News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(September 13, 2023) 

Here's what's new in Carrboro This Week: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Take the Racial Equity Commission Survey and share your thoughts! September is the final month for the Bolin Creek Greenway survey, so be sure to take the survey.  And, we have details on the Carrboro Music Festival! Check it all out in this issue! 

Carrboro Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Carrboro is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed nationally from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. 

“I encourage all residents to participate in the month’s events and to learn about and celebrate the lives, history, and contributions of Hispanic people during this month-long celebration and throughout the year,” said Mayor Damon Seils, who has proclaimed the observance in Carrboro. 

According to the 2020 US Census, Hispanic and Latinx people make up approximately 13% of the population of Carrboro, the highest percentage in Orange County. 

Some area events of note: 

• Saturday, September 16, El Vínculo Hispano will hold La Fiesta de la Herencia Hispana in Siler City, which will feature music and dance, games and activities, arts and crafts and food vendors
• Sunday, September 17, El Pueblo will hold La Fiesta del Pueblo, a celebration of Latin American culture on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh that will include live music and dance performances, visual and folk art exhibits, educational booths and activities for the whole family
• September 24, El Futuro will hold its Kermes de la Herencia Hispana in Durham
• September 30, El Futuro will hold its Fall Fundraiser & Art Auction in Durham
• Throughout the month, the UNC Carolina Latinx Center is celebrating Latinx Heritage Month with the theme “The Latinxverse: El Universo Es Tuyo” and will be sharing a calendar of events online at https://clc.unc.edu/programs/latinx-heritage-month/

This is a great time to recognize the contributions and achievements of Hispanic and Latinx people in the United States, to acknowledge their vital impact both locally and throughout the nation, and to celebrate these communities’ diversity, culture, and traditions. 

Read the proclamation at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions

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 

Join us for National Clean Up Day in Carrboro! 

We need your help to clean up the town! Meet at the Century Center on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 9 a.m. and join us as we walk through town, removing trash and recycling debris along the way.

Please call to let us know you are attending and remember to dress in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. 

If you, your family, or group would like to help with the annual cleanup, please contact Galen Poythress at (919) 918-7392 or email jpoythress@carrboronc.gov.

Date: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023

Time: 9 - 11:30 a.m.

Location: Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro, NC 27510

Carrboro recognized for communications excellence 

The Town of Carrboro was recognized nationally this month by the City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) Savvy Awards competition. 

The Savvy Awards recognize outstanding local government achievements in communications, public-sector marketing, and resident-government relationships. Awards were announced at the 3CMA Conference in Orlando, Fla., Sept. 6-8, 2023. 

With more than 875 entries across 38 categories, the Town of Carrboro’s Communication and Engagement Department received third place, earning the Award of Excellence in the category social media campaign. 

 “Welcome to Carrboro” is a social media campaign designed to highlight the unique facets of a small town with beautiful art and photography. Analytics show that people stopped scrolling and connected with images of iconic buildings, events and traditions. The attention-grabbing artwork reflects an inclusive, lively and cohesive community and resonates with the artistic and progressive vibe of Carrboro. Judges said the entry’s “supporting data helped to define the opportunity and show how well it worked.”

3CMA is a national organization dedicated to helping local governments across the U.S. improve their communication and marketing efforts. Their goal is to promote excellence in public sector communications and to support government professionals in effectively informing and engaging their communities. The list of all award winners is available online at 3cma.org.

Carrboro Police Department participated in the annual 9/11 Memorial Climb at Kenan Stadium

Today marks 22 years since the events of 9/11/2001 unfolded. Every year, the UNC Army ROTC hosts a memorial stair climb at Kenan Stadium. 

This year, Sgt Velazquez and Chief Atack joined members of the Chapel Hill Police Department in remembering the sacrifice of citizens and first responders on that fateful day 22 years ago.

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 meet for a Council Meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, 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 met for a Work Session on Sept. 12, 2023, to discuss the residential traffic calming process and how it might be simplified. Also, the Council discussed street connectivity and the Town’s Connector Roads Policy. At work sessions, public comment is not received nor is Council action taken. Watch the work session at https://www.youtube.com/live/YlFJfEocMLU?si=a-MsI_wLTdXZgQdv

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

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 specific, actionable suggestions in our online survey here.

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.

September community update for the 203 Project

Construction continues on the parking deck of The 203 Project with an early morning concrete pour tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 19.   

This is one of six large pours left for the second level of the parking deck. Roberson Street is expected to be temporarily closed to through-traffic between Maple Avenue Extension and S. Greensboro Street during the hours of 4 and 10 a.m. to accommodate the concrete pumping equipment.  

Crews remain busy with interior construction.  Purple sheathing with a green air barrier is being installed on the exterior of the building which will soon be covered with brick veneer.  

We are coming up on about a year of active construction.  The project is on track to finish next summer.  

Read our full September update for more information on the 203 Project.

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.

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:

• Saturday, September 16:  7 a.m. -12 p.m. at the Farmers’ Market 
• Wednesday, September 20: 8 - 10 a.m. at Carrboro Town Hall (Coffee with a Planner)
• 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.

Bolin Creek pedestrian bridge now reopen with temporary support structure

Carrboro Public Works has completed the temporary support timber cribbing system for the bicycle and pedestrian bridge that was damaged by a fallen tree during an August storm. The bridge crosses Bolin Creek off Homestead Road near Chapel Hill High School. 

The temporary support will stay in place until a permanent solution is in place. Based on estimates from the fabricator that originally manufactured the truss segments, new parts may take as long as nine months to be delivered, so the temporary repair will be in place for an extended period.

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!

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!

Solarize the Triangle enters Tier 4 as the deadline to enroll approaches

The regionwide group-buying program Solarize the Triangle has entered another tier of lower prices based on additional property owners in the Triangle purchasing new renewable energy systems. 

This week, the community-based campaign entered Tier 4 of progressively lower-priced tier levels. 

The program enables residents and businesses to save on the ordinary cost of solar energy and battery power through combined buying with others within 12 communities in the Triangle. 

Federal income tax credits of 30 percent make this form of clean energy even more affordable. Acting to enroll for free and without obligation prior to Sept. 30 ensures access to the lowest-price tier achieved. Rebates provide everyone the same final price regardless of when a contract is completed before the final deadline later this year. 

The deadline to sign up at no cost is Sept. 30, 2023. All residential solar and battery contracts must be completed by Dec. 31, 2023. A separate deadline for commercial/non-profit contract completions is Feb. 28, 2024. 

Read the most recent press release from Solarize the Triangle for more information on how to enroll and upcoming events in the area.