News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(September 20, 2023) 

Here's what's new in Carrboro:  September is the final month for the Bolin Creek Greenway survey, so be sure to take the survey today. Another survey that needs your voice was recently issued by the Racial Equity Commission. Please note that the Frances Shetley Bikeway will be closed on Friday for repaving work. And, we have details on the Carrboro Music Festival! Check it all out in this issue! 

Just a few more weeks to take the Bolin Creek Greenway survey!

Which way for the greenway? The Town of Carrboro needs your help with a survey about the remaining phases of the Bolin Creek Greenway. Mayor Damon Seils says that your input at this early stage will help the Town plan and design, address engineering and environmental details, and secure federal funding and other grants to make the project a reality. As you respond to the survey, think about how you and your friends use the greenways in Carrboro and Chapel Hill today. How do you envision using them in the future? 

Take the Bolin Creek Greenway Survey today. 

For more information, contact the staff team at communications@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/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 a Council Meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. The agenda will be available at  https://carrboro.legistar.com 

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 YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  OR at https://carrboro.legistar.com/ OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). 

Meeting Recap 
The Council held a Council Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. Watch the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/aQkTZ1dznN8?si=Kz9ihrJd6Nofp8xK 

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 in Motion rides in this Friday

Carrboro In Motion is bringing the party back to Carrboro neighborhoods this Friday, Sept. 22 at Estes Park Apartments. 

Come out to meet your neighbors! There will be a fire engine from Carrboro Fire-Rescue and a Chapel Hill Transit bus. Town of Carrboro staff will offer information on upcoming Town events, as well as services and engagement opportunities. There will be bike and ped resources, including a bike fix-it station; map and routing resources, and giveaways of reflective gear, and swag like water bottles and tote bags.

We put a spotlight on volunteer opportunities and ways to connect with local programs. Our community partners offer additional resources from a variety of service areas.

The block party will be in front of the leasing office at Estes Park Apartments (306 Estes Drive Ext., Carrboro, NC 25710) this Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. All are welcome! 

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

Racial Equity Commission seeks community input

The Town of Carrboro Racial Equity Commission is seeking community input on ways to enhance race and equity initiatives across the community. 

As the commission digs deeper on this work, it is also keeping in mind the goals of:  

• addressing fundamental needs 
• streamlining access to community-based resources
• promoting community healing 

Please share your suggestions at: 

• English -- https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K55BQTS
• Spanish -- https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K55BQTS?lang=es  

Share your feedback via the online survey or drop by Carrboro Town Hall to pick up a paper comment form. All responses will be collected by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26. 

• Questions? Contact Chief Race and Equity Officer Anita Jones-McNair at amcnair@carrboronc.gov  
• Interested to learn more? Join the Race and Equity Commission at its next meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 108 Bim Street, Carrboro 27510. 
• Learn more about the Town of Carrboro’s work to advance Race and Equity at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2535/Race-and-Equity 

Vision Statement 

The Town of Carrboro envisions being a community where race does not determine outcomes and all have equitable opportunities and resources.  We envision a time when participation in community events, programs and advisory boards represent community demographics.  All will feel safe, secure and know their voice is valued.  We strive to be an inclusive and open-minded organization that has a culture created by its diverse staff, which serves the public through a social (racial) justice lens.

Carrboro resurfacing and pavement repairs underway

A contractor for the Town of Carrboro is making resurfacing and pavement repairs throughout town. 

This project includes the full resurfacing of the Frances Shetley Bikeway and patching of the Libba Cotten Bikeway.  

For roads with on-street parking, the contractor, Daniels of Garner, will place no on-street parking signs.  The total project should take less than two weeks.  

Below is the tentative schedule:

• Tuesday – Wednesday, Sept. 19-20: Mill and Pave Manor Ridge from Willow Oak Lane north to the cul-de-sac.  Including Gateridge Place, Misty Pines Place, and Morgan Hill Court.
• Friday, Sept. 22:  Mill and Pave the Frances Shetley Bikeway.  Bikeway will be closed during paving operations.
• Monday, Sept. 25: Libba Cotten Bikeway patching – This work will be done by hand and with the use of small equipment.  Closure is not necessary, and flaggers will direct pedestrian and bicycle traffic.  
• Tuesday – Friday, Sept. 19-22:  Patching at various locations around town.

The Town of Carrboro maintains 47.04 miles of roadways comprising of 566 street segments or blocks, 41 miles of sidewalks, and 872 curb ramps throughout the community. The 2023 Street Resurfacing Project is intended to keep streets and curb ramps safe and in good condition for all users, and to make improvements strategically and efficiently to ensure safer and longer-lasting streets and curbs.

More information is available at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2675/2023-Street-Resurfacing-Project

Questions? Please contact the Carrboro Public Works Department at (919) 918-7425 or email pworks@townofcarrboro.org. 

Carrboro Music Festival to feature 100 shows on Sunday, Oct. 1

On Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, the Carrboro Music Festival will host 100 acts all over Carrboro, all for free. 

One of the largest free music festivals in North Carolina, the festival marks its 26th year. Established in 1998, the festival was originally held on June 21 as an official affiliate of the Fête de la Musique, which is also known as 'Make Music Day'. 

A free show will kick off the Carrboro Music Festival at the Cat’s Cradle backroom on Saturday, Sept. 30 featuring TRUTH CLUB. No tickets are required and all shows are free! 

Get the complete list of shows at the festival website or download the festival app. DON’T MISS the hip-hop show beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Cat’s Cradle backroom featuring 14 bands! 

The Bazaar will also be underway from 1 to 7 p.m. at Town Commons, 301 W. Main St., along with non-profit groups, craft vendors, and food vendors. 

This year, the Carrboro Music Festival is featuring free educational workshops starting at 10 a.m. at the Century Center and other locations! These include learning about synthesizers, recording, accordions and more! (some workshops require registration and have limited availability). For more information and to register, please go to https://register1.vermontsystems.com/wbwsc/nccarrboro.wsc/splash.html and look under "Special Events". If you don't have an account, you will need to create one before registering.

Quick links for more information:

• To see the music lineup, visit www.carrboromusicfestival.com.  A festival guide and map will be available soon, along with a sortable Excel database to search bands by name, genre, location, and time.  Any changes that occur after the Festival Guide & Map is published will be reflected on the Excel file.  
• Download the Carrboro Music Festival phone app.!  The phone app. will be a standalone app. available by searching 'Carrboro Music Festival' in your phone's app. store.  
• FREE park & ride shuttle from the Jones Ferry Road Lot. See the Festival Shuttle Map at http://carrboromusicfestival.com/DocumentCenter/View/1493/2022-Carrboro-Music-Festival-Shuttle-Map
• There will be limited public parking. Please check the parking map at http://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11225/Carrboro-Parking-Map

Read more information about the 2023 Carrboro Music Festival.

Planning Department to Host Open Houses

Throughout the next month, the Carrboro Planning, Zoning, & Inspections Department (PZI) will be hosting a series of Open Houses for Carrboro residents:

• Monday, October 2: 6 - 8 p.m. at Carrboro Town Hall
• Saturday, October 7:  7 a.m. -12 p.m. at the Farmers’ Market 

We will be talking about:

• Residential and Neighborhood Parking Maximums (Upcoming Town Council Public Hearing – Oct 24)
• Comprehensive Plan & Implementation
• Climate Action
• Opportunities to join the Solarize the Triangle ’23 Campaign
• Composting Program and Food Waste
• Carrboro Transportation Planning
• Public Transit Accessibility
• Infrastructure Projects
• Development Review
• Volunteer opportunities

We would love to chat with you about how these upcoming topics, opportunities, and changes may relate to you and answer any questions you have for planning staff.

Save the Date: Good Neighbor Initiative Community Cookout

You're invited to the Good Neighbor Initiative Community Cookout, an annual community event and opportunity to build strong, healthy connections between student and non-student residents of neighborhoods surrounding downtown Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and UNC-Chapel Hill. Join us at Hargraves Community Center (216 N. Roberson St. Chapel Hill, NC 27516 ) on Thursday, Sept. 28  at 5:30 p.m.

The event is FREE and open to everyone. There will be FREE FOOD including Al's Burger Shack and Ben & Jerry's, music, and games for all ages.

This event is sponsored by the Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Carrboro, UNC-Chapel Hill Office of Off-Campus Student Life, The Jackson Center, Empowerment, Inc., the Downtown Partnership and many others.

Tampering with Political Campaign Signs Is a Crime

The public is reminded that anyone who knowingly removes, alters, or defaces a campaign sign is guilty of a crime. It is a misdemeanor for a person to steal, deface, vandalize, or unlawfully remove a political sign that is lawfully placed. 

 Those running for elected offices deserve the opportunity to display campaign signs in a legal manner without fear of damage or theft.

 The Carrboro Police Department encourages anyone who sees someone tampering with political signs, or has information regarding individuals who have stolen or defaced campaign signs, to contact 911 to file a report.

Carrboro Celebrates Voter Registration Day

Mayor Damon Seils proclaims Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, as Voter Registration Day in Carrboro.

The right to vote is a fundamental right of every citizen. Rather than making voting freer, fairer, and more accessible, the North Carolina General Assembly is erecting barriers to voting. Voters in North Carolina are now required to show a North Carolina driver’s license or other ”acceptable photo ID” when they vote.

The Orange County Board of Elections is offering free voter ID cards to eligible voters at their offices in Hillsborough.

”I encourage every eligible resident to observe this day by ensuring that they are accurately registered to vote at their current address, ensuring that they have an acceptable voter photo ID, and committing to cast a ballot in the upcoming municipal and primary elections,”  Mayor Seils said. 

Early voting and same-day voter registration for the upcoming municipal elections will begin on Oct. 26 in Carrboro.

Election Day for this year’s municipal elections will be Tuesday, Nov. 7, and Election Day for the statewide primary election will be Tuesday, March 5.

Learn more about voter information, free voter ID cards and more.

Click the above image to view our Monthly Events Newsletter and discover all of the exciting programs and special events that are coming up! Registration for our fall programs is underway. 

Fall Registration Open for Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Resources 

The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s Fall program brochure is now available! Click the image above to learn more.

This includes registration for Youth Basketball and registration for Zumba on Thursdays with Heidi White, a new instructor. Click the image below to register!

Diaper Awareness Week

The week of Sept. 18 - 24 is “Diaper Need Awareness Week" in Carrboro, as proclaimed by Mayor Damon Seils. 

"I encourage residents of Carrboro to donate generously to diaper banks, diaper drives, and those organizations that collect and distribute diapers to those struggling with diaper need, so that all of Carrboro’s children and families can thrive and reach their full potential," Mayor Seils said. 

Carrboro is proud to be home to trusted community-based organizations including Diaper Bank of North Carolina that recognize the importance of diapers in ensuring health and providing economic stability for families and thus distribute diapers to families through various channels.

Learn more about how to give or receive assistance and read the full proclamation.

Put your ideas into action! Apply to serve the Town of Carrboro

The Town of Carrboro is seeking volunteers to provide a fresh perspective on important local issues.

Carrboro local government has various advisory boards and commissions that advise the Town Council on a wide range of issues. We are currently looking to fill vacancies!

When you serve, you become an advocate for the Town of Carrboro, provide feedback to the Council, and help strengthen the community with your unique perspective. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people as you put your ideas into action.

Learn more about the openings available.

Join Carrboro Film Fest and the filmmakers at The Chelsea for a screening of Stay Here Awhile

Carrboro Film Fest and The Chelsea invite you to a screening and discussion of the new documentary Stay Here Awhile. The screening will take place at The Chelsea Theater located at 1129 Weaver Dairy Rd Suite AB, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, on Tuesday, September 26 at 7 p.m.

In this poetic ode to the power of the Southern landscape, a Tennessee folklorist, a fifth-generation farmer, a Mississippi river guide, and a former professional football player journey through loss and healing, bidding viewers to linger in the liminal spaces we find at the end of things. Director Andrew Kornylak will be in attendance for a Q&A after the screening. 

Purchase your tickets for this one-night-only event through The Chelsea’s website today!

Pricing update from Solarize the Triangle

We are thrilled to announce that we have reached the lowest price tier possible for our group purchase campaign! 80+ neighbors have already gone solar with Solarize the Triangle '23. And, lots more are in the works! 

Don't miss out on your chance to be part of the unique community campaign for discounted solar. Lock in the price by signing up for a no obligation solar evaluation at www.SolarizeTheTriangle.com before the September 30th deadline.