News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(February 29, 2024) 

Watch our Black History Month Recap. Read the Town Council Update. Learn how you can prevent the spread of invasive species to the places that you love during National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Check out the events coming this weekend including Carrboro in Motion and Florafitti. All these and more in Carrboro This Week!

Black women make history after elected

as mayor in 3 NC towns: 'True Shift'

ABC11 sat down with the newly elected mayors as they start a new legacy of Black women in leadership.

In the small towns of Butner, Carrboro, and Henderson the mayor has never been a Black woman, until a few months ago, when voters for the first time elected three Black women to lead their communities forward.

Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee is a scientist in a molecular oncology lab in RTP by day. Inside her office in town hall, she has a note from a third grader hanging on her wall. A reminder, of why this may be her most important role so far. "She wrote, remember me, the little black girl that you called up to sit at the desk for the mock town council meeting. And I could see her out of the corner of my eye. She was looking at me just in complete amazement, you know, that I am sitting here with a Black woman mayor," shared Foushee.

See the full story on ABC 11.

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, March 5. 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). 

Recap of Past Meeting  
The Council met on Tuesday, Feb. 27, and took the following actions on the agenda posted at https://ecs.page.link/5wt11

• Approved a budget amendment designating $55,972 of non-departmental funds for a cost-share agreement to support engagement and master plan design services for the jointly owned Greene Tract.
• Made appointments (David Jessee, Nadia Taylor, Jack Moracco and Jim Porto) to the Economic Sustainability Commission.
• Held a public hearing on potential modifications to the stormwater rate structure to fund a new residential assistance program. The Council approved changing the rate structure through a $10 increase in the Equivalent Residential Unit fee. This rate structure will allow the Town to accelerate and expand stormwater residential assistance service delivery.
• Held public hearings to receive public comment on proposed Land Use Ordinance Text Amendments and Conditional Zoning at 1307 West Main Street. The hearings were held as the Council considered and subsequently approved amendments to the Land Use Ordinance to modify standards relating to height, residential density and non-residential uses in the R-2 conditional district subject to certain criteria. The request was associated with a petition to amend the zoning classification at 1307 West Main Street to R-2-CZ for the development of a five-story multi-family residential project. The application includes a request for a text amendment to increase the maximum building height in the R-2 district from 50 feet to 65 feet. The Council approved these requests.
• Approved a Minor Modification of a Special Use Permit-A for a change to the front façade of the building at 203 West Weaver Street.

Watch the livestream of the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/CUj4aG6ETxc?si=vKLGm1pXdne8V0Gy

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 at https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14168/2024-Town-Council-Meeting-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 is available at https://www.carrboronc.gov/248/Town-Council

Plant with Floraffiti this weekend

Help plant the words from this year's Floraffiti's poetry workshops held in February. 

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 were explored in poetry workshops led by  Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis and Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Cortland Gillia . The workshops addressed social-political challenges and inequities that are exacerbated by the climate crisis.

The public is invited to volunteer with Carter Hubbard and poetry workshop participants in planting the seeds of Floraffiti in an atmosphere of welcoming and inclusive community engagement, supporting conversation, interaction, and a positive relationship-building experience. There are two opportunities to plant this year.  All tools, gloves, and materials will be supplied for ages 13 and up.

Sign up for planting workshops this weekend:

• Saturday, March 2, 2024 - sign up here
  • 1-4 p.m., meeting at the Carrboro ArtsCenter
• Sunday, March 3, 2024 - sign up here
  • 1-4 p.m., meeting at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

The poetry created by each workshop participant will be recorded and uploaded to a QR code. As you discover the growing words in Carrboro and Chapel Hill that Floragardeners have planted, there will be a sign at each site with the QR code to scan with your phone’s camera to be able to listen to their poem. Each site contains a different word and a poem that is unique to that word.  

Learn more about Floraffiti!

Black History Month in Carrboro

The Town of Carrboro is proud to recognize and celebrate Black people and Black history in Carrboro and across the nation during Black History Month. 

We enjoyed seeing community participating in local Black History Month events and learning about and celebrating the lives, history and contributions of Black people during February and expect this to continue throughout the year!

Events -- including a concert series, lectures, and a health and wellness fair -- have been planned and organized by the Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department. 

• Watch our recap video.
• Learn more about Black History Month in Carrboro.

Carrboro Fire-Rescue Responds to Structure Fire

Shortly after noon Wednesday, Feb. 21, members of the Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department responded to 10 Alston Drive for a reported structure fire. 

There were no injuries reported at the fire.  Fire damaged three outbuildings, as well as additional equipment and a wooded area in the vicinity of the structures. Initial damage estimates are approximately $65,000. 

Responding crews reported heavy smoke visible while approaching the scene. The first crew arrived in just over six minutes and found multiple outbuildings on fire along with other equipment. The fire had spread to the wooded area surrounding the buildings as well. Fire crews immediately initiated a fire attack and extinguished the fire in approximately 16 minutes.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Orange County Emergency Services Fire and Life Division. 

Alston Drive is in an unincorporated area of Orange County. It is in the South Orange Fire District and is protected by the Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department. 

The Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department received assistance from the Chapel Hill Fire Department, White Cross Fire Department, North Chatham Fire Department, Orange County Emergency Medical Services, and the Orange County Sherriff’s Office. 

Join the 2024 Carrboro Kite Fly

Join us at Hank Anderson Park, located at 302 N Carolina Hwy 54 W, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, on Sunday, March 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. for the Annual Town of Carrboro, NC Kite Fly! 

Bring your kite and help fill the sky with beautiful spring colors! No kite? No worries! We will have a limited supply available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

This is a free event for all ages! We hope to see you there!

Carrboro Police Investigating

Attempted Sexual Assault

At 11:28 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22,  the Carrboro Police Department responded to a report of an attempted sexual assault that occurred in the 300 block of E. Main Street in the area between the parking deck and Cat’s Cradle. Investigation determined that a female had been approached by an unknown male. The male suspect attempted to sexually assault the female. The female was able to get away from the male suspect before the sexual assault could be completed.

This case is open and actively being investigated. Additional information may be released as the investigation continues. Based on the actions of the suspect, the police department recommends that people walking in the area late at night be mindful of their surroundings and walk in groups if possible. Call 911 immediately if you are in a situation that makes you feel unsafe.

The police department is asking for assistance from any witnesses who may have been in the area of the 300-block of East Main St. between 10:45 and 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22. If you have information on this incident, please contact Investigator J. Armstrong with the Carrboro Police Department (jarmstrong@carrboronc.gov; 919-918-7417) or Crime Stoppers at 919-942-7515.

Media point of contact: Captain Ryan Daniels at (919) 918-7418 or rdaniels@carrboronc.gov.

Disparity Study - Virtual Public Input Sessions

Public input sessions are set for this March for people doing business with the Town of Carrboro or wanting to do business with the Town. All are invited to provide input on their experiences with the Town of Carrboro.

The input sessions are scheduled as follows via zoom:

• Tuesday, March 5 –  5 to 6 p.m.  Join the March 5 Zoom meeting
• Thursday, March 7 –  1 to 2 p.m. Join the  March 7 Zoom meeting

The public input sessions are part of the engagement process to be incorporated in a Disparity Study of the Town’s contracting and procurement practices. The Town of Carrboro is working with Griffin & Strong PC, a nationally recognized law and public policy consulting firm, to conduct the study.

The study aims to provide insights into the Town's utilization of minority-owned and women-owned businesses compared to its availability to identify any potential disparities. The study's findings will inform the Town's decision-making process and enable it to develop policies and strategies to promote equitable access to contracting opportunities.

The Disparity Study is a critical step forward in advancing the Town's racial equity goals.

For more information, contact carrborodisparitystudy.com or visit carrborodisparitystudy.com 

Chapel Hill Magazine features 
Mayor Barbara Foushee and Braxton Foushee 

"Braxton Foushee and Mayor Barbara Foushee believe in the benefits of public service and advocate for the good of communty, strenthening Carrboro's reputation as one of the most progressive towns in the South."

Read more at https://chapelhillmagazine.com/march-april-2024/

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!

Carrboro in Motion: Estes Park Apartments 

Carrboro In Motion is bringing the party back to Carrboro neighborhoods this Saturday, March 2 at Estes Park Apartments.

Come out and join in! Sign up to get a library card, write a poem, take your kids out to see the fire engine, and enjoy a free sno-cone from Pelican's. 

We will offer information on upcoming Town events, services and engagement opportunities. There will be bike and ped resources, map and routing resources, and reflective gear, and water bottles. Town staff will showcase volunteer opportunities and ways to connect with programs. Our community partners will offer bike and ped resources, information on literacy and education resources, and technology resources. Orange County partners will be on hand with Medicaid applications, resources from the Department on Aging, and more. Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis will lead a poetry writing table! Staff from Carrboro Fire-Rescue and the Carrboro Police Department will provide public safety resources and information. 

The block party will be in front of the leasing office at Estes Park Apartments (306 Estes Drive Ext., Carrboro, NC 25710) this Saturday, March 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.   All are welcome! 

Carrboro In Motion will be headed your way in 2024! Please note our schedule for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays: 

• March 2, 2024 at Estes Park Apartments
• April 27, 2024  at Collins Crossing Apartments
• May 18, 2024 at Berkshire 54 Apartments 
• June 8, 2024 at Royal Park Apartments
• Sept. 14, 2024 (TBA) 
• Oct. 12, 2024 (TBA) 

No rain dates for these events. 

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

Early voting in Orange County runs through Saturday, March 2

Primary election day is Tuesday, March 5, but you can vote early at any early voting location if that is more convenient. 

The early voting period begins on Thursday, Feb. 15 and runs through Saturday, March 2. Orange County has six early voting sites. On election day voters must vote at their assigned precinct. Find out where you vote.

Early Voting Sites:

• Orange Works at Hillsborough Commons (in lieu of BOE office): 113 Mayo St, Hillsborough
• Carrboro Town Hall Complex: 108 Bim St, Carrboro
• Chapel Hill Library: 100 Library Dr, Chapel Hill
• Chapel of the Cross: 304 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill
•  Seymour Senior Center: 2551 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill
•  *Efland – Cheeks Community Center: 117 Richmond Rd, Efland (new site)

Polls will be open:

• Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 17, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 25, from noon to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, March 2, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Learn more at the Orange County Elections page.

Criminal Justice Debt Program

Orange County Residents are eligible for funding to pay court fees/costs in NC or other states, as well as NC DMV hearing and reinstatement fees required to restore a license. 

Funding is available through contributions from the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro and the Orange County Bail Bond Justice Project.

Eligibility 

• Applicants must live within Orange County, North Carolina 
• Costs and fees can be from other counties in North Carolina 
• Must meet court indigency standards (low-income) 
• Cannot be currently incarcerated 
• Must have already pursued other avenues for debt relief (e.g., driver’s license restoration program) 
• Must demonstrate that assistance will have an immediate impact on his or her stability or successful reentry into the community 
• Applicants who have received prior funds from CJDP within the last three years are not eligible
• Fines, Restitution, and Vehicle Registration Costs are not eligible

Interested in Applying? Contact:

• Carrboro Residents call Carrboro Program Administrator: 919-918-7397 
• All other Orange County residents call Chapel Hill Police Crisis Unit at 919-968-2806
• Fill out an application today

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.