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

In recognition of the service and sacrifices of our country's veterans, Town Hall is displaying green lights as Carrboro officially participates with Operation Green Light. Veterans Day is celebrated on Monday, Nov. 11. Open this issue for more details about observances in Orange County and access more news updates for the community.  

Swearing-in Ceremony of Newly Elected

Council Member set for Dec. 3

Following results of a Nov. 5, 2024, special election, Cristóbal Palmer will be sworn into office as a member of the Carrboro Town Council during an organization meeting set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. 

The special election was held to fill Mayor Barbara Foushee’s unexpired Council term through December 2025. 

View more details about the Tuesday, Nov. 5, election at the Orange County Board of Elections.

Community Celebrations in honor of Veterans Day

Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11, as a day to remember the invaluable contribution of Carrboro's veterans and urges all residents to take every opportunity to honor the service and sacrifice of individuals in uniform transitioning from active service. 

Town of Carrboro Recognizes Employee Veterans

In a ceremony to be held outside Carrboro Town Hall at 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, Town of Carrboro employees who are veterans, will be honored for their service and sacrifice, including the following: 

Police Department

• Captain Tony Frye (Army)
• Lieutenant Mike Metz (Army)
• Lieutenant Joseph Thomas (Marine Corps)

Fire-Rescue Department

• Eddie Renegar (Marine Corps)

Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Resources Department

• Jack Gaegler (Air Force)
• Steve Harward (Navy)
• Clarence Potter (Army)

Public Works Department

• John Garland (Army)

Orange County Veterans Memorial Ceremony

If you are looking to honor the veterans in your life, a special ceremony commemorating Veterans Day will be held at the Orange County Veterans Memorial on Monday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. The event will be held at the Orange County Veterans Memorial at 2501 Homestead Drive, Chapel Hill, NC. This year's ceremony will feature Captain Alfred Scott McLaren, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Ph.D., as the distinguished guest speaker. Mayor Foushee will provide a recognition of elected officials and dignitaries during the event. 

Captain McLaren, a highly decorated naval officer and polar explorer, brings a remarkable background to this year’s celebration. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, McLaren served as a submarine commander and was selected among the first fifty officers to complete Admiral H.G. Rickover’s Advanced Nuclear Power School. His academic achievements include a Ph.D. in the Physical Geography of the Polar Regions from the University of Colorado Boulder, an M.Phil. in Polar Studies from the University of Cambridge, and a Master’s in International Affairs from George Washington University. 

McLaren’s service in the U.S. Navy and his expertise in polar geography make him an inspiring speaker for this occasion, which honors the courage, dedication, and sacrifices made by U.S. veterans in service to their country.

The Orange County Veterans Day Celebration is free and open to the public. Families, friends, and all members of the community are encouraged to attend as a way to show support and gratitude to our veterans. This annual ceremony aims to celebrate the contributions of veterans from all branches of the armed services and to pay tribute to the values they represent.

Learn more about the Veterans Memorial at ocveteransmemorial.com

Operation Green Light

In observance of Operation Green Light, the Town of Carrboro is displaying green lights on Carrboro Town Hall, Fire Station 1 and Carrboro Century Center. The lights are a symbol of recognition of the plight of veterans across the country who are having a hard time connecting with benefits after serving their country.

Veterans Day is a time to reflect on those who have courageously served our nation in the armed forces. Thank you to our veterans, past and present, for your service and sacrifice.

Read the full Veterans Day Proclamation and Operation Green Light Resolution.

Town hosts Q&A Session about Site Assessment Report

The Town of Carrboro is hosting a question-and-answer session for residents interested in learning more about the report on Town properties under consideration for possible affordable housing use, which was presented to Town Council earlier this year.  

Summit Design and Engineering Services staff will make a brief presentation and be available to answer questions.  Coffee and refreshments will be provided.

Event details

• Date:  Saturday, Nov. 9 
• Time:  9:30-10:45 AM 
• Location - Carrboro Century Center – Century Hall
• 100 N. Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC 27510

Please note that the report is still under review. No decisions about potential development have been made.  

Learn more about this project and submit your questions to Engage Carrboro. 

ENGAGE CARRBORO, the Town of Carrboro engagement hub, is the online home for outreach and listening efforts to shape the future of our community. Here you can find upcoming events, initiatives, and opportunities to share your input on key topics.  

Leaf Collection in Carrboro

Have you noticed leaf piles around town? It’s certainly that time of year. The Town of Carrboro would like to remind everyone that leaves should not be piled into traffic lanes, bike lanes or sidewalks, as they become a dangerous public safety hazard.

Residents should also check collection schedules for yard waste and leaves, so that piles do not remain at the curb longer than necessary. 

Typically, residents receive yard waste and loose-leaf collection twice per month, either on the first and third Mondays of the month or the second and fourth Mondays of the month. It’s important to note that although the collection day is Monday, depending on the volume of material placed at the curb, the routes may take more than one day to complete.  

• Check your solid waste collection schedule.
• Note the holiday schedule.

Requirements for Leaf Pickup

• Don’t put leaves in the street or block sidewalks, bike lanes or storm drains.
• Optional use of a roll-out cart which is collected with an automated side loader refuse truck. 
• No plastic or paper bags are allowed. No plastic bags allowed.
• Keep the gutter clear. Allow at least 1 foot between the curb and the leaves.
• Don't block stormwater grates.
• Loose leaves waste must be free of all debris.  No dirt, sod, rock, or concrete. 
• Separate loose leaves and brush. Piles that contain limbs, brush or other yard waste will not be picked up.
• Place your leaf piles away from trees that have overhanging branches less than 14 feet from the ground, or lower branches that protrude into the lane of travel. These branches pose hazards to our equipment.
• Park vehicles at least 10 feet away from piles.
• Do not place leaves in lanes of travel (bike lanes/travel lanes).
• Help keep your neighborhood safe for people walking, biking, and driving by placing your trash, recycling and yard waste carts where they don't block the sidewalk, bike lane, or traffic flow.

More Information about Leaf Collection in Carrboro

• Loose leaves are picked up at no extra charge to our residents. 
• This program helps to keep gutters and storm drainage grates clean and working properly through the winter.
• Carrboro’s Loose Leaf Collection Program is year-round. 
• Often, when residents see our machinery approaching, they will come out and move their parked vehicles so we can access their leaf piles more easily. The crews appreciate this, as it makes the process go more smoothly.
• The Town recycles leaves as compost. Diverting these natural materials from the solid waste stream helps extend the usable landfill space and keeps methane-producing materials out of the landfill. FREE leaf compost is available to Carrboro residents. 
• With appreciation and recognition to the New Hope Audubon Society, the Town is encouraging residents to follow their "Leave the Leaves" initiative. Leaving leaves where they fall, or close thereby, saves time and money and recycles nutrients into the local ecosystem. 
• Learn more about Leaf Collection in Carrboro.
• Contact Carrboro Public Works at (919) 918-7425 or PWorks@townofcarrboro.org

Town Council Update

The Town Council is scheduled to meet next 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 for its regular business meeting. 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/

The livestream will be available at YouTube

New Council Meeting Time 
A new meeting time has been set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday meeting dates through 2024. The Council wants to hear from the community about if the new time works well! Let us know at Engage Carrboro.

ABOUT CARRBORO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. You can reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions anytime at Council@carrboronc.gov Meetings are open to the public to join in person at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. OR via Livestreaming at YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  

Regular business meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Work sessions are generally held the second Tuesdays of the month. Public comment is not accepted during work sessions, and votes are not taken. 

• Agendas (and meeting videos) are posted at https://carrboro.legistar.com/
• The Town of Carrboro offers free language translation and interpretation services to residents. Information: 919-918-7391 or info@carrboronc.gov
• Sign up to receive Council Updates with meeting agendas and post-meeting recaps at www.carrboronc.gov/signup (choose Carrboro Town News)
• Learn more about your Town Council at https://www.carrboronc.gov/248/Town-Council
• Questions? Reach Town Clerk Lamar Joyner at 919-918-7309 or townclerk@carrboronc.gov

Deciding not to rake leaves is a simple way to support the environment and local biodiversity while also making yard maintenance easier and more sustainable. 

Pledge to Leave Your Leaves  online or in-person at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. and pick up a free yard sign! Yard signs measure 18 x 24 inches, are made of sturdy, weather-resistant materials, and are printed with low-VOC vegetable-based inks. There is a limit of one free yard sign per household per year.   

The Town of Carrboro is partnering with the Towns of Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, Orange County, the New Hope Bird Alliance, and Keep Durham Beautiful to encourage community members to Leave the Leaves, support biodiversity, improve water quality, and reduce pollution. 

Did you know that leaves are natural fertilizers and help protect wildlife? Nature’s bounty provides an opportunity to put fallen leaves to good use. 

Learn more about Leave Your Leaves.

Provide Input on Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

Alamance, Durham, Orange, and Person Counties and their incorporated communities are updating the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Local governments are required to prepare and update hazard mitigation plans to be eligible for FEMA hazard mitigation assistance grants.

Public input is critical to the planning process. Please take a few minutes to complete a brief public survey to provide your input on hazard risks and mitigation options. Click here for the survey.

For more information about the plan update, visit the project website at www.enohawhmp.com. On this site you will find information about upcoming and past Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee meetings and public meetings, a link for the public survey, draft documents, and other mitigation planning resources.

20th Annual Gallop & Gorge 8K is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day

The final race of the 20th annual Le Tour de Carrboro series is the Gallop & Gorge 8K scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28.

The race will begin and end on Weaver Street in downtown Carrboro so expect traffic delays in that area. View the full race route below. 

There will also be an opportunity to give back to your community.  Collection boxes will be available for non-perishable food items to be donated to the Interfaith Council Food Pantry.

Grab a cup of coffee, some non-perishable items to donate, and come out to cheer on the runners before you begin your Thanksgiving festivities at home.

The race's 2024 Community Partners include Carrboro Boy Scout Troop 845, Carrboro Family Garden, Meals on Wheels of Orange County, Optimist Club of Chapel Hill, Orange County Rape Crisis Center, Table and UNC Get Real & Heel Cancer Exercise Program.

Learn about the race.

Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources

Monthly Events Newsletter

View the Monthly Events Newsletter and discover all of the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!

Check out the Monthly Newsletter.

Save the Dates for Carrboro’s Holiday Events

Join The Town of Carrboro in celebrating the holiday season and save the dates for these upcoming festive events.

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

Join us at Carrboro Town Hall as we gather and celebrate the festive season!

We welcome all community members to join members of the Town Council along with local schoolchildren from Carrboro and McDougle elementary schools as we officially kick off the season with music and the lighting of the community tree. 

In collaboration with our participating schools, we have partnered with Porch to hold a canned food drive. Please bring non-perishable items to the tree lighting and place in each designated box. Let's see which school can collect the most donations!

This event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in front of Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. 

Chapel Hill – Carrboro Community Holiday Parade

The annual Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade is kicking off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. The parade route begins at 140 West Plaza, travels along Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, proceeds to Main Street in Carrboro, and ends at Carrboro Town Hall.  

Join us for a festive, entertaining, safe, and inclusive community parade to celebrate the winter holiday season. Stake out your curbside spot and watch arts, cultural, and community groups parade through town. 

Kids, Cookies & Candy Canes

Join our holiday celebration for children of all ages! Bring the family to the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St, Carrboro, NC on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to noon and enjoy some holiday fun!  Join us for cookies, crafts, and a children's show.

Visit the Events Calendar on our website to learn more about all our upcoming events.

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.