Mayor
Town Council
Town Manager
Asst. Town Manager
Treasurer
Town Clerk
Code Enforcement
Town Planner
Public Works/Utilities
Harbor
Library
Police

Newsletter Feedback

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.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Doug Smith, Code Enforcement Officer, met with Police Chief David Eder and Fire Chief Steve Wilson in order to work out the details for the 4th of July Fire Works display and coordinate the issuance of the permits for this event.

Doug also attended a special meeting for the region’s eight (8) building officials to discuss the impact of the 2006 Code Changes in an effort to maintain enforcement consistency throughout the jurisdictions on the Eastern Shore and in Hampton Roads.

Doug attended a meeting at the Eastern Shore Disaster Preparedness Coalition. These meetings are especially important to the Town and the Eastern Shore since we’ve been in the Hurricane Season since June 1, 2008.

Code Enforcement has Compliance Measures on two (2) addresses on Randolph Avenue, one (1) address on Strawberry Street, one (1) address on Plum Street and one (1) address on Jefferson Avenue. Doug noted that all of the addresses are houses in very bad condition and they are considered to be uninhabitable/unsafe structures that have apparently been abandoned. One address, on Plum Street, has received several citizen complaints about it being utilized as a "drinking/drug hangout".

Doug met with two (2) individuals, who represent interests on both Park Row and Mason Avenue, regarding unresolved fire sprinkler and Certificate of Occupancy issues.

HARBOR

Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that they have completed the new utility shed at the Harbor and have built and installed benches and shelving for this shed. Smitty said they will paint the shed the same color as the Harbor Master’s office and have begun to transfer items from the old pump house to the new shed.

Smitty said that the Beach Patrol reported the following incidents for the month of June 2008:
Alcohol Beverages on the Beach: Twenty-five (25), Trespassing on the Dunes: Eleven (11), Climbing on the Rocks: Sixty (60), Pets on the Beach: Twenty-eight (28), Glassware on the Beach: Twenty-three (23). The Town would like all citizens and tourists to enjoy the Beach but gently reminds everyone that the basic rules are in place to protect the environment and keep everyone safe.

FIRES, OPEN FLAMES & GRILLS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE BEACH!

PLANNING

Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that he worked on six (6) requests for zoning clearances in the Town and placed a Stop Work on an illegal fence that was being installed on a neighbor’s property.

Tom worked with South Port on some administrative matters regarding future plans and uses in the Marine Park and has been in contact with our friends at VDOT regarding the Town Trail. The VDOT issue concerns the south fence in the Park. The goal is to "connect" all the usable areas in the Park for citizen usage and not have any "dead space" that can not be used.

LIBRARY

Ann Rutledge, Town Librarian, reported that the 2008 Summer Reading Program now has thirty-nine (39) children signed up for the program. Ann further stated that the Summer Toddler Preschool Storytime had thirteen (13) children and their caregivers attend this event. The theme was "Bring on the Butterflies" and the children were served cup cakes with butterfly designs on them. This is a tremendous program that the Library and Friends of the Library run once a week and the adults seem to enjoy it almost as much as the children. Please stop by the Library for additional information or call Ann or Dee at 757-331-1300.

Last Wednesday, June 25, 2008 was the opening night for Summer Teen Movie Nights and twelve (12) children attended the event. These movie nights are sponsored by the Cape Charles Committee on Children & Youth, Friends of the Library and the Town of Cape Charles. The movie starts at 7:30 PM and the space is limited to twenty-eight (28) people due to safety concerns and limited seating. The Town suggests that children arrive at 7:00 PM to see the FREE movie and partake in the free popcorn & soda provided by the Town.

Ann suggested that citizens visit the Eastern Shore Public Library website at www.espl.org to view additional programs and events on the Eastern Shore.

The Town welcomes Ms. Charley Wullschleger as the temporary Acting Town Clerk. The Town will be advertising for this "full time" position this week and once the Town has assembled packages of qualified candidates they will be presented to the Town Council for action. The Town Clerk position for the Town of Cape Charles is an "appointed" position and the Town Council will make the final employment selection. Thank you Charley for all of the help!

RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS

The Town is happy and proud to announce that Tad Taborn has accepted the part time position as the Recreation Coordinator for the Town and his start date was Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Tad is a high school teacher, a former reporter for our friends at The Eastern Shore News and has a great deal of experience in working with children & youth. Welcome Aboard Tad!

Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that the East Well III will be on line Thursday, July 3, 2008. The Town would like to thank Mr. Dixon Tucker, VDH, for his help and guidance.

The PWD was very busy last week reading water meters, planting additional trees and shrubs and getting the Town ready for the 4th of July activities.

POLICE

Chief David Eder reported that the Cape Charles Police Department issued eight (8) traffic summonses this past week for speeding and failure to stop at a Stop Sign. He also stated that the police were called out on four (4) Domestic Disturbances where the use of alcohol was an apparent factor. Raccoons continue to be a problem and the police had to unfortunately destroy seven (7) raccoons over the past week in the Marina area, Bay Creek area and the Historic District. Chief Eder said that the Town is also experiencing an increase in our feral cat population and Northampton County Animal Control has been working with the Cape Charles Police seeking a solution to this situation. Residents are reminded again to keep pets and children away from these animals please.

The Cape Charles Police Department and VA State Police are expected to be out in full force over this holiday weekend; Please don’t drink and drive and appoint a designated driver for your events.

ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER

The Town’s fire siren is now operational for emergency weather events and the Town thanks Doug Smith for his help and leadership ensuring that this device is now operational. The next Utility Bills that the Town will send out to citizens will contain information on what actions citizens should take in the event of a weather emergency. Citizens need to be "individually ready" for weather emergencies and this includes transportation, medical devices & prescriptions, clothing, food, water and pet care. In the event that an evacuation is ordered for Cape Charles, citizens are urged to follow that advice.

From the Cape Charles Museum & Welcome Center

Marion Naar writes that visitors are arriving at the museum on a daily basis and the new Welcome Center sign, courtesy of the Town, has prompted those with questions to stop and ask about where to eat, view the Bay, ride the railroad, inquire about the Town’s history and view the exhibits at the museum. Marion said that the museum is still seeking volunteers and anyone interested can contact the museum at 757-331-1008.

For a listing of social events in the Cape Charles area we recommend that you contact CapeCharlesHappenings@att.net

Thank you again for the privilege and opportunity to serve this great Town and all the citizens here.

We are now in the Hurricane Season and adverse weather is likely to occur on the Eastern Shore and everyone needs to be "individually ready".

The Town of Cape Charles has recently installed a Flood/Severe Weather Warning Siren in the Historic District of Town. It is located on Mason Avenue across the street from the service station. In the event that the siren goes off, please tune to one of the following broadcast stations for severe flood or weather information and directions.

In the event of an electrical outage, please pay attention for information and directions from the Police & Fire Department who will broadcast information & directions in a mobile manner from their emergency vehicles.

"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things."
Peter F. Drucker

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.

If you wish to discontinue receiving this newsletter, please click on the link below.
Unsubscribe

Municipal Corporation of Cape Charles
2 Plum Street
Cape Charles, VA 23310
757-331-3259

Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.