News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(December 5, 2023) 

Here's what's new in Carrboro:  It's time to enjoy holiday events  like the Tree Lighting this Friday and Community Parade on Saturday!  Also, welcome our soon-to-be seated Town Council, read about the town's latest affordable housing project, and get the behind-the-scenes story about the beautiful holiday wreaths adorning Town Hall! Have a wonderful week! 

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.

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. Be sure to check out local offerings in Downtown Chapel Hill and Downtown Carrboro.

Parking will be available at 140 West and other lots downtown. Learn more about parking in Chapel Hill and in Carrboro.

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.  

Learn more about the Chapel Hill - Carrboro Holiday Parade. 

Council Organizational Meeting set for Dec. 5

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, in the Council Chamber of Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510. 

Scheduled to take their oaths of office are Mayor-Elect Barbara Foushee, Council Member-Elect Catherine Fray, Council Member-Elect Jason Merrill and Council Member Eliazar Posada. 

Resolutions of appreciation will be read for Mayor Damon Seils, Mayor Pro Tem Susan Romaine and Council Member Sammy Slade. 

The Council is also scheduled to consider the adoption of the 2024 Meeting Calendar and committee assignments for 2024; and to discuss and decide to call a special election or go through the process of appointment to fill the vacancy on the Town Council that was created upon Mayor Foushee assuming the office of Mayor. Please note that public comment is generally not received during organizational meetings. 

Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream at YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  OR at https://carrboro.legistar.com/ OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro).

BIPOC Holiday Pop-Up Show is Saturday

Join us Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Holiday Pop-Up Shop, a unique event that promises a celebration of diversity, culture and joy. 

Sponsored by the Town of Carrboro and Brightpath Solutions, this event will give you the opportunity to support local vendors while you shop for the holidays. Enjoy a free hot chocolate bar as you find gifts for everyone on your list!

The BIPOC Holiday Pop-Up Shop will be set up in front of Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. 

Visit our Buy BIPOC in Carrboro webpage for a list of BIPOC businesses in our community.

Wreaths for Town Hall: A Community Tradition 

Thanks to the Carrboro Garden Club, Town Hall is adorned with beautiful wreaths for the holiday season. 

A community tradition for the past 40 years, the wreaths are made by community members with clippings from their yards and gardens including conifer greenery like Eastern Red Cedar, Pine and Juniper. They also use Magnolia branches, grasses, pine cones, other interesting cones, holly, and berries of different colors. 

The Carrboro Public Works Department works closely with the club members on the wreath project each year. 

Watch the video documenting this year's wreath-making and installation. 

Carrboro Garden Club members at the wreath creation gathering are (left to right) Becky Dodge, Danda Stein, Melva Fager Okun, Marcia Mills, Krista Babbitt, Paula Morvan, Sherry Jones, Florence Kaplan, Genie Jansen and Maggie Johnson

Pictured at Town Hall for the wreath installation are (left to right) Public Works Department employees Ben Lang (kneeling), Floyd Alston, Chance Hilliard, Weldon Jenkins, and Dillion Dispennette on right side of the wreath with Carrboro Garden Club members and Mayor Damon Seils. 

Carrboro's Snow Plow Rodeo kicks off Winter Weather Preparedness Week

As we enter North Carolina's Winter Weather Preparedness Week during Dec. 3-9, now is the time to prepare for the winter season. 

The Public Works Department is doing its part with the annual Snow Plow Rodeo. Each year, before we see a single snowflake fall, the Public Works Department gathers to work on technical abilities with snow plows and other equipment. You may see snow plows throughout town on Tuesday, Dec. 5 as trucks are out and about.

Make sure you plan ahead of the winter season and gather information now.

• More information on the National Weather Service Winter Preparedness webpage
• Bookmark Carrboro's Emergency webpage

Braxton Dunkin Foushee Day of Service 

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

Braxton Foushee has dedicated over 54 years of his life to continuous service as an elected official, a member of a town advisory board and a community leader. He became the first Black member of the Carrboro Town Council in 1969, serving until 1981.

Even as a young man, Braxton Foushee worked to advocate for Black residents. Around the age of 15, he worked alongside Ms. Rebecca Clark, helping escort and protect older Black citizens to register to vote, breaking a national pattern of voter disenfranchisement. In 1961, he began to work with the local labor movement, advocating for equal pay and fair treatment for Black residents.

He has championed many issues that have directly impacted the Black community in Carrboro, including ensuring equitable access to paved roads, sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure. He worked tirelessly to fight injustices against Black residents by law enforcement, resulting in state agencies investigating and diversifying the Carrboro Police Department in the 1970s.

Residents are encouraged to learn and reflect on Carrboro’s Black history and perform an act of service to their neighbors or the community. Check with our community partners to find opportunities for service, donations and volunteering: 

• Community partners
• Read the full proclamation

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! 

Pee Wee Homes breaks ground on affordable housing in Carrboro

Community gathered on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, for the groundbreaking of tiny homes– Pee Wee Homes -- on a small parcel of land at 106 Hill Street, across from Henry Baldwin Park.

The nonprofit Pee Wee Homes will build the three small detached home units and ensure they remain affordable. These will be built as rental housing for individuals with extremely low incomes (those with an area median income of less than 30%) who have experienced homelessness and housing insecurity.

The 0.17-acre property on the corner of Lloyd and Broad streets across was one of three properties owned by the Town of Carrboro that were identified for potential affordable housing use. The other two Town-owned properties are located on Pathway Drive and Crest Street. Town staff have been directed to explore possibilities for these properties. 

The Town conveyed the Hill Street property to Pee Wee Homes with a deed restriction that the property remains for affordable housing for 99 years. Following a tremendous show of community support, the Carrboro Town Council voted unanimously in June 2021 to approve a rezoning needed to build three small units at this location.

“Seven years ago, a group of us came together with Pee Wee and many other friends thinking there must be ways to build smaller, efficient, quality homes that can help fill that need – to live independently but connected, in communities of support,” said Hudson Vaughan, interim director of Pee Wee Homes. “And to partner with churches and local governments to build on underutilized land in creative ways and to take a small role in addressing this affordable housing crisis.”

The affordable housing project received grants from the Town of Carrboro in the amount of $100,000 with additional funding from the Orange County HOME program, the Northside Neighborhood Initiative, and donations from individuals. 

One of the three homes will be built by Hope Renovations, a non-profit pre-apprenticeship training program for women to help them enter or continue in construction trades.  The other two homes will be built by New Start Development, a minority-owned contracting business led by Greg Mann.  Thanks to the generosity of local donors, all three homes will include solar panels.

Carrboro accepting applications for outside agency funding

The Town of Carrboro, along with the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County, is rolling out changes to the human services funding process for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. 

These changes aim to improve the experience for nonprofit organizations seeking funding for community programs and services. 

The Towns and County are transitioning to an online portal for application submission administered through the Town of Chapel Hill’s website.  This new system will provide a more efficient and user-friendly process for applicants and staff, eliminating the need for emailed submissions.

This change follows the implementation of several changes stemming from a racial equity assessment of the Human Services Program in 2022. These changes include revising the funding application to include indicators used by the U.S. Census to allow for better tracking over time, and updating the scoring rubric used to evaluate applications to include racial equity.  

To apply for funding or learn more:

• Application Orientation Session 

  • 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30 at the Southern Human Services Center 
  • 2501 Homestead Rd. Chapel Hill, NC 27516. 
  • This session provides an overview of the Human Services funding process and guidance to applicants on the new online platform.

• Virtual Q&A Sessions 

  • 9-10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14
  • 9-10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 5 
  • These sessions offer an opportunity for applicants to ask questions and receive clarification on any aspects of the application process.

• Visit our Human Services Webpage

The human services funding application is now available. For more information contact Anne-Marie Vanaman at 919-918-7321 or Malia Summey at 919-918-7318, or email humanservices@carrboronc.gov.

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.