News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC (March 21, 2023) 

Signs of spring are popping up all over town! There is so much to celebrate around Carrboro: Ramadan, Earth Week and Earth Hour, Creek Week, and Bus Operator Appreciation Day! Get ready for Carrboro In Motion this Saturday and don't miss the deadline for Solarize the Triangle. 

Thanks to all the Bus Operators who serve Carrboro! 

Saturday was Bus Operator Appreciation Day in Carrboro! We thank all transit operators for their dedication, hard work, and the essential services they provide.

“I encourage all residents and visitors to incorporate public transit into their transportation routines; to become advocates for local and regional public transit; and, most important, to thank our local and regional bus operators at every opportunity,’ said Mayor Damon Seils, who has issued the proclamation 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; and 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.

Our community 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 our communities and the university meet our 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. 

Orange County’s Creek Week is March 17-26

Show your love for Orange County’s streams, lakes, and rivers during Orange County Creek Week, scheduled for March 17-26. The annual event is part of the Clean Water and Education Partnership’s (CWEP) third annual Regional Creek Week. This year’s theme is “Water Connects Us.” The initiative will engage the public on the importance of clean and healthy waterways.

“We had so much fun during last year’s events,” said Heather Holley, Stormwater Specialist with Town of Carrboro Stormwater Division. “We've been working with staff and our partners to plan some exciting events and activities to celebrate our creeks and promote waterway stewardship. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone out there!”  

Visit our Creek Week webpage to learn more about all the great events coming your way this month.

Get Ready for Carrboro In Motion

Carrboro In Motion is bringing the party back to Carrboro neighborhoods this Saturday, March 25 at Berkshire 54 Apartments.

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 in front of the leasing office at Berkshire 54 (112 NC-54, Carrboro, NC 25710)  this Saturday, March 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.   All are welcome! 

Learn more at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2735/Carrboro-In-Motion  

Sign Up for Creek Week Kid's Buffer Ball Activity

Join Town staff on Saturday, March 25 for this fun, kid friendly hands on activity at Martin Luther King Jr Park.

Kids will learn about wetlands and vegetative water quality buffers while making seed balls with wetland buffer seed mixes. We will be launching the Buffer Balls into the  wetland buffer in the park to help add diversity and habitat to the parks natural wetland. 

• When: March 25, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Where: Dr. MLK Jr Park Amphitheater, 1120 Hillsborough Road, Carrboro, NC 27516
• Who: Kids K-5^th Grade

This activity is free and RSVP only, space is limited to 20 kids, so please sign up early. 

Parents must be present. Suitable for Kindergarten through 5th grade age group. 

To sign up use this form or contact Heather Holley at  hholley@CarrboroNC.gov or 919-918-7426.

Carrboro to Celebrate Earth Day!

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 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 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! 

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 

Don't Miss the Deadline for Solarize The Triangle

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.  A total of up to three (3) apprenticeships are available.

Purpose:
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. 

Eligibility:
Apprenticeships are available to rising high school juniors and seniors, graduating seniors, as well as college students and those who have graduated from college within the past year.

Applicants must live in Orange County. 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 may contact arts@carrboronc.gov

Additional Information:
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.

Application:
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 (2) letters of reference with your application. 

Carrboro Arts Committee
c/o Charles Harrington
100 N. Greensboro St.
Carrboro, NC 2751
Email: arts@carrboronc.gov

Deadline: May 1, 2023 at 5 pm

Do You Want to Appeal Your Tax Valuation?

If you disagree with your tax value, you can appeal it. To submit an appeal: 

• Online www.orangecountync.gov/appeal
• In-person 228 S. Churton St., Hillsborough
• Email: reval@orangecountync.gov

Mail: PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278

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

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

The Carrboro Town Council will hold a Council Meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The agenda is available at https://bit.ly/3JNOapK and 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 Meeting 

The Carrboro Town Council met Tuesday, March 14, 2023, for a Work Session, the agenda for which is posted at https://bit.ly/403Ujne    The Council gathers for work sessions the second Tuesdays of most months. Public comment is generally not accepted during work sessions, and votes are not taken. 

The meeting video is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz4UeNfHCQY 

Parking in Downtown Carrboro – The Council received an update on the Parking Study of Downtown Carrboro, conducted by Walker Consultants. This study began in 2019, paused during the COVID-19 public heath emergency, and resumed and then concluded in March 2022. Presented by Economic Development Director Jon Hartman-Brown, the parking update included new parking tallies and analysis via drone photography, as well as advisory board and staff recommendations. 

 The study and other parking resources are available at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2774/Downtown-Parking 

• The study finds that there is ample existing parking availability across the downtown with about 3,600 private and public spaces. But due to lack of enforcement, 50% of users regularly exceed the posted 2-hour time limit. And public parking is difficult to locate unless users are familiar with where to find it.
• Key recommendations of the parking study include to enforce parking rules; implement paid parking; create a parking marketing and information campaign including brochures, maps and wayfinding and informational signage; create a downtown access advisory committee; and explore shared parking opportunities between public and private lot owners across evening and weekend hours.
• The Council expressed support for the recommendations from the plan, including a plan for paid parking, parking enforcement, and enhanced marketing and wayfinding for parking. 
• These interests will return to the Council in a regular business meeting as information items. The Council will then provide further comment and receive public input prior to a vote and possible implementation of any changes. 

Advisory Boards and Commissions – The Council discussed a range of topics including potential consolidation of advisory boards and commissions; rules of procedure; remote and hybrid meetings, public participation; board liaisons; stipends, childcare, meals and transportation for members; and interpretation and translation services. 

• Council requested information and options for their consideration regarding stipends and other benefits for advisory board members, as well as potential streamlining of some advisory boards, and a language access statement to be included on meeting agendas for requests for interpretation and translation services. 
• These interests will return to the Council in a regular business meeting as information items. The Council will then provide further comment and receive public input prior to a vote and possible implementation of any changes. 

Town Council 

The Town Council, which is the legislative and policy-making body for Carrboro, comprises Mayor Damon Seils, Mayor Pro Tempore Susan Romaine, Council Member Barbara Foushee, Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Council Member Danny Nowell, Council Member Eliazar Posada, and Council Member Sammy Slade. More information is available at https://www.carrboronc.gov/248/Town-Council

 ###

Carrboro Staff Team targets watershed for cleanup 

The first day of spring is a great day for a creek cleanup! 

Town of Carrboro staff removed 1,330 pounds of trash from the watershed near Westwood Cemetery. It's Orange County Creek Week! Would you like to get involved in the next cleanup? Contact Town of Carrboro Stormwater Specialist Heather Holley at hholley@carrboronc.gov   Hear Heather explain why these cleanups are so important to the environment at https://youtu.be/-gxyJlHGwaE 

Special thanks to Dillon Dispennette, Trey Edwards, Weldon Jenkins, Raid Wahieb, Brian Griffith, Wesley Winslow, Michael Horton, Randy Dodd, Grace Bell, and Heather Holley for great teamwork! Thanks also to Solid Waste Division staff Greg Carver, Jay Nicholson, Sherman Bradsher and Maurice Moore) for collecting the trash piles. 

Carrboro Seeks Volunteers to Serve Community

Consider applying for a Town of Carrboro Advisory Board or Commission. We need your voice at the table!

Please especially consider volunteering if you represent any of the following underrepresented groups: Black/African-American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, and Subcontinent Asian Americans, Senior Residents, Ages 20-34, Differently Abled, LGBTQ+ , and Families of Incomes of $50,000 or Less.

Learn more and apply: https://www.carrboronc.gov/228/Advisory-Boards-Commissions