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 the Town went to court over the past week regarding a residence on 600 Block of Jefferson Avenue. Doug said the owner of said residence was found guilty for not following the court’s order to repair the residence. Doug said the owner was fined $2500.00 with $2400.00 suspended conditional upon repair of the residence within 6 months. The owner also has a "time table" in which to complete specific repairs to the residence. Doug further stated that the Town will also place a lien on the property. All of these efforts are being made to save these historical structures that people purchase and then allow them to become a safety hazard and eye sore to the neighborhood and Town because they allow them to decay.
Doug reported that another residence on the 500 Block of Jefferson Avenue was also brought forward to the Northampton County Judicial System. Doug said this particular residence is in a state of partial collapse, a fire hazard and deemed to be a danger to the public. In this case the court has allowed time for the owners to sign an agreement with the Town in order to save the structure. This agreement will be passed on to the next prospective buyer of the property.
In a third case; a former citizen of the Town and home owner failed to appear in court and was given until today (Monday, April 28, 2008) to pay the fines levied against him or face incarceration for failure to comply with a court order.
Doug said that he has collected a list of all the real estate agents, lenders and insurance agents who work in and around the Town in order to send them Flood Ordinance information. This is part of the Town’s Community Rating System Application in order to lower insurance rates for home owners.
A residence on the 200 Block of Madison Avenue is now under Code Enforcement and may be demolished due to the damaged state it is in.
HARBOR
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that most of the "Crabbers" in the Harbor are slowly returning to their home ports due to economic reasons but the "Gill Netters" have come back to the Town in force and are having a productive season here. Smitty sadly noted that there will not be a Dredge Season next year in the Cape Charles Harbor. This is due to the fact that the State of VA has closed down "Crabbing" from October 27 until March 17. This will be the first winter since the 1930’s that the dredgers from Tangier Island and other locations will not spend their winter at our Harbor.
Smitty said that Phase V of the Widening of the Docks (south side, bordering the U.S. Coast Guard Station) is 50% completed.
PLANNING
Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that he has been working with VMRC, VIMS and the Army Corps of Engineers on the Harbor Projects. There is a great deal to do with planning and zoning with so many projects arriving at the Town at the same time.
Tom said he has been working with Doug Smith (Code Enforcement Officer) regarding Draft Zone Mapping. This involves laying out future uses on a "base map" so that the Town can start arranging ground work for our GIS. GIS is the Geographic Information System (GIS), also known as a geographical information system or geospatial information system, is any system for capturing, storing, analyzing and managing data and associated attributes which are spatially referenced to Earth.
Tom stated that South Port moved the Vessel Skipjack for East Harbor Boat Works this past Friday, April 25, 2008. Thanks for the help!
The Wetlands Coastal Dune Board met last week to discuss issues regarding wetlands replacement for South Port and they approved same. A very special thank you to board members Ann Walker, Jim Weiner and Ned Brinkley (who made a special effort to attend this meeting).
LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK
Ann Rutledge, Town Librarian, reported that the Toddler & Preschool Storytime was held last week and 14 children and their caregivers attended the event. The theme of last week’s event was "Let’s Be Friends".
The Friends of the Library will be hosting a Used Book Sale on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM outside of the Library. There will be hundreds of interesting and wonderful used books to select from. This is an ideal opportunity to get your summer reading program going or your bookshelves stocked. Please stop by and visit.
Ann wanted to remind everyone that there are only 8 weeks until school is out and the 2008 SUMMER READING PROGRAM: CATCH THE READING BUG begins at the Library. Sign up early and avoid the rush!
Joy Pelletier, Town Clerk, reported that after the recent Wetlands Coastal Dune Board Meeting she processed a series of FOIA requests.
She also reported a "surge" for informational requests from potential summer visitors to the Town regarding the Beach and the Harbor.
RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS
Jimmy Marvel, Youth Director, reported that over 200 people used the Park this week. Approximately 90 children and youth were at the Park this past Saturday (April 26, 2008) for the Town’s Street Ball Tournament. The Street Ball Tournament was very successful and the Town would like to thank the following people for their great efforts: Jimmy Marvel, Perry Kiriakos (Referee of the Year), Rico Trower, Roderick Bell, Larry Burkhart (Food Vendor Supreme), Debbie Kozak (Ice Vendor Supreme), Chief David Eder, Matt Pruitt (PWD) and Roberta Newman (Chairperson, Cape Charles Committee on Children & Youth). The children were lined up and ready to go at 8:15 AM and the day was filled with music, games and sportsmanship. This was another day that the Town of Cape Charles "shined" thanks to these citizen’s super efforts.
Jimmy said he had 8 of our esteemed senior citizens participating in the Town’s exercise program at Heritage Acres and the program has been highly successful with these seniors.
Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that the work on the Town’s East Well II has been completed and the Town is awaiting "clearance" from the Virginia Department of Health. Thanks again to Bundick Well & Pump for their great efforts and hard work!
Dave said the PWD is currently working on the non-potable water supply at the Waste Water Treatment plant and they’re working on repairs at the Mason Avenue Water Pump Station. These repairs include the electrical system and ordering a new pump for the station.
Dave said "all hands" from the PWD were engaged in reading water meters last week and Appleseed Nurseries are in the process of planting additional trees in the Town.
The PWD also submitted a permit application for sidewalk repairs on the 500 Block of Randolph Avenue. Bowden Construction also conducted repair work on the sidewalk in the 600 Block of Tazewell Avenue. Sidewalk repair is a priority for the Town this summer. If you have any questions regarding side walk repairs please contact Dave at 757-331-3259 x17.
Dave said the Town recently advertised for a bid for someone to conduct spraying operations in the Town. If you’re a licensed contractor we urge you to please contact Dave ASAP.
POLICE
Chief David Eder reported that the Cape Charles Police Department (CCPD) continue with their Enhanced Traffic Enforcement programs and continue to issue summons for speeding on Route 184. The speeding on Route 184 continues despite the fact that the Speed Monitor Device from VDOT has been operational now for close to 3 weeks.
Please obey the 25 mph speed limit when entering the Town!
We have citizens in wheel chairs crossing the street on Route 184!
The CCPD participated in 3 events over the weekend; the streetball tournament, the Shrimp Boil at the Museum and Sunday in the Park with one of the Church groups. There were NO SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS to report.
FIRE
Jeb Brady, Vice President of the CCVFD, reported that the CCVFD ran 6 calls this past week; 3 vehicle accidents, 1 fire investigation and 2 fuel spills.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
Once again, thanks to all for a great Street Ball Tournament! This was another “first” and another great example of what the Town of Cape Charles can accomplish when we all work together for a common cause. The best part about the whole event was the sportsmanship & very positive attitudes of these children, youth and young men and women. This is exactly what the Park and these young people needed!
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!
VOTE!!! ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2008 VOTE!!!
Thank you again for the privilege and opportunity to serve this great Town and all the citizens here.
"Only the weak are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong."
Leo Buscaglia
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.