News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(Dec. 10, 2024) 

From field trips to Town Hall, a press conference garnering national attention, our Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, and walking in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade, Team Carrboro has been busy this week! Help celebrate Braxton Foushee Day by donating some non-perishables and save the date for our January events. Check this issue for more local news and events!  

Third Graders Tour of Town Hall and Fire Station

Last Friday was anything but ordinary! We held a mock Council meeting with about 100 third graders from Frank Porter Graham Elementary School.

The students engaged with Mayor Barbara Foushee, Braxton Foushee, Town Manager Patrice Toney, Town Clerk Lamar Joyner, and Communication and Engagement Director Catherine Lazorko. During the public comment portion of the meeting, some came with prepared concerns and remarks! They also learned fire safety tips and the role of firefighters in community safety from the Carrboro Fire-Rescue Team. 

Their visit concluded with cupcakes and well wishes to Mr. Foushee for a Happy Birthday on Dec. 13 (which is also Braxon Dunkin Foushee Day in Carrboro). 

Many thanks to the parent volunteers and the teachers, including Joshua White, who helped to coordinate the tour with Town staff members. 

Braxton Dunkin Foushee Day of Service

The Town of Carrboro will recognize Friday, Dec. 13, as Braxton Dunkin Foushee Day of Service in Carrboro in his honor and for gratitude for his service to the town.

In honor of Braxton Foushee, Town Manager Patrice Toney has commissioned the Town’s leadership to volunteer on Friday, Dec. 13 at Inter-Faith Council for Social Service.  She is also encouraging ongoing volunteering at non-profits that support education, mentorship, and life skills development for at-risk youth, all of which are a lifelong focus of Braxton Dunkin Foushee.

Everyone is encouraged to give by donating food and other requested supplies to support local non-profits such as Meals on Wheels of Orange County. 

View the full list of requested items.

To make non-perishable food donations, look for the boxes placed at Town Hall, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St., and Fire Station No. 1, 301 W. Main St. The boxes will be available Dec. 9-13, 2024. 

Loose leaf collection services delayed

Due to unexpected equipment failures on two of three loose leaf vacuum trucks, loose leaf collection services will be delayed. Our team is working diligently to repair the equipment and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Updates will be provided through the Town's website and social media channels as more information becomes available.

Residents are encouraged to use alternative methods for leaf recycling during this delay:

• Placing leaves in paper bags or yard waste roll-out carts.
• Utilizing composting options.
• “Leave the Leaves” to support biodiversity, improve water quality, and reduce pollution.

For further inquiries or updates, please contact the Carrboro Public Works Department at (919) 918-7425 or email pworks@carrboronc.gov.

2nd Friday Art Walk

The 2nd Friday Art Walk around downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill returns on Friday, Dec. 13

Rain or shine, Downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill will showcase The Carrboro-Chapel Hill 2nd Friday Art Walk.

Explore art galleries, artist studios, shops and restaurants. There will also be live music, performances, spoken word poetry and more. Venues are generally open late afternoon and evening hours. Exhibits at Carrboro Town Hall and Carrboro Century Center are open from 6 to 8 p.m.

Learn more about the participating venues and their exhibitions.

Carrboro's Holiday Trees Light Up the Night

Mayor Barbara Foushee (joined by Mayor pro tem Danny Nowell and Council Members Catherine Fray and Jason Merrill) welcomed a huge crowd of parents, friends and community members, gathered together to listen to local schoolchildren from Carrboro and McDougle elementary schools sing festive songs celebrating the festive season.

Despite the chilly weather, cheers and laughter filled the front lawn of Town Hall as Mayor Foushee led the countdown, and the trees were lit.

A video recap of the evening is coming your way later this month! 

Happy Holidays

It may have been a cold 19 degrees on Saturday, Dec. 7 – but the Carrboro Team turned up the heat! We had a blast at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade with our staff team led by Town Manager Patrice Toney and joined by community members like Oscar Garcia and others.

We celebrate the festivals and special events brought to the community by the Town of Carrboro throughout the year – from Black History Month special events to the Carrboro Film Fest, West End Poetry Festival, Carrboro Music Festival – and many more!

Huge thanks to the many staff who worked behind the scenes for the parade, supporting public safety and planning efforts. Check out our fun video - https://youtube.com/shorts/AECQuCKgsTg?si=uDD2flgQ2oaMwb3d 

Lawsuit Targets Duke Energy’s Decades of Climate Deception, Harm to North Carolina Town

The Town of Carrboro sued Duke Energy Corp. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 for the company’s decades-long role leading a nationwide climate deception scheme that has worsened the climate crisis, harmed the community and cost the town millions of dollars. The lawsuit seeks to hold Duke Energy accountable for the damages inflicted on Carrboro by the corporation’s campaign to delay the transition from planet-heating fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Town officials held a news conference at Carrboro Town Hall to discuss the lawsuit, which is the first to challenge an electric utility for knowingly deceiving the public about fossil fuels’ dangers. 

“We have to speak truth to power as we continue to fight the existential threat that is climate change. The climate crisis continues to burden our community and cost residents their hard-earned tax dollars,” said Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee. “Duke Energy’s knowledge of the environmental injustice being caused by the use of fossil fuels has unfairly plagued our community for decades. Historically underserved and marginalized communities are facing disproportionate impacts and health risks that are associated with climate change. This was not an easy decision to make but I believe that we must be courageous as we call out these injustices and seek change and accountability.”

Read more about the lawsuit.

Save the Date: Carrboro Event Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Join us on Jan. 18, 2025 for a youth-led event that brings the community together to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The event will begin at 1 p.m. in Century Hall located at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510. 

Apply Now for Carrboro's Residential Stormwater Assistance Program

The Town of Carrboro is pleased to announce the re-launch of the Town’s Residential Stormwater Assistance Program to offer no cost assessments to Carrboro homeowners interested in stormwater drainage improvement projects on their lots.  

Applications are available starting on Monday, Nov. 25, and site assessments will begin in January 2025.  Interested residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

The program provides technical advice regarding possible solutions to flooding, drainage, erosion, or other stormwater or stream related concerns.  Examples of technical advice include rain gardens, bioswales, impervious surface reduction, rainwater harvesting, and conceptual plans.

Learn more about the Residential Stormwater Assistance Program.

“Libba Cotten Day” Celebration in Carrboro

Legendary North Carolina musician Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten is being feted by her hometown with her very own day on her upcoming birthday anniversary. 

Mayor Barbara Foushee is officially proclaiming Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, as “Libba Cotten Day” in Carrboro. 

The Town of Carrboro invites community to enjoy a special event featuring Brenda Evans, the great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Cotten, for songs and remembrances at 1 p.m. Sunday, at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Evans was only 11 years old when she performed as a vocalist featured on the album Shake Sugaree.

The Town of Carrboro is also pleased to announce that joining in music, song, and the sharing of family stories are the great-great grandchildren of Ms. Cotten -- Jordan, Jared and John Evans of Charlotte, N.C. Join us for this special celebration of her life and legacy! 

Learn more about Carrboro's Libba Cotten celebrations.

Carrboro holding application orientation for human services funding

The Town of Carrboro, along with the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County, is holding an orientation for nonprofit applicants to the Outside Agency/Human Services funding program for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. 

The orientation provides an overview of the funding program and guidance on using the online application platform, administered through the Town of Chapel Hill’s website.  The application will be available via an online portal on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.

Orientation Session:

Date: Friday, Dec. 6 
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
Location: Donna S. Baker Meeting Room, Whitted Building, 2nd Floor, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278

The Towns and County will also host two virtual Q&A Sessions. These sessions offer an opportunity for applicants to ask questions and receive clarification on any aspects of the application process.

Q&A Sessions:

• Monday, Dec. 16 from 9 - 10 a.m.
•  Monday, Jan. 6 from 9 -10 a.m.

For more information contact Anne-Marie Vanaman at 919-918-7321 or Malia Summey at 919-918-7318, or email humanservices@carrboronc.gov.

Congratulations to Council Member Palmer!

Cristóbal Palmer was sworn into office as a member of the Carrboro Town Council during an organizational meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. The oath of office was read first in Spanish and then in English with Mayor Barbara Foushee officiating the swearing-in ceremony, accompanied by family members.

Traffic Alert: Maple Avenue to be closed for repaving

Beginning next week, (Monday Dec 2), E. Braxton Foushee Street will return to two-way traffic.  At the same time, work will begin on Maple Ave Extension.  Maple Avenue Extension will be closed for about four weeks (the month of December) while it is regraded and repaved.

Access to houses on Maple Avenue, the houses and businesses on E. Braxton Foushee Street, as well as the parking lot at the end of East Braxton Foushee will be maintained by two-way traffic on E.  Braxton Foushee Street.

Read more information about this roadwork which is part of the construction of the 203 Project, newly named the Drakeford Library Complex. 

Provide Input on the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

- Carrboro and its regional hazard mitigation planning partners are seeking public input as part of the five-year update of the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The plan includes information about natural and man-made hazards, associated risks, and actions we can undertake to reduce exposure.  An up-to-date plan is required for the participating counties, municipalities, and tribes to maintain eligibility for pre- and post-disaster mitigation funding from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA). 

Take the online survey through the end of December.

Learn more about the project.

Orange County Cold Weather Shelters

Cold weather shelters are available every night from November through March at IFC. The Orange County Shelter is available on the evenings when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. 

For more information visit the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness Resources page.

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.

December Holiday Service Schedule

The Town of Carrboro will observe the holidays Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1.

Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed. 

Please note the changes to residential trash collection for the week of Dec. 23-27.

• If your regular collection day is Wednesday - Your trash will be collected on Monday, Dec. 23.
• If your regular collection day is Thursday - Your trash will be collected on Friday, Dec. 27.
• If your regular collection day is Friday - Your trash will be collected on Monday, Dec. 30.

Yard waste and bulk waste will not be collected for the week of Dec. 23-27.

For changes to recycling collection visit: https://www.orangecountync.gov/1741/SWM-2018-Holiday-Schedule

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.

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.