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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 he reviewed plans for proposed commercial office spaces at Strawberry Street and he also approved the revised Erosion & Sedimentation Plans for South Port Parcel #12.

Doug also "tested" the severe weather/flood siren over the past week. Citizens are urged to pay attention to this siren over the next week since we have a weather front headed towards the Eastern Shore. In addition to that, Doug worked with Paul Skolnick, Town Treasurer, on affixing information notices to the rear of all the Town’s Utility Bills regarding citizen actions in the event the siren is activated.

The owner of a residence on Madison Avenue was found guilty in the Northampton County Court for "failure to abide by the judge’s order to abate a violation on the property". This resulted in a $1500.00 fine and another warrant for a second offense violation. The next court date for this "new" hearing is Thursday, July 31, 2008. Citizens are urged to come into the Town Hall if they anticipate any problems with their property. The Town would prefer to settle these issues "in house" and not take them through the local judicial system.

The Code Enforcement Office issued a Fourth of July Fireworks permit to the Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Department and worked closely with that department to ensure that all the VA State requirements were met to ensure public safety.

HARBOR

Smitty Dize, Harbormaster, reported another busy week at the Town Harbor and he and his crew continue to paint, plant, rake and clean the Harbor areas. Smitty further reported that the Gazebo at the Harbor is occupied on a daily basis by Town visitors, watermen and citizens eating lunch at this beautiful location. The Town encourages the use of the Gazebo.

PLANNING

Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that he was busy last week getting ready for a Planning Commission Meeting regarding the Cape Harbor property. Tom also met with VDOT Residency Administrator, Tim Holloway, Sgt Sambo Brown, CCPD, Officer Robert Stubbs, CCPD and Town Manager Joe Vaccaro to assess a "possible" golf cart path from Bay Creek into the Town. Once again, golf carts are NOT allowed on Route 642 (Old Cape Charles Road) as per VA State Law & Town Code. Please refer to the June 18, 2008 edition of The Gazette for further details.

Tom met with the Town’s Attorney, Paul Watson, regarding Planning Commission questions and met with some local business owners on Zoning Violations and the correction of same. He also had a meeting with our neighbors at Bay Creek on the further subdivision of lots at Bayside Village and met with the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy (MAMA) on some additional zoning issues. Tom met with members of the Town staff and worked on eight (8) inquires regarding zoning and setback issues for residences.

LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK

Ann Rutledge, Town Librarian, reported that forty-three (43) children have signed up for the Summer Reading program entitled Catch the Reading Bug.

The summer toddler Preschool Storytime was held last Thursday and seventeen (17) children and their caregivers attended the event. Last week’s theme was "Ants in My Pants" and the children and caregivers were presented with pretzels covered with peanut butter and raisin "ants" for a treat.

Summer Teen Movie Night was held last Wednesday, July 2, 2008 and five (5) children took advantage of the free movie, pop corn and soda. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, CCCCY and the Town.  The Town’s goal is to provide wholesome activities for children & youth during this summer break.

Visitors to the Library can now participate in a "touch & view" Nature Display provided by Kristen Ruyl, an interpreter with Kiptopeke State Park. The display includes a dolphin skull, various sea shells and deer antlers. Kristen will also be presenting the Backyard Safari Storytime on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at the Town Library.

The Town of Cape Charles will be advertising for the full time position of Town Clerk this week. All interested parties should watch for the advertisement in our local newspapers and apply for the position as instructed to do so. The Town will NOT accept advance resumes. The Town Clerk job is an Appointed Position where applicants are interviewed and selected by members of our esteemed Town Council.

RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Tad Taborn, Recreation Coordinator, reported that he participated in and helped organize some events for children at the Fourth of July Celebration that included a three-legged race, a water balloon toss etc. Tad said that ribbons were awarded to all of the winners (First, Second and Third Place) and a good time was had by all.

Tad noted that the Town & CCCCY will sponsor a series of basketball tournaments in Town starting on Saturday, July 19, 2008. Additional information is forthcoming.

Tad announced that he is examining the possibility of implementing a G-Rated movie night for the younger children of the Town. Tad is doing this in conjunction with the CCCCY & the Friends of the Library. Thanks again to the CCCCY & the Friends of the Library for their time and efforts in trying to help make Cape Charles a better place for our children & youth.

Dave Fauber, Director of the PWD, reported that members of the PWD installed a new vent fan for the wet well at the Mason Avenue Pump Station and repaired the Ultra Violet Lights at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Dave said that the PWD continues their planting, watering and staking trees along Randolph & Jefferson Avenues.

The trees along Heritage Acres and Route 184 have been planted and the Town would like to thank Jeff Klingel of Appleseed Nurseries for the magnificent job. This is the "main thoroughfare" to the Town and these trees add to the elegance & greatness of this "green community".

The Town would also like to thank AAA Fence for their hard work over the Fourth of July Weekend ensuring that a fence was constructed at our PWD Maintenance Yard.

East Well III is up & operating and the water restriction sign will be removed from Route 184 and Mason Avenue/Fig Street. The Town thanks all citizens for observing these water restrictions during this maintenance period and we gently remind everyone that water is one of our most precious assets on the Eastern Shore, so please help conserve our water.

POLICE

Chief David Eder reported that there were two (2) Drunk in Public arrests over the weekend and one early morning incident on Monday, July 7, 2008 that involved some "out of town visitors" and local residents. This incident involved an intoxicated "visitor" who trespassed onto residential property and was observed by a local resident who gathered a crowd to pursue the "visitor". The "visitor" rallied his friends and attempted to escalate the situation. The Cape Charles Police Department arrived, separated the two (2) groups and identified the people involved in this incident. Chief Eder said the home owner is expected to press charges on at least three (3) of these "visitors". Investigative efforts continue. Excessive amounts of alcohol were a factor in this incident.

FIRE

Jeb Brady, Vice President CCVFD, reported that the CCVFD’s Sea Food Festival was a great success and over 275 people attended the event. Congratulations to Greg Rippon & Danielle Campbell for their outstanding job in putting the Town of Cape Charles’ Fourth of July Event together. It was well organized, professional and there was plenty to eat and drink. The Town would like to thank the CCVFD & their Families for their herculean efforts again in making this a great weekend.

Jeb said that the CCVFD answered several calls over the Fourth of July Weekend that included a car fire at Kiptopeke State Park and a fire caused by a lightning strike on Route 642.

ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER

Dave Fauber & Tom Bonadeo are in the process of constructing three (3) additional office spaces in the Town Council Chambers. These additional offices were recommended by the Town Council in lieu of seeking an additional Town Hall at this time. The intention is to move the Town Clerk’s Office to the second floor, provide a dedicated area for the Town Planner & Assistant Town Planner (who will be hired shortly) and maintain a smaller conference room for meetings.

The Utility Billing Department will remain on the first floor and we plan on moving the Cape Charles Police Department back into the Town Hall on the first floor. The purpose of this reconfiguration is to 1) save taxpayer monies 2) combine office space 3) utilize heat & AC to its maximum effectiveness in this old building and 4) attempt to streamline the production level of the Town’s work flow.

FIREWORKS: The Town is working with the CCVFD in identifying a new date to launch the fireworks since bad weather prevented their launching on Friday, July 4, 2008. A date for this event will be announced shortly.

For a listing of social events in the Cape Charles area we recommend that you go to 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.

“Equal rights for all, special privileges for none”
Thomas Jefferson

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.