News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(February 6, 2024) 

It's the year of the dragon! This year's Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, falls on Saturday, Feb. 10. We're celebrating with the "Lion and Dragon Dance" mural by artist Erick Davis featured at Gourmet Kingdom on Main Street in Carrboro. Coming up is the 2nd Friday Art Walk in downtown, and then on Saturday, there's a Floraffiti Poetry Workshop. Black History Month programs continue with free lectures, concerts and a health and wellness fair. Open this issue for all the details! 

Mayor Foushee proclaims 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH in Carrboro

Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Black History Month in Carrboro this February 2024. 

All residents are encouraged to participate in local Black History Month events and to learn about and celebrate the lives, history, and contributions of Black people this month and throughout the year.

“Black History Month continues to be a time to honor and recognize often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every part of American history,” Mayor Foushee said. “It is also a time to celebrate Black history’s rich heritage and the overcoming of adversity, these stories are ingrained in the fabric of this country’s history.  

“Lastly, Black History Month is a time to be educated about all Black people from the periods of enslavement to the Black people that continue to live amongst us today."

Local celebrations of Black History Month this year will include a Black History Month Concert Series; a performance of the one-woman stage play The Spirit of Harriet Tubman; a two-night lecture series and much more. 

• Learn more about the Black History Month Proclamation.
• Learn more about all the Black History Month events in Carrboro. 
• Watch our special events and programs at Carrboro's YouTube Celebrating Black America playlist.

2nd Friday Art Walk returns Feb. 9

The 2nd Friday Art Walk around downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill returns on Friday, Feb. 9.

Rain or shine, Downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill will showcase The Carrboro-Chapel Hill 2nd Friday Art Walk. 

Explore art galleries, artist studios, shops and restaurants. There will also be live music, performances, spoken word poetry and more. Venues are generally open late afternoon and evening hours. Exhibits at Carrboro Town Hall and Carrboro Century Center are open from 6 to 8 p.m.

Visit our website to learn more about the participating venues.

Traffic Alert: Jones Ferry Road 

Traffic Island Modification

Triangle Grading and Paving will begin modifying several traffic islands located along Jones Ferry Road near NC Hwy 54, starting with surveying on Thursday, Feb. 8 and then continuing with construction on Thursday, Feb. 15. The project is expected to wrap up by May 1, 2024.

Drivers in the area might experience slight delays as there will be times of alternating one way traffic.

These modifications will accommodate the addition of a bike lane when NCDOT paves Jones Ferry Road later this year.

Questions? Please contact Public Works PWorks@carrboronc.gov or 919-918-7425.

Poetry Workshops for Floraffiti

Carter Hubbard, Floraffiti founder, teams up with Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis and Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Cortland Gilliam to bring poetry workshops to Carrboro and Chapel Hill. 

Floraffiti, a community engagement and placemaking project, is a program that focuses on environmental justice (EJ), a movement of environmental concern and activism. The adverse consequences of climate change and its environmental crises will be explored in these upcoming poetry workshops. The workshops will address social-political challenges and inequities that are exacerbated by the climate crisis.

These free workshops are open to all skill levels for teens and adults:

• Saturday, Feb.10, 2024

  Floraffiti Poetry Workshop with Carrboro Poet Laureate, Liza Wolff-Francis
  1:30-3:30 p.m.
  108 Bim St., Carrboro, NC

• Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024
  Floraffiti Poetry Workshop with Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Cortland Gilliam
  2-4 p.m.
  Chapel Hill Public Library, Room C

Learn more about Floraffiti!

Town Council Update

CARRBORO, N.C. -- 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.

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 its next regular Council Meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. You can find the agenda on legistar.

The Town Council meets at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream on YouTube OR at on Legistar OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). 

Recap of Past Meeting  

The Council met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 30, and took the following actions.

• Approved a Street Closing Permit Application submitted by Marcela Slade for the temporary closing and usage of East Weaver Street from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Friday, April 12, 2024, to host the sladesign Fashion Show 2024.
• Made appointments (Huru Price and Bridget Pemberton-Smith) to the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority (CTDA).
• Made an appointment (Liz Carter) to the Racial Equity Commission 
• Set the filing fee and filing period for the November special election to fill the vacancy on the Town Council that was created upon Mayor Foushee assuming the office of Mayor. A special election is called for Nov. 5, 2024, to coincide with the General Election. The filing period opens at noon on June 10, 2024, and ends at noon on Friday, July 5. The filing fee is $10. More information can be found on the Orange County elections website.
• Amended the Town Code to change all references to Phipps Street to Lavender Street. The Town received a request from Brian Pence to change the name of Phipps Street to Lavender Street to disassociate the street from its namesake Luther James Phipps, a local attorney, judge and known segregationist. Planning staff received the formal petition with signatures from all 10 affected property owners in August 2023.
• Accepted a $5,000 contribution from the Carol Woods Charitable Fund to support the Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Resources Department’s Active Life Programs, which provide enriching activities and opportunities for older adults in our community.
• Allocated funds for cost assistance to offset direct and indirect costs to residents affected by the renaming of East and West Carr Street to Braxton Foushee Street. On November 29, 2023, Carrboro Town Council approved the street renaming. Foushee was the first Black member of the Carrboro’s Board of Aldermen, currently sits on the Planning Board, and is a local leader who championed the desegregation movement and many civil rights initiatives.
• In the FY 2023-24 budget adopted on June 20, 2023 Council approved the appropriation of $1 million in unassigned fund balance to be used for the purpose of Town Hall Renovations. The Council authorized that $145,000 of this funding will be appropriated for the purpose of Security Upgrades in the Capital Projects Fund.
• Upgraded the Deputy Town Clerk position as a full-time role, effective immediately.
• Authorized the Mayor to execute an employment contract with Lamar Joyner for the position of Town Clerk.
• Adopted 2024 Legislative Priorities.  Typically, the legislative priorities for the Town are considered and adopted by the Town Council in January each year with a legislative breakfast or dinner to follow in late January to allow Council to discuss these priorities with the local General Assembly members.
• Adopted a rewrite of the Business Revolving Loan Program Policy in order to remove certain racial equity barriers such as collateral requirements and increasing access to capital by permitting low value loans to not require any collateral. The loan program was established in 1986 for business and development projects that result in the creation or retention of jobs.
• Approved a written policy for future police officer retirements when an officer makes a request under NCGS 20-187.2 to purchase their service sidearm.
• Police Lieutenant Michael Metz has retired from the Town of Carrboro Police Department after 25 years of service with the Town. The Police Department would like to award Lieutenant Metz his service sidearm to recognize his dedication to duty and his service to the Town of Carrboro. The Town Council adopted by resolution Town staff’s recommendation to award the service side arm to Lieutenant Michael Metz.

Watch the livestream of the Jan. 30 meeting.

Also last week, the Council met for a legislative breakfast set on Friday, Feb. 2, at Carrboro Town Hall. The purpose of this meeting is for Town Council members to gather and talk with General Assembly members who represent Carrboro to share the Town's legislative priorities for the year. View the adopted legislative priorities.

Council Meeting Schedule 
The Carrboro Town Council has updated its 2024 Meeting Calendar to a schedule of two business meetings per month rather than three. This schedule takes effect in March 2024. The Council will continue holding work sessions in addition to business meetings most months. View the 2024 Council Calendar.

Town Council 
The Town Council, which is the legislative and policy-making body for Carrboro, comprises Mayor Barbara Foushee, Mayor Pro Tempore Danny Nowell, Council Member Catherine Fray, Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Council Member Jason Merrill, and Council Member Eliazar Posada. More information about our Town Council. 

Disparity study for local business owners 

The Town of Carrboro has contracted with Griffin & Strong, P.C. (GSPC) to conduct a disparity study for local business owners to learn more about their experiences doing business or attempting to do business with the Town of Carrboro. 

The survey, distributed by Creative Research Solutions (CRS), will provide valuable data for the Town to inform policies, practices and procedures addressing the needs of the business community. 

If you are a local business owner and are interested in participating, please take the disparity survey here.

If you have questions, concerns or additional comments, please email carrborostudy@gspclaw.com

Historical Marker Unveiling Honors Manly McCauley, Victim of 1898 Lynching

The Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition, the Equal Justice Initiative and the Town of Carrboro announce their partnership to commemorate the life and tragic death of Manly McCauley, a Black man who suffered a white mob lynching in October 1898, just west of Carrboro, N.C.

The Historical Marker Unveiling for Manly McCauley is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. outside Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St.  With a welcome from Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee, this event will feature Dr. Reginald Hildebrand as the distinguished guest speaker and Poet CJ Suitt delivering a spoken word performance. The program will also include remarks from NC Representative Renée Price; Diane Robertson, past political action chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP; former Hillsborough Mayor Jen Weaver; and a musical performance by Brown Sugar Strings.  

Learn more about the unveiling of the marker and the history of Manly McCauley.

Save the Date: Carrboro Open Streets

See what happens when the Town closes a street to cars and reclaims this public space with all sorts of other car-free activities! 

Come downtown to bike, dance and do your thing. Experience your street in a new way - fun for everyone with new activities every year! 

The event will be held Sunday, April 7 from noon to 4 p.m. along Weaver Street in downtown Carrboro.

Want to have a booth at Open Streets? Contact Jpoythress@carrboronc.gov .

Countywide Public Safety Hiring Event 

 Join us at the Countywide Public Safety Hiring Event on March 7, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Durham Technical Community College!

We're actively recruiting dedicated individuals to join our team of heroes! If you're passionate about making a difference and serving your community, this is your chance.

Positions available:

• Police Officers
• Firefighters
• Paramedics
• EMTs
• Telecommunicators
• and More!

Don't miss this opportunity to embark on a rewarding career in public safety. Bring your resume and be prepared for on-site interviews. We look forward to meeting you and building a safer community together!

2024 Winter-Spring Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide Available

The 2024 Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Winter-Spring Program Guide is now available!  This guide covers programs and events from January through April, including Spring Athletic Leagues, and registration for 2024 Summer Camps.

Registration for Carrboro residents will open at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3.  Registration will open to all other participants on Thursday, Jan. 4. 

Registration will be accepted in the Carrboro Century Center during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and online via RecConnect.

If you are a new participant who wishes to register online, please be sure to set up an via our online registration site (linked below).  Please allow at least 3 business days for account review and approval.

If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department at 919-918-7364.

Important Information:

• Program Guide (PDF format)
• Online Registration Site
• Financial Assistance Program Information

Public parking available in downtown Carrboro

It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 10 public lots all over town.

Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.

Find more information including an interactive parking map on our Downtown Parking webpage.