Freight Train Blues Concert this Friday
Sister Lena Mae Perry of The Branchettes says her gospel music is like medicine. We can use her medicine about now.
Come hear her amazing voice at the Freight Train Blues concert this Friday, May 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.
This Friday's also concert features the innovative bluegrass band Hard Drive.
The Town of Carrboro continues to present the Music Maker Foundation’s Freight Train Blues series of free concerts every Friday evening through June 10. We are thankful for our partners Music Maker Foundation, North Carolina Public Radio - WUNC, and The Judy Weinstock Team (Keller Williams) for making this event possible.
More information: www.freighttrainblues.com
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Town of Carrboro government offices will be closed on Monday, May 30, for the Memorial Day Holiday.
A Memorial Day program is scheduled at 9 a.m. Monday, May 30, at the Veterans Memorial Site, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC.
In case of rain: Southern Human Services Center or Seymour Center, 2551 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.
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CABIPOC Business Roundtable discussion scheduled
The Carrboro Department of Economic Development has announced a BIPOC Business Roundtable Discussion scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 31.
The Town of Carrboro seeks to hear the needs and challenges of Black, Indigenous, Latinx and People of Color businesses in Carrboro, and the role the Town needs to play to help businesses start and grow. Additionally, the roundtable discussions serve as an opportunity for BIPOC Business Owners to get to know and support each other.
The meeting expands upon the Town’s efforts over the past year and a half to listen to the needs of its BIPOC populations and find ways to systemically improve their lives from the Town’s perspective. The Town has held five previous Minority Business Roundtables.
Businesses interested in participating in the roundtable discussions can join via Zoom at www.CarrboroNC.gov/ED
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Town of Carrboro
Jon Hartman-Brown
919-391-7846\
JHartman-Brown@CarrboroNC.gov
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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 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 Town Council will meet next at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, to consider an agenda that will be posted at carrboro.legistar.com
This in-person 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 carrboro.legistar.com OR YouTube.com/CarrboroNC OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). To submit a comment on this agenda, please contact publiccomment@carrboronc.gov to reach the Town Clerk.
Notice of Public Hearing
The Town Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 301 W. Main St., to receive comments on the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget for FY2022-23. The budget document may be viewed in the Town Clerk’s Office from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or on the Town website at http://www.ci.carrboro.nc.us/250/Financial-Documents People are invited to make written or oral comments. Comments may be emailed to wbarker@carrboronc.gov or presented at the public hearing on June 7, 2022.
Past Meeting
The Carrboro Town Council met Tuesday, May 24, and took the following actions on the agenda posted at https://bit.ly/38hyaMP
- Received reports from the Fire Department, Stormwater Utility, Economic Development Department, and Police Department.
- Awarded retired Police K9 “Turbo” to Police Officer Karissa Kimrey following the dog’s retirement after more than eight years of service to the Carrboro Police Department.
- Received an update on the Town’s Affordable Housing Activities.
- Held a public hearing to consider a special use permit application for the ArtsCenter to renovate an existing building at 400 Roberson St.
- Approved the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) 2023-2027. The CIP totals $68.3 million and includes $34.3 million for projects that are currently underway and $34 million for proposed additional projects. View the plan at http://www.carrboronc.gov/2709/Capital-Improvement-Plans-2022-2027
- Approved an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Adopted Budget for the General Fund Operating Budget and the Affordable Housing Special Revenue based on year-to-date actual revenue collections and trends.
- Received a presentation on the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. A public hearing on the Town Budget has been set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 7. View the proposed budget at http://www.carrboronc.gov/2708/Recommended-Annual-Operating-Budget-2022
- Received an update on the development of a comprehensive plan to allocate the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The framework to be developed for use of ARPA will be centered around six principles: 1) Council goals and policy; 2) racial equity and inclusion; 3) environmental justice, 4) Town climate action plan; 5) leverage local and regional partnerships; 6) use existing data or limited data and /or outreach.
About the Town Council
The Town Council is the legislative and policy-making body for Carrboro, consisting of the following: Mayor Damon Seils, Mayor Pro Tempore Susan Romaine, Council Member Barbara Foushee, Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Council Member Danny Nowell and Council Member Sammy Slade. More information is available at http://carrboronc.gov/248/Town-Council
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Period Poverty Awareness Week
This week (May 23-29) is Period Poverty Awareness Week in Carrboro, proclaimed by Mayor Damon Seils.
“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,” states the proclamation, which was read by Mayor Pro Tem Susan Romaine on Tuesday night.
Carrboro is proud to be home to trusted community-based organizations, including On the Spot, a program of the Diaper Bank of North Carolina, a member of the Alliance for Period Supplies, a network of more than 100 active period supply banks in that are raising awareness of the importance of period products in ensuring health and providing economic stability, and thus distributing period products through various channels.
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Small Town Pride Is On!
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Pride Month is celebrated nationally and locally each year in June. The Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill are collaborating to host a joint celebration featuring in-person events, art installations, online resources, and other opportunities to celebrate the Pride community. Through Small Town Pride, we aim to affirm community values ensuring that all residents, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are treated with respect and dignity.
The origins of Pride stem from the Stonewall Riots that occurred in June of 1969, when attendees of the Stonewall Inn in NYC clashed with anti-LGBTQ police. Marches and protests popped up in some major US cities in June of the following year to commemorate the event, and the tradition has continued.
Together with Carrboro, the Town of Chapel Hill’s LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG) has been instrumental in planning Small Town Pride. “Pride has always been really important to us as a time of celebration, reflection, and action,” says Samantha Slayer, a member of the Chapel Hill’s ERG, “It's exciting to have the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro both supporting us in growing this event, and to see the community's passion for it. It's especially encouraging at this time when queer rights are so under threat. We're really looking forward to celebrating our identities and our community this year.”
Celebrations will happen the entire month of June and will recognize local LGBTQ+ leaders, artists, and activists, and highlight history, resources, and businesses.
More information is available at carrboronc.gov/pride
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Applications open for Pride Event
The PRIDE Food Truck Rodeo and Dance Party is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 24, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St.
Food trucks, organizations, vendors and crafters wishing to participate with tables at the event can apply at:
https://www.carrboronc.gov/FormCenter/Communication-and-Engagement-Department-31/PRIDE-Events-at-Carrboro-Town-Commons-201
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Carrboro Music Festival accepting applications
The Carrboro Music Festival is now accepting performer applications for the 2022 event. All performers must submit an official application by the July 1 deadline to be considered for the event.
The 2022 Carrboro Music Festival is scheduled to occur on Sunday, Oct. 2, with kickoff events on Saturday, Oct. 1.
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Big congrats to inaugural class of Business Accelerator Group graduates!
The Town of Carrboro partnered with The Business Accelerator Group (BAG) and the Durham Tech Small Business Center to host a recent business accelerator program.
This group (plus six more who weren't able to attend graduation) spent five Saturdays learning from our amazing coaches at Infinity Bridges and Prestige Money Managers - and from each other. Watching the transformation has been incredible.
Thank you La-Tasha Best-Gaddy and Quintonia Thorpe for facilitating this work. Thank you Carrboro Economic Development Director Jon Hartman-Brown and Mayor Pro Tem Susan Romain from the Town of Carrboro, NC. Thanks to the Durham Technical Community College Foundation for helping us secure the grant from Wells Fargo that made this possible.
And the biggest thanks goes to the individuals in this photo who invested in themselves and their small business dreams!
Applications are open for the next BAG: bit.ly/durhambag
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Fire Department offers free summer camp for girls in grades 9-12
The Carrboro Fire Department, in conjunction with Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools and the Chapel Hill Fire Department, have helped develop a summer camp for high school aged female students.
Camp Ignite will be a five-day camp (June 13 – June 17) that educates and inspires young women to pursue a career in the fire service. Each day will also feature a speaker from a different discipline that is related to the fire service. Topics will include Emergency Medical Services, 9-1-1 Telecommunications, Emergency Management, and Law Enforcement. The goal is to have all days of the camp taught by female firefighters.
Learn more and apply at https://sites.google.com/chccs.k12.nc.us/chccsfireacademy/camp-ignite?authuser=0
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Featured webpage: Town-owned land for affordable housing
The Town of Carrboro periodically highlights webpages containing current issues, services information, or resources that may be of interest to our residents. Check it out!
The Housing and Community Services Department has published a webpage that provides background information and updates on plans for Town-owned land being explored for affordable housing, specifically parcels located on Crest Street and Pathway Drive. It’s located at https://townofcarrboro.org/2681/Creating-Affordable-Housing---Town-Owned
This webpage was developed to provide additional information to the February 8, 2022 https://bit.ly/3wIppVw presentation to Town Council on the use of Town-owned land for affordable housing. Following this meeting, Town staff have answered questions received from phone calls and emails, as well as those shared during Feb. 23-24 Carrboro Conversations https://bit.ly/3wIppVw
As the Town-owned land process moves forward, updates will be posted to this webpage. Additionally, all Council meeting agendas are publicized through Carrboro Town Council Updates on a nearly weekly basis. If you are interested in receiving these, please sign up for Carrboro news via carrboronc.gov/signup.
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How grass clippings pollute our waterways
Did you know that grass clippings contain phosphorus, the nutrient that turns lakes green with algae?
One bushel of fresh grass clippings can contain 0.1 lbs. of phosphorus—enough to produce 30-50 pounds of algae growth if it finds its way to a lake or river and our water supplies. Not only do grass clippings that enter our streams and stormwater drains affect water quality, they can also cause blockages that can lead to back-ups and flooding. Never dispose of grass clippings in streams, creeks or stormwater drains.
You can take simple measures to help:
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn
- Direct grass clippings away from streets, driveways, sidewalks and other paved areas
- Sweep up grass clippings and return them to the lawn
- Set the lawn mower at a higher setting (over 2.5 inches) letting shorter blades fall back onto the lawn as natural fertilizer
- Mow when your lawn needs it, not on a fixed schedule
- Mix grass clippings with leaves and soil to make a backyard compost pile
- If you need to dispose of grass clipping, use the Town of Carrboro Solid Waste yard debris collection service.
Did you know?
- Leaving you grass clippings in place leaves the equivalent of one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, the same amount as a typical fertilizer application, and can reduce your fertilizer use.
- Lawns mowed higher are more competitive against weeds, need less watering, and withstand heat stress better.
- Allowing grass to grow higher can help erosion and bare spots.
For more information on stormwater pollution prevention and steps you can take on your property visit the Homeowner’s Watershed and Stormwater Handbook online at https://townofcarrboro.org/2324/Stormwater-Homeowners-Manual
To report dumping of yard waste, grass clippings or other substances use the Stormwater Hotline at Stormwater@CarrboroNC.org or 919-913-2999.
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