News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 

(Dec. 17, 2025) 

'Tis the season for holiday parties! The Town of Carrboro holiday luncheon for employees (12/12/2025) recognized staff members for longstanding service milestones. Receiving a standing ovation was Bobby Horton, who has worked for the Public Works Department for 35 years! Also in this issue, learn more about the Chapel Hill Transit bus sporting a new graphic wrap featuring Carrboro festivals! Check the holiday service schedule for changes to waste collection.  Help us congratulate Firefighter Luis Galdamez, the 2025 Carrboro Firefighter of the Year! 

Employee Holiday Luncheon

The Town of Carrboro held a holiday luncheon to celebrate our employees’ accomplishments and commitment to the Town throughout the year. Employees gathered in a relaxing environment, connecting with one another outside of their regular work, while having good food and fun. Receiving a standing ovation was Bobby Horton, who has worked for the Public Works Department for 35 years!  A crew leader in the landscaping and grounds division, Bobby cited coworkers and community members, a positive work atmosphere, and great benefits as reasons why he has worked for the Town of Carrboro since the age of 23. He lives in Siler City with his wife Tamar and their two dogs and a cat. 

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. 22-26.

• If your regular collection day is Wednesday - Your trash will be collected on Monday, Dec. 22.
• If your regular collection day is Thursday - Your trash will be collected on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
• If your regular collection day is Friday - Your trash will be collected on Monday, Dec. 29.
• Yard waste and bulk waste will not be collected for the week of Dec. 22-26.

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

Kwanzaa – Roots & Rhythms: Honoring Kwanzaa’s Legacy

Join us Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, for Kwanzaa – Roots & Rhythms: Honoring Kwanzaa’s Legacy.

Celebrate Kwanzaa through music, poetry, dance and storytelling honoring African traditions and the African American experience. Learn about the history and principles of Kwanzaa: unity, equity and community. Enjoy shopping at the Roots & Rhythms Marketplace where local vendors will be selling candles, clothing, jewelry, books and more! The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Performance Space at the Drakeford Library Complex, located at 203 S. Greensboro St. 

This celebration is open to people of all backgrounds who wish to learn, reflect and celebrate together. Come experience the rhythms, stories and shared values that honor Kwanzaa’s enduring legacy.

• Roots & Rhythms Marketplace opens at 11 a.m.
• Opening Ceremony begins at 12 p.m.
• Guests can also enjoy food options available for purchase, featuring offerings that embrace Kwanzaa traditions.

Buy BIPOC this Holiday Season

The Town of Carrboro invites everyone to support locally owned businesses that reflect the diversity of the community this holiday season. 

The Buy BIPOC campaign running this December highlights minority-owned businesses and encourages the community to shop local. As you’re out shopping this holiday season, consider supporting Carrboro’s BIPOC Businesses.

Carrboro has a vibrant and inclusive local economy that is home to many BIPOC businesses and nonprofit organizations. The Town aims to support the growth of BIPOC business and the community as a whole. Our town's diversity in race, ethnicity, language, gender identity, education, and culture is an important part of what makes our town unique. Inclusive, equitable growth is fundamental to our economic sustainability.

In the Carrboro Connects Economic Sustainability plan, the Town sets a goal to "create a more inclusive economy, encourage more racial equity in business development, and increase support for locally-owned businesses."

To find a full listing of Carrboro BIPOC businesses you can support this holiday season, visit the Economic Development webpage to see the Buy BIPOC database:  https://www.carrboronc.gov/2582/Buy-BIPOC-Listing

Mayor and Town Manager attend 

Metro Mayors Annual Meeting

On December 4-5, 2025, Carrboro’s Mayor Foushee and Town Manager Toney were proud to participate in the North Carolina League of Municipalities’ Metro Mayors Annual Meeting, hosted this year in Chapel Hill-Carrboro. The gathering brought mayors and managers from across the state to our community to explore innovation, collaboration, and shared municipal challenges.

Sessions were held at The Graduate Hotel, the host site for this year’s meeting, where leaders discussed statewide trends in transportation, housing, and municipal governance. As part of the program, we joined a walking tour to Innovation Junction in Chapel Hill, highlighting regional economic development and research partnerships. Thursday evening concluded with a warm, locally rooted dinner at Tandem Carrboro, giving attendees a taste of our vibrant dining scene.

Both leaders stated that they felt honored to help showcase the best of Carrboro and Chapel Hill while engaging in meaningful dialogue with colleagues from across North Carolina.

Carrboro bus wrap features community festivals

A Chapel Hill Transit bus is sporting a new bus wrap featuring Town of Carrboro’s free community festivals. It made a debut at the Carrboro-Chapel Hill Holiday Parade on Dec. 6, 2025 when joined by a walking procession of Team Carrboro, a group of staff and community members, and a few of the stars featured on the bus.  

The bus wrap was produced by the Town of Carrboro Communication and Engagement Department with design services by Carrboro-based The Splinter Group, which used striking local event imagery by photographer Jonathan Drake. 

“We chose to highlight Carrboro’s festivals because these are the experiences that strengthen social bonds, foster community pride, and lift up the cultural heritage that makes Carrboro uniquely extraordinary,” said Town Manager Patrice Y. Toney. “When we celebrate music, film, poetry, and our own town history, we are celebrating who we are and who we aspire to be as a community. This bus wrap is a rolling invitation to belong.” 

Read more about the events and individuals featured on the new bus wrap.

Carrboro Fire Department honors 

Firefighter of the Year

The Carrboro Fire Department is proud to announce that Firefighter Luis Galdamez has been named the 2025 Carrboro Firefighter of the Year. Firefighter Galdamez was selected for this prestigious honor in recognition of his exceptional bravery, deep commitment to community service, and unwavering dedication to placing the needs of others above his own.

Firefighter Galdamez’s nomination was supported by numerous examples of outstanding service, including:

• Bravery During Tropical Storm Chantal: Demonstrated extraordinary courage and professionalism while responding to critical emergencies and conducting successful rescues in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Chantal.
• Essential Community Translator: Serves as a trusted translator for Spanish-speaking community members, strengthening communication, access, and trust in emergency response and public education services.
• Selfless Service and Volunteerism: Highly regarded for consistently putting others first and for generously volunteering his time at community events and outreach efforts.
• Community Risk Reduction (CRR): Actively engaged in Community Risk Reduction initiatives, helping educate the public and implement programs focused on prevention, preparedness, and risk reduction.

“Firefighter Galdamez exemplifies the highest ideals of the fire service,” said Fire Chief Will Potter. “His exemplary bravery during the response to Tropical Storm Chantal was truly commendable, and his unwavering dedication to serving our community makes him an invaluable asset to the Carrboro Fire Department. We are honored to recognize him as our 2025 Firefighter of the Year.”

Master Your Meter and Save with Home Repair Lab and OWASA

Are your energy and water bills through the roof? Wondering if there are easy ways you can make a difference to save energy and water? We have a solution for you!  

Join Chris and Mindy Meyers from Home Repair Lab and Mary Tiger from OWASA for a special presentation on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St. 

This workshop will discuss easy ways you can save energy and water and how to get those bills under control.  Participants will leave this program with an understanding of how your home uses water and energy, low- to no-cost things you can do to save money on your utility bills, and helpful tips to get started on larger home projects. 

Relevant for homeowners, first-time home buyers, and renters. Presentations will be followed by interactive question and answer sessions. A giveaway bag with energy-saving supplies will be given to each registered participant! 

• Please RSVP with our online form.  
• Free interpretation services are available. Please contact Laura Janway at ljanway@carrboronc.gov or (919) 918-7326 at least 48 hours in advance to ensure an interpreter is present.

Town of Carrboro accepting applications for human services nonprofit funding

On Friday, Dec. 12, the Town of Carrboro will begin accepting applications for human services nonprofit funding for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Prospective applicants will have two opportunities to learn more about the application and the funding process.

Virtual Q&A Session 

Provides a forum for applicants to ask questions and receive clarification on any aspects of the application or the funding process.

Friday, Jan. 9, 2026
9-10 a.m.
Registration is required. Please register online here.

The funding application will be available online starting Dec. 12, 2025, through this portal: Form Application Center - Town of Chapel Hill, NC. 

Applicants should complete and submit their applications and supporting documents by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. 

For more information, visit Human Services  | Carrboro, NC - Official Website  or contact Anne-Marie Vanaman at 919-918-7321 or email amvanaman@carrboronc.gov. 

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

Join us on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at 1 p.m. in Century Hall located at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510 to hear from speakers and friends of the community gather for the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. 

Activities include trivia, youth speakers, Performances by Sisters Voices Choir and SkyBlew, and more!

This youth led event strives to bring the community together to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Day Youth Poetry Exhibition

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by submitting a poem to be a part of our Dr. Martin Luther King Day Youth Poetry Exhibition. Elementary, Middle and High School students in Orange County, NC are invited to submit original poems emphasizing Dr. King's core values such as kindness, acceptance, compassion, social justice, unity, equality and civic responsibility. 

Selected submissions will be displayed at the poetry exhibition, and one participant will be awarded the opportunity to speak at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day event on Saturday, Jan. 17. 

Participation is free, and submissions are now being accepted online. For more information and to submit a poem, please review the online entry form.

Carrboro Film Fest coming soon

CARRBORO, NC -- Join us Jan. 23-25, 2026 for the next Carrboro Film Festival! It’s our 20th year. We’re all grown up.  

The festival will be held at the new Drakeford Library Complex in downtown Carrboro, North Carolina. 

• See the lineup: https://www.carrborofilm.org/events 
• Tickets are currently on sale! https://filmfreeway.com/CarrboroFilmFest/tickets

📆 Mark your calendars! Below is our official schedule of events and screenings:

Friday, Jan. 23

• 7 p.m. | Opening Film: Leads (feature film)
• 9 p.m. | Opening Night Reception

Saturday, Jan. 24

• 11 a.m. | Funding Your Film With PBS NC and Southern Documentary Fund (workshop)
• 12:30 p.m. | Keystone Species (short films)
• 3 p.m. | Mile Markers (short films)
• 5:30 p.m. | Discoveries (student short films)
• 8:30 p.m. | Embrace the Echo (short films)

Sunday, Jan. 25

• 12 p.m. | The True Cost of Power (short films)
• 1:30 p.m. | Keep Holding (short films)
• 4 p.m. | Closing Film: Minnie Evans: Draw or Die (feature film)

More info about the films at https://www.carrborofilm.org/events 

Town Council Update

The Carrboro Town Council will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6,  2026. 

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 www.YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  

• The agenda is available at  https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
• Access the livestream direct link to view the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/0uFOpIAC63Y?si=_RSKk5XIQPr7Fz2u

Past Meeting Recap 

The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, for an organizational meeting to take their oaths of office.  See the story above! 

Watch the meeting livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/g2lavy4GI0U?si=YBgN0dCUsdZ9U7fy 

Check out our Monthly Events Newsletter to discover all the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!