hill 
Carrburritos Taqueria 
Cat French Design 
Chief Roofing
Dynamic Electric 
Gates Management & Realty 
Hillsborough Pediatric Dentistry
Historic Hillsborough Commission’s Burwell School Historic Site 
Human Kindness Foundation 
Mill House Properties
Orange Literacy 
PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro
Refugee Community Partnership
Second Family Foundation
Sparrow and Sons 
 
See the directory of all 270+ Orange County living wage employers – who together have raised wages by almost $3 million to qualify for certification. Please support these positive change makers in our local economy! 

---

The Ackland presents Unsettled Things: Art from an African American South

Including forty-four works by twenty-eight artists – largely drawn from the Ackland’s permanent collection — Unsettled Things: Art from an African American South,showing April 21, 2023 – July 2, 2023 ,explores works by makers from the southern United States, long overlooked and now considered major artists, including Thornton Dial, Lonnie B. Holley, Nellie Mae Rowe, and Mose Tolliver, through three themes: Life, Spirit, and Matter. The themes emerge from recurring threads in the works’ subject matter, from shared approaches to choosing and applying materials, and from the artists’ own accounts of their ideas, efforts, and struggles.

---

Orange County’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board holding a community meeting on Tuesday, May 9

Orange County’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board will be holding a community meeting on Tuesday, May 9 at the Cedar Grove Community Center to share information about housing programs and resources available to Orange County residents and to hear from the community about any housing-related concerns they might have. Please contact Erica Cormack at ecormack@orangecountync.gov or at 919-245-2490 for more information.

---

Orange County manager presents 2023-24 budget proposal

Orange County Manager Bonnie Hammersley unveiled her budget proposal for FY 2023-24 during the May 2 Board of County Commissioners Business Meeting.

The proposed General Fund budget is $279.2 million, which represents a $21 million or 8% increase over the current fiscal year. 

The increase is funded through a combination of increased general fund revenues ($16.7 million), a 0.46 countywide property tax increase ($1 million), a judicious fund balance appropriation ($7 million) based on general fund outcomes over the past two years and by drawing down funds from the County Capital Reserve to finance one-time expenses. 

Hammersley said her spending plan focuses on four primary goals:

• Sustain and improve service levels
• Retain the county workforce
• Support public schools
• Preserve financial stability

Public hearings are scheduled for May 9 and June 1 at the Whitted Building in Hillsborough. The Board of Commissioners will hold four work sessions to review departmental requests. 

Final adoption is scheduled for June 20. State law requires the board to adopt a budget by June 30

---

---

Aging postpones May 11 Health and Wellness Fair

The Orange County Department on Aging has made the decision to cancel the “2023 Health and Wellness Fair” scheduled for May 11, 10 a.m. – Noon at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill. 

The event will be rescheduled in the fall with date and time to be announced. For updated information, please pick up or download the “Endless Possibilities News and Activities for Orange County’s Older Adults” Sep – Nov 2023 edition after August 13. 

The activity guide is available for pick up at the Passmore Center (103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough), the Seymour Center (2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill), at a pick up location near you, or download online at www.orangecountync.gov/EP. 

For more information, please contact the Department on Aging’s Wellness Coordinator, Latonya Brown at lbrown@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4270.

---

Bike Ride with the Carrboro Mayor

People with bikes are encouraged to gather at Town Hall, 301 W. Main St., Tuesday, May 9^th, around 7:30 a.m. for a quick update on the proposed route and instructions for the group ride starting at 8 a.m. 

Here’s the route — Town Hall –> Right on Main –> through the light b/t Community Works & Youth Works to the bike path to Carr –>Left on Carr –> across S Greensboro –> Left on Maple –> Right on Roberson –> to the Bike Breakfast  

Bike Breakfast

Plan to stop at the annual bike breakfast along the Libba Cotten Bike Path for bike gear, safety inspections, breakfast and time to chat with other cyclists.  Commuters can continue to their destinations and others can return to Town Hall. Thanks to our sponsors Open Eye, Neal’s Deli, Back Alley Bikes, Clean Machine, East Coast Electric Speed Shop.  

More Events Coming Up

This year’s Ride with the Mayor is just one of the many Bike Month activities happening in the community this May. 

Mark your calendar for Ride for the Ages on Saturday, May 20, starting at the Farmers Market, 301 W. Main St., at 12 p.m.

Biking is an easy way for people to reduce their carbon footprint and advance the Town’s climate action goals by avoiding the use of single-occupancy vehicles and reducing reliance on nonrenewable resources for transportation.

For more information, contact Town of Carrboro Planning Administrator Tina Moon at cmoon@carrboronc.gov 

Learn more about Bike Month at https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2406

---

Bike on Bus Workshop

Learn how to load your bike on a bus (and get a free bike light and other fun giveways). All ages are welcome from 9 to noon on Saturday, May 6, at the Chapel Hill Framer’s Market, 201 S. Estes Drive. 

Tailer de Bicicletas en el Autobus

Laprenda a montar una bicicleta en el autobus, gratuitamente unas luces para bici, y otros divertidos regalos!

6 de mayo entre 9:00am-mediodia

Mercado de granjeros de Chapel Hill, 201 S. Estes Drive

For more information email/Para mayor información, escriba a

epowell@townofchapelhill.org or goch@townofchapelhill.org

---

Alarm Registration

Have you registered your home and business alarms? To reduce accidental alarm calls which tie up emergency services, alarms that are linked to emergency services are required to be registered. The program improves public safety and wisely manages Town safety resources.

Registering your alarms is free. Accidental alarms that occur at locations that have not registered will result in a $100 fine, with increased penalties for additional accidental alarm activations. 

You can register by phone at 1-855-725-7107 or online at: townofchapelhill.org/alarms

---

Smoke May Be Visible from Live Burn on May 15

Smoke from a live burn at North White Oak Drive may be visible from the I-40-15/501 area between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, May 15.

---

Posted May 3, 2023

Animal Services makes recommendations for prevention of Canine Influenza

Orange County Animal Services is recommending additional prevention and awareness measures be taken against the spread of Canine Influenza, which is now being reported in North Carolina. Canine Influenza (also called “Canine Flu”) is a virus that can cause low-grade fever, coughing, sluggish behavior and decreased appetite in dogs. Although there are no confirmed cases of Canine Influenza in Orange County, the flu has infected dogs in neighboring parts of the state.

“With a highly contagious virus like Canine Influenza, it’s important that we proactively alert dog owners about the symptoms of the virus and the protective measures they can take to help ensure their dogs remain healthy,” said Dr. Sandra Strong, Orange County Animal Services Director. “We do not want to alarm pet owners. We simply want to raise awareness, so they can make good decisions to protect their dogs.”

Canine influenza is similar to other respiratory diseases, and testing by a veterinarian is the only way to confirm infection. The virus can be present for up to three days before clinical signs appear. Generally, older dogs, younger dogs and dogs with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to the flu. It is recommended that, if your dog will be coming in contact with other dogs and/or will be boarding, you discuss what preventative vaccinations are best for your pet with your veterinarian.

Tips for keeping pets safe include:

• Make sure your pet follows a recommended vaccine schedule;
• Do not take sick pets to dog parks or other places where dogs mingle if they have clinical signs such as a cough, and keep your dog at home for three weeks after recovery from illness;
• Make sure your pet has current ID tags with your address and phone number clearly displayed; and 
• Keep your pet in overall good health – a strong immune system is the best defense against infection.  

If you think your dog may have the flu….

• Call your veterinarian BEFORE going to their office and let them know your dog’s symptoms. This will allow them to determine how best to minimize exposure within their practice and prepare for your dog’s arrival.
• Keep your dog away from other dogs and public areas where other dogs go until your dog is seen by your veterinarian. 

Remember, this is typically a very treatable disease with a low fatality rate but high rate of infection for unvaccinated dogs. It will make many dogs sick, but most will recover and return to their normal lives. More information about Canine Influenza is available at http://www.ncagr.gov/vet/aws/canineflu/.

---

Aging, Project EngAGE to host Movie event May 6

The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE Intergenerational Senior Resource Team invites the public to attend our community event, May Day Movie in the Park on May 6.

In honor of International Families Day we invite you to bring your family, friends, and the kiddos to celebrate with us.  Enjoy fun, food, and arts and crafts and create decorative picture frames to celebrate those we call family.  We will offer a viewing of the Disney film Encanto with sweet treats provided by Maple View Farms.  Program sponsored in partnership with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and United Voices of Efland Cheeks.

The event will take place on Saturday, May 6, from 7 – 9:30 p.m. at the Efland Cheeks Community Center, 117 Richmond Rd, Efland, NC 27243.

Please register by Thursday, May 4, with the Seymour Center front desk at 919-968-2070/

---

Board of Equalization & Review sets meeting slate

The Orange County Board of Equalization and Review convened for its first meeting on April 27. Subsequent meetings will be held in the Tax Conference Room on the 3^rd floor of the Gateway Center (228 South Churton Street in Hillsborough). 

The Board will meet on the following days at 1 p.m.: Tuesday, June 6; Wednesday, June 7; Thursday, June 8; Tuesday, June 20; Wednesday, June 21; Thursday, June 22 (Meeting to Adjourn).

The purpose of each meeting is to receive and hear taxpayer appeals regarding 2023 real and personal property valuations. 

Forms and instructions for the Notice of Appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review are available on the Orange County website or one may file an appeal online.

All appeals must be submitted prior to the Board’s adjournment on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Appeals can be submitted several ways.

By mail: 
Orange County Board of Equalization and Review
Orange County Tax Office
P.O. Box 8181
Hillsborough, NC   27278-8181

In person: 
Orange County Tax Office
228 South Churton Street, Hillsborough

Online: https://www.orangecountync.gov/Appeals

Contact Orange County Tax Office 919-245-2100 option 2 for questions.

---

May Traffic-Safety Initiatives

May is National Bike Month and the Chapel Hill Police Department is planning several pedestrian safety enforcement operations, in addition to normal patrols.

The Chapel Hill Police Department is planning several pedestrian safety enforcement operations in May, in addition to normal patrols. Scheduled special operations include – but are not limited to – the following dates:

• Wednesday, May 3, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Thursday, May 11, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, May 17, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Friday, May 26, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

*Dates and times are subject to change

In the spirit of National Bike Month, this month’s pedestrian safety initiatives will be in and near school zones. We encourage everyone traveling, regardless of your mode of transportation, to remember that community safety is a shared responsibility.

The Chapel Hill Police Department is also planning at least five speed enforcement operations in May – in addition to normal patrols – with the main goal of improving safety for everyone who shares roads.

• Tuesday, May 2, 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, May 9, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 23, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 30, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

*Dates and times are subject to change

National Bike Month

May serves as a great reminder for drivers to reflect on the importance of safely sharing roads with bicyclists. This month includes National Bike & Roll to School Day, which is May 3.

Tips for drivers:

• Yield to bicyclists as you would other drivers and do not underestimate their speed.
• Drivers turning right on red should look to the right and make sure a bicyclist is not approaching from the right rear.
• Obey speed limits and be patient.
• Give bicyclists room. Do not pass closely. Pass bicyclists as you would any other vehicle – when it is safe to navigate around them.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has more educational resources here.

Vision Zero

On October 13, 2021, Chapel Hill’s Town Council adopted a Vision Zero Resolution, which states that traffic injuries and deaths are not inevitable “accidents” but preventable crashes. The Town committed to eliminating all transportation and mobility related deaths and serious injuries by 2031. This will be achieved through a comprehensive and holistic approach to designing safe roadway systems for all users no matter how they choose to move throughout the community. To view the resolution, click here.

---

Carrboro to partner with Building Integrated Communities (BIC) 

To improve communication and leadership of immigrant and refugee residents, the Town of Carrboro this spring is beginning a partnership with the Building Integrated Communities (BIC) initiative at the Institute for the Study of the Americas.

Over the next year, a team comprised of UNC BIC staff, representatives from the Town of Carrboro, and the Refugee Community Partnership will bring stakeholders together to write and implement a language access plan.

The Building Integrated Communities Program is an initiative of the Institute for the Study of the Americas at UNC-Chapel Hill. It works in collaboration with local governments, community residents, and community organization leadership. Since 2010, the statewide BIC initiative has partnered with the local governments of Washington, Chapel Hill, Siler City, Greenville, High Point, Winston-Salem, and Sanford and has gained national recognition for its work from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. To date, more than 2,000 residents from 26 countries of origin have participated in these planning processes.

For more information, visit the BIC website at https://migration.unc.edu/building-integrated-communities/ or contact Hannah Gill, associate director of the Institute for the Study of the Americas, at hgill@email.unc.edu.

---

Chapel Hill Public Library Offers Free Period Products in All Restrooms

As part of its effort to create an equitable and welcoming environment for all, the library installed coinless period product dispensers in each of its five public restrooms. Pads and tampons are accessible to patrons of all ages and genders without cost.

Recognizing the diverse needs of the Chapel Hill community, the library has taken this step to support individuals facing economic challenges, help reduce stigma associated with period products, particularly for transgender or non-binary patrons, and allow all patrons to access period products without leaving the library.

Library Experiences Assistant Taylor Bugge, who spearheaded this initiative, said, “Menstrual products are expensive. In North Carolina and many other states they are taxed on top of their retail price as ‘luxury goods.’ Providing these products may be the difference between whether a patron can stay at the library to take advantage of our resources and programs, or missing out on these experiences due to a lack of access.”

“Providing free period products is part of our ongoing effort to truly make this library a place for everyone,” Library Director Susan Brown said. “One of our organizational values is hospitality and we aim to anticipate the needs of our users. Pads and tampons are a need for so many who visit us and offering them free of charge demonstrates our commitment to ensuring a comfortable and inclusive environment for all who visit.”

The dispensers were installed on May 2 and feature products with sustainable, plastic-free packaging, further aligning the library’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Chapel Hill Public Library joins a growing number of libraries, schools, and other public organizations across the nation that have implemented similar initiatives, recognizing the importance of providing free access to period products.

By taking this step, the library hopes to inspire other institutions to follow suit and create more inclusive spaces for their communities.

For more information or media requests, please contact Library Marketing and Communications Coordinator Hannah Olson at holson@townofchapelhill.org or 919-969-2036.

---

Branch meeting this Saturday at RENA center

Please come out and join this Saturday, May 6 at 1 p.m. to connect with your fellow branch and community member

Here’s the community news and events you need to know about:

• Join OCCRC for this May 6 event, Seat of the Crime: Albion Tourgée and the “Invisible Empire” in Orange County. Learn more.
   
• On May 7, come out to Binkley Baptist for a community discussion with Orange County elected officials commemorating the 60th anniversary of MLK’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail.
   
• Zeta Phi Beta’s Fish Fry Fundraiser to raise money for scholarships is May 6. Read the flyer.

---

Carrboro Celebrates Small Business Week

Mayor Damon Seils has proclaimed Sunday, April 30, 2023 – Saturday, May 6, 2023, to be Small Business Week in Carrboro.

“I encourage all residents to support local businesses during this week and throughout the year, appreciating and celebrating the personal touches and unique expertise small businesses offer and the economic resilience they foster,” said Mayor Seils.

Small businesses in Carrboro play an essential role in supporting a vibrant community, making up 96 percent of businesses and employing more than 3350 workers. These small businesses provide essential services, create new jobs and support our local economy, helping make Carrboro a wonderful place to live, work and do business.

Every year, the US Small Business Administration sponsors National Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, creating jobs, supporting local communities and fostering innovation.

Many people still dream of starting their own business, and there are numerous sources of assistance: the Small Business Administration provides loans and free counseling; in North Carolina, organizations and programs such as Business Link Carolina, the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, the Small Business Center Network of the North Carolina Community College System, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and others can help prospective business owners learn how to start a business.

The Town’s Economic Development Department supports the business community, with a particular emphasis on locally owned businesses, by serving as an information hub to help them succeed. The department maintains a listing of Black, Indigenous, and people of color-owned businesses and encourages networking. To support job creation, business retention and energy efficiency, the department administers loan programs. The town partners with the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority, the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau, and the Carrboro Business Alliance to promote local businesses.

More information:

• The 2023 Small Business Week Proclamation: https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12790/2023-Small-Business-Week-Proclamation 
• The Town of Carrboro Economic Development Site: https://www.carrboronc.gov/152/Economic-Development 
• The US Small Business Administration: https://www.sba.gov/ 

---

Department on Aging postpones Health and Wellness Fair set for May 11

The Orange County Department on Aging has made the decision to cancel the “2023 Health and Wellness Fair” scheduled for May 11, 10 a.m. – Noon at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill. 

The event will be rescheduled in the fall with date and time to be announced. For updated information, please pick up or download the “Endless Possibilities News and Activities for Orange County’s Older Adults” September – November 2023 edition after Aug. 13. 

The activity guide is available for pick up at the Passmore Center (103 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough), the Seymour Center (2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill), at a pick up location near you, or download online at www.orangecountync.gov/EP. 

For more information, please contact the Department on Aging’s Wellness Coordinator, Latonya Brown at lbrown@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-4270.

---

Freight Train Blues Concert Series returns to Carrboro Friday

Friday, May 5, 2023 kicks off the Freight Train Blues concert series with Gail Ceasar and Lil’ Jimmy Reed. This series of eight concerts will run every Friday evening between May 5 and June 23, 2023, at the Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. The series is a collaboration among Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke.

An annual event, the concert series honors GRAMMY-winning folk and blues artist and North Carolina Music Hall of Famer Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten, born in Carrboro, N.C. in 1893. Cotten’s soulful voice and unique guitar style have rendered her a legend in the world of blues, leading her to receive National Heritage Fellowship in 1984 and a GRAMMY award in 1985. She lived to be 104 years old and died in 1987. Her songs, like the iconic “Freight Train,” have been reimagined by artists like The Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan. In 2022, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Bring your picnic, lawn chairs and blankets for an evening of live music on the lawn. Public parking is available and free in downtown Carrboro.

May 5 – Gail Ceasar, Lil’ Jimmy Reed
Gail Ceasar floats somewhere between bluegrass and the blues. Her music has roots that run deep in Virginia soil. Taught the blues by her uncle, Pete Witcher, Gail’s Piedmont style is “reminiscent of Etta Baker and Elizabeth Cotten” (Bluegrass Situation). Losing her home to a fire in 2022 didn’t stop her from releasing her debut album, Guitar Woman Blues. The album, produced by Music Maker, has been called “sweet and captivating” and “gritty and raw as the high lonesome wind” (Americana Highways). She performed with Music Maker at the National Gallery of Art in February 2023. 

Lil’ Jimmy Reed began writing his own music the moment he picked up a guitar. Since then he has played across the world, from London to Jerusalem. Though not related to his famous namesake, he was once booked by a promoter as Lil’ Jimmy Reed and kept the moniker, as he is a master of the elder Reed’s style and repertoire on guitar and harmonica. In addition to being a triple threat, he is also a military veteran, who served our country for 20 years. As the last of the early Baton Rouge bluesmen, Lil’ Jimmy Reed embodies the down-home Louisiana blues tradition. Recently signed by NOLA Blue Records, the octogenarian has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.

More information: www.freighttrainblues.com

---

Posted April 28, 2023

UNC-Chapel Hill Spring 2023 Commencement Shuttles

Chapel Hill Transit will provide Tar Heel Express Shuttle service from 6:45 a.m. until 1 p.m. Sunday, May 14, for the UNC-Chapel Hill Commencement Ceremony at Kenan Stadium.

Shuttles will run continuously from Friday Center Park and Ride to Kenan Stadium every 10 to 15 minutes, including after the ceremony start time. The shuttles will stop at Gate 2 along South Road and can be boarded at the same location for return to the park and ride.

The shuttles are free for everyone and all buses are ADA accessible.

Ceremony attendees and graduates are encouraged to arrive at the park and ride lot at 8 a.m. or earlier. There may be traffic delays.

For additional information on the UNC-Chapel Hill Commencement Ceremony, please visit commencement.unc.edu/spring-commencement/

---

Chapel Hill Celebrates Earth Month with New Storm Drain Murals

To celebrate Earth Month, local artists have created storm drain murals around the Town of Chapel Hill. This is part of an ongoing collaboration between the Town’s Stormwater and Community Arts & Culture divisions to creatively illuminate how storm drains connect to our local waterways.

“Storm drains are totally separate from the sanitary sewer system,” explains Sammy Bauer, the Community Education Coordinator for Stormwater. “When it rains, the water that goes into these storm drains flows to Jordan Lake through our rivers and streams, and these murals invite people to consider our water system and the downstream impacts of our actions.”

The direct connection between storm drains and local waterways means that they are a point of vulnerability for water pollution. Anything that washes down these storm drains, whether it’s litter, pet waste, sediment from erosion, or soapy water from car washes, flows into the Jordan Lake Watershed. This is an important source of drinking water for the Triangle, and ensuring that only rain goes down storm drains helps to maintain the quality of the water that’s used every day.

“We all live and work in a watershed,” says Mike Piehler, whose roles at UNC Chapel Hill include professor, Director of the UNC Institute for the Environment, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Special Assistant to the Chancellor. “Understanding where you are and the impacts of your activities is critical to sustaining our water resources.”

The storm drain mural project was developed to educate the community about water pollution by capturing attention with art.

“We hope that this art project educates folks about how storm drains are separate from our sewer system, inspires them to protect our local waterways, and brings some beauty and delight to their daily lives,” says Steve Wright, the Public Art Coordinator for Community Arts & Culture.

The storm drain murals are part of an initiative that began in 2022 with local artists painting pavement murals at Northside Elementary, Southern Village Park and Ride, and Chapel Hill Public Library. New storm drain murals have been added to North Columbia Street, the public entrance of Town Hall, the Airport Garden Public Housing Community, and in front of Boro Beverage on Rosemary Street.

Four artists were selected from a public call based on artistic excellence and a style well-suited for the storm drain mural project.

“Sustainability is the underpinning of a lot of my work, so this project has been very exciting. I try to use a combination of linear and representational imagery to create work that speaks to a shared community vision in an abstract way,” says Anna Payne Rogers Previtte, the muralist for Rosemary Street.

Jesse White, the muralist for North Columbia Street, is proud to create art that can educate the community about the water system.

“It’s easy to forget that our community is part of a dynamic ecosystem that includes both the natural and built environment,” reflects White. “Our actions have a direct impact on the plants and animals around us: we are like pieces of a living, breathing puzzle.”

When the artists complete each project, they cover the mural with a protective clear coating. That coating protects the art from normal wear and tear and holds the paint in place to limit pieces going down the storm drain.

This project was made possible through a collaboration between the Town of Chapel Hill’s Stormwater and Community Arts & Culture departments. You can learn more about water pollution prevention and the Town’s Stormwater division here and learn more about Community Arts & Culture here

---

Carrboro Day 2023!

Carrboro Day is coming to the Carrboro Town Commons, Sunday, May 7, 2023, from 1 – 5 p.m.  This event is about meeting your neighbors, learning about aspects of the Town’s history, connecting with the Town and learning about Town services, and taking a day to celebrate Carrboro! 

Please check our website as more information is added on to the 2023 Carrboro Day.

---

The 2023 Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Summer Brochure is now available 

This session also includes registration for our youth Fall Baseball and Flag Football programs. Registration for Carrboro residents begins on May 3, 2023, and for all others on May 4, 2023. 

View the full PDF Brochure to learn more 

---

May is Bike Month in Carrboro

National Bike Month is a reminder that biking can be easily added to many people’s transportation routines. Transportation is now the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in North Carolina, and biking is an easy way for people to reduce their carbon footprint and advance the Town’s climate action goals by avoiding the use of single-occupancy vehicles and reducing reliance on nonrenewable resources for transportation.

High-quality bicycle facilities, together with pedestrian infrastructure and public transit, can help communities achieve equity goals by expanding the availability of transportation alternatives that are less costly and more accessible for more people.

National Bike Month is also an opportunity to experience the joys and health benefits of biking, to get outside during the spring season, and to see and experience the community at a different scale and pace.

In 2010, Carrboro became the first community in North Carolina to be designated a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Numerous Town plans include policies that support biking, such as the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan, the Updated Bike Plan, and the Safe Routes to School Strategic Action Plan.

More work is needed at local and regional levels to ensure that more residents are able to participate in planning for infrastructure improvements and have equitable access to bicycle infrastructure so that biking, and biking in combination with transit, are reliable options for commuting and for meeting everyday needs.

“I encourage residents to add biking to their transportation routines; to become advocates for biking, bicycle infrastructure, and bicycle-friendly laws and policies; and to take delight in every ride,” said Mayor Seils.

Bike Month Events Rolling Your Way In May

• Wednesday, May 3: Bike & Roll to School Day
• Tuesday, May 9: Ride with the Mayor
• Tuesday, May 9: Carrboro Bike Breakfast
• Monday, May 15 – Sunday, May 21: Bike to Work Week
• Wednesday, May 17: Bike to the Carrboro Farmers’ Market
• Friday, May 19: Bike to Work Day

…and other events organized with local partners including the Carrboro Bicycle Coalition, the Bicycle Alliance of Chapel Hill, and the Town of Chapel Hill.

Read more about Bike Month in the full proclamation here: https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12695/2023-Bike-Month-Proclamation

---

Posted April 25, 2023

Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Director Announced

After a national search, Town Manager Richard J. White III has selected Jerry Glenn “J.G.” Ferguson Jr. as director of the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department. 

“I am excited to continue to build upon the outstanding programs, events and facilities currently offered by the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department,” Ferguson said. “I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know the community while working with staff to provide quality programs, events and facilities to the citizens of Carrboro.”

Ferguson has been with the Town of Rolesville for 15 years, serving 11 as parks and recreation director and three years as the public works director. Rolesville has been one of the fastest-growing towns in North Carolina . He has been instrumental in building both departments in response to the exponential grow and service delivery demands. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and public relations with a minor in recreation and leisure facilities. 

Some of his career accomplishments include acquisition of 116 acres for a future park and 15 acres for a future public works facility; development of a Farm Site Master Plan; Parks and Recreation Comprehension Master Plan; Open Space and Greenway Master Plan; Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan (NCDOT Grant); and expanding and improving programs while maintaining and upgrading facilities. 

“J.G. has provided events, programs and facilities that encourage all residents to come together and create positive memories with their families, neighbors and friends,” Town Manager White said. “I look forward to him joining the Town’s Management Team. His experience will serve the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department and the Town well.” 

---

---

Orange County Climate Action Plan Survey

Orange County is taking the lead on climate action and need your help! A lot has already been done, including:

• Passing the County’s 2005 Environmental Responsibility goal
• Signing a resolution to uphold the Paris Agreement
• Creating a goal to transition to 100% renewable energy

The County’s first Climate Action Plan (CAP) that will serve as a guide to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve a climate goal of 100% renewable energy. Please take this brief 5-minute survey to make your voice heard! Your input will help shape priorities for tackling climate change in our community.

---

Carrboro celebrates Arbor Day

Mayor Damon Seils has proclaimed Friday, April 28, 2023, Arbor Day in Carrboro.

The Town of Carrboro will join other communities in celebrating the national observance of Arbor Day by planting two Flowering Dogwood trees (Cornus Florida) at the Henry Anderson III Community Park roundabout, 302 N Carolina Hwy 54 W, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2023 (rescheduled from Friday due to potential inclement weather).

The Town of Carrboro recognizes the importance of trees in promoting a healthy environment and improving the quality of life for its residents. Trees can reduce the erosion of topsoil, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, produce oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife; trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for homes, fuel for fires, and countless other products.

While the rise in atmospheric carbon is radically altering the Earth’s environment, trees can help to mitigate this by removing carbon from the atmosphere in a process called carbon sequestration. Trees also increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of commercial areas, and beautify the community.

Carrboro has long been recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation and seeks to encourage open, honest discussion of ecological issues and find solutions to the environmental challenges we face.

Read the full Arbor Day proclamation here: https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12695/2023-Bike-Month-Proclamation 

For more information about the Town of Carrboro’s efforts to promote a healthy environment, visit https://www.carrboronc.gov/258/Environmental

---

RESCHEDULED: Carrboro to Celebrate Earth Day on April 30!

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

Join us at the Carrboro Town Commons to celebrate Earth Day 2023! 

With the Chapel Hill Service League, the Town of Carrboro is partnering on an Earth Day Celebration on Sunday, April 30, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St. 

Carrboro’s Earth Day event will feature a variety of information and education tables to learn more about climate and environmental topics in our community and Community Climate Action initiatives such as Carrboro’s Green Neighborhood initiative, Solarize Carrboro, weatherization, sustainability, food footprint, composting, recycling and EV vehicles.  There will be activities for children including a parade (animal and plant costumes welcome), planet-friendly vegan and vegetarian food for purchase, and climate and environmental Earth Day Free Book giveaways.  Celebrate the Earth with Carrboro!

Together, we can create a strong sense of community as we work to better our Earth. Come get inspired. The earth is in our hands!

---

Honoring the life and beauty of the Mother Tree

In celebration of Earth Day, the Town of Carrboro welcomed artist Kathrine Cays on Friday, April 21, and her temporary art installation at the elm tree in front of Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. 

A poem was read by Poet Laureate Liza Wolf-Francis.  

The temporary art installation was originally planned to take place during Carrboro’s Earth Day celebration, which has been rescheduled (due to inclement weather) to Sunday, April 30, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. 

The artwork titled “Seated at the Table #1” honors the life and beauty of the Mother Tree. The placement acknowledges her prominent manner and not only that she provides water and nutrients such as life-giving carbon and sugars to her kin, but she indiscriminately protects her extended community through the mycorrhizal exchange (Mycorrhizal- Greek, mycos=fungus + rhizza=root).    

The art piece is fashioned as a jabot (pronounced jah-bō), representing a component of official judicial regalia. The jabot metaphorically places the tree at the Court’s table of justices, inviting the viewer to imagine what she will say as a member based on her established laws, precedents, and life experience. As a fair-minded judge, what guidance might she offer us? What authority does she have? Can she and her kin benefit from privileges and immunities as a high court member?

Learn more about Kathrine Cays at http://www.ncati.org/katherine-cays 

---

Posted April 21, 2023

Artist Talk at Attic 506

Don’t miss an artist talk with Caroline Kern this Friday, April 21 at 7 pm at Attic 506 on the rooftop! Caroline is a multi-disciplinary artist living and working in NYC. Her work revolves around Risograph printing, illustration, experimental video, and machine tufting.

---

Volunteer to Keep Carrboro Beautiful

Celebrate Earth Day and help clean the Town of Carrboro and prevent trash from entering our local streams. Feel free to bring your work gloves and dress to potentially get dirty. 

Volunteers will meet in front of the Century Center at the statue in the grass on Sunday, April 22 at 9 a.m.  We will have extra gloves and trash bags available.  Groups are welcome to participate but please let us know you are helping. 

Please register your family or group by calling 919-918-7392. This event is free.

---

Comedy Show at Carolina Coffee Shop

Come enjoy a cocktail and laughs at Carolina Coffee Shop on Wednesday, April 26! Destress from finals or the busy work week with a comedy show. All are welcome! Proceeds will support the Atlanta Solidarity Fund. Doors open at 7:30pm and the show starts at 8pm. 

---

Mildred Council Community Dinner scheduled for April 30

The Orange County Human Relations Commission and Office of Equity & Inclusion are co-sponsoring the 23rd Annual Mildred Council Community Dinner to be held Sunday, April 30, 2023, at 1 p.m. in the McDougle Middle School Cafeteria, 900 Old Fayetteville Rd. in Chapel Hill, NC. 

The Community Dinner is a community building event, crossing economic, racial, religious and ethnic barriers and presenting a wealth of wonderful, culturally diverse food and entertainment from our own community.  In 2014, The Community Dinner was a winner of a National League of Cities Award for Cultural Diversity

Mildred Council, aka “Mama Dip,” was the creator of this event and our source of inspiration and partner for 21 Community Dinners, celebrating our community’s cultural diversity. She is sorely missed by all who knew her. Her legacy continues through her children and grandchildren.

Mildred Council’s family at Mama Dip’s Kitchen will be coordinating the menu and, along with the Carolina Inn, provide the Dinner’s main courses. We are very pleased that the Council family want to keep their association with this event, which was so important to their mother, Mama Dip. In addition, many local restaurants and churches donate side dishes and desserts to complete the feast. This gives attendees the opportunity to taste food from our many community partners who contributed dishes, all in one place.

You can make a one time or recurring donation to this effort here. Create an account, navigate to donate page, select Community Dinner under “Select a Fund” drop down menu.

For more information about the Community Dinner, visit the Community Dinner Website at www.communitydinner.com.

---

Anderson Community Park Courts to close for maintenance

The tennis and pickleball courts at Anderson Community Park, 302 NC Highway 54, will be closed for resurfacing and repainting starting Wednesday, April 19, and lasting through early next week.

For more information, contact Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources at RecParks@carrboronc.gov

---

Orange County to showcase Prime Time Players performance of Chinese American Wedding musical

The Orange County Department on Aging and the Prime Time Players invite the public to attend “Chinese American Wedding,” a musical comedy of two cultures coming together.

Playwright and director, Pip Merrick, is passionate about the interaction of people from different cultures, inspiring her to write the Chinese American Wedding. The backdrop is set at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and tells the story of two people who meet and fall in love in faraway China. Born in different cultures the couple have their wedding in Chapel Hill with family and friends in attendance. 

You don’t want to miss this entertaining performance! The Prime Time Players do it again in this fun-filled afternoon featuring a cast of talented performers including singers and dancers. 

For the Mandarin community, there will be a translation running across the top of the stage.

Donations accepted but are not required. Contributions benefit the Department on Aging’s programs and services. 

Performance Location & Schedule  

Passmore Center
 Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm
 103 Meadowlands Drive, Hillsborough, NC (Adjacent to Sportsplex)

Seymour Center
 Thursday, May 4, at 2:00 pm
 Saturday, May 6, at 2:00 pm
 2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC

About the Prime Time Players

The Prime Time Players are senior performers from the Passmore Center in Hillsborough and the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill. Prime Time Players’ performances help to support the services and programs offered by the senior centers.

For more information about the production or the Prime Time Players, please contact Joan Ontjes at JoanTOntjes@gmail.com or 919-219-5128.

---

Carrboro Town Council renews support for Temporary Protected Status program for Guatemala

At its Tuesday meeting on April 18, 2023, the Carrboro Town Council renewed its support for the Temporary Protected Status program for Guatemala and urged the Department of Homeland Security to designate Guatemala as a Temporary Protected Status country. 

The Town of Carrboro has long shown support for its immigrant communities, including many immigrants from Central America. Carrboro has resolved that it is a welcoming community for minors seeking refuge from violence in their home countries, and urged the federal government to ensure that those seeking safety in the United States receive due process and legal representation.  

The resolution was received by Consul Genera Jorge Archila of the Consulate General of Guatemala in Raleigh. It will be forwarded to Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. 

Special guests to the Town Council meeting for this resolution included (left to right) Marilena Maraziegos, Mayor Pro Tem Susan Romaine, Council Member Eliazar Posada, Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Eliazar Cifuentes, Council Member Sammy Slade, Wendy Tenorio, Mayor Damon Siles, Jorge Archila, Luis Quincin, Council Member Barbara Foushee, Klisman Garcia, Council Member Danny Nowell, Klisman Garcia and Judith Montenegro. 

Read the full resolution at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions

---

Orange county schools safety task force notice of task force meeting

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, Orange County provides notice that a meeting of the Orange County Schools Safety Task Force is scheduled for 5:30 pm on April 27, 2023 in the Meeting Room/Classroom in the Bonnie B. Davis Environmental & Agricultural Center, 1020 US 70 West, in Hillsborough, NC.

Schools Safety Task Force meetings are for the purpose of considering ways to improve school safety and are open to the public to attend.  If you have any comments or questions, please email Greg Wilder at gwilder@orangecountync.gov before 2:00 pm on April 27, 2023.

---

BOCC approves four projects for first round of Opioid Settlement funds

The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved four initiatives to receive the first batch of funding from the county’s share of national Opioid Settlement Funds at its April 18 business meeting. The Opioid Advisory Committee met March 21 and recommended the projects to receive funds.

Most of the approved funding will be used to continue grant-funded services that were set to expire June 30, 2023, said Health Director Quintana Stewart. 

The board authorized $164,862 to continue The Lantern Project in FY 2023-24. Funds will pay for Reentry Coordinator and Diversion Coordinator positions currently housed in the Criminal Justice Resource Department.

The Freedom House received $122,188 to continue supporting a Licensed Clinician and Peer Support Specialist. The positions will connect individuals released from the Orange County Detention Center to treatment and community resources to help their recovery and reduce recidivism.

NC FIT, a comprehensive reentry program that focuses on unmet health needs for people released from incarceration, received $70,000 for FY 2023-24. The program received grant funding to hire a Community Health Worker position in the Orange County Health Department for FY 2022-23. This position focuses on assisting inmates released from the detention center with a diagnosis of Opioid Use Disorder.

In addition, the Board of County Commissioners approved $14,500 to order additional narcan/naloxone and fentanyl testing strips for community vending machines and county first responders for 2023-24.

The Orange County Opioid Advisory Committee will advise the BOCC on how to utilize the county’s share of national opioid settlement funds.

---

Soil Collection Ceremony on April 29 to Honor Orange County’s 1869 Lynching Victims

The Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition (OCCRC) invites the community to remember and honor five local men who were victims of racial terror lynchings in 1869: Cyrus Guy, Wright Malone, Daniel Morrow, Jefferson Morrow, and Washington Morrow.

The Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition (OCCRC) invites the community to remember and honor five local men who were victims of racial terror lynchings in 1869: Cyrus Guy, Wright Malone, Daniel Morrow, Jefferson Morrow, and Washington Morrow. The ceremony, organized in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), will take place on April 29 at 1 pm at the Orange County Courthouse in Hillsborough.

A committee of OCCRC members has been working since 2022 to research the lives of the men who were murdered, to locate their descendants, and to plan the public event that honors them. The public program will feature dance from Jasmine Powell, as well as poetry from NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green and Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Cortland Gilliam. Audience members will learn about the lives of the five men killed in 1869, including reflections from their descendants and remarks from local officials.

Paris Miller-Foushee, who serves on Chapel Hill Town Council, co-chaired this committee alongside historian and memory worker, Danita Mason-Hogans.

According to Miller-Foushee, “My favorite quote is from Ida B. Wells, ‘The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.’ Honoring the Black Lives lost and telling the truth of this nation’s legacy of slavery and racial terror lynching is critical now more than ever, especially during a time when there are attacks and bans on AP African American History courses. It’s important to acknowledge what happened if we want to address the systemic racial disparities that our communities face today.”

---

Orange County Board of Commissioners  Joint Meeting with Schools and Work Session Agenda for April 27, 2023

The agenda for the Orange County Board of Commissioners’ joint meeting with the schools and work session on Thursday, April 27, 2023 has been posted to the link below.
 https://www.orangecountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272023-1748 

For a link to each agenda item as a separate file, please use:

http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/WebLink/0/fol/69813/Row1.aspx 

The Board of Commissioners is conducting a joint meeting with the schools and a work session on April 27, 2023. The public is invited to attend the meeting, but there will not be an opportunity for members of the public to speak as the Board does not receive public comments during work sessions. Members of the public may provide written comments by emailing ocbocc@orangecountync.gov.  As in prior meetings, members of the public will be able to view and listen to the meeting via live streaming video at http://www.orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos  and on Orange County Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable). The joint meeting and work session will also be recorded for future television broadcast and reference on the county’s website.
  
Joint Meeting with the Schools and Work Session
April 27, 2023
Donna S. Baker Meeting Room

Whitted Building
7:00 p.m.
Viewable on the link below  
http://orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos 

---

Posted April 19, 2023

Atuya Cornwell selected as the Town of Chapel Hill’s next Parks and Recreation Director, effective immediately.

After a national recruitment effort and a competitive selection process, Interim Town Manager Chris Blue has selected Atuya Cornwell as the Town of Chapel Hill’s next Parks and Recreation Director, effective immediately.

“I am thrilled that Atuya has accepted the offer to serve as our next Director of Parks and Recreation,” said Mr. Blue. “In his time with the Town, he has proven to be a collaborative and enthusiastic colleague and I cannot wait to see what he and the Parks and Recreation team will accomplish together under his leadership.”

Mr. Cornwell started with the Town April 4, 2022, as assistant director, overseeing the day-to-day operations, including service provision, facility operations, programming, and staff within the Business Operations, Park and Landscape Maintenance, and Recreation divisions. He also managed special projects on behalf of the department, including strategic planning and evaluation.

He stepped into the interim director position November 30, 2022.

“Over the last year, it has been a pleasure to grow with and learn from our outstanding Parks and Recreation team here in Chapel Hill,” said Mr. Cornwell. “I am excited about our commitment to provide rewarding and impactful experiences that help inspire and empower this community.”

Cornwell’s career spans nearly 20 years within public sector recreation and athletic operations, programming, and management roles within Mecklenburg County (NC) Park and Recreation and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission – Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Before joining us in Chapel Hill, he served as Assistant Division Chief for the Youth & Countywide Sports Division of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County. Cornwell is a nationally Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) and has been recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association with several awards and scholarships. A native of Charlotte, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Science from UNC-Greensboro and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in government services from Pfeiffer University. 

For more about Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation see chapelhillparks.org.

---

Important Chapel Hill Transit Alert for Saturday, April 22. Road race delays start of service

On Saturday, April 22, Chapel Hill Transit will delay the start of service for seven of our Saturday routes. The A, CM, CW, D, J, N, and NS routes begin service around 10 a.m., dependent on their schedules. The U and NU routes are not affected and will run their full schedule. EZ-Rider customers will not have their service reduced, but we expect to see delays between 7 and 10 a.m. as vehicles work around road closures and traffic.

 The following clarifies the first trip start time and location for each route:

• A- 10 a.m. at Weiner/Severin Streets
• CM- 10 a.m. at Jones Ferry Lot
• CW- 10:16 a.m. at Old Fayetteville Road
• D- 10:16 a.m. at Old Chapel Hill Road
• J- 9:59 a.m. at Jones Ferry/Davie Road
• N- 9:59 a.m. Estes Park Apartments
• NS- 9:58 a.m. Southern Village Park and Ride

This change is for one day only and is necessary because of the road closures for the Tar Heel Ten Miler and Fleet Feet 4 Mile Run.

For assistance or concerns, please contact us via email at chtransit@townofchapelhill.org or telephone 919-969-4931 during business hours.

---

Take the Traffic Garden Pilot Survey

In Fall 2022, the Town of Chapel Hill constructed a traffic garden at the Homestead Aquatic Center parking lot. Traffic gardens encourage children and families to safely bike, walk, and navigate streets. They are designed to simulate an actual street network on a smaller scale.  

At the end of March 2023, staff temporarily removed the traffic garden due to vandalism and funding and space constraints. Staff are working to develop a permanent installation sometime in the future. 

In the meantime, if you visited the traffic garden or would be interested in using one in the future, share your thoughts and experiences in the survey.

---

Orange County Board of Commissioners Joint Planning Public Hearing and Orange County Public Hearing Agenda for April 20, 2023

The agenda for the Joint Planning Public Hearing and Orange County Public Hearing on April 20, 2023 is posted below:   

https://www.orangecountync.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04202023-1747

For a link to each agenda item as a separate file, please use:

http://server3.co.orange.nc.us:8088/WebLink/0/fol/69780/Row1.aspx 

A Joint Planning Public Hearing (between Orange County, the Town of Chapel Hill, and the Town of Carrboro) and an Orange County Public Hearing will be held on April 20, 2023. As in prior meetings, members of the public will be able to view and listen to the meeting via live streaming video at http://www.orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos and on Orange County Gov-TV on channels 1301 or 97.6 (Spectrum Cable). The public hearings will also be recorded for future television broadcast and reference on the county’s website.

Joint Planning Public Hearing and Orange County Public Hearing

April 20, 2023

Donna S. Baker Meeting Room

Whitted Building

7:00 p.m.

Viewable on the link below  

http://orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos 

AGENDA HIGHLIGHT

JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
 Amendment to the Joint Planning Land Use Plan (JPLUP) – Amend the JPLUP to apply a Land Use classification to a portion of a parcel that was annexed into Orange County from Chatham County in 2021.
ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC HEARING
Amendments to the Orange County Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and the Orange County Zoning Atlas – Amend the FLUM and Zoning Atlas to apply a Land Use classification and Zoning District to a portion of a parcel that was annexed into Orange County from Chatham County in 2021.  

---

Record Store Day

Head to Schoolkids Records on Saturday, April 22 for Record Store Day! You can hear live music as you shop great deals. To sign up for a shopping time slot, email chapelhill@schoolkidsrecords.com.

---

Sapphic Soiree

Mark your calendar’s for the Sewing Circle’s Sapphic Soiree on April 22nd from 9:30pm-12am at Epilogue! It will be a night of music, dancing, and new friends!! Tickets are $7, with a portion of sales being donated to the LGBT Center of Raleigh. Feel free to show up in semi-formal attire. The Soiree will be held in Prologue, but enter through the main Epilogue door for check-in.

---

Northside Festival

Join the Marian Cheek Jackson Center on Saturday, April 29 from 12:00-3:30pm for the Northside Festival, a celebration of Northside, Pine Knolls, and Tin-Top. Returning for the first time since 2019, there will be performances by home-grown talents, free food, crafts and games for all ages, hundreds of community members, an interactive history exhibit, and a photo booth! 

---

Mildred Council Community Dinner scheduled for April 30

The Orange County Human Relations Commission and Office of Equity & Inclusion are co-sponsoring the 23rd Annual Mildred Council Community Dinner to be held Sunday, April 30, 2023, at 1 p.m. in the McDougle Middle School Cafeteria, 900 Old Fayetteville Rd. in Chapel Hill, NC. 

The Community Dinner is a community building event, crossing economic, racial, religious and ethnic barriers and presenting a wealth of wonderful, culturally diverse food and entertainment from our own community. 

Mildred Council, aka “Mama Dip,” was the creator of this event and our source of inspiration and partner for 21 Community Dinners, celebrating our community’s cultural diversity. She is sorely missed by all who knew her. Her legacy continues through her children and grandchildren.

Mildred Council’s family at Mama Dip’s Kitchen will be coordinating the menu and, along with the Carolina Inn, provide the Dinner’s main courses. We are very pleased that the Council family want to keep their association with this event, which was so important to their mother, Mama Dip. In addition, many local restaurants and churches donate side dishes and desserts to complete the feast. This gives attendees the opportunity to taste food from our many community partners who contributed dishes, all in one place.

In 2014 The Community Dinner was a winner of a National League of Cities Award for Cultural Diversity.

---

---

COVID-19 vaccines, testing no longer offered at Southern Human Services Center

COVID-19 vaccinations will no longer be offered at Southern Human Services Center, located at 2501 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill, NC. The last date of operation at this location is Friday, April 14.

Orange County Health Department (OCHD) encourages all community members seeking a COVID-19 vaccine to call the OCHD main phone line at (919) 245-2400 to make an appointment at the medical clinic at Whitted Human Services Center (300 W. Tryon Street, Hillsborough).

For additional information, please visit the following website:

• https://www.orangecountync.gov/2617/Vaccine

Orange County also recently ended offering COVID tests. However, the health department does have free at-home COVID test kits available. Free test kits are also available at the Orange County Library Main Branch.

For additional COVID-19 vaccine resources in the community, please visit:

• https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines

---

---

Reentry month events planned

April is Reentry Month, also known as Second Chance Month. On Monday, April 10, the Criminal Justice Resource Department hosted a conversation with NC Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls and North Carolina activist for criminal justice reform, Kerwin Pittman. The conversation was moderated by Hillsborough Mayor Jennifer Weaver and hosted at the Colonial Inn in Hillsborough.

Earls and Pittman served together on the Governor’s Task Force on Racial Equity in Criminal Justice. The event helped the community learn about the work of the Task Force and how it can inform local Reentry efforts here in Orange County so that people reentering post-incarceration can thrive.

There will be two other Reentry events this month:

April 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Family and Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) event at Fairview Park (195 Torain St, Hillsborough)

All are invited to enjoy storytime for kids, hot dogs and drinks, music from Anthony Springs from Liquid Pleasure, spoken word performances by CJ Suitt and Kane, Smego, small kiddie rides, games, face painting and guest speaker “Bear.”

April 28, 6 to 9 p.m.

Journeys–Stories and photos of justice-impacted people, book reading and signing at the Hillsborough Last Friday Art Walk at C3, 128 N. Churton St., Hillsborough.

---

---

Animal Services offers affordable spay/neuter services

Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) encourages county residents to take advantage of the department’s spay and neuter programs after a recent influx of several, unwanted litters of puppies.

“It’s unusual for so many puppies to come into our shelter at once – especially since this reflects an increase in unwanted animals and could serve as an early warning sign,” said Dr. Sandra Strong, Director Of Orange County Animal Services. “Our community has worked hard to decrease shelter animal intake and increase pet retention. We want to make sure people are aware of our spay and neuter programs in order to help reduce pet overpopulation. Puppies in the shelter is a sign of unwanted pets being born in the community. We offer low-cost and no-cost sterilization services.” 

Orange County residents may visit www.orangecountync.gov/360/Spay-Neuter or call 919-932-4966 for more information about spay and neuter services. It is the hope of Animal Services and Orange County that spay and neuter initiatives will decrease the number of unwanted pets in the county and also reduce the number of animals entering the shelter. Spaying and neutering pets can also improve your pet’s health by lowering the risk of some diseases and other medical issues. Other issues (such as aggression, going into heat, territorial marking, or roaming) may also be improved once pets are spayed or neutered. 

Anyone interested in adopting a shelter pet may stop by the shelter during operating hours, there is no appointment needed to view available pets. The shelter opens at noon, Monday through Saturday, and is located at 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill, NC. For more information about available pets, visiting the facility, and adopting pets, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/287/Available-Pets or call the Adoption Desk at 919-942-7387, option 3.

If you are not able to adopt but you would still like to help shelter pets, please consider making a donation to OCAS. Visit www.orangecountync.gov/364/Donations for more information about donating.

---

Orange County seeks public feedback on five-year strategic plan

During the Board of Commissioners 2022 Retreat, the Board authorized staff to create a comprehensive Five-Year Strategic Plan for Orange County to lay out the priorities that will guide policies and budget decisions from 2024 through 2028.

The board directed staff to use a data-driven strategic planning process grounded in the principles of equity and responsive to the concerns and priorities of the community. The process should position the county to address the challenges of the future in a fiscally sustainable manner.

“To make the plan as effective as it can be, we need to hear from the public about their priorities,” said Orange County Chair Jamezetta Bedford. “We want this process to be as inclusive as possible. It is critical that any plan be viewed through an equity lens and our goals for climate action as we make important decisions about education, economic development, public health and safety, land-use and other quality of life issues.”

BerryDunn, a consultant with nationwide experience in local government strategic planning, was chosen to lead the process after a formal request for proposals process in fall 2022. They will interview elected officials, county leadership, department managers and supervisors, and advisory boards and commissions through the coming months. The consulting team will also survey all county staff and will engage residents, businesses and a broad array of community stakeholder groups identified by the Board of Commissioners.

BerryDunn has created a website for the public to learn more about the process, fill out a survey identifying their priorities and provide input (berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/orangecounty). Interested community groups can find a Meeting in the Box link on the site with the tools and information needed to host a meeting with their constituents.

Community groups who host their own meeting are asked to submit their feedback by May 31.

The information collected will be used to create a long-term vision, strategic priorities, goals and objectives and performance metrics to define our direction and measure our progress. The outcome of this process will be a comprehensive strategic plan that presents:

• a clear planning process and approach
• a community engagement process
• relevant data and analysis of trends
• identification of opportunities and strategies
• a process to prioritize and focus county programs and services
• an implementation plan with performance measures that track progress on achieving the goals of the plan

---

Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation has released our Summer Recreation Programs. Registration begins May 2

Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation has released our Summer Recreation Programs both online and in our Summer RECREATE activity guide. Registration for summer recreation activities begins Tuesday, May 2, for residents and Thursday, May 4, for non-residents. Summer Camp Registration is currently open, and you may browse our camps online and download your Summer Camp guide here. 

Printed copies of RECREATE, a favorite among residents, is available at any of our recreation centers or administrative office, the Chapel Hill Public Library, Town Hall and the Housing department.  Visit our website at chapelhillparks.org to browse ALL our recreation programs online or download your own copy. 

Featured activities this summer include our Girls Softball Leagues—ages 6-8 is a “coach pitch” league, ages 9-10 and 11-12 are “player pitch” leagues. We strive to teach the game in a fun, competitive and instructional atmosphere. Other athletic leagues featured this summer include Adult Softball, Competitive Youth Basketball and Flag Football. 

Know how to swim, but interested in improving your stroke or creating the perfect workout? New swim clinics are featured programs at the Homestead Aquatic Center this summer. Take your love of swimming to the next level.

And finally, our specialized Social Café Camp for individuals with developmental differences or other diagnosis. In this camp for teens and young adults, make delicious and nutritious meals from start to finish. This camp is as much about friends as it is about food!

This time of year is always full a fun family friendly events, including a Juneteenth celebration, a cardboard boat race and new this year, a Beach Bash pool party on June 9th for an evening full of music, food and of course the pool to celebrate the end of school and the beginning of summer! This is a free event open to the public at AD Clark Pool.

For more information about Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation visit chapelhillparks.org.

---

Posted April 12, 2023

Welcome to Food Waste Prevention Week

Mayor Damon Seils has proclaimed April 10 -16, 2023 to be Food Waste Prevention Week, urging all citizens to commit to reducing food waste. 

Food is the single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills and municipal landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States. Over one-third of the food produced in the United Stated is never eaten and North Carolina residents generated about 3.5 billion pounds of food waste in 2019.  

While North Carolina ranks tenth in the nation for food insecurity, particularly among minority and low-income populations, a family of four could save an average of $1,800 a year on uneaten food. 

Preventing and reducing food waste presents opportunities to increase food security for all, foster productivity and economic efficiency, preserve our natural resources, promote energy conservation, and address climate change. 

Preventing food waste will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supporting Carrboro’s Community Climate Action Plan goal for the Town and community to reduce 2010 levels of greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2030. A reduction is integral in meeting the goals of the Carrboro Connects comprehensive plan. 

We will be sharing simple solutions on our social media all week for reducing food waste at home, work, school, and in our communities.

Check back daily for tips and to test your knowledge about food waste! 

More Information:

• Visit www.FoodWastePreventionWeek.com for events including a student art contest, webinars, and more. 
• Read the full proclamation here: https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12624/2023-Food-Waste-Prevention-Week-Proclamation  

---

April community update for the 203 Project

Crews are finishing construction of the foundation system and first floor cast-in-place concrete on the 203 Project this month. 

Preparations are being made to pour the second floor concrete slab on Wednesday, April 19. Utility crews are expected to begin removing old aerial communication cables around the site in the coming weeks. Please check the Town’s social media for ongoing utility work notifications.

In other updates, the Town Council will be considering policies and procedures for naming the building at the April 25 regular Town Council meeting.

Background 
The $42 million development will be the future home of the Orange County Southern Branch Library. The facility will also provide a permanent home for the Orange County Skills Development Center; Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department; WCOM Radio; and performance/multipurpose uses. The 203 Project will provide opportunities for education, art and community connection.

More information:

• The Town of Carrboro posts regular updates to the community on the Town website and through social media. Sign up to receive Carrboro Town News updates at www.carrboronc.gov/signup 
• If you would like to be included on a neighborhood email distribution list, which includes residents living in the adjacent neighborhood and the local business community, please notify the203project@carrboronc.gov
• For more information and the latest drone videos, please visit  https://www.the203project.org/

---

Town of Carrboro Local Government Communications Survey 

Thanks to the email subscribers of Town of Carrboro news and information who provided feedback to the Communication & Engagement Department on a government communication survey. The online survey link was provided in a few of the Carrboro This Week email newsletters during February 2023.  

We are reporting the results as part of our commitment to follow up and acknowledge the feedback provided, although the response rate was low at 3%.

 About 90% of respondents report reading the newsletter regularly or occasionally. Overall satisfaction with news updates rated at 66% (about 19% were neutral on the question). Some 72% of respondents report satisfaction with the ability to participate in local government (about 12% were neutral).

 As expected from a survey targeted to the Town’s email subscribers, 85% reported that Town email subscriptions as their primary source of info from the Town. Runners-up for information sources were Town social media, Town website, and word-of-mouth from friends and colleagues.

 Comments include the following:

• I just signed up recently and I’m glad I’m getting them. I lived here for a lot of years before I discovered that I could subscribe to the email updates. I’m glad you have them.
• I wish more of the regular updates were included in the body of emails, rather than having to click through to the town website. 
• They are well-designed and informative.

If you have questions or comments, please contact Communication & Engagement Director Catherine Lazorko at clazorko@carrboronc.gov 

---

Carrboro Town Council Update

Meeting agendas and updates are issued from the Town Clerk’s Office. To receive these by email or text, sign up for Carrboro Town News at https://www.carrboronc.gov/SIGNUP

Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. Reach the Town Council with your ideas, views, and questions at Council@carrboronc.gov

Coming Up
There will be No Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

The Carrboro Town Council will hold the next Council Meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2023. The agenda is available at https://carrboro.legistar.com/  

This meeting will be held at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream at https://carrboro.legistar.com/   OR YouTube.com/CarrboroNC OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). 

To download a copy of the full meeting calendar visit https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12313

Past Meetings 
The Carrboro Town Council met Tuesday, April 4, 2023, for a Council Meeting and took the following actions on the agenda posted at https://bit.ly/3zr1jz5

• Elected Danny Nowell to chair the April 4, 2023 meeting.
• Absences of three Council Members excused.
• The Poetry Month 2023 Proclamation and The Resolution Supporting Extension of the Temporary Protected Status Program for Guatemala are moved to the next Council Meeting (April 18, 2023).
• Appointed Margaret Kurz, Beth Vollins and Deanna Hardesty to the Stormwater Advisory Commission.
• Approved the expansion of the Climate Action Team from nine to thirteen members.
• Appointed Jane Danielewicz, Meg Molloy, Greg Randolph, Riz Rashdi and Nicholas Stover to the Climate Action Team.
• Approved the wording and location for a double-sided Toney and Nellie Strayhorn Homeplace Plaque.
• Considered information on potential naming policies for town-owned facilities and rooms.
• Postponed appointments to the Planning Board to the April 18, 2023 agenda.
• Requested clarification on what information will be used and how education will fit into the public engagement plan for Bolin Creek Greenway.

Posted April 7, 2023

Get Involved with the Chapel Hill Carrboro NAACP

Join the Youth Council on April 23 at 2 p.m. at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center on UNC’s campus for #FreeCyntoia, a conversation about violence, redemption and freedom. Learn more.

“Our Democracy: Do We Need the Power of Citizen Initiatives?” is the next in LWVODC’s State of Our Democracy lecture series. The virtual program will be held May 4 at 7 p.m. Register now.

The NAACP announced the launch of Connecting to Our Financial Future, a free credit education resource to help the Black community and other marginalized groups prioritize financial education and develop and maintain healthy credit habits. Learn more.

Even if you weren’t able to join us, we hope you’ll dig into some important resources related to some topics that came up, like this slideshow on How to Talk About Abortion in 2023, from Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

It’s also a great time to sign up for All on the Line’s April 20 meeting that will include information and discussion around opportunities to fight for Fair Maps in 2023.

Then be sure to RSVP today for the Moral Monday 10-year anniversary and recommitment on April 24. When we fight, we win!

---

The Town of Chapel Hill is celebrating National Poetry Month with an abundance of events and opportunities to engage with poetry and art throughout April.

The Town of Chapel Hill is celebrating National Poetry Month with an abundance of events and opportunities to engage with poetry and art throughout April. The experiences consist of in-person events like an open mic night, as well as exhibits like a new poetry-themed artistic bus shelter. The offerings are being organized by several Town departments including Chapel Community Arts & Culture and Chapel Hill Public Library.  The community is invited to get inspired and engage with poetry by experiencing one of the many offerings this month.

Black Out Poetry Display
Chapel Hill Public Library

Participate in an interactive Blackout poetry display available now through the end of April on the main floor of the library. Blackout poetry is made by crossing out words, sentences, or paragraphs from found texts like newspaper or book pages, leaving behind words that form a poem. Using recycled library book pages, visitors can create their own poems, then share their work on the display for the community to see. Participants are encouraged to share their poems on social media.

 Art + Transit Poetry Bus Shelter
South Road at Fetzer Gym on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus

Cortland Gilliam collaborated with inaugural Poet Laureate CJ Suitt to write a poetic display honoring the words and legacy of poet legend George Moses Horton. The poets worked with graphic artist Wutang to design an artistic exhibit of the poem to be unveiled on a Chapel Hill Transit shelter located near UNC-Chapel Hill’s Frank Porter Graham Student Union. The installation will occur later this month.

The Poet Is a Verb: Local Poetry & Open Mic Night
Chapel Hill Public Library | Thursday, April 27, 6 – 8 p.m.

Experience poetry and community at “The Poet is a Verb: Local Poetry & Open Mic Night” at Chapel Hill Public Library hosted by Cortland Gilliam with special guests CJ Suitt, Nina Oteria, Blaine Purcell, DS Will, Johnny Lee Chapman III, and Mariah M. Learn more here.

Chapel Hill Creatives Cypher
Hargraves Community Center | Friday, April 28, 6 – 8 p.m.

Bring your beats, bars, poems, instruments, and art supplies to create alongside other artists in a collective space. A cypher is a gathering of people sharing thoughts, experiences, stories, and art through the oral tradition of rap, poetry, or singing over music. The cypher circle is for expressing yourself, healing, release, and community building.

In addition to Town-organized happenings, Cortland will also be reading and speaking at many events throughout Orange County. Additional appearances include:

• Orange Literacy’s “Writers for Readers: Poetry in the Public Realm“ at Flyleaf Books with North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green and Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis on April 6 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Orange County Arts Commission’s “Weave & Spin Open Mic“ at the Eno Arts Mill Gallery in Hillsborough on April 12 from 7-9 p.m.
• Twighlight Thursdays performance with inaugural Chapel Hill Poet Laureate CJ Suitt at the North Carolina Botanical Garden on April 13 from 5-7 p.m.
• Arts Everywhere Day public reading with undergraduate poets in the Pit at UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus on April 14 from 1-1:30 p.m.

Visit Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to follow along with Poetry Month happenings. To learn more about the Chapel Hill Poet Laureate program visit chapelhillarts.org/poetlaureate. To learn more about Chapel Hill Public Library, visit chapelhillpubliclibrary.org.

---

Sheriff’s Office stops issuing pistol permits due to state law changes

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has stopped processing applications for pistol purchase permits, including those already pending. 

Effective immediately, sheriffs in North Carolina will no longer issue pistol purchase permits. Following a vote March 30 by the N.C. General Assembly to override Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 41, Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections, all state laws regarding the issuance of pistol purchase permits by sheriffs in North Carolina were repealed.

Sheriff Charles Blackwood said, “While many sheriffs felt very strongly about holding onto the pistol purchase permitting process, certainly there are reasons for a change to a more comprehensive system. However, law enforcement has a concern that depending solely on a NICS check is not exhaustive enough. I felt strongly the override would occur. We now have to explore better options to ensure the safety of our communities. I hope that both sides of the aisle will realize the importance of working together in that regard.”

Any person who wants to purchase or transfer a handgun in North Carolina no longer has to apply to the sheriff for a pistol purchase permit. However, any person who wants to purchase a handgun through a firearms dealer will still undergo the background check required under current law. If the background check indicates the person is disqualified from possessing a firearm, the dealer will deny the sale.

 

It is important for citizens to remember that anyone wishing to obtain or transfer any firearm, including a handgun, must still comply with federal and State laws governing who may lawfully possess a firearm. Criminal penalties apply for anyone who knowingly transfers a handgun to a person who may not lawfully possess the firearm (such as a convicted felon).

North Carolina laws regarding carrying concealed handguns have not changed. Any person residing in Orange County wishing to carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina must still apply for and be issued a concealed handgun permit by the sheriff.

---

Applicants Needed For Orange County Volunteer Boards and Commissions 

The Orange County Board of Commissioners is currently recruiting applicants for the Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors. 

The Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors. The Chapel Hill Town Council appoints five town residents, the Carrboro Town Council appoints two town residents, and the Orange County Board of Commissioners appoints two Orange County residents. There is one upcoming vacancy for an Orange County resident. 

Governing a critical public utility effectively requires a group of dedicated volunteers with a broad range of knowledge and experiences. The OWASA Board of Directors is unique in that it is in fact a governing Board and, therefore, does not simply advise the elected bodies on issues. The OWASA Board addresses a wide variety of issues including infrastructure investment, employee compensation and benefits, finance and rate setting, customer service and affordability, environmental protection, forestry, public health, and community engagement, among others.

Experience in these areas can be helpful, but specific technical experience is not required; the only true qualification needed is a genuine commitment to serve the community. Former Board members have found serving on the Board to be a meaningful and rewarding experience, though this level of community service does require a significant investment of time and energy to prepare for and attend meetings.  

Each appointed member must take an Oath of Office to faithfully discharge the duties of their office, to abide by the constitution and laws of the United States and of North Carolina, and to exercise their best judgment as a member of the Board of Directors.

The OWASA Board meets on the 2^nd Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm in the OWASA Community Room (400 Jones Ferry Rd. in Carrboro).

Board members receive $100 compensation for attendance at each meeting of the board, special meetings, or work sessions.

Please visit https://www.owasa.org/board-of-directors/ for more information on the work of the Board of Directors.

If interested, apply at www.orangecountync.gov/Apply.

Orange County strives for diverse representation on volunteer boards and commissions. Residents of all demographic backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply. Applicants must reside in Orange County. Volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have the opportunity to directly influence local decisions, policies, and priorities.

For additional information contact Tara May at 919-245-2125 or tmay@orangecountync.gov.

---

A Message from Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger

On Monday, the 10^th of April, the Town Council will hold a work session to continue our discussion of the Housing Choices for a Complete Community initiative, which has garnered a great deal of community interest over the past few months.

For those who are not yet familiar with the Housing Choices initiative, its intention is to help address certain housing gaps in Chapel Hill by creating more opportunities for missing middle housing. Learn more at townofchapelhill.org/housingchoices.

In response to the many questions raised about the initial proposal, our Planning Department has hosted or participated in more than 30 public information, open house, community, or neighborhood meetings and gathered survey results from more than 800 participants. In addition to their work, I continue to monitor and assess the feedback we receive through the Mayor and Council email channels.

Now, in keeping with the extension of the public process we agreed to in February, staff will be sharing what they’ve heard, investigated, and learned over the past few months with Council and the public.

In advance of this meeting, I wanted to share some information with everyone so that you know what to expect.

Work sessions provide an opportunity for Council and the community to learn more about one or two topics over the course of 2 – 2 1/2 hours. These meetings are conversational in nature, and no votes are taken.

Work sessions take place at Chapel Hill Public Library, and recordings are posted here the next day for those wishing to watch at a later time.

We value public input; however, to allow for a deeper dive in a more limited amount of time, public comment is not a part of our work session agenda. Instead, all items come back to a council meeting, at which time the public has the opportunity to weigh in.

Once staff has made this presentation to Council, you will have the opportunity to weigh in a number of ways, including:

• Email your opinions to mayorandcouncil@townofchapelhill.org
• Email your questions and opinions to planning@townofchapelhill.org
• A new Public Input survey will be shared at townofchapelhill.org/housingchoices after the work session

Finally, in anticipation of a larger-than-usual crowd, staff has been working with the Fire Marshall to accommodate as many people as possible.

Should we reach capacity, we ask that you be patient with our staff. They will provide information about how to access the meeting materials, recording, and other public engagement resources.

We will be reaching out again after the April 10 work session about next steps in this process.

For those wishing to read ahead, the agenda, reports, and presentation can be found online here.

Like many of you, I am still trying to learn all I can about this initiative and how it might impact our community. To that end, I look forward to hearing what staff has to share Monday night and hearing the thoughts of my colleagues. I also look forward to hearing community feedback in the coming weeks as we continue to shape our future together.

---

Do you have one minute a month to help make Chapel Hill government better?

The Town of Chapel Hill has partnered with FlashVote to capture community feedback. You may soon get a message asking you to sign up. It’s not spam. Questions will cover a variety of topics with the goal of helping serve you better.

Each survey the Town conducts through FlashVote will take a minute or less to complete, and we don’t anticipate sending more than one survey per month. You can select how you’d like to receive notification of the survey: by email, text message, or voice. FlashVote makes sure your responses are anonymous and shares the results of the survey with you within 48 hours of the survey being published.

FlashVote has many safeguards in place to protect your information when you sign up. FlashVote will not share your personal information with anyone, even us!

You can join now at flashvote.com/chapelhillgov.

Have questions? Want help signing up? Email info@townofchapelhill.org, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

---

Public Meetings on Connected Roads Plan

Monday, April 10; 5:30-6:30 p.m., Library Meeting Room C

Tuesday, April 18; 5:30-6:30 p.m., Virtual on Zoom

The Town is pursuing a Connected Roads Plan to implement a consistent approach to local street connections that uses planning best practices of connecting communities and dispersing traffic. By focusing on connecting streets as a part of new development, the Town aims to improve connectivity and local trips in a safe manner.

These meetings are just two of many upcoming opportunities to provide feedback, discuss potential connections, and influence the plan.

---

Public Information Meeting: Hillmont

Learn more about the Hillmont develoment proposal at a virtual public information meeting from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. Monday, April 17.

Hillmont is a proposed development of approximately 375 to 500 residences ranging from garden-style flats to multi-family, as well as dedicated open space.

Public Information Meetings are informal opportunities for community members to learn about the project and share feedback at the beginning of the review process.

---

CH Police Investigate Assault

At 12:24 a.m. on April 1, the Chapel Hill Police Department responded to a report of an assault at the parking deck at 123 W. Franklin Street. Officers found a 23-year-old man with serious injuries. Investigators do not believe this was a random assault and are working to identify a suspect(s).

Anyone with information should call 911 or contact the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 919-942-7515 or visit https://chapelhillcrimestoppers.com/. Information that leads to an arrest could be eligible for a reward up to $2,000. 

---

Input Needed: 2023-2024 CDBG Program Plan 

The federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, operated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides communities with resources to address a wide range of community needs to serve low to moderate income residents. The Town of Chapel Hill has received CDBG funds since 1975 and has used these funds to support a variety of affordable housing initiatives and community service programs. 

The Chapel Hill Town Council held an initial public forum on November 16, 2022 and will hold a second public forum in person during the Council Business Meeting on Wednesday April 19, 2023 at 7:00pm to receive resident input on the Town’s 2023-2024 CDBG program.  

The public is also invited to review and comment on the draft 2023-2024 CDBG Annual Plan, which will be made available online for a period of no less than thirty (30) days beginning April 1, 2023, at:

www.townofchapelhill.org/cdbg

Please submit all written comments by Friday, May 5, 2023. Written comments may be submitted by:

• Mail to Megan Culp, Community Development Program Manager, Affordable Housing and Community Connections, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514;
• Online Survey found on the Town’s CDBG webpage www.townofchapelhill.org/CDBG; or 
• Email to CDBG@TownofChapelHill.org. 

All comments will be incorporated into the final 2023-2024 Annual Plan document submitted to HUD.

Este aviso está disponible en español o en otro idioma bajo petición. Por favor, contacte a Sara Vinas al teléfono 919-969-5079 o dirección: 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

---

Check out the wide array of employment opportunities posted at orangecountylivingwage.org/jobs.

Among those currently hiring: Redeye Worldwide, Big Spoon Roasters, OWASA, Town of Hillsborough, The Community Empowerment Fund, and more.  

Orange County Living Wage’s 2023 living wage for hourly workers is $16.60 an hour, or $15.10 an hour for employers who offer to pay at least half of employees’ health insurance costs.

See our directory of all 270+ living wage employers – and be sure to show them your support!  

Whether you’re a living wage employer with positions to fill or a community member looking for a well-paying job, please use this resource — the job board is free and easy to use.

---

Chapel Hill Downtown Live is back!

The outdoor music series puts local performers in the spotlight in various locations around downtown Chapel Hill. Performances will take place Saturdays from 7-9pm and on 2nd Fridays. Musicians will be stationed (weather permitting) near Epilogue Books, Roots Natural Kitchen, and Talulla’s. For information on this year’s lineup please visit: https://downtownchapelhill.com/downtown-live-returns-for-2023/?mc_cid=32c64c059d&mc_eid=6304f8fe43

---

Sutton’s turns 100

Celebrate the centennial of legendary Sutton’s Drug Store on Wednesday, April 12 from 11 am-2 pm! This Franklin Street fixture will have hot dog specials for 100 pennies and t-shirts for the first 100 customers.

---

Orange-Chatham African American Cultural Festival

Join the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated on Saturday, April 22, 2023, 10 am-2 pm, for the inaugural Orange-Chatham African American Cultural Festival. The event will be held at the Hargreaves Recreation Center. This family-centered festival was curated to highlight and celebrate African art, culture, and cuisine and to unite people of all ages and backgrounds. Learn more

---

Hometown Ambassador Walking Tours

Register for a downtown walking tour of Chapel Hill’s past, present & future, filled with our singular places, people, history, myths & lore, traditions, and impact. This tour is designed to introduce you – or reacquaint you! – to our beloved and storied town and campus. Tours are free and begin at the Welcome Center downtown (308 W Franklin St) and end on campus, near East Franklin Street, the historic heart of town. The tour typically lasts 60 – 90 minutes. Check out dates and register here

---

Epilogue Queer Reader

April’s edition of the Queer Reader book club will feature Dreaming of You by Melissa Lozada-Oliva. The next meeting will take place April 25 at 7pm at Epilogue Books.

Learn more

---

Posted April 5, 2023

Sign up for CHPD’s GEMS: Girls. Empowered. Motivated. Spectacular.

The Guardians of the Hill at the Chapel Hill Police Department are inviting young women to sign up for ‘Girls. Empowered. Motivated. Spectacular.’ (G.E.M.S.), a free six-week series of hands-on activities for young women to explore future opportunities in community-oriented careers in community safety and local government.

“This is an amazing opportunity to see what it’s like to serve our community in a variety of ways,” said Sergeant Prairie Osborne. “G.E.M.S. focuses on leadership in public service, professional skill building, and community engagement.”

G.E.M.S. is open to young women ages 14 to 19. It begins May 11 and meets weekly at Chapel Hill Police Headquarters on Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. until June 15. After signing up, participants younger than 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a consent form. Young women should apply here by April 30.

“We hope this program will inspire young women to see the endless opportunities there are in community service,” said Chief Celisa Lehew. “If you can see it, you can believe it.”

---

Stormwater maintenance underway in Carrboro neighborhoods

A contract crew for the Town of Carrboro will be cleaning and performing a video assessment of stormwater infrastructure over the next couple of weeks. 

This work is an important element of both ongoing maintenance and a new townwide stormwater infrastructure condition assessment motivated by climate action and community resilience. 

This round of work will be done in the following locations:

• Barred Owl Creek Neighborhood
• Webbwood Subdivision
• Quarterpath Trace Subdivision
• Bolin Forest Subdivision
• Waverly Forest Subdivision
• Fidelity Street
• Poplar Street
• Davie Street
• Starlite Drive
• Brewer Lane/ Hargraves Street Area

There may be minor traffic interruptions in these areas to allow for safe access to stormwater infrastructure such as inlets and manholes, but roadways will remain open to traffic. The crew may need to access structures within Town-owned easements, if they need to enter your property, you will be informed in advance.

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact the Carrboro Stormwater Division at 919-913-2999 or Stormwater@CarrboroNC.gov.

---

Carrboro Trash Collection Schedule Change for Friday, April 7

All town offices and services will be closed on Friday, April 7, 2023.

Household waste collection scheduled for Friday, April 7, 2023 will be moved to Monday, April 10, 2023.

For additional information please visit the Public Works website here: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2556/Holiday-Collection-Schedule .

---

Carrboro Town Manager Tours The ArtsCenter

Carrboro Town Manager Richard J. White III this week toured The ArtsCenter, a beautiful new facility currently under renovation at 400 Roberson Street, in downtown Carrboro off the Libba Cotten Bikeway.

Thanks to Heather Tatreau, director of education and community engagement, and Wendy Smith, development director, for sharing the exciting plans for the black-box performance space, painting studios, youth studio, fiber arts lab, ceramics studio, digital arts and creative lab — a space that is framed by large windows that will bring in natural light streaming throughout the space!

Heather and Wendy say the building renovation may be completed by the end of August. We are excited to see the next evolution of Carrboro’s community arts hub, founded in 1975 and growing and adapting to serve all 100 NC counties and beyond.

Learn more about at https://ecs.page.link/99YLQ or email jschultz@artscenterlive.org.

---

Carrboro In Motion heads to Winmore

Carrboro In Motion is bringing the party back to Carrboro neighborhoods this Saturday, April 8 at the Winmore Village Green.

Come Zumba with us, learn how to load your bike onto a Chapel Hill Transit bus, visit the bike fix-it station, watch a dance performance, enjoy games and snacks, and so much more! 

We will have information available on upcoming Town events and Town Programs. There will be bike and ped resources, map and routing resources, and reflective gear, gloves  and bike helmets (while supplies last). Town staff will be providing information on a variety of town services including volunteer opportunities and ways to connect with programs. Our Community Partners will be offering bike and ped resources, information on literacy and education resources, and technology resources.

The block party will be on the Village Green at Winmore (W Winmore Ave, Carrboro, NC 27516)  this Saturday, April 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  All are welcome! PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT WILL BE CANCELED IN THE EVENT OF RAIN. 

Learn more at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2735/Carrboro-In-Motion  

---

Carrboro Mayor Proclaims April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Mayor Damon Seils has proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the Town of Carrboro.

Sexual violence is widespread and impacts every person in the community. “I encourage all residents to speak out against sexual violence and to support the local community’s efforts to prevent and respond to these crimes,” Mayor Seils said.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a national campaign aimed at raising awareness about sexual violence and promoting prevention efforts. The campaign seeks to educate the public about the realities of sexual violence, offer support to survivors, and encourage communities to take action to prevent sexual violence.

Resources and Information:

• The Orange County Rape Crisis Center: https://ocrcc.org/
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center: https://www.nsvrc.org/

Read the full proclamation here: https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12576/2023-Sexual-Assault-Awareness-Month-Proclamation

---

Music Maker Foundation’s Ninth Annual “Freight Train Blues” Concert Series Returns, Expanded to Eight Evening Events from May 5 – June 23

The Town of Carrboro, N.C., proudly presents the Music Maker Foundation’s Freight Train Blues series of live concerts every Friday evening between May 5 and June 23, 2023, at the Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main Street. The series is a collaboration among  Music Maker Foundation; the Town of Carrboro; WUNC 91.5 FM; and The Forests at Duke.

Bring your picnic, lawn chairs and blankets for an evening of live music on the lawn. Public parking is available and free in downtown Carrboro.

More information: www.freighttrainblues.com 

An annual event, the concert series honors GRAMMY-winning folk and blues artist and North Carolina Music Hall of Famer Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten, born in Carrboro, N.C. in 1893. Cotten’s soulful voice and unique guitar style have rendered her a legend in the world of blues, leading her to receive National Heritage Fellowship in 1984 and a GRAMMY award in 1985. She lived to be 104 years old and died in 1987. Her songs, like the iconic “Freight Train,” have been reimagined by artists like The Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan. In 2022, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Music Maker Foundation honors Cotten’s legacy in the world of roots music by emphasizing the cultural diversity, complexity, and vitality of her music and the music of many other artists local to her community and all over the country.

Read more at https://www.carrboronc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2359 

---

Posted April 3, 2023

OWASA Completing Temporary Change in Water Disinfection Process in March

OWASA will complete its annual switch to using chlorine to disinfect drinking water and return to using chloramines at 12 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023. However, customers may notice continued taste and odor in early-to-mid April because some water treated with chlorine remains in the water distribution system. 

Throughout the year, OWASA uses a combination of chlorine and ammonia, known as chloramines, to disinfect drinking water. But, each March, we only use chlorine for the disinfection process. This change is only for the month of March and has no impact on the safety of the drinking water.

The change in treatment process is recommended by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and is standard practice among water providers, including neighboring utilities.

Dialysis patients and aquarium owners should continue to take special precautions to remove traces of ammonia and chlorine from the water prior to use. To learn more about the community’s water supply and treatment, visit www.owasa.org/water-health. 

For more information:

• Monica Dodson, Water Supply and Treatment Manager, (919) 537-4205 or mdodson@owasa.org
• Chris Gibbons, Laboratory Supervisory, (919) 537-4209 or cgibbons@owasa.org 

---

Free Technology Classes for 50+

Orange Literacy is partnering with Senior Planet from AARP to help people over 50 learn new online skills. When you sign up for the Digital Skills Ready@50+ program, you’ll gain the essential skills you need to navigate an increasingly digital world.

Whether you’re looking for a job, exploring entrepreneurship, or hoping to stay connected with family and friends, Digital Skills Ready@50+ classes and workshops offer trainings on a wide range of technologies, from video conferencing to online job search tools to office productivity software. Sponsored by: Orange County Literacy Council and AARP Foundation Digital Skills Ready@50+.

Seymour Center classes:

Mondays at 10 a.m.

Upcoming Topics

• Staying Safe Online
• Job Search Engines
• Getting Started with Linkedln
• Hosting a Zoom Meeting
• Social Media for Job Searches
• eBay and PayPal
• Google Doc Templates for Resumes

Passmore Center classes:

Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m.

Upcoming Topics

• Finding Information Online
• All Things Zoom
• Job Search Engines
• Staying Safe Online
• Gmail
• Cloud Storage
• Google Maps

Sign up for as many as you like. See the full list of classes. Download the Seymour Center Class flyer. Download the Passmore Center Class flyer.

To sign up, email knabors@orangeliteracy.org or text or call (910) 517-0146. NOTE: Each class is independent of another.  You need to register for each class separately.

---

Aging to Host Event on Downsizing and Decluttering

The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE Mental Wellness Senior Resource Team invite the public to attend an educational event, Downsizing and Decluttering, on April 4.

The Project EngAGE Mental Wellness Senior Resource Team welcomes you to celebrate Stress Awareness Month and learn how aging in place impacts our stress. Preparing to age in place can be done in many different ways. One of those ways is simplifying your space! Join The Downsizers as we navigate downsizing and decluttering your home after decades of memories and accumulation.

You’ll learn where to start, what to focus on, and how to make progress on your downsizing goals. You’ll also discover why downsizing is key to an aging in place plan and realize the potential of reselling belongs with value, along with what does not have value.

The FREE event will take place on Tuesday, April 4, from 4-5:30 pm at the Seymour Center in Chapel Hill. To register, please contact the Seymour Center at 919-968-2070.

---

April 4 Public Hearing Scheduled for HOME Program Annual Action Plan

Each year, Orange County receives funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program. The County creates an annual plan, the Annual Action Plan, that lays out how HOME funds will be spent in the upcoming program year to address the County’s affordable housing needs and priorities. 

For Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Orange County proposes funding the following projects carried out by two local nonprofit organizations: 

• CASA: Development of 22 affordable units for low-income renters. $512,000 was requested and $446,489 was awarded; Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) set aside $32,212. 
• PeeWee Homes: Development of 3 affordable tiny homes for renters exiting homelessness. $50,000 was requested and $50,000 was awarded; Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) set aside $32,212.  

To see the draft Plan in full, visit: orangecountync.gov/2336/HOME-Program,

A Public Hearing will be held to receive input on the draft Annual Action Plan. The Public Hearing will be during the Orange County Board of Commissioners business meeting on April 4, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the Whitted Building. 

Those interested in watching the meeting can find a link at orangecountync.gov/967/Meeting-Videos. Those interested in speaking at the meeting should contact Laura Jensen at ljensen@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2130. Anyone requiring either auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or a language translator should contact Marlyn Valeiko on or before April 20, 2023 at mvaleiko@orangecountync.gov or 919-245-2498.

The public comment period is open from April 1 – April 30, 2023. Comments may be submitted in writing by mail or email, or by telephone to: Erica Cormack, Orange County Housing Community Development Program Manager, 919-884-9213| ecormack@orangecountync.gov | P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278

For more information, please contact Erica Cormack using the contact information above.

---

Get Poetic This April

Mayor Damon Seils has officially proclaimed April as Poetry Month in Carrboro. This proclamation recognizes the importance of poetry in the community and celebrates the legacy and ongoing achievements of poets in Carrboro.

Throughout the month of April, Carrboro will be celebrating Poetry Month with a variety of events and activities, including poetry readings, workshops, and performances. There are both in person and online events and all the events will be free.

“I encourage all residents to celebrate poetry and poets by reading, listening to, and sharing poems and by attending Poetry Month events, which are listed on the Town’s website at carrboronc.gov,” says Mayor Seils.

The Town of Carrboro established the position of poet laureate in 2002 to enhance the presence of poetry in the social and civic life of Carrboro. The Town’s signature poetry event, the annual West End Poetry Festival, will be held in October to bring together poets of diverse styles, backgrounds, and stages of development to share poems and their love of poetry.

For more information about Poetry Month events and activities in Carrboro, please read the full proclamation at https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12601/2023-Poetry-Month-Proclamation and visit our Community Events Calendar at https://www.carrboronc.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=14,46 .

---

State of our Democracy Lecture Series

The League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties (LWVODC) invites the community to learn about citizen initiatives, a powerful tool of direct democracy that can enable voters to collect signatures and put a law, or even a constitutional amendment, on the ballot for citizens to vote up or down.  Citizen initiatives have been critical in other states’ success in ending gerrymandering and strengthening voters’ voices.

“Our Democracy:   Do We Need the Power of Citizen Initiatives?” is the next in LWVODC’s State of our Democracy lecture series.  The virtual program will be held Thursday May 4, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.   Registration is required.

Our featured speaker is Asher Hildebrand, Associate Professor of the Practice, at Duke University’s Sanford School for Public Policy.  This online presentation is free and open to the public.

Mr. Hildebrand will discuss:

•   What is citizen initiative;
•   Which states already have it and why the South does not;
•   Key questions to consider in designing a citizen initiative;
•   Risks and benefits of citizen initiative for NC; and
•   How we might proceed to get it adopted.

Please  register here to join us on Thursday May 4,

Or register via our online calendar:  https://my.lwv.org/north-carolina/orange-durham-and-chatham-counties-inc/calendar

---

April Traffic-Safety Initiatives

The Chapel Hill Police Department is planning several pedestrian safety enforcement operations in April, in addition to normal patrols. Scheduled special operations include – but are not limited to – the following dates:

• Wednesday, April 5, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Thursday, April 13, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Monday, April 17, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 26, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

*Dates and times are subject to change

Each effort will focus on areas with heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic, including downtown, and mid-block crosswalks (ex. along the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Estes Drive corridors). We encourage everyone traveling, regardless of your mode of transportation, to remember that community safety is a shared responsibility.

The Chapel Hill Police Department is also planning at least four speed enforcement operations in April – in addition to normal patrols – with the main goal of improving safety for everyone who shares roads.

• Tuesday, April 4, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 11, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 18, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

*Dates and times are subject to change

---

Posted March 31, 2023

Carrboro Town Council Passes Resolution Recognizing Native Plant Month

The Carrboro Town Council has passed a resolution designating the month of April as Native Plant Month in Carrboro. The resolution recognizes the benefits of native plants to the environment and economy of the town.

Native plants are indigenous species that have evolved and occur naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat. They are vital for maintaining and restoring the healthy ecosystem needed to sustain our environment, including but not limited to seed dispersal; pollination of crops and natural vegetation; prevention of flooding, drought, and erosion; regulation of disease-carrying organisms; and moderation of weather extremes.

Native plants provide shelter as well as nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds, amphibians, and other wildlife in ways that non-native plants cannot.

While native plants are essential components of resilient ecosystems and our natural heritage, habitat loss and degradation, extreme weather events, and invasive species have contributed to the decline of native plants in North Carolina and Orange County.

Additional Resources:

• https://ncbg.unc.edu/
• https://www.carrboronc.gov/778/Landscaping-and-Plants
• https://nationalnativeplantmonth.org/

Read the full resolution here: https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12575/2023-Native-Plant-Month-Resolution

---

Chapel Hill Public Library Sticker Contest is Open Until April 10

Get your art featured on the stickers for new library cardholders! Pick up a contest template at the library or download one below. You can choose to complete either template design, or both! Color, paint, collage, draw, or paste your submission. Stickers will be made from the winning artwork. Winners will receive prizes. Entry is open to artists of all ages. Send submissions to holson@townofchapelhill.org or drop them off at the library.

Download a Contest Template here

---

OWASA Completing Temporary Change in Water Disinfection Process in March

OWASA will complete its annual switch to using chlorine to disinfect drinking water and return to using chloramines at 12 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023. However, customers may notice continued taste and odor in early-to-mid April because some water treated with chlorine remains in the water distribution system.

Throughout the year, OWASA uses a combination of chlorine and ammonia, known as chloramines, to disinfect drinking water. But, each March, we only use chlorine for the disinfection process. This change is only for the month of March and has no impact on the safety of the drinking water.

The change in treatment process is recommended by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and is standard practice among water providers, including neighboring utilities.

Dialysis patients and aquarium owners should continue to take special precautions to remove traces of ammonia and chlorine from the water prior to use. To learn more about the community’s water supply and treatment, visit www.owasa.org/water-health.

OWASA is Carrboro-Chapel Hill’s not-for-profit public service agency. Our diverse team works across the community to deliver high-quality water, reclaimed water, and wastewater services. We invest regularly to upgrade infrastructure and increase system resiliency. Together, with the community, we conserve, protect, and sustain this vital resource. Learn more at owasa.org.

For more information:

Monica Dodson, Water Supply and Treatment Manager, (919) 537-4205 or mdodson@owasa.org

Chris Gibbons, Laboratory Supervisory, (919) 537-4209 or cgibbons@owasa.org

---

Chapel Hill Police Seek Assistance Locating Missing Juvenile

The Chapel Hill Police Department is seeking the community’s assistance locating a missing juvenile. Mariana Orrego, 17, of Chapel Hill, was last seen on Thursday, around 6:30 p.m. and may be in Durham.

Orrego is 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and weighs about 120 pounds. She has a butterfly tattoo on one ankle and her nose is pierced

Orrego is not believed to be in danger.

Anyone with information should call 911 or contact the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 919-942-7515 or visit chapelhillcrimestoppers.com/.

---

The Town of Chapel Hill is Seeking Volunteers to Provide a Fresh Perspective on Important Local Issues

The Town of Chapel Hill wants people with diverse perspectives to serve on advisory boards and commissions that advise the Town Council on a wide range of policy issues, from building development to public art to parks and greenways. Apply now!

Boards typically meet for two to five hours per month. No experience? No problem! Board members who want additional support will have access to assistance including childcare, language services, technology, and transportation. 

Apply by April 1 to be considered in this round of recruitment.

---

Town of Chapel Hill Seeks Feedback on How to Spend the Last $500,000 of ARPA Funding

The Town has $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money that can be spent on Town projects. Tell us which projects are the most important to you! Find more information on each project here in English, Spanish or Mandarin Chinese or find us at Let’s Talk Town events.

Have questions? Call or email us at 919-969-5009 or arpa@townofchapelhill.org.

---

Spaces Available for Chapel Hill Summer Day Camps

Two new sites have been added for summer day camps for ages 5-11 (rising 1st-5th graders), and spaces are still available at Ephesus Elementary School and Scroggs Elementary School.

The Middle School Camp for ages 11-14 years old has been revamped, and spaces are available for TEEN X-TREME ALL STAR Sports Camps.

Ten action-packed weeks of Summer Day Camp are filled with swimming, arts and crafts, gym games, team building, and more. Our camp counselors help campers develop new skills and friendships while they play.

See Summer Camp Registration more info

---

New Mural in Downtown Chapel Hill  Celebrating and Uplifting Women

Completed during Women’ History Month on the side of Lantern Restaurant, a woman-owned business, local artist Mayanthi Jayawardena created art that celebrates women and uplifts marginalized voices. Located at 423 West Franklin Street, the mural includes themes of gold and lotus flowers are seen throughout the design symbolizing resilience, illumination, and wisdom. “I couldn’t think of a more perfect flower to represent women, rising out of adversity, with strength and resilience,” says Jayawardena.

Many partners supported this project including the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture, Lantern Restaurant, and the Orange County Arts Commission.

---

Community Arts & Culture Announces 2023 Festival Calendar

Mark your calendars for community celebrations happening this spring, summer, and fall. Town favorites like the Pride Promenade and Festifall Arts Markets return, and new events like Live and Legion Community Concert are on the schedule. Save the dates and join us! See https://www.chapelhillarts.org/festivals-events/ for more info.

---

Mayor’s Bike Ride

Meet at Chapel Hill Community Center park (120 S. Estes Drive) for the Mayor’s Bike-the-Trail Ride from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22. Join Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger for an all-ages two-mile bike ride and water break to celebrate Earth Day. 

---

Orange County Schools Safety Task Force Notice of Task Force Meeting

Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes, Orange County provides notice that a meeting of the Orange County Schools Safety Task Force is scheduled for 5:30 pm on April 13, 2023 in the Donna S. Baker Meeting Room in the Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon Street in Hillsborough, NC.

Schools Safety Task Force meetings are for the purpose of considering ways to improve school safety and are open to the public to attend.  If you have any comments or questions, please email Greg Wilder at gwilder@orangecountync.gov before 2:00 pm on April 13, 2023.

---

Posted March 29, 2023

Experience Carrboro Open Streets

Carrboro Open Streets will be held Sunday, April 16, from 12:00 until 4:00 p.m. along Weaver Street. Carrboro will close the street to motor vehicle traffic and open it to all sorts of other traffic and activities at this popular event. All of the activities are free.

The Carrboro Bicycle Coalition started the Carrboro Open Streets event in 2013. The main purpose of Carrboro Open Streets is to recreate the street and encourage community building through a variety of activities.

The event is held annually in April on Weaver Street. The community is invited to dance, do yoga, ride their bikes, climb a rock wall, make smoothies on a bike blender and participate in many other activities in a public space that not many ever thought of as a place to partake in recreation.

For more event information visit: http://townofcarrboro.org/745/Carrboro-Open-Streets.

---

Conversation About Violence, Redemption and Freedom

The Youth Council of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will present #FreeCyntoia, a conversation about violence, redemption and freedom, on April 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center on the UNC campus.

After serving 15 years of a life sentence, #FreeCyntoia went viral, kickstarting social media campaigns and resulting in her full clemency in 2019. At this event she will share her story of redemption and advocacy in the U.S. criminal justice system.

---

Posted March 25, 2023

Carrboro Town Manager Announces Selection of New Assistant Town Manager

Town Manager Richard J. White III has announced the selection of Marie Parker as the new assistant town manager, beginning June 5. 

Parker brings more than 23 years of public-sector experience, with her most recent position as the executive director for Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority (CFPTA) in Wilmington. She was formerly general manager at GoRaleigh before her advancement to CFPTA.  

“Marie has extensive skills in management, operations, human resources and staff development, as well as planning, budgeting and project management,” White said. “After a national search process, I am excited to have her join the town and help lead our team of dedicated employees.” 

A graduate of Poole College of Management at N.C. State University, Parker is a member of the International City/County Management Association and has received training in local government management from the UNC School of Government. She has one son and is an active member of the Wilmington community, serving on multiple local and statewide boards and committees.

“I look forward to joining the Town’s vibrant team,” Parker said. “As a lifelong resident of the Triangle, I am delighted to return to the area and especially to Carrboro, which has an energizing culture and charm and innovative community vision.” 

---

Ackland Film Forum

On Tuesday, March 28, the Varsity Theatre in Chapel Hill will have a screening of The Last Forest, as part of the Ackland Film Forum’s Spring 2023 series, Do Something: Responding to Climate Change. This urgent, intimate film focuses on members of the Yanomami community, a group of approximately 35,000 indigenous people in Brazil who have struggled to preserve their traditional way of life for centuries, fighting off gold prospectors and others threatening their home in the Amazon rain forest.

---

Dumbbells & DJs

Chapel Hill Training (CHT) will hold another Dumbbells & DJs community class at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 30. Rob Langston will lead this high-energy group workout (all levels welcome), with music in the studio brought to you by CHT’s very own DJ, CJ (Cody Johnson). There is no cost to sign up (donations welcome).

---

New Outdoor Venue in Downtown Chapel Hill

Garden Spot, a cozy, green, growing space in downtown Chapel Hill is ready to be filled with new tastes and treats. Tucked behind Lantern Restaurant, the space will host parties and pop-ups, music and markets with familiar flavors and hard-to-find flavors. Lantern is seeking motivated food businesses that want to reach new customers and grow into new markets.

---

Calling Triangle Area Artists

A Triangle-based artist or artist team is sought to design and realize artwork for 140 West Plaza in downtown Chapel Hill that celebrates LGBTQ+ pride and activates the plaza during Chapel Hill’s Small Town Pride month this June. Possible media include sculpture, installation, projection, imagery on the ground plane or something else entirely. The final artwork must be highly visible, celebratory and have a safe, maintenance-free lifespan of one month.

Artists age 18+ years who live within a 40-mile radius of Chapel Hill and who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply. Submit an application following the instructions at https://www.chapelhillarts.org/applications/pride-artwork-application/?mc_cid=30e462a7c5&mc_eid=6304f8fe43. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Monday, April 10.

A few finalists will be selected to produce proposals, and each artist will be paid $100 for this work. The selection team will choose one proposal for realization. A stipend of $4,500 will be paid for design, fabrication, install, and deinstall.

The mission of this project is to inspire creativity and celebrate community for a better Chapel Hill; inclusion, experience and understanding are valued. Applications that reflect this mission and values are encouraged.

---

UNC Science Expo

The N.C. Science Festival kicks off on Saturday, April 1, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at the UNC Science Expo at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 East Franklin St., Chapel Hill.

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, in partnership with the students and faculty at UNC, will celebrate science with the community as part of the North Carolina Science Festival. This annual celebration of science features more than 100 hands-on activities and science demonstrations led by science, technology, engineering and math students, researchers, and practitioners from UNC-Chapel Hill. The UNC Science Expo is a chance to get up close and personal with cutting-edge science hands-on activities, demonstrations, games and performances.

This free event is suitable for pre-k, children, teens, families and adults. moreheadplanetarium.org/program/expo/

---

Animal Services Reminds Pet Owners About Spay and Neuter Programs

Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) encourages county residents to take advantage of the department’s spay and neuter programs after a recent influx of several, unwanted litters of puppies.

“It’s unusual for so many puppies to come into our shelter at once—especially since this reflects an increase in unwanted animals and could serve as an early warning sign,” said Dr. Sandra Strong, director of OCAS. “Our community has worked hard to decrease shelter animal intake and increase pet retention. We want to make sure people are aware of our spay and neuter programs in order to help reduce pet overpopulation. Puppies in the shelter is a sign of unwanted pets being born in the community. We offer low-cost and no-cost sterilization services.” 

Orange County residents may visit www.orangecountync.gov/360/Spay-Neuter or call 919-932-4966 for more information about spay and neuter services. It is the hope of OCAS and Orange County that spay and neuter initiatives will decrease the number of unwanted pets in the county and also reduce the number of animals entering the shelter. Spaying and neutering pets can also improve your pet’s health by lowering the risk of some diseases and other medical issues. Other issues (such as aggression, going into heat, territorial marking or roaming) may also be improved once pets are spayed or neutered. 

Anyone interested in adopting a shelter pet may stop by the shelter during operating hours; there is no appointment needed to view available pets. The shelter opens at noon, Monday through Saturday, and is located at 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill. For more information about available pets, visiting the facility, and adopting pets, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/287/Available-Pets or call the Adoption Desk at 919-942-7387, option 3.

If you are not able to adopt but you would still like to help shelter pets, please consider making a donation to OCAS. Visit www.orangecountync.gov/364/Donations for more information about donating.

---

Arts Commission Offers Afterschool, Summer Camps

The Orange County Arts Commission offers a variety of afterschool camps for youth and children as well as a series of summer camps centered around the arts. Visit the website to learn more about the various camps.

They want ALL youth to be able enjoy the benefits of self-expression, regardless of financial standing. Please complete the Youth Scholarship Application if you need financial assistance.

---

Department on Aging to Host Talk on Water Cremation

The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE End of Life Choices Senior Resource Team invite the public to attend a presentation and discussion on Aquamation; What You Need to Know, on April 13. 

As advancements and conversations about what we want at the end of our life continue, new after-death options are emerging. One new, innovative and eco-friendly option is aquamation. Endswell Water Cremation and Urn Gallery is one of only three providers of aquamation in North Carolina, and the only one located in central North Carolina. 

Join Hunter Beattie, founder of Endswell Water Cremation and Urn Gallery, as he presents on the benefits and methods of aquamation.

The event will take place on Thursday, April 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Seymour Center, located at 2551 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill. Dinner will be served beginning at 5 p.m. 

Please register by Monday, April 10, with the Seymour Center front desk at 919-968-2070.

---

More Public Pickleball Space Coming Online

The Town of Chapel Hill is increasing space available for pickleball while preserving space for tennis. Based on community response and staff evaluation of the recent shared-use pickleball pilot program, the Town has developed a plan to increase outdoor public pickleball courts from 11 to 21. Parks and Recreation staff will continue to evaluate the use of facilities and update schedules as necessary.

The Town’s shared-use pilot program for pickleball lines on the Ephesus Park tennis courts concluded Friday, March 24. Based on staff findings from the pilot program, two of the four outdoor, hard-surface tennis courts at Ephesus Park will have dual lines painted on them in the coming weeks; current temporary lines and netting will remain available until the dual lines are installed. Dual lines were recently painted on the two outdoor, hard-surface basketball courts at Southern Community Park. The majority of use on tennis and basketball courts will be available to those sports. Drop-in play at Ephesus Park is still allowed when courts are not in use.

Parks and Recreation staff will be evaluating spring usage at Ephesus Park to determine a priority schedule, which will be implemented later this spring. Click the graphic for the current walk-up schedules.

Parks and Recreation has been working hard to add space for the growing sport of pickleball without taking away well-used space from users of other sports. You can find information on the work that has been done to date at townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/parks-and-recreation/planning-and-development/cedar-falls-ephesus-and-hargraves-parks-tennis-and-pickleball-courts-renovation-projects/survey-results-tennis-pickleball.

If you have questions about these changes, email info@townofchapelhill.org. For more information about Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation, visit chapelhillparks.org.

---

Good Friday Holiday in Chapel Hill

Friday, April 7, is a Town holiday. Some services will be affected, as follows:

• Residential trash collection—not affected.
• Yard trimmings—not collected Friday, April 7 (no make-up day).
• Curbside recycling—not collected April 7; will be collected on Saturday, April 8.
• Chapel Hill Transit—operates on a Sunday schedule (no U route) on Friday, April 7; EZ Rider operates from 8:15 a.m to 6:52 p.m.; 420 route in service.
• Chapel Hill Public Library—closed Sunday, April 9.
• Parks and Recreation—parks, greenways, trails, dog parks, playgrounds, picnic shelters and outdoor park amenities open; some Parks and Recreation facilities closed.

---

Let’s Talk Town in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill Town staff will be all over Chapel Hill and on Zoom to talk with as many community members as possible. Upcoming opportunities include:

• Monday, March 27: Virtual office hours noon-1 p.m. 
• Friday, March 31: Chapel Hill Public Library (100 Library Dr.), 9:45-11 a.m.
• Monday, April 3: Virtual office hours noon-1 p.m. 
• Friday, April 7: Chapel Hill Public Library (100 Library Dr.), 9:45-11a.m.
• Monday, April 10: Virtual office hours noon-1 p.m. 
• Friday, April 14: Chapel Hill Public Library (100 Library Dr.), 9:45-11 a.m.
• Monday, April 17: Virtual office hours noon-1 p.m.  
• Wednesday, April 19: Town Council before the meeting, 6:30-7:15 p.m. 

Town staff want to talk about how to spend American Rescue Plan Act funding for local projects; applying for Boards and Commissions; parks improvements; Summer Youth Employment program; and much more.

---

Posted March 22, 2023

Bus Operator Appreciation Day in Carrboro

May 18 was Bus Operator Appreciation Day in Carrboro, to thank all transit operators for their dedication, hard work and the essential services they provide. Mayor Damon Seils issued a proclamation to that effect, available at https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12539/2023-Bus-Operator-Appreciation-Day-Proclamation.

Communities across the United States observe Transit Driver Appreciation Day each year on March 18 to recognize transit operators who start their days before the sun rises and finish them long after the sun is set, including working weekends and on or around holidays, while many of us are spending time with family and friends.

The COVID-19 public health emergency reinforced how vital public transit is to our communities. Throughout the emergency, bus operators worked on the front lines, adapting to new work environments and safety requirements and helping transit users safely reach essential destinations while also responding to significant changes in their own lives.

Carrboro is served by Chapel Hill Transit, which operates the second-largest transit system in North Carolina as a partnership between the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina. The system provides fare-free, 7-day-a-week transit service to help the communities and the university meet transportation, sustainability and equity goals.

The proclamation also recognizes GoTriangle, which extended regional transit service into Carrboro in 2016, and since that time has operated weekday service between downtown Carrboro and downtown Durham. 

---

Carrboro to Celebrate Earth Day

With the Chapel Hill Service League, the Town of Carrboro is partnering on an Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 22, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St. 

Carrboro’s Earth Day event will feature a variety of information and education tables to learn more about climate and environmental topics in the community and Community Climate Action initiatives, such as Carrboro’s Green Neighborhood initiative, Solarize Carrboro, weatherization, sustainability, food footprint, composting, recycling and electric vehicles. There will be activities for children, including a parade (animal and plant costumes welcome); planet-friendly vegan and vegetarian food for purchase; and climate and environmental Earth Day Free Book giveaways.  

Food trucks, organizations, vendors and crafters wishing to participate in Carrboro’s Earth Day Celebration can apply at: https://www.carrboronc.gov/FormCenter/Communication-and-Engagement-Department-31/EARTH-DAY-and-PRIDE-Celebrations-at-Carr-219.

---

Carrboro to Celebrate Earth Hour

The Carrboro Town Council has designated 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, as Earth Hour in Carrboro.

Earth Hour 2023 aims to increase awareness and spark global conversations on protecting nature, tackling the climate crisis and working together to shape a brighter future.

Participation involves one simple action—turning off lights for one hour and giving an hour for Earth by spending 60 minutes doing something—anything—positive for our planet to make this Earth Hour the biggest hour for Earth.

The lights in front of Town Hall will be turned off during this hour. The Town Council encourages all residents and businesses of Carrboro to join in supporting the aims and goals of this effort.

Read the full resolution at https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12557/Earth-Hour-Resolution-2023.

---

Ramadan Iftar in Chapel Hill

Ramadan is one of the holiest months of the Islamic year, during which Muslims from across the world fast from sunrise to sunset, read the Qur’an and pray. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

An interfaith community iftar, the meal that ends the day’s fast, will be held March 30, 6:45-8:45 p.m., at Binkley Baptist Church, 1712 Willow Dr.

RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScw2K5fzIdSSyMHl4jkuXgg6SVagEs-OqrAp6vfmjnlS2yrRw/viewform. The meal is limited to the first 150 people who register. Halal and vegetarian options will be available.

Families and loved ones are welcome; if you or a loved one plan to make salat, please bring a prayer mat. There will be a dedicated prayer area for Maghrib and optional Isha prayer led by someone in the community for those praying. If there is room and you are interested in joining the Muslims for their Maghrib prayer, please come dressed with arms and legs covered, and women should bring a head covering. There will also be interfaith prayers offered at that time in the fellowship hall.

---

Peace Walk and MLK Reading in Chapel Hill

A peace walk and MLK reading, where clergy will read from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail, will be held April 7 at 10:00 a.m, beginning at St. Paul’s AME Church, 101 N. Merritt Mill Road, and ending at University Baptist Church, 100 S. Columbia St. The reading and walk are in honor of the letter’s 60th anniversary.

---

Posted March 21, 2023

 

Donations Needed for Pet Food Assistance Program

Animal Services needs pet food donations for their Pet Food Assistance Program. This program assists Orange County pet owners who need help providing food for their pets due to financial hardships.

This food pantry is made possible by generous donations. You may drop off donations any time at the Orange County Animal Shelter, located at 1601 Eubanks Road in Chapel Hill, or visit this Amazon wish list for online purchases: https://a.co/jjrjAWU.

---

Grants Available for Arts Educators from Arts Commission

Arts Educator Grants are available to public school arts educators in Orange County Public Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools seeking professional and/or artistic development. This program will provide four $500 grants for a variety of expenses and is designed to assist arts educators in advancing their careers. 

The grants are available to any public school educator in Orange County teaching in the visual or performing arts and pursuing professional and/or artistic development opportunities taking place through the 2023 calendar year. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 3.

Allowable expenses include the following:

• Travel expenses, such as meals, lodging and transportation, related to workshops or seminars, or to do research related to his/her art form.
• Expenses, such as registration fees, substitute teacher costs, or required supplies, related to workshops, master classes or coaching that will enhance the teacher’s abilities and/or allow the acquisition of continuing education units.
• Purchase of supplies, materials or equipment necessary for the completion or production of work that is considered to be essential to the advancement of his/her teaching career.

Arts Educator Grant Program funds may not be used for the following:

• Student travel
• Completion of baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degrees
• Classroom supplies

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Full-time preK-12th grade teacher in the visual or performing arts at any school within Orange County Public Schools or Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
• Returning to the classroom in the consecutive school year

Timeline—

·       Application deadline: Monday, April 3, 11:59 p.m.

• Award notification: No later than Friday, April 14
• Funds disbursement: No later than Friday, May 5
• Grant completion deadline: December 31
• Grant report due: Wednesday, January 31, 2024

---

How the Court System Works: Hear from Local Judges

The League of Women Voters of Orange, Durham and Chatham Counties (LWVODC) invites the community to join them on Wednesday April 19, at 6:30 p.m. for an online discussion, “How the Court System Works:  Hear from Local Judges.”  Hear first-hand from local judges about how the courts work, the kinds of cases they hear, how cases may have changed over the years, and more.

There will be three distinguished guests:

• Judge Allen Baddour of the Chatham and Orange counties’ Superior Court
• Judge Samantha Cabe of the Chatham and Orange counties’ District Court
• Judge Shamieka Rhinehart of the Durham Superior Court 

The judges will discuss the basics of the court system, how cases come to them, how changing laws affect cases, obstacles to obtaining justice and what happens once a ruling is handed down. This online event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.

Please register here or register via the online calendar: https://my.lwv.org/north-carolina/orange-durham-and-chatham-counties-inc/calendar.

---

Chapel Hill Police Seek Assistance Locating Missing Juvenile

The Chapel Hill Police Department (CHPD) is seeking the community’s assistance locating a missing juvenile. Rebecca Le, 17, of Chapel Hill, was last seen on Saturday, March 18, around 4:30 p.m., in the area of Booker Creek Road.

Le is 5 feet, 2 inches tall, and weighs about 95 pounds. It is unknown what she was last wearing. Le is not believed to be in danger.

Anyone with information should call 911 or contact the CHPD at 919-968-2760 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 919-942-7515 or visit https://chapelhillcrimestoppers.com/

---

Posted March 18, 2023

New Sensory-Friendly Offerings from Chapel Hill Public Library

Chapel Hill Public Library (CHPL) is excited to announce the launch of “Neurodiversity and Nature,” a new initiative that provides nature-related materials, spaces and services for diverse cognitive needs, including sensory processing differences, dementia and memory loss, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, intellectual and development disability, and autism.

Through new activity kits for children and adults, sensory-friendly furniture, community partnerships, programming, and a sensory trail in Pritchard Park, CHPL hopes to become more welcoming and inclusive to the neurodiverse community. This initiative was funded by a 2022 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and is part of a larger effort to expand library access to those with differing cognitive needs.

---

CHPL Big Book Sale

The Friends of Chapel Hill Public Library (CHPL) Big Book Sale is happening at the end of March 24-26, with thousands of great books and puzzles for all ages at bargain prices.

• Friday, March 24—3-6 p.m. (Members Only)
• Saturday, March 25—10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Sunday, March 26—10 a.m.-2 p.m. ($10 Bag Sale)

The public can also shop the Friends Online Book Store 24/7. The Friends accept gently used book donations on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Support your local library and you could win big. Tickets for one of five fabulous raffle baskets (outdoors, rainy day, fun & games, gourmet, UNC sports) are also available now. Tickets can be purchased at the Friends Online Book Store (one for $5, three for $10). Raffle items will be on display in the Bookie Monster Window in the CHPL lobby through March 26, and tickets will also be sold in person during the Friends Book Sale.

---

Cedar Falls Athletic Fields Unveil Sustainable Upgrades

Join the Town of Chapel Hill in celebrating new, sustainable upgrades at Cedar Falls Park athletic fields. The ribbon cutting will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23.

The Cedar Falls Park multipurpose athletic fields, which are now open for use, have new turf and lighting upgrades that create a safe and sustainable space.

The turf was replaced with a 2-inch fiber turf with padding, as well as an infill blend that is made from natural cork and premier-grade elastomers, which uses all-recycled materials. The new turf helps conserve resources while using sustainable materials.

The field lighting was replaced with LEDs, which are energy-efficient and long-lasting. The lights use about 40% less energy than the old metal-halide bulbs. The energy savings from this upgrade will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 28,230 pounds per year.

---

UNC Health Eastowne

A public information meeting on UNC Health Care-Eastowne will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, in Chapel Hill Public Library Meeting Room B.

The proposal includes construction of 8-10 medical office buildings and associated parking garages over a 10-15 year period. Additionally, UNC Health Care has been engaged in conversations with Town staff regarding options to support the Council’s affordable-housing goals.

---

Open House: Housing Choices for a Complete Community

Chapel Hill Town staff will be available to answer questions and receive input on the Housing Choices for a Complete Community proposed text amendments to the Land Use Management Ordinance at a Community Open House from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 27. 

The project proposes allowing small-scale Missing Middle housing types into the existing fabric of most residential zoning districts. This strategy, referred to as “gentle density,” will allow for the construction of missing middle housing—duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and cottage courts—that encourages home ownership and fosters inclusiveness by providing for the diverse needs of current and future residents. 

---

OWASA Responds to Wastewater Overflow

Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) crews responded around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, to an overflow of untreated wastewater from a manhole at 325 Lightning Bug Trail in Chapel Hill. OWASA was alerted of the overflow by a resident in the area. An estimated 1,575 gallons of untreated wastewater entered an unnamed tributary. The overflow was caused by roots in the sewer line.

The blockage was cleared, and the overflow was stopped at approximately

9:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 15. OWASA personnel are continuing efforts to clean up the affected area. Samples will be taken after mitigation efforts have concluded to determine if further remediation efforts are required. The appropriate state officials have been notified. 

For more information, contact Nick Rogers, Distribution and Collection System, assistant manager, nrogers@owas.org or 919-537-4269.

---

Posted March 15, 2023

Coastal Credit Union Foundation Funds Two Habitat for Humanity Builds in Honor of Retiring CEO Chuck Purvis

The Coastal Credit Union Foundation, has granted $100,000 each to Habitat for Humanity of Orange County and Habitat for Humanity of Durham County to fund the building of two homes in honor of Coastal’s retiring CEO, Chuck Purvis and his wife, Gail Purvis.

“We have the opportunity to help families realize their dreams of having their own home for the first time,” said Creighton Blackwell, Chief Community Impact and Public Affairs Officer, Coastal Credit Union. “With the Chuck and Gail Purvis houses in Orange and Durham Counties, we honor the legacy of Chuck Purvis and the impact he has had on Coastal, and the communities we serve.”

The Habitat for Humanity of Orange County house is being dedicated on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, and the Durham County house is being dedicated on Friday, April 14, 2023.

“My mission as CEO of Coastal has always been to serve our members, and the communities where we work, said Chuck Purvis). “Gail and I are honored to be a part of giving back to the community in a tangible way.”

The Coastal foundation works to enrich the lives of members and their communities by impacting four key areas: promoting financial well-being, increasing affordable housing, supporting financial education, and improving access to resources. The foundation does this by providing financial support to 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily those serving Coastal’s 16-county footprint in central North Carolina.

The Habitat for Humanity grants are part of the Foundation program that awards grants in Coastal’s 16-county footprint in central North Carolina.

The Coastal Foundation’s other grantees for our first quarter include: 

• Boys and Girls Club of Durham and Orange County
• WNC Digital Bridge
• Dunn Police Activities League (Micro Grant)
• NC Center for Employee Ownership
• Refugee Community Project

About the Coastal Credit Union Foundation

The Coastal Credit Union Foundation is a separate entity from the credit union. The mission of the Foundation is to enrich the lives of our members and their communities by providing financial support to 501(c)(3) organizations, particularly in the 16-county market of central North Carolina

About Coastal
Coastal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned, financial cooperative, offering a full range of financial products and services. Coastal was chartered on August 31, 1967 with the mission of fostering the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.”  Today, with $4.6 billion in assets, Coastal serves 323,000 members from 1,800 business partners and is among the leading financial institutions in North Carolina.  Coastal operates 23 branches in central North Carolina and serves members in all 50 states through a network of 5,500 shared branches, 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs, mobile banking featuring mobile check deposit, and a robust offering of online services at www.COASTAL24.com. For more Coastal news, visit our online newsroom.

---

New Fence Project in Bloom at the Strowd Rose Garden

Visitors will soon notice a new project in bloom at the Gene Strowd Community Rose Garden, a new fence renovation. Strowd Roses, the charitable foundation that maintains the rose garden, in partnership with the Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department, will install a new fence, a custom entryway and new gate this month.

The work to deconstruct the existing split-rail fence, make some landscape modifications and install the new fence began Monday, March 13, and is expected to take 1-2 weeks to complete. The main garden entry will be closed for a short period of time; however, the garden will remain open and accessible through the second entry close to the gazebo. Safety signage and wayfinding directions will indicate these temporary changes.

Over the past several years, rose-care professionals at Witherspoon Rose Culture estimated that up to 30% of rose blooms have sustained damage caused by deer feeding on the foliage, buds and blooms. 

Key goals, considerations, and benefits of the project: 

• Protect the rose bushes from damage caused by deer, allowing for full growth of foliage and blooms on the 460 rose bushes
• Situate the new fencing, which will be taller than current fencing, along the existing fence lines
• Entryway arbor and gates to create an artistic focal point that complement the copper fountain sculpture and enhance the entry experience
• Installation of gates at both entrances to protect the roses and provide an enclosed space where visitors with children can enjoy the roses and supervise entry and exit from the garden
• Maintain the rustic beauty and character of the garden

Landscape architect David Swanson has designed a new aluminum fence in satin-bronze color, to complement the wooded setting and copper fountain sculpture in the garden. A custom metal entryway arbor and double gates will also be installed. The fence is being constructed by Seegars Fence Company.

For the entryway, Strowd Roses relied on the Town of Chapel Hill Community Arts and Culture team to lead a call for artists, resulting in the selection of David Wehrenberg as the chosen metalsmith for the entryway design and fabrication. The entryway and gates will be Americans With Disabilities Act accessible, allowing easy access for pedestrians, individuals with strollers and wheelchair users.

Contact Hudson Fuller, program officer at Strowd Roses, for additional information, hfuller@strowdroses.org or 984-664-5465. 

For more background and history about the Strowd Rose Garden and Strowd Rose Foundation, visit www.strowdroses.org.

---

2023 Jacquelyn Gist Summer Apprenticeship in the Arts

The Carrboro Arts Committee is offering an award of up to $1,000 to assist emerging young artists in developing their talent through the Jacquelyn Gist Summer Apprenticeship in the Arts program. Up to three apprenticeships are available.

The purpose of the apprenticeships is to encourage and support emerging young artists who are residents of Orange County, by facilitating a summer apprenticeship with an Orange County artist or arts organization. 

Apprenticeships are available to rising high school juniors and seniors and graduating seniors, as well as college students and those who have graduated from college within the past year.

Carrboro residents will be given priority consideration. Applicants must have an interest in the arts (visual arts, performing arts, arts administration, etc.) and have secured an apprenticeship with an Orange County artist or arts organization. The apprenticeship must be for at least 15 hours a week for at least 5 weeks. Students who may need assistance finding a local artist or arts organization can contact arts@carrboronc.gov.

Prospective applicants should seek out artists and arts-related organizations for potential sponsorship of their apprenticeship. Some past organizations have included The ArtsCenter, local dance studios, local metalsmiths and more. Additional administrative apprenticeship opportunities, such as the creation of a public art inventory, may also be available directly through the Arts Committee.

An online application is available at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/FormCenter/Recreation-Parks-Department-3/Summer-Apprenticeship-Application-166. PDF/Word copies of the application are available upon request. Applications will also be accepted via email, mail or by dropping off at the Carrboro Century Center.

Please include two letters of reference with your application, to Carrboro Arts Committee,
c/o Charles Harrington, 100 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro NC 27510, email: arts@carrboronc.gov. Deadline is May 1 at 5 p.m.

---

Applicants Sought for Chapel Hill Advisory Boards and Commissions

The Town of Chapel Hill wants people with diverse perspectives to serve on advisory boards and commissions that advise the Town Council on a wide range of policy issues, from building development to public art to parks and greenways. These boards and commissions need new members.

The Town has a focus on increasing the diversity of residents engaged in Town processes and opportunities. More diversity on boards and commissions provides a deeper understanding of the issues and needs of all and leads to better outcomes for everyone in the community.

No experience is necessary. Board members who want additional support will have access to assistance, including childcare, language services, technology and transportation. 

Apply by April 1 at https://chapelhill.granicus.com/boards/forms/146/apply/3325456?code=4adaaa1c-23dd-4c58-b146-8023ca1f949f to be considered in this round of recruitment.

---

Exhibition Opening at Attic 506

Attic 506 will premiere I’ve Seen You Tying Red Thread by Fig Hendrick on Friday, March 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibition is steeped in influence from modern nihilism and reflections on the past, connecting recent horrors with ones we experience today. This includes meditations on political deja-vu, imperialism, a slow descent into fascism, and how these things impact us as individuals with little power to create change. 

---

Pride Flag Survey

Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to the downtown Chapel Hill business district, would like your feedback on the placement of Pride flags during the month of June.

Take the survey at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdepf4SQySZw0GWjqGFDSkL9mAnrwjQDTXxT5LwPEpWD5OmGA/viewform. It should take 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Downtown Chapel Hill hopes that your input will help them understand how to better represent the community.

If you have questions, call 919-928-5352 or email stephanie@downtownchapelhill.com.

---

Take a Trip to Mars

Catch Morehead Planetarium’s new show, Mars: The Ultimate Voyage, and learn about the many challenges astronauts may face if humanity ventures to the Red Planet. You will see how creativity, communication and collaboration are essential for deep space exploration. This show is recommended for ages 7 and up.

---

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown Chapel Hill

Put on your green and consider yourself lucky to have many unique, local options for St. Patrick’s Day in Chapel Hill, including:

•  Carolina Brewery is tapping its Shamrock Ale, Friday-Sunday (while supplies lasts); also Irish-inspired items like Reuben eggrolls, roasted turkey Rachel, and corn beef & cabbage stew.
• BaseCamp has St. Patty’s fun and specials all day on Friday, March 17, starting at 11a.m.
• Carbon Zen and WAVE are throwing a St. Patty’s Day Celebration in downtown on March 25 from 2 to 7 p.m. to support WAVE’s initiatives to energize downtown Chapel Hill and drive more traffic to local businesses and Carbon Zen’s mission to fight climate change and reduce the world’s carbon footprint.
• The Dead Mule Club will open at 3 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day with specials on Irish beer and Irish whiskey and chef-prepared corn beef brisket; live music beginning at 6 p.m. by local bluegrass band Morgan Creek.
• Chapel Hill Tire is offering 20% off all mobile wash and detailing packages for green cars; promo code LUCKY323.
• Uniquities will offer sips and sweets while you shop on Friday, March 17.
•  Gizmo Brew Works will have numerous specials, including $5 beers (all day and night), $7 Irish whiskey shots, $8 Irish coffees and an all-you-can-eat Irish buffet for $18/per person.
• Rougarou/Imbibe will host a St. Patricks Day Drag Brunch on Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m.

---

Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Helps Fund NCSEA Neighborhood Energy Resiliency Project

The Orange County Community Climate Action Grant Program is currently funding a program called the Neighborhood Energy Resiliency Project (NERP), which is being led by the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA). The program aims to provide energy retrofits and repairs to low-income homeowners in Carrboro to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy bills. 

The program begins with home assessments, which involve identifying energy-efficiency upgrades and repairs with residents. The Association is using neighborhood canvassing and personal referrals to reach residents and help spread the word about the program. The Association has benefited from working with Tamara Sanders, a community organizer from the neighborhood who NCSEA says has been able to work directly with the residents and help build rapport with the larger team.

In the work that the Association has done, NCSEA has found it more impactful to begin with air sealing and insulation to make homes more energy efficient. According to Daniel Pate, NCSEA’s energy program manager, “Sealing air leaks in areas such as duct work and plumbing penetrations can stop conditioned air from escaping.” Pate also says, “After air sealing, ensuring that there is insulation that is in working condition and properly installed is the next critical step to having an energy-efficient home.” While air sealing is a “top priority” for the project, the team has also looked into gutter installation and HVAC system repairs or tuning.

To learn more, listen to WUNC Public Radio’s feature on the NERP program! Or check out this article from the Energy News Network

---

Feedback Period Open for FY24 Transit Work Program

Each year the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Area Transit Staff Working Group (SWG) develops an annual Work Program, including a budget for the upcoming fiscal year as part of the appropriations process for the Orange County Transit Plan. A draft version of the FY24 Orange County Transit Work Program is now available for public feedback.

The Work Program includes information on new services such as the Chapel Hill Transit’s High School Route in addition to continued funding for current services to allow for more stops on existing routes.

The public comment period related to the Work Program will run now through March 28. Comments can be made at https://forms.office.com/r/N4kcEk1uyD or by sending an email to publicinformation@dchcmpo.org.

After the public comment period has ended, the Orange County Transit SWG will recommend a final FY24 Orange County Transit Work Program, and it will be presented for approval by the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the GoTriangle Board of Trustees.

---

Department on Aging to Host Transgender Visibility Day

The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE LGBTQ+ Senior Resource Team invite the public to attend a discussion and celebration, Celebrating Transgender Visibility Day, on March 31.

Transgender Day of Visibility is an international event dedicated to recognizing the resilience and accomplishments of the transgender community. Join our panelists as we celebrate the transgender community, raise awareness about the struggles that they face, and advocate for more protected rights for them in a bid to reform society and empower this community.

The event is open to all and will take place on Friday, March 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Seymour Center.

Please register by Monday, March 27, with the Seymour Center front desk at 919-968-2070. Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. Maximum attendance: 80.

---

Real Time Bus Tracking Returns

Real-time bus tracking on Chapel Hill Transit (CHT) is now ready for use. After an extended period without the convenient technology, all CHT buses have been upgraded with the necessary equipment, and a testing phase has been completed.

The NextBus app can show nearby stops, routes, travel direction and the estimated departure time of buses. The app also can link customers to walking directions, set alerts and provide agency information. Customers can download the NextBus app from their device’s app store.

It is important to note that NextBus will not track the B, CCX, or JFX routes. Those routes continue to be operated by Carolina Livery. For customers waiting in our bus shelters, they will find the LED arrival-departure board is not operational. Those boards rely on outdated technology that is not compatible with the newly installed bus equipment. The blue information boards will work.

While the NextBus technology and app will be useful, there will be another upgrade for CHT customers. The GMV Synchromatics project continues and is on schedule for completion later this summer. GMV bus tracking will include the features of the current system, and customers will also benefit from improved accuracy and bus-capacity information.

---

Chapel Hill Hosts Cities Initiative Meeting

The Town of Chapel Hill’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience hosted representatives from 16 communities and regional organizations on March 7, for a meeting of the Cities Initiative, a collaborative effort among North Carolina governments that are working together to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Chapel Hill is a founding member of the Cities Initiative, which began in 2018. At that time, a dozen cities came together under the leadership of the Environmental Defense Fund to identify barriers, business needs and partnership opportunities around reducing GHG emissions.

Based on that initial work, the group has been focused on four key areas:

• Buildings
• Transportation
• Clean power
• Funding resources

For more information about the Town’s Climate Action and Response Plan, visit: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/857144275/.

---

Police Investigate Carjacking on Raleigh Road

At around 9:30 a.m. on March 14, the Chapel Hill Police Department (CHPD) responded to a report of a carjacking at a gas station at 1010 Raleigh Road.

Officers are working to identify two men involved. The men drove up in a black Nissan Rogue. One of the men got out and stole a black Mazda CX-5 at gunpoint. The stolen Mazda CX-5 has a decorative red Arkansas Razorbacks plate on its front end. The back bumper has a Carolina Hurricanes sticker. If you spot this vehicle, contact 911, and do not approach it.

There were no reports of injuries. No additional information is available at this time.

Anyone with information should call 911 or contact the CHPD at 919-968-2760 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday). Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 919-942-7515 or visit https://chapelhillcrimestoppers.com/.

---

2023 Accessibility Guide

March is National Disabilities Awareness Month, and the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau has published its 2023 Chapel Hill/Orange County Accessibility Guide.

This new 48-page official accessibility guide to disability-friendly restaurants and hotels in Chapel Hill and Orange County is researched, written and edited by Valarie Schwartz, retired journalist and current freelance writer who lives in Chapel Hill. Additionally, the Visitors Bureau is pleased to dedicate this guide to longtime ambassadors, Cresha and George Cianciolo. The dedication pages notes, “When a health condition created mobility issues for Cresha, she and George soon learned the trials of getting out and about while using a wheelchair. Even in this, while considering others, they contacted the Visitors Bureau and encouraged a guide for visitors and residents that would help all those with disabilities better understand the access granted at area restaurants and hotels for using a wheelchair.”

The guide can be read and downloaded from the VisitChapelHill.org Maps & Info page at https://issuu.com/chocvb/docs/2023accessibilityguideissuu?fr=sNmY0NTU4NzY3MjI.

The guide’s dining section includes restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and breweries color-coded by location on a map page. Details include name, address, phone and website, plus parking, seating, service/how to order and restroom access. Hotels are also color-coded on a map and include name, address, phone and website, as well as parking, lobby and amenities, bedrooms and bathrooms access.

A very limited number of printed copies of the new official Accessibility Guide have been printed for distribution at select facilities in Orange County.

---

Carrboro In Motion

Carrboro in Motion returns this spring with Zumba, how to load your bike onto a Chapel Hill Transit bus, a bike fix-it station, a dance performance, games and snacks and more. The next event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Berkshire 54 Apartments. 

The event series aims to advance goals of the Inclusive Carrboro Communications and Community Engagement Plan by creating a method for the Town to establish a presence in communities and neighborhoods, build relationships, offer multiple ways for residents to contribute input and feedback, and advance a neighborhood liaisons network. 

Learn more at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2735/Carrboro-In-Motion.

---

Light In Us Dark Ones at the Lumina

Holy Trinity Anglican Church will sponsor a movie night at the Lumina Theater in Southern Village, 620 Market St., Chapel Hill, with a showing of Light In Us Dark Ones on Wednesday, March 22, 7-9 p.m. The film is a narrative biography set in the late 1950’s-1970’s based on the life of Dr. Valerie Batts, one of UNC-Chapel Hill’s first African-American students to attend and graduate as a distinguished alumnus. There will be Q&A after the movie with the film producer Alicia Buckner.

---

North Carolina Freedom Park: Celebrating Freedom and the African American Experience

The Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition will present a program on Tuesday, March 28, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Whitted Building, 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough, to learn about the North Carolina Freedom Park currently being constructed in Raleigh. The program will be followed by Q&A.

Envision an inspiring, 45-foot-tall illuminated sculpture reaching towards the sky from the center of downtown Raleigh – a “Beacon of Freedom,” the centerpiece of North Carolina Freedom Park – a one-acre park that honors the African American experience and struggle for freedom in North Carolina.

An idea conceived 20 years ago by the Paul Green Foundation, North Carolina Freedom Park is based on the visionary design of the late Phil Freelon (renowned architect of Washington D.C.’s Museum of African American History & Culture) and will include 20 inspirational quotes from North Carolina leaders (the “Voices of Freedom”) artfully inscribed along the walls of five walkways leading to the Beacon. A concept benefiting from the wisdom of the late Dr. John Hope Franklin (who served as the founding chair of the Freedom Park Advisory Board), and with the support of the Mellon Foundation’s “Monuments Project,” Freedom Park is being constructed by the socially conscious Holt Brothers Construction Company.

Presenters include the following:

• Marsha Warren, past director of the Paul Green Foundation and a N.C. Literary Hall of Fame inductee, will share the remarkable story of the project’s development.
• Reginald Hildebrand, retired professor of African American Studies & History at UNC-Chapel Hill, will speak about the message, meaning and significance of Freedom Park for all North Carolinians.
• Reginald Hodges, former director of the Durham Literacy Center and expert on African art, will provide an illustrated discussion of the actual construction of Freedom Park.

The program will be moderated by James E. Williams, Jr., co-founder and co-chair of the Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition.

This in-person program is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is requested, but not required. Streaming will not be available.

---

Chapel Hill Police: Plan Safe Rides this St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

The Chapel Hill Police Department is increasing patrols to keep impaired drivers off the roads during a statewide St. Patrick’s Day “Booze It and Lose It” enforcement campaign, which continues through Sunday.

“If your St. Patrick’s Day celebration includes alcohol, please take time now to plan a safe ride,” Chief Celisa Lehew said. “Check in with your friends and make sure they also have a plan.”

This increased enforcement will take place during times when impaired driving is known to happen more often, including overnight hours.

In 2022, 225 people were killed or seriously injured in alcohol-related crashes on North Carolina roads during the St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign period. Last year, seven out of 161 alcohol-related crashes in Orange County were deadly, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The N.C. Department of Transportation is leading the statewide “Booze It and Lose It” campaign. Learn more here.

---

Posted March 9, 2023

Request for Comments on the Public Housing Annual Plan 

Residents of public housing and the public are invited to review and comment on the Chapel Hill Department of Public Housing’s Annual Plan for Fiscal Year 2023 as required under Section 511 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998. The Plan provides information about operations of the Chapel Hill Department of Public Housing’s programs and services. All comments received will be recorded and submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The official review period is from Monday, February 20, to Friday,
April 6.  

The plan is available for public review and comment at the Town of Chapel Hill Department of Public Housing, located at 317 Caldwell St. Extension in Chapel Hill.  

A public meeting to receive comments will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 28, from 5 to 6 p.m. For additional information, contact Faith M. Brodie, director of public housing, at 919-968-2850.  

---

March 2023 Community Update for The 203 Project

Construction continues to progress on The 203 S. Greensboro Street Project in Carrboro. 

Duke Energy will be performing utility work around the construction site March 16-17, which will have traffic impacts between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Roberson Street traffic will be detoured to use the Main Street intersection instead of S. Greensboro Street. Maple Avenue residents will continue to use E. Carr Street and Maple Avenue Extension. Flaggers and temporary signs will be used to direct traffic.  

On March 14, an early morning concrete pour is scheduled for the first-floor slab. The pour will begin around 3 a.m., with concrete deliveries continuing throughout the morning.

In other updates, the site foundations and footings are nearly complete, with more construction trades beginning to mobilize onsite. Watch the latest drone video of construction progress at https://youtu.be/pZwTqxnHBwc. 

The $42 million development will be the future home of the Carrboro Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and the Orange County Southern Branch Library. The facility will also provide a permanent home for the Orange County Skills Development Center, WCOM Radio and performance/multipurpose uses. The 203 Project will provide opportunities for education, art and community connection.

More information is available at https://www.carrboronc.gov/1151/The-203-Project.  

---