Carrboro Connects: Creating Community Together!

The Town of Carrboro is launching our first comprehensive plan, Carrboro Connects: Creating Community Together!

Through Carrboro Connects we will be exploring our community’s needs and priorities surrounding topics such as climate action, race and equity, affordable housing, economic sustainability, recreation and culture, and ways to create a stronger and more inclusive Carrboro. And we can’t do this without hearing and learning from all our residents, organizations, businesses and other stakeholders. The comprehensive plan will become our Town’s guide for reaching and realizing our vision and goals over the next 20 years or more. 

Don’t miss a beat! Here are two ways to get involved:

• Visit www.carrboroconnects.org today. Learn more about the plan and register to share ideas, ask questions, and receive updates as the project continues.
• Mark your calendar for Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. when we hope you can join us for the Comprehensive Plan Kickoff via Zoom. Tell your family, friends, and neighbors and stay tuned for more details!

Please contact Ben Berolzheimer at bberolzheimer@townofcarrboro.org or 919-918-7330 with any questions. Thank you for your participation and help in shaping Carrboro’s future!”

We're Planting Trees in Carrboro!

Volunteers will pick up their shovels from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, to plant trees in Henry “Hank” Anderson III Community Park at 302 N Carolina Hwy 54 W, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.

The tree planting is part of a town project to restore a stream buffer and provide shade, beauty, and environmental benefits to the community. Made possible through a $4,000 grant from the NC Urban Forest Council and its Legacy Tree Fund grant program, Carrboro will be contributing toward the program’s statewide goal of planting 10,000 trees in 10 years. In Carrboro, volunteers will plant 28 trees, including tulip poplar, eastern redbud, flowering dogwood, bald cypress, river birch, water tupelo, and fringetree species. 

“Carrboro recognizes the value of healthy and resilient urban forests to the community,” said Mayor Lydia Lavelle. “With this funding, the Town hopes to provide habitat for wildlife, improve water quality, sequester carbon, and enhance quality of life for all residents.”

We've posted more about this event at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1493

Introducing Visit Carrboro

CARRBORO, NC -- Last week, the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority (CTDA) launched “Visit Carrboro,” an initiative to promote safe travel and tourism in the Town of Carrboro. The new initiative includes a dynamic new website (www.VisitCarrboro.com), beautiful photography, two engaging videos, and active social media (#VisitCarrboro) - all of which convey the Carrboro “feel free” spirit.

“The pandemic and economic contraction have made safe travel and tourism more important than ever,” said Donald Strickland, Chair, Carrboro Tourism Development Authority and Area General Manager, Atma Hotel Group and the Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Carrboro. “Our local businesses need Visit Carrboro. Tourism matters, and the new website, photographs, and videos show tourists that they can feel free and safe in Carrboro, and that all are welcome.” 

It's a great story! Get all the details at http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1499 

Carrboro People Photo Album

In time for Thanksgiving, the Town of Carrboro is creating a Carrboro People Photo Album. 

If you would like to be included, take a photo of yourself, your pod, or your family pets to be included, and feel free to add your name. 

“Many of us haven’t seen each other in a while, due to the pandemic,” said Mayor Lydia Lavelle. “This is a simple way to catch up by sharing a snapshot to show your community how you’re doing. The faces of our community at this moment in time will surely be interesting to look back on, much like photos in a family album.” 

Choose how you would like to be a part of the Carrboro People Photo Album:

• Post to Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and tag the Town of Carrboro and #IamCarrboro OR,
• Email to clazorko@townofcarrboro.org OR,
• Mail or drop off to Attn: Carrboro Connects, Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510  
• Please tag or send your photos by Monday, Nov. 16.   

Questions? Contact Communications Manager Catherine Lazorko at clazorko@townofcarrboro.org

Our town photo album debuts during the Town of Carrboro Comprehensive Plan Kickoff at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. Register today at www.carrboroconnects.org In the spirit of the coming Thanksgiving holiday, the kickoff will also be an opportunity for people to gather and to enjoy being with one another – virtually, for safety. 

BIPOC Business Roundtable Discussion 

The Carrboro Department of Economic Development has announced a BIPOC Business Roundtable Discussion scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.

The Town 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.

The meeting expands upon the Town’s efforts over the past year and a half to listen to the needs of its minority populations and find ways to systemically improve their lives from the Town’s perspective. The Town held two previous Minority Business Roundtables in July 2020. 

Businesses interested in participating in the roundtable discussions are asked to pre-register. Register and find more information at www.townofcarrboro.org/152/Economic-Development 

For more information: Jon Hartman-Brown: 919-391-7846 or JHartman-Brown@TownofCarrboro.org

Recreation Participants - Help Us Ensure We Are Reaching Everyone In Our Community

As part of the Town of Carrboro’s race and equity initiative, maintaining data is important to ensure we are reaching and serving all members of our community.  In order to achieve this goal, we hope to gain a better understanding of who we are currently serving.  Therefore, we have added an ethnicity component to our RecTrac/WebTrac registration and reservation system.

We are asking that everyone who currently has an account through our RecTrac/WebTrac system to update their family’s information by providing the ethnicity of each household member.  This will help us with reporting and evaluation of participation in recreation programs and activities, which will help guide our strategies to better serve the community.

If you already have a WebTrac account, please visit http://carrbororec.org  

From there, log into your account. Next, go to ‘Update Account Details’.  From here, you can choose the ethnicity of family members in the drop down menu under each person. (Please note: Due to a bug in the RecTrac software, the main contact ethnicity field is not currently showing online. To update this field for the main contact, you may call the department at 919.918.7364 or email our Administrative Assistant at dsanders@townofcarrboro.org) 

If you do not have a WebTrac account and the ability to update online, please contact our Administrative Assistant at the above phone number or email address and we can assist you with entering this information.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US BETTER SERVE OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY!

Indoor Gatherings Limit Reduced to 10; Precautions Need to Be Taken Now for Thanksgiving

North Carolina’s indoor mass gathering limit will be lowered to 10 people again, effective at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13. Anyone planning to gather with non-household members for Thanksgiving should start a 14-day quarantine today, Nov. 12, to lower the risk of transmitting COVID-19 at the gathering.

The state executive order, No. 176, will be in place through 5 p.m. Dec. 4. Orange County has amended its emergency declaration to follow current and future state executive orders related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The county declaration is in effect through Dec. 31. 

The reduction in the indoor gathering limit is intended to slow the spread of COVID-19. North Carolina’s trajectory of confirmed cases is increasing, the percent of positive tests is above 5%, and the number of hospitalizations across the state is high. Increases in cases have been connected to social gatherings. The outdoor gathering limit remains at 50 people.

Read more at http://townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1505

Guidance on Safer Holiday Breaks

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. ― Any scenario in which people gather together poses a risk for COVID-19 transmission. The Orange County Health Department offers information on how to gather more safely during the holidays, including guidance for students leaving college campuses and others traveling. 

“We encourage hosts and guests of private gatherings to follow this guidance so we can all help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart. 

A COVID-19 Clusters in North Carolina report shows trends of increasing clusters from social and community gatherings. A cluster is defined as a minimum of five cases with a common epidemiological link. 

“Staying connected with friends and family during the holidays is incredibly important for all of our well-being,” Stewart said. “But this year it will be safer to stay connected via telephone or video chat. We want people to keep in mind that the best gift you can give is the gift of health this holiday season.” 

Read this full story with helpful info to plan for the holidays at https://www.townofcarrboro.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1497

Town Council Update

Nov. 17 Meeting Agenda and Past Meeting Summary 

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 www.townofcarrboro.org/signup 

Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community.  Reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions at council@townofcarrboro.org

Coming Up 
The Town Council will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, to consider the agenda now available at https://bit.ly/3f14liK  

To view, livestream at https://carrboro.legistar.com/  or Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). To speak at the meeting email publiccomment@townofcarrboro.org

Past Meeting 
The Carrboro Town Council met virtually Tuesday, Nov. 10, and took the following actions. 

• Progress Report on the County-wide Long Term Recovery Plan
  The Orange County Long-Term Recovery Group is a partnership of nearly 150 community stakeholders, Orange County and the towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. The Council received an update on this planning effort. Learn more at www.orangeforwardnc.org 
• Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement
  The Water and Sewer Management, Planning, and Boundary Agreement is an agreement signed in 2001 between Orange County, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), and the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. The Council supported the preparation of a draft WASMPBA map interpretation/boundary resolution mechanism for consideration by all partners to the agreement.
• Public Hearing on CDBG-CV Grant Application for Emergency Housing Assistance
  The Council held a second public hearing on the draft application from the Town of Carrboro for Federal Community Development Block Grant - Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Funds, and authorized the Town to submit the application.
• Land Use Ordinance Text Amendments Relating to Historic Rogers Road Neighborhood
  The Council received public comment on land use ordinance amendments that would establish new zoning districts and associated performance standards for the Historic Rogers Road neighborhood. This public hearing was closed and the Council will consider this item at the next meeting. 
• The 203 South Greensboro Project -Public Hearing on Schematic Design and Project Cost
  The Council received public comment and authorized continued plans on the 203 South Greensboro Project. The Council directed additional problem-solving with regards to parking demand and use, and for review of additional bicycle parking. Review the design schematics and details at https://townofcarrboro.org/1151/The-203-Project

View the complete agenda at https://bit.ly/3eZmxcr and access the meeting video at https://carrboro.legistar.com/  

About the Town Council 

The Town Council is the legislative and policy-making body for Carrboro, consisting of seven elected members: Mayor Lydia Lavelle, Mayor Pro Tempore Barbara Foushee, Council Member Jacquelyn Gist, Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Council Member Susan Romaine, Council Member Damon Seils, and Council Member Sammy Slade. More information is available at http://townofcarrboro.org/248/Town-Council 

Conversations with the Mayors

To catch up on local news and hear conversations between WCHL's Aaron Keck and Mayor Lydia Lavelle, visit https://chapelboro.com/conversations-with-the-mayors-2  

Community Food Distribution

A Community Food Distribution event is scheduled for 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at Carrboro High School, 201 Rock Haven Road.

Anyone in need is welcome. The distribution is first come, first served. It is free of charge, and there are no eligibility requirements.

Due to COVID-19, distributions are held on a drive-through basis. Boxes are placed inside vehicle trunks.

Free masks will be distributed to anyone who needs them.

The event is sponsored by the Town of Carrboro and the Orange County Social Services Department.

Thank you to all our volunteers and our caring community.

Free Healthy Homes During COVID-19 Class

The Orange County Health Department is offering a free, virtual Healthy Homes Class from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. 

Participants will learn about potential environmental triggers in the home, green cleaning principles, and home injury prevention tips. Participants will also receive a free Green Cleaning Kit. This class will be offered in Spanish as well.

Registration Deadline: Monday, Nov. 16.

The class is open to all age groups and will meet via GO TO Meeting. To register call Krishnaveni Balakrishnan at 919-621-3818 or email kbalakrishnan@orangecountync.gov   Please include: name, address, and the email you will be using to participate in the class.

Traffic Alert: Estes-Greensboro Intersection

Expect lane closures near the intersection of Estes Drive and Greensboro Street over the weekend, Nov. 14-15.  The intersection signal light may be in flash mode. 

The closures will allow a contractor for Google Fiber to lay fiber in the area. 

People walking, biking, or driving through the area are advised to use caution and to expect possible delays. 

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