News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(November 28, 2023) 

Here's what's new in Carrboro:  Save the dates for Carrboro holiday events coming up, read the Town Council update, and take  a transportation survey. Brrrr. It's cold out there! Get tips for keeping warm and staying safe. For neighbors able to donate, the IFC shelter is accepting  jackets, blankets and more. 

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade set for December 9

The annual Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade is kicking off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. 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.  

This year’s theme will be “Walkin’ in a winter wonderland” to feature modes of travel like walking, biking, and rollerblading. Earlier this year, the parade’s planning team made the decision to remove motor vehicles from the 2023 Community Holiday Parade for the safety of both participants and spectators. This decision also demonstrates Chapel Hill and Carrboro’s commitment to environmental sustainability.  

“We're lucky to have such a diverse array of community groups and organizations here in Chapel Hill and Carrboro,” said Community Arts & Culture Interim Director Meeghan Rosen. “They're what make the holiday parade such a fun, festive and uniquely local event. We're looking forward to this year's parade!” 

Attendees should arrive early to secure their spots and explore the area’s restaurants and shops after the parade ends. To see local offerings, visit https://downtownchapelhill.com/ and https://visitcarrboro.com/. ;

Parking will be available at 140 West and other lots downtown. Learn more about parking in Chapel Hill at ?parkonthehill.com? and parking in Carrboro at? https://www.carrboronc.gov/2774/Downtown-Parking

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade is planned and organized by the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro; Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture;  Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources; and the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership.  

To learn more, visit? https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/chapel-hill-carrboro-holiday-parade/ 

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 as we officially kick off the season with music and the lighting of the community tree.

This event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, 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. 9. 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.  

This year’s theme will be “Walkin’ in a winter wonderland” to feature modes of travel like walking, biking, and rollerblading.

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. 14 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.

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 hold a Council Meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. The agenda is available at https://carrboro.legistar.com/ 

The post-election swearing-in of the Town of Carrboro Mayor and Council Members will occur at an organizational meeting set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5. Taking their oaths of office are Mayor-Elect Barbara Foushee, Council Member-Elect Catherine Fray, Council Member-Elect Jason Merrill, and Council Member Eliazar Posada. 

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 held a regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, and took the following actions: 

• Passed a Resolution Calling for an immediate de-escalation and cease-fire in Israel and Gaza
• Received a Small Business Saturday Proclamation from Mayor Damon Seils 
• Received the Care to Share Day Proclamation from Mayor Damon Seils 
• Proclamations and resolutions are posted at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2630/Proclamations-and-Resolutions
•  Authorized the furniture procurement for the 203 Project, the new library and civic building under construction at 203 S. Greensboro St. 
• Adopted a new capital project ordinance to reflect additional funds (Federal STBG-DA) to design and build the Jones Creek Greenway Project. 
• Authorized a contract extension with Stantec, the consulting firm preparing the updated plans and specifications for the bike loop detector project. 
• Received information about federal funding allocated to the DCHC MPO for transportation projects and adopted a resolution seeking Regional Flexible Funding for fiscal year 2025.
• Discussed the affordable housing component of the Newbury Architecturally Integrated Subdivision project at 904 Homestead Road.
• Received a budget status report for all funds.
• Received a presentation from the Community Safety Task Force (CSTF) about its recommendations to promote racial equity in law enforcement and the criminal legal system, and to enhance the safety and well-being of all Carrboro residents. 

Watch the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/XdN4l9TbzrU?si=9SYQhLUADjScvL6r

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

Gallop & Gorge 8K on Thanksgiving Day

What a beautiful day for the Gallop & Gorge 8K in Carrboro, a community tradition for Thanksgiving! 

Thanks to the Carrboro Track Club for organizing (with proceeds donated to community nonprofits), to the Town of Carrboro police and public works employees for keeping runners safe on the roads, and to Mayor Damon Seils for cheering on all the turkeys! 

Triangle’s Transportation Agencies Seek Public Feedback on Goals for Region’s Future Transportation System

If you’re interested in future highway, bicycle, rail, pedestrian, and transit projects for our region over the long-term, now’s your chance to give feedback on the goals and objectives that will guide the planning process. 

The Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) are working on Destination 2055, an update to the Triangle Region's long-range transportation plan, the 2055 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). Destination 2055 will identify future highway, transit, rail, bicycle, pedestrian and other transportation projects for the region over the next 30 years. As the planning process gets underway, it is important for local leaders to understand public perspectives related to the transportation policy goals that will guide future investments. 

Learn more about how to participate.

Public parking available around 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.

Economic Development Director Jon Hartman-Brown spent Thursday afternoon placing pedestrian-level signage to inform passersby of available parking. Recognizing that wayfinding signage is coming soon, the yard signs are being placed out before holiday shopping is well underway in Downtown Carrboro.

Please remember that the Carr Mill 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.

Thanks to Manager Heather Swanson of Neal's Deli for helping us place signage there! 

The Lost History of the Panamá Canal Zone

Join us at Century Hall of the Carrboro Century Center on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 1 to 2 p.m. for a free lecture by Hector Aizpurúa. The program will highlight the culture and history of the people from the Panamá Canal zone in an effort to preserve the memories of their experience. 

The Panamá Canal is an engineering wonder that has defined the nation of Panamá for over a hundred years. The complexity of foreign influence on Panamá has left the communities that once had a rich history in the Panamá Canal Zone, almost forgotten. 

At the end of the session, traditional music from this area will be performed on Piano.

Cold Weather Resources in Orange County

As the temperatures drop, remember there are resources available!

Cold weather beds are available for white flag nights November through April when the temperatures drop below 32 degrees. For more information and resources visit www.ocpehnc.com

Tips for staying warm

• Heat your home safely. It’s going to be extremely cold this weekend. The Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department has provided safety tips for staying warm, including:
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Don’t use outdoor grills, open flames or your oven to keep your house warm.
• Don’t overload your electrical circuits; space heaters use a lot of electricity.
• Plug space heaters into wall sockets — not power strips — and keep them away from flammable materials such as bedding or curtains.
• Make sure your furnace is not overheating.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Test your smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly.
• If you have any gas fueled appliances and/or have a fireplace you should have a Carbon Monoxide alarm in addition to smoke alarms.

Be Prepared

Though little to no precipitation is expected, extreme cold and low wind chills can be dangerous. Please access the following resources: 

Emergency Information – Carrboro Ready 

Weather Forecast Information

Cold Weather Beds/White Flag Nights

Helping Others 

The IFC shelter is accepting donations of jackets, blankets and more. A free, hot meal is another service the IFC is offering throughout the week. Contact (919) 929-6380 or info@ifcmailbox.org or drop by 110 W. Main St., Carrboro.  

The IFC, or Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, is a local nonprofit whose mission is to confront the causes and respond to the effects of poverty in the community. 

Leaf Collection Information

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.  There is no collection on the fifth Monday of the month.

 Check your solid waste collection schedule and note the holiday schedule.

Requirements for Leaf Pickup

•  Residents must pile their leaves behind the curb.
• 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.
• Keep the gutter clear. Allow at least 1 foot between the curb and the leaves.
• 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.

Facts

• 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 the "Leave the Leaves" initiative. Leaving leaves where they fall, or close thereby, saves time and money and recycles nutrients into the local ecosystem. 

More information about Loose Leaf Collection.

Contact Carrboro Public Works at (919) 918-7425 or PWorks@carrboronc.gov  

Leave the Leaves

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.

The Town of Carrboro is partnering with the New Hope Audubon Society, Town of Chapel Hill, and Keep Durham Beautiful to encourage community members to Leave the Leaves, support biodiversity, improve water quality, and reduce pollution.

Leaving Your Leaves has several important benefits:

• Wildlife Habitat: Leaves provide winter habitat for native wildlife that are essential to a healthy ecosystem and biodiversity. Insects and pollinators such as bees and butterflies depend on leaves for shelter which in turn will boost gardens in the spring. Leaves also serve as a habitat for other wildlife such as lizards and birds. 
• Soil Health: Leaves prevent soil erosion, retain moisture, act as a natural mulch by providing ground cover, and improve soil fertility by adding essential nutrients as they decompose. 
• Less Pollution: Blowing and moving leaves often involves fossil fuel-powered equipment which produces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Leaving the leaves reduces this environmental impact and the noise associated with this equipment.
• Water Quality: Leaves are natural fertilizers and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers that pollute waterways and kill beneficial fungi. 
• Time Savings: Spend your days relaxing, hiking, or visiting with friends and family instead of cleaning up loose leaves.

Overall, not raking 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 and receive a free yard sign! 

Free yard signs are available to Carrboro and Chapel Hill participants while supplies last. 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 yard sign per household per year. 

Avoid collisions with deer 

Drivers should remain vigilant on the roads to avoid deer-vehicle collisions, especially between September and December. Deer movement increases dramatically during this time, and limited lighting makes it more difficult for drivers to see them on or near roads.

Safety Advice

Below are important tips from the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) regarding animal (usually deer) crashes: 

• Always maintain a safe amount of distance between your vehicle and others, especially at night. If the vehicle ahead of you hits a deer, you could also become involved in the crash. 
• Slow down in areas posted with deer crossing signs and in heavily wooded areas, especially during the late afternoon and evening.
• Most deer-vehicle crashes occur where deer are more likely to travel, near bridges or overpasses, railroad tracks, streams and ditches.
• Drive with high beams on when possible and watch for deer eyes reflecting in the headlights. 
• Deer often travel in small herds so if you see one deer near a road be alert for others.
• If you see deer near a road, slow down and blow your horn with one long blast
• Do not swerve to avoid a collision. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and cause a more serious crash.

If your vehicle does strike a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can be dangerous or further injure itself. Get your vehicle off the road, if possible, and call 911.

Read more in our newsflash.

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.