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, attended a meeting of the Eastern Shore Disaster Preparedness Coalition Executive Committee to discuss and upcoming exercise with this group. This group of professionals was formed in order to provide protection to the citizens on the Eastern Shore in the event of natural or man made emergencies. The Town of Cape Charles is proud to be a part of this organization.
Doug reported that the Erosion & Sedimentation (E & S) Control Plans have been submitted to the Town by South Port Investors for Parcels 19, 20 and 90-A-1A for review. Plans for a sprinkler system for a B & B on Randolph Avenue have also been submitted and are under review at this time.
Jeb Brady, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer, has completed the Fire Inspections Principles at the National Fire Academy this past week. Jeb scored very high in the academic portions of the school and the Town expects to "tap into" his knowledge shortly with the Town’s new Fire Marshal Program.
Doug noted that he has been busy lately with building inspections on the new construction/reconstruction of houses, buildings and garages in the Town.
HARBOR
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported the Town Harbor had a total of fifty-one (51) reservations for the month of May 2008 with ten (10) last minute cancellations. Smitty further reported that the Harbor "checked in" 109 vessels during this time period.
Smitty would like to remind everyone that the Schooner Fest 2008 is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2008 and the vessels GODSPEED & VIRGINIA (and possibly the SHALLOP) will be open to the public from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The Schooner Fest 2008 is being sponsored by New Ravenna, SunTrust and the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce. The party will start at 5:00 PM and end at 10:00 PM. Once again fine food and marvelous drinks will be available. The Schooner Serenity will also be available for three trips that day. 12:00 noon, 2:30 PM and a sunset sail at 6:15 PM. The featured bands are the fabulous Jesse Chong Band and the always magnificent Dirt Road Band.
Smitty and his Crew at the Harbor are responsible for the Town’s Beach Patrol this year and they would like to gently remind everyone to stay off of the sand dunes and please NOT ENTER the roped off areas on the Beach. The Town is attempting to "grow the Beach" for future years.
The following incidents were reported at the Beach for the Month of May 2008: two (2) Vehicle Violations; No Parking & Blocking Beach Access, one (1) Alcohol on the Beach, four (4) Trespassing on the Sand Dunes, five (5) incidents where Pets were using the Beach as a bathroom and nine (9) trespassing on the Rocks.
PLANNING
Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that he has been busy making arrangements for the Planning Commission Hearing on the Cape Harbor Project (Landmark Holdings US, LLC) that will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 2:00 PM at the Cape Charles Fire House. The public is highly encouraged to attend this meeting to fully understand the project.
Tom has been working with the architect and Grantor on the plans for the Old Cape Charles High School. The Town wants to ensure that we keep this historical treasure but the Town also wants to be "practical" in the usage and "realistic" in the costs for this building.
Tom stated that he has been in close contact with ANEC regarding the future plans for revising the electrical services in and around the Harbor with the new projects (Harbor Development Group & South Port) coming on line.
Planning has been with realtors on the Resource Protection Area (RPA) in The Colony of Marina Village. The RPA line has moved with beach nourishment and the RPA will need to be surveyed for each lot. Tom reported that the Town needs to ensure that the RPA is adhered to and he is working closely with all the individuals involved with this project at Marina Village. We thank everyone for their cooperation and assistance.
Tom is working with the VMRC regarding the Town’s Breakwater Project. Tom said VMRC believes that there is an "excess" of breakwaters in relation to the actual permits. Further research into this matter is required. The Gazette will advise the public of the outcome.
Planning has reviewed the "reuse" of excess material with a firm in Cape Charles regarding erosion and the VMRC. Tom noted that it appears that permits will be required to continue the "reuse" of the excess material this firm is using for erosion issues and the Town will work with them on this matter. This issue was brought to the Town’s attention by the VMRC who frequently perform aerial observations over the Eastern Shore of VA.
Tom reviewed the Island Village Project at Bay Creek and the E & S drawings for this project are with the third party engineer and the first reports have been issued. The Town thanks Bay Creek for their cooperation.
Tom & Doug Smith and Smitty Dize are working with the VA Department of Emergency Services (VADES) regarding the procedures "if" the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is ever closed. The Town of Cape Charles has a significant role for the emergency movement of essential personnel and cargo across the Chesapeake Bay in the event of an emergency and the Town will follow Northampton County’s lead as set forth by the VADES.
LIBRARY
Ann Rutledge, Town Librarian, reported that the Toddler/Preschool Storytime was held last week and ten (10) children & their caregivers attended the event. The children and caregivers heard stories and songs regarding the theme of the event; "Our Pets".
On Wednesday, May 28, 2008, Ann and Friends of the Library President Carolyn Wiegner and the Friend’s of the Library member Joan Natali attended The Senior Awards Banquet at the Northampton High School. The Friends of the Library presented Senior Jamesha Toy with a $500.00 "gift" to help with the purchase of college books. The criteria to receive this award was based on being an active Library card holder, residing in the Cape Charles area, be accepted into or enrolled in an accredited college, university or trade school, attendance at a high school in "good academic & judicial" standing. The candidates were also required to submit a completed application form, furnish three (3) Letters of Recommendation and submit a 1,000 word (maximum) essay on "Why They Feel Qualified to Receive This Gift". Once again the Town’s Library is leading the way with children, youth and learning!
Christopher Bannon, President of the Library Board, noted that the Friends of the Library is providing paperback books for the new Lodges at Kiptopeke State Park, the Regional Jail and Heritage Hall. Chris said that the Town Library willingly accepts any and all donations of books, CD’s, DVD’s, tapes and money. The Library will also host a book sale this coming Saturday (June 7, 2008) from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS
The Town has been conducting interviews over the past week for the part time Recreation Co-Coordinator position and the candidates are excellent and have extensive backgrounds in education, computers and dealing with children & youth. The Town thanks Roberta Newman, Director of the Cape Charles Committee on Children and Youth, Heather Arcos, Assistant Town Manager, Chief David Eder for assisting the Town Manager, Joe Vaccaro, with these interviews.
Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that the sidewalk repairs in Town are continuing at a steady pace and Town is attempting to repair as many sidewalks as we can before the next fiscal year.
Dave noted that plans are being finalized to remodel the Town’s Council Chambers so the Town has additional work space for Town employees.
Thanks to Special Consultant Bob Panek who coordinated the donation of trees and shrubs from the Bobtown Nursery last week. The owners, part-time residents of the Town, are Ephie and Ivy Weitzner, David and Karen Gay, and Alex and Russell Munz. On May 29, 2008 the Public Works Department transferred approximately 1,000 trees and shrubs from the nursery to the grounds of the wastewater treatment plant for storage and eventual use for streetscape enhancement. Thanks to all for this kind donation to the Town.
Dave said that the Town received permission from David Branch, Director of the company that manages Heritage Acres, to plant Crape Myrtles in the front of their facility along Route 184. Jeff Klingle has been working with Dave Fauber on this project. This project also ties into the Town’s Streetscape enhancement goals and objectives.
POLICE
Chief David Eder reported that Officer Nick Braatz arrived for duty on Tuesday, June 3, 2008. Nick is a Certified Police Officer in the State of VA with experience in traffic laws and gangs. Nick is also a FEMA Certified National Incident Management Systems Officer and certified in Professional Rescue Services. Welcome aboard Officer Braatz!
Chief Eder would like to remind everyone again that it is a FULL STOP at the corner of Mason Avenue and Route 184. Vehicles continue to disregard the STOP SIGN and the Town is fearful of an accident at that corner.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
Water restrictions are currently in place for the Town due to the fact that the Town is operating on ONLY one (1) well at this time. These water restrictions apply to Town Water ONLY. This does not apply to anyone who has a shallow well system or citizens who are NOT "hooked into" the Town’s water system. The Town asks that citizens, who are "hooked into" our water system refrain from excessive watering of lawns, use a bucket of water to wash vehicles etc. The Town respectfully asks that all citizens pay close attention to their water usage until the Town is granted permission from the Virginia Department of Health to operate the East Well III.
The Town Manager, Joe Vaccaro, met with several citizens over the past two (2) weeks regarding the sand dunes at the Beach. Some citizens expressed concerns that the sand dunes were "blocking their water views". The sand dunes at the Beach play a very significant role in this community. They serve as a HABITAT for a variety of organisms, NUTRIENT UPTAKE by promoting a unique plant community which in turn increases the types of animal habitat available, FOOD PRODUCTION for animals that live in the sediment, bacteria and micro algae to mollusks, crustaceans and shorebirds and SHORE PROTECTION by defending interior areas from wave attack and flooding. It is against the law to "de-construct" or alter these dunes. For further information regarding sand dunes we suggest the following Web sites:
http://ccrm.vims.edu/wetlands/tecreps/CoastalResourcesandPermitProcess.pdf
http://ww.vims.edu/physical/research/shoreline/cbdunes/
Thank you again for the privilege and opportunity to serve this great Town and all the citizens here.
“Little progress can be made by merely attempting to repress what is evil; our great hope lies in developing what is good”
Calvin Coolidge
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.