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.
NOTES FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS/READERS
Advertising in the Gazette
In the two months since we began publishing the Cape Charles Gazette, we have received a number of requests from individuals and businesses about running advertisements for local businesses, yard sales, personal notices, for sale items, etc.
Unfortunately, we must decline all such requests.
This publication serves solely as a means to disseminate current information about the events taking place in your local government to as wide an audience as we can possibly reach. We understand your desire to be able to publish this type of information; this is not the vehicle to accomplish or deliver it.
Perhaps some enterprising person would be willing to take on this task.
Email Responses
We would like to ask those of you who respond with comments to our newsletter to please click on the "Newsletter Feedback" selection in the left-hand column to submit your comments.
We appreciate and solicit all of the feedback that we can get, both positive and negative. However, when you hit the “Reply” button in your email, this includes an entire copy of the newsletter along with your comments. This greatly inflates the size of our email in box and requires the use of cutting and pasting to separate your comments from the newsletter so that they can be forwarded to the appropriate person who may need to respond to you.
Thank you.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Doug Smith, Code Enforcement Officer, reported that the Town sent all commercial business owners a notification that a Fire Inspection Program will begin in July 2008. Doug and Jeb Brady, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer, are not wasting anytime utilizing Jeb’s recent Fire Marshal Certification. This will ensure additional safety and security for citizens and this is the correct way to utilize Town monies and time; to make living in Cape Charles better.
Doug stated that the Town has sent out the Third and Final Notices to citizens who are not in compliance with the Town Code and their sump pumps. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in legal action by the Town. The Town can not afford to have any more additional issues with the DEQ because some citizens have no desire to follow the Law. Keeping our drinking water safe and the Bay clean is everyone’s responsibility.
The building that was "imploding" on Jefferson Avenue has been demolished last week. A special thanks to Doug and Jeb for their quick actions on this matter. As previously reported; the building was a definite threat to the neighborhood in the very poor condition it was in.
On Friday, April 4, 2008 we reported that Jeb passed his State of VA Fire Marshal Examination with flying colors; congratulations again Jeb!
HARBOR
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that the Harbor will start Phase V for widening the docks and that they have installed 80% of the rubber pile fenders for the Harbor.
Smitty stated that the Harbor kiosk has been installed and the electrical work for the west end of the dock has been completed. Smitty said the vessels on the south dock will be moved this week to their new docking areas at the Harbor. This is another major step forward in implementing the Town’s Harbor Plan.
Smitty proclaimed the Blessing of the Fleet as a major success for the Town and the Harbor. The estimated crowd was over 600 people and Chief David Eder had a vehicle count of 415 and climbing at approximately 6:45 PM. Smitty would like to thank Dave Fauber and his dynamic crew from the PWD and Mary Ann McDevitt and her fabulous volunteers for cooking the crabs. Smitty also thanked Kent Pruitt, Assistant Harbor Master and Kathleen Stevens for their outstanding work at the Harbor.
PLANNING
Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that two citizens resigned from the Wetlands/Coastal Dune Board due to re-locating their Families and or employment.
Tom stated that the Northampton Broadband Management Committee met last week to plan the fiber routes and alternate fiber routes. A point of discussion now is the "right of way" for the railroad crossings.
Tom met with the South Port Planning Group to review their Master Plans. Tom reported that South Port continues to move forward with their plans and is keeping the Town abreast of changes and concepts.
Tom reported that the Planning Commission met and discussed two major topics last week that included Cape Harbor and Accessory Dwellings. Tom said the Planning Commission approved the language for the Accessory Dwelling Modification and set it up for a Public Hearing. An Accessory Dwelling is an area that can be converted into living space (i.e. a garage or backyard building). Stand by for additional forthcoming details. The Town highly encourages citizens to attend Public Hearings and ask questions regarding what’s happening in the Town or what is being proposed for the Town. If you can’t find the information on our website www.capecharles.org; call and ask us please.
LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK
Ann Rutledge, Town Librarian, reported that she attended the Eastern Shore Library Board Meeting last week where Library Consultant John A. Moorman (Director of the Williamsburg Public Library) addressed issues regarding space needs, contractual agreements, staffing and bookmobiles.
Ann said that the Toddler/Preschool Storytime was held last week and 15 people attended this event. The topic was "My Colorful World" and everyone in attendance had a wonderful time as always. The Library and Children are two great partnerships for the Town.
Joy Pelletier, Town Clerk, reported that she completed three (3) FOIA requests last week. One was for a landscaper who did not receive a Town contract, one was for a title company and one was for a citizen regarding the BPOL Taxes owed to the town.
Joy was also involved with researching Town and State Codes regarding procurement practices. The Town continues on its path to developing a procurement manual that is factual, realistic and practical.
At the direction of the Town Manager, Joe Vaccaro, Joy also researched the various Committees appointed by the Town Council over the past few years. At the time of this Gazette the Town has nine (9) Boards and Commissions (this includes the Mayor & Town Council) and eight (8) Committees appointed by the Council. As per Mayor Dora Sullivan’s guidance to the Town Manager; the next Council Retreat (April 16, 17 and 18, 2008) will discuss the proliferation of these bastions of bureaucracy.
RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS
Jimmy Marvel, Youth Director, reported that 50 persons utilized the Park this week and further reported that he worked with 12 of our esteemed senior citizens from Heritage Acres over the past week in a fitness program he designed for them.
Jimmy met with Rico Trower, a mentor with the Cape Charles Committee on Children & Youth, regarding the Town’s upcoming Street Ball Tournament scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2008. Information is forthcoming.
Dave Fauber, Director of the PWD, reported that the Bundick Well Company is currently working on the Town’s East Well. Information to date revealed that this well site had some problems with the pump last week and further investigation revealed a hole in well casing that was causing the well to lose pressure. After "pulling" up the shafts it was determined that they could not be replaced and a new well needed to be dug on the same site. This East Well was drilled over 30 years ago and the Town is now operating on one (1) well. This shouldn’t be a threat to safety or health since the Water Department is closely monitoring water production and water output. The Town doesn’t expect to have the second well operational until June 2008. PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT CITIZENS DO NOT USE WATER EXCESSIVELY for matters such as watering lawns, washing cars in Town or running water to extremes (i.e. leaking toilets, excessive dishwasher usage, open outdoor faucets etc.). This is NOT a Town Emergency and we want to keep it that way for the next few weeks until this new well is operational. Please HELP us in this Town Effort.
Dave stated that the work on the Town’s HVAC continues and we hope to have heat at the Town Hall within the next few weeks.
POLICE
Chief David Eder reported that the issuance of speeding tickets in the Town has increased again over the last few weeks and noted that VDOT set up an electronic "speed monitor" on Route 184. Chief Eder stated that the Cape Charles Police Department (CCPD) has plans to supplement that "speed monitor" with increased traffic enforcement. In other words, if you’re traveling down Route 184 at 35 mph (the speed limit is 25 mph) and you ignore the "speed monitors" warning, you’ll most likely receive a summons for speeding. The "alleged" ten mile over the speed limit "guesstimation factor" will not apply here since this gigantic sign will now make your speeding obvious. Please pay attention to the speed limit, especially with the summer approaching.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
The First Blessing of the Fleet was a great success despite some of the remarks from some of our resident negative soothsayers and prophets of doom. We had an estimated crowd that far exceeded our expectations (600 plus) and the ceremonies, the band, the food, the choir and the people were great. We admittedly have a few "bugs" to work out for next year but the Town is confident that next year’s event will be bigger and better. This entire event started out with David Kabler, Laura & Greg Lohse, Deborah Christie, Carol Evans, Smitty Dize, Dave Burden and Donna Bozza coming to the Town Hall with a concept that we all worked on for three (3) months and the result was the Blessing of the Fleet. This is an example of the "positive power" we have on the Eastern Shore with our tremendous citizens and neighbors in the Town of Cape Charles. Thank you all.
The Town offers A Special Thank You to Delegate Lynnwood Lewis, Delegate Bobby Mathieson (21st District), Sylvia Parks (from Congresswoman Thelma Drakes’ office) and our friend Laurie Naismith for their honored presence at the Blessing of the Fleet.
The MS Bike Tour is back! The Town will host the racers, support staff and observers on Saturday, May 31 through Sunday, June 1, 2008. It’s a Two (2) Day 150 Mile Ride. The other options are 60, 70 and 100 miles on Saturday and 75 and 100 miles on Sunday. Take your pick because anything you do will help stamp out MS! This event is also in need of local volunteers and you can obtain more information by calling Katy Whitlock or Shannon Rice at 757-490-9627. Please support this tremendous organization either by signing up to ride, volunteering your time or a donation. This is the 4th year that they have selected the Town of Cape Charles to support this event and we’re proud to host them again this year!
The Town of Cape Charles is pleased to announce that the Concerned Citizens of Cape Charles will host the Debate of the 2008 Town Council Candidates. This event will be held at the Cape Charles Fire House on Thursday, May 1, 2008 starting at 7:00 PM. We urge ALL citizens who intend on voting in the Town Council Election on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 to attend this event and PLEASE ask questions of these outstanding candidates. Three of these candidates, once elected, will be responsible for carrying the Town of Cape Charles through a very crucial time of growth and commerce. COME OUT AND LISTEN TO THE ISSUES AND VOTE!
Thank you again for the privilege and opportunity to serve this great Town and all the citizens here.
Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.
Danny Kaye
Actor, Singer, Comedian and Humanitarian
Joe Vaccaro
Town Manager
Town of Cape Charles, VA
757-331-3259 x20
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.