News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC (April 4, 2023) 

Friendly staff from the Town of Carrboro wish everyone a lovely spring holiday, however you celebrate! The Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources team handed out eggs while the Easter Bunny gave hugs and high fives to families that missed the egg hunt due to rain last weekend. Open this issue for more local news! 

Forwarded News From OWASA: 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 

Experience Carrboro Open Streets

Dance. Bike. Jump. Play. Experience your streets in a whole new way!

Mark your calendars and save the date for the Carrboro Open Streets, which will be held Sunday, April 16, 2023, from 12 to 4 p.m. along Weaver Street in Carrboro. Carrboro will close the street to motor vehicle traffic and open it to all sorts of other traffic and activities at this popular event. Bring your friends, family, bikes, and your comfortable shoes to experience the streets and your community in a whole new way. All of the activities are free!

For more event information visit: http://townofcarrboro.org/745/Carrboro-Open-Streets

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!

Stormwater maintenance underway in 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 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 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 

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, April 4, 2023. The agenda is available at https://bit.ly/3zr1jz5 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 Meetings 

The Carrboro Town Council met Tuesday, March 28, 2023, for a Council Meeting and took the following actions on the agenda posted at https://bit.ly/3ZmrZMb

• Adopted a 2023 Native Plant Month Resolution.
• Presented a 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation.
• Approved a modification the ArtsCenter COVID-19 Mitigation Business Grant budget.
• Scheduled a public hearing for April 18, 2023 to establish an annexation boundary for the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill.
• Directed staff to conduct public engagement on the alternative alignment options proposed in the 2009 Bolin Creek Greenway Conceptual Master Plan by October 17, 2023 and report back to Town Council no later than October 31, 2023.
• Awarded a contract to Eagle Solar and Light, LLC to install Solar Photovoltaic on Town buildings including Fire Station 1, Public Works, and the 203 S. Greensboro St. Project.
• Provided an update on Carrboro Town Council Procedures Manual, provided clarification on the 13 Key Strategic Areas and Deliverables, and provided an update on the development of the Town Manager and Town Clerk performance evaluation tools.

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 Town Council Passes Resolution Recognizing Native Plant Month

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

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

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