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Welcome to the official Town of Cape Charles Newsletter. This publication is available by submitting your email address to gazette@capecharles.org or by contacting the Town Office at 757-331-3259 x10.
WELCOME TO THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THE CAPE CHARLES GAZETTE!
 The purpose of this electronic newsletter is to pass factual, informative and timely information to the citizens of Cape Charles and to any other individuals who have a business, property, travel or historical interest in our Town.
The information contained in this newsletter is considered to be the “official word" on the Town’s activities as noted by our Town Manager. The Cape Charles Gazette will be a news source that will report weekly events, upcoming Town activities, articles of interest to our citizens, Town projects, safety & security issues, and emergency announcements.
We hope that you will enjoy receiving the Cape Charles Gazette.
For additional information please go to the Town’s website at www.capecharles.org or contact us at gazette@capecharles.org.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Doug Smith, Code Enforcement Officer, said they issued a permit for a new residence in the Historical District and closed the enforcement case on a building on Plum Street since the building has been removed. He and Jeb Brady, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer, have prepared an RFP (Request For Proposal) for engineering services to make the Town Hall a suitable location as a Command Center in the event of weather emergency or catastrophic incident. Doug also notified all residents and emergency services personnel of the new address change for Heritage Acres. Prior to Doug and Jeb’s involvement in making this correction all 911 calls from Heritage Acres listed one “general address" and this caused problems for responding EMS Crews & the Fire Department to locate a specific address. They have also been compiling records for an address on Park Row that the Town is getting ready to take court action on. Code Enforcement continues their efforts to inspect sump pumps to ensure the pumps are NOT linked to the waste water lines. They issued Summons to owner of a residence located on Peach Street and continue their inspections program.
HARBOR
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, and his crew of Assistant Harbor Master Kent Pruitt and Crew Member Kathleen Stevens continue their great work at the Harbor. They are currently working with Assistant Town Manager Heather Arcos regarding receipt of additional funds for work they have already performed. During the last Virginia Port Authority (VPA) visit the Harbor Master discovered that they could be reimbursed for up to 75% for some of the work they already have completed. This is great news for the Town and our visitors Mr. Keever (Deputy Director-VPA), Mr. Oliver (Treasurer-VPA) and Ms. O’Reilly (Contract & Budget Analyst) were very informative and helpful with this type of information. We welcome them back to Cape Charles anytime! The Town of Cape Charles will host the First Blessing of the Fleet in our Harbor on Friday, April 04, 2008. Smitty and Crew have already started work on this event (See Assistant Town Manager & Town Manger comments for further information). A special thank you to Peter Leontieff and Dennis Bradford for helping to hang the Harbor banners over the last week and to Gerald Elliot for his persistence in discovering and repairing an on going water leak at the Harbor. Water is the most precious commodity we have on the Eastern Shore despite the fact that we are surrounded by it on 3 sides. Smitty will be meeting with Chief Jack Williamson, USCG Officer In Charge, Cape Charles Coast Guard Station regarding our off shore break water and the Blessing of the Fleet. WELCOME BACK Chief Williamson! Jack was at Chief’s School in CA over the last few months and we’re happy to welcome him back to Cape Charles.
LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK
Ann Rutledge,the Town Librarian, reported that the Preschool & Toddler Story Time was held last Thursday and 10 people attended this event. Ann further reported that the Writer’s Workshop began on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 and 3 people attended the opening. The workshop is being taught by Ms. Margret Richards and there’s still time to register. Please call Ann at 757-331-1300 for further information. The Library sent another book order to the Eastern Shore Public Library to purchase 77 more books and 10 more books on CD. The Library is a great public facility and we encourage everyone, especially children & youth, to use it. Joy Pelletier, the Town Clerk, and her assistant Linda Carola continue their state mandated Retention/Destruction of Town Files. They completed the Town Council Package for the Council Meeting that will take place on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the Cape Charles Hotel at 7:00 PM and processed 4 applicants for the Cape Charles Committee on Children & Youth (CCCCY). The CCCCY is led by Ms. Roberta Newman & Mr. Chuck Little and will remain a priority project for the Town of Cape Charles. In addition to all of that work; Joy and Linda helped with a mass mailing regarding water issues and DEQ information.
PUBLIC WORKS
Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that the work at the Polishing Pond (Waste Water Treatment Plant) is 90% complete in order to comply with DEQ Regulations and Procedures. The heat remains off at the Town Hall and Dave is continuing his efforts with obtaining bids for the work. Dave reported that the Town recently received the permit back from the VDOT to start work on the landscaping project on “the Hump". He reported that the Town has 3 possible bidders for the Town Lawn Service and we are awaiting receipt of their prices. The Public Works Road Crews have started removing sand along the broad walk and Bay Avenue and they’re placing it back on the beach where it belongs. Dave reported that he and Thomas Stratton (Water Treatment Plant) attended a pre-application meeting for our Ground Water Withdrawal Permit with Stearns & Wheeler & the DEQ. Dave said the permit application must be in by Wednesday, March 05, 2008 and within 270 days before the present permit expires. Dave said the good folks at the DEQ have explained that they will not have our permit in on time due to a “glitch" in their system. The DEQ further explained that this will not be a problem provided that the Town has applied for and met all subsequent deadlines on time. Dave and the Town do not anticipate any problems with obtaining our ground water permit and we thank the DEQ for their help and guidance. The Public Works Department also assisted the Waste Water Treatment Plant in hauling away 2 beds of sludge.
PLANNING
Tom Bonadeo, the Town Planner, reported that they were involved in a Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting regarding a proposal to grant a variance for a Plum Street building that was recently removed. The goal is to rebuild a contributing historical structure on the same “footprint" of the previous building. He was also involved with a teleconference with consultants for the Cape Charles Pathway and its relationship to the old school project. The Town is doing everything within its power to save the Old Cape Charles High School and place it in a practical and realistic usage status. Tom attended a Broadband Meeting in Richmond, VA over the past week and met with the Director of the DHCD and other VA towns and villages who are attempting to build networks for their rural areas. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss financial aid that might be available to the towns and villages like Cape Charles. Tom also met with a subcommittee of the Planning Commission to work on the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
RECREATION
Jimmy Marvel, the Town’s Youth Director, continues his work efforts with the Town’s Children, Youth and the Elderly. He continues to make a “show of presence" at the Park and is working on getting a DJ for the Town of Cape Charles Youth Dance scheduled for Friday, March 28, 2008. The times for the dance are forthcoming but we are looking for adult chaperones for the event. Please call Jimmy at 757-331-3259 X18 if you’re interested in helping us with this event. The exercise class at the Heritage Acres is going very well and last week Jimmy had 18 senior adults participating in his class (Great job Jimmy!). Jimmy is also in the process of obtaining prices from various DJ’s for the upcoming dance and met with Jim Weiner to discuss the kiosk at the Park and work repairs. Thank you Jim for the help!
POLICE
Chief David Eder reported that the Cape Charles Police Department (CCPD) continues their Enhanced Traffic Enforcement Program in the Town and is trying to keep the speeders to a minimum. Chief Eder also reported that the CCPD has increased their enforcement of boats and trailers which are illegally parked on the streets of Cape Charles. This is in response to a Councilman’s opinion that the CCPD was not enforcing this Town Code. Last week the CCPD issued 5 Summons and 1 Warning to citizens regarding their illegally parked boats and trailers. If the boats and trailers are not removed from the streets in a timely manner they will in fact be towed off the streets at the owner’s expense. The Town regrets this inconvenience but this situation has gotten out of hand and it must be addressed before the warmer weather months arrive here. If you can not park your boat or trailer on your property; you might want to contact Smitty at the Harbor for possible storage (757-331-2357) or a private storage concern. The speed limit in Town is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
The Town continues to move ahead in a purposeful and positive manner. The Special Consultant for the Town, Mr. Bob Panek, and the Town Manager (Joe Vaccaro) met with Mr. Oral Lambert and Mr. Steve Bennett over the Annexation Agreement and progress is being made with this issue. We thank Oral and Steve for their time and insights into this ongoing issue. The Town will host another Public Information Session on CHILDREN, YOUTH & ILLEGAL DRUGS; THE IMPACT ON THE EASTERN SHORE. This guest speaker for this event will be Group Supervisor Michael Kennedy, Drug Enforcement Administration, Norfolk Office, Washington Division. The presentation has been scheduled for Thursday, March 13, 2008 and the time and location will be forthcoming. All of these programs, The Gang Summit and this Drug Program, are leading up to a Youth Forum that will be presented by the CCCCY at a future date. We highly encourage everyone to attend these free Public Information Sessions. The Town is also planning on its first BLESSING OF THE FLEET on Friday, April 04, 2008 at the Town Harbor. The Blessing of the Fleet is a traditional “Thanks to the Almighty" for a safe season and good harvest for our local Watermen. We are currently working on the format and schedule for this event but we have determined that the “blessing" will take place at 5:00 PM in our Harbor followed by a party with fresh seafood, drinks and music. Help us welcome our Watermen back home to Cape Charles this season! The February Freeze was held on Saturday, February 09, 2008 at our Beach supporting the Habitat for Humanity and it was a great success. Congratulations to Habitat for Humanity for hosting such a successful event. The President of the Town of Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Company (Mr. Billy Powell) met with the President of the Citizens for Central Park (Mr. Mark Usry) and discussed some matters that needed to be “aired" in the polite, professional and clear manner they were addressed in. The Town of Cape Charles applauds the outcome and clearer understanding both organizations have of each other. This is ONE TOWN and we need both organizations operating here without fear, prejudice or political agendas. I thank both Billy and Mark for their dedication to the Town and their respective organizations. The Town is now in the process of getting ready for our upcoming new fiscal year and the Town Manger has made it known that one of the main priorities for the Town will be to continue to carry out the Town Council’s interest in Children & Youth. We’re open for suggestions and comments and the door to the Town Manager’s office is ALWAYS open to all citizens. Stop by for coffee.
All information contained in this publication is believed to be true and correct at the time of publication.
Not responsible for typographical errors.
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Municipal Corporation of Cape Charles
2 Plum Street
Cape Charles, VA 23310
757-331-3259
Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. | 