Mayor
Town Council
Town Manager
Asst. Town Manager
Treasurer
Town Clerk
Code Enforcement
Town Planner
Public Works/Utilities
Harbor
Library
Police
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.
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 http://www.capecharles.org/or contact us at gazette@capecharles.org.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Doug Smith, Code Enforcement Officer, reported that his section has continued 2 code enforcement cases until the latter part of March 2008. Both cases involve work on structures that have not met the Town’s Code regarding building/repairs.
Doug said the owner of 2 residences on Madison Avenue was found guilty in Northampton County Court of code violations and fined for same. The owner is now required to start construction within the next 2 weeks and complete the abatement by July 2008. Additional delays will result in further court action and fines.
Doug reported that Jeb Brady, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer, will be in the VA State Fire Marshal School over the next 2 weeks.
He further stated that the Town has initiated code enforcement action on 2 residences on Jefferson Avenue. The structures in question are actually “imploding" from within and over the last week the Cape Charles Police Department was at the location due to a noise complaint. The “noise" was an inner wall of this structure collapsing inside of this abandoned home.
HARBOR
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that Phase II of widening the docks at the Harbor is completed. He said that Phase III of this process is 50% completed on the north side of the Harbor. Smitty said that the Town is now in the process of gathering price information for widening the docks on the east side of the Harbor (Phase IV).
Smitty noted that the harbor has received the rubber pile fenders that will be installed around the bulkheads; Smitty expects to install them within the next 2 weeks.
Smitty would like to remind boaters that everyone who is an annual or seasonal slip holder at the harbor needs to get their Docking Agreement to him no later than Saturday, March 15, 2008. If you have any questions or problems please contact the Harbor Master at 757-331-2357.
The Blessing of the Fleet will take place at the Cape Charles Harbor on Friday, April 04, 2008 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This has all the potential to become an annual event for the Town of Cape Charles and the Town appreciates the efforts of the U. S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Northampton Chamber of Commerce and various citizens who have come forward to write another chapter of history for this Town. The next organizational meeting for this event is this coming Friday (March 14, 2008) at 1:00 PM at the Town Hall. Ideas, input and observations are always welcome.
PLANNING
Tom Bonadeo, the Town Planner, reported that the Planning Commission met last week and held a public hearing on 2 Conditional Use Requests: one for Bay Shore Concrete (who wants to build a replacement concrete plant) and one for Mason Avenue (where the owner wants to add a second floor to the residence).
Tom said the Planning Commission was also presented with information on a Conditional Use Permit Application for the Cape Charles Harbor Project (this is the area where the Town has been holding their Harbor parties on Mason Avenue). Tom said the Cape Charles Harbor Project has asked for a hotel with 120 rooms and 425 condominiums on a 6.6 acre parcel. Tom said the presentation by the Cape Charles Harbor Project addressed the development, public safety issues, traffic impacts and water/waste water issues. Tom noted that the proposed angle parking along Mason Avenue together with the proposed underground parking would exceed the parking requirements for this project. Public input is welcome.
Tom said that he has been working with South Port on a variety of issues and noted that they have begun brush cutting operations around the vacant STIP building.
Tom said he has received a number of permit applications for Wetlands work for the south side of the Town and is in the process of scheduling meetings, hearings and public mailings for this potential work.NOTE:The Town Council has an Agenda Item (Old Business B.) regarding the appointment of a replacement for a vacancy on the Wetlands Board for the next Council Meeting (Tuesday, March 11, 2008). The nominee has been identified as Mr. Jim Weiner.
LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK
Ann Rutledge, Town Librarian, reported that the Toddler & Preschool Storytime held a special
session that featured Ms. Kim Dunton as The Cat in the Hat. This Dr. Seuss Birthday Party, complete with “cat in the hat" cookies, was a great success and over 25 persons attended the event. Every child received a coloring sheet and they all made a Dr. Seuss hat. The Town would like to thank Kim, Denise Kladis and Sue Pruitt from the Cape Charles Women’s Club for their kind and wonderful efforts with our most precious resource; our Town children.
Ann stated that she visited the Eastern Shore Public Library this past week to discuss the Town’s Summer Reading Program with her Eastern Shore counterparts. Ann further stated that a “generous citizen" donated 43 used DVD’s to the Library and the Library’s video collection continues to grow.
Ann said the featured new adult fiction books at the Library include Song Yet Sung (Author McBride), This is Grace Anne’s Book (Author Whitney), Gotta Keep On Trying (Author Deberry), Duma Key (Author Key), Fatal Revenant (Author Donaldson), Korea Strait (Local author Poyer) and Sizzle and Burn (Author Krentz).
Joy Pelletier, Town Clerk, reported that she has been receiving requests over the past week that included copies for updated Harbor District Zoning Guidelines, verification of physical addresses for the purpose of serving legal documents in Town, request for removal of a tree limb hanging in Town, Drug Summit preparations, newspaper ads, identification of the actual address at the STIP, bike rentals and billing questions that were directed to Paul Sklonick the Town Treasurer.
Joy further reported that she and Linda Carola, the Assistant Town Clerk, continue with their efforts regarding the destruction/retention of the Town files.
In addition to all of these duties; Joy also serves as the Town’s Human Resource Director and is responsible for all of the Town employees’ files.
RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS
Jimmy Marvel, Youth Director, reported that over 134 persons used the Park over the last week and that included the Northampton High School Tennis Team. Jimmy met with Heather Arcos, Assistant Town Manager, and Joe Vaccaro, Town Manager, on the possibility of placing some Port O’ Potties at the playground and basketball court areas.
Jimmy continues to work on the Cape Charles Youth dance that will be held on Friday, March 28, 2008. Details are forthcoming.
Jimmy also reminds everyone that the Children, Youth and Illegal Drugs: Impact on the Eastern Shore presentation will be held this coming Thursday (March 13, 2008) at the Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Department at 6:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public. It is being sponsored by the Youth Director, the Cape Charles Police Department and the American Legion Post 56 in Cheriton, VA.
Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that the Town’s Utilities crew, consisting of Gerald Elliot, Jay Bell and Billy Powell, attended another sewer line inspection camera demonstration in preparation for selecting a camera to utilize on the Town’s sewer lines. As previously noted; the Town has been having a lot of trouble over the last few years with sewer line blockage due to carelessness and plain disregard for the Town’s Codes regarding the dumping of oils, grease down drains and grass cuttings in the gutters. These thoughtless acts on the part of some citizens affect the entire Town and our water conditions on the Eastern Shore.
Dave said that his crews have been replacing fire hydrants in the Town and recently replaced a hydrant on Washington Avenue. Dave said they have 1 more hydrant to replace on Fig Street & Washington Avenue.
Matt Pruitt, Lead for Public Works, has moved his office into the Town Hall. You can reach Matt at 757-331-3259 X 18.
Brent Waters of Golder Associates (working with Stearns & Wheeler on our water projects) requested and he was granted a 60 day extension from the DEQ regarding the Town’s Groundwater Withdrawal Permit Application (GWPA). Dave also briefed the Town Council on a $36 K charge that this GWPA will cost the Town. This GWPA is a process that takes place every 10 years and the last time the town had to deal with this was in 1998.
Billy Powel & Jay Bell have been busy this week working on repairing a blower at the Waste Water Plant and making some minor repairs at the Fig Street Pump Station. Ron Bailey & Bobby Zabita have also been busy repairing a leaking Chlorine line at the Water Treatment Plant. Thanks for the good work!
Dave said that the Town Council will be presented with the staff’s recommendation for the nominee for the Town’s Ground Maintenance Services Contract (GMSC). NOTE: The Town Council has an Agenda Item (New Business G.) regarding the nomination of the Contract for the GMSC for the next Council Meeting (Tuesday, March 11, 2008). The nominee has been identified as Eastern Shore Landscape Management.
Dave reported that the Town has been working on cleaning up Bay Avenue and the sidewalks located east of the beach that are filled with sand that the heavy winds have blown there.
Update: One of the 2 local businesses in the Town that had a problem with their grease traps has reported that they have now installed the required grease trap. This leaves the Town with 1 more business that needs to correct the situation before the Town is forced to turn their water off. While the Town doesn’t like to place any citizens in this predicament it should be noted that Dave found some previous correspondence indicating that one of the businesses in question was actually notified of this problem in 2002 (6 years ago). The fact of the matter is that this should have been resolved years ago and this isn’t the “short term" notice that one citizen is claiming.
POLICE
Chief David Eder reported that he and the Public works Department dealt with some major graffiti issues on the north end of town and covered same with paint.
Chief Eder continues working on addressing issues with the 42 Codes (traffic) in preparation for the Town Council Retreat in April 2008.
Chief Eder reported that over the last week the Cape Charles Police department has had to deal with 2 persons that needed hospital attention for sever emotional problems. The Chief said that both these individuals were transported out of Cape Charles via police vehicle to get them the help that they required.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
The Town Council met in Executive Session last week to consider the status of discussions with Baymark on the annexation agreement. Council authorized the staff to propose a specific financial settlement concerning the water and wastewater system expansion to Baymark.NOTE:The Town Council has an Agenda Item (Old Business C.) regarding the status of discussions on the annexation agreement for the next Council Meeting (Tuesday, March 11, 2008).
The Town is also moving forward with court action against a local business regarding Park Row. This has been an ongoing property dispute for the past few years that has reached a level of grave concern and the Town has now determined needs immediate attention. Our law firm, identified as Van Deventer Black, Norfolk, VA, has the matter for legal action.
Over the past 4 months the Town has noticed that while we’re in the process of serving notices of violations, summons and advisements; citizens have been “side stepping" repairs and corrections by claiming they’re “not" the actual owners of the properties. It’s the Town’s policy to serve notices etc. to the person(s) listed on the utility bills or the person who is allegedly “representing“ himself or herself in lieu of the owner. We ask that if you’re served a violation, summons or advisement to forward this information to the proper persons or group if you’re in fact not the property owner. This delay with “gamesmanship" only creates problems down the road for all parties involved and creates an atmosphere of mistrust. The Town seeks to work with everyone on these issues and we respectfully ask that you meet us half way in this quest for fairness and justice.
There are now 6 candidates for 3 upcoming Town Council positions. One candidate is an incumbent and the other 5 candidates have a variety of experiences, education, leadership and governmental knowledge. All of these candidates are outstanding individuals who are highly qualified and skilled. The Town plans on conducting a Candidates Forum on Thursday, March 20, 2008 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Town Hall. This forum is for all “officially declared and registered “Town Council candidatesONLY. This purpose of this program is to provide the candidates the opportunity to hear the status of Town projects, events, programs and future plans. It will cover the Water/ Waste Water Plants, PD, FD, STIP, Harbor plans, Trail Update, Planning , Recreation, Code Enforcement, Treasurer’s update, Clerk’s update and the Assistant Town Manager’s and Town Manager’s Assessments.
We thank you for the opportunity to serve this great Town and its citizens.
“No man is above the law and no man is below it; nor do we ask any man’s permission when we ask him to obey it. Obedience to the law is demanded as a right; not asked as a favor"
Theodore Roosevelt
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.