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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

Jeb Brady, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer, reported that Doug Smith, Code Enforcement Officer, is attending the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, MD. Jeb further reported that he has started his Fire Inspection Program throughout the Town. Some residents are already paying attention to Jeb’s suggestions and cleaning out their attics and basements to "fire proof" their dwellings.

Code Enforcement was forced to cut the lawns on three (3) yards this week due to property owners failing to comply with written directives to maintain their property. We respectfully ask that Home Owners comply with the Town Code Section 46-16 General Duty to Remove (b) that reads "The growth of grass, weeds and the like in excess in height shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section." Good neighborhoods start with citizens who take care of their properties. Please help us to maintain the beauty of our Historic District.

Code Enforcement has been working with the Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Department regarding the storage of fireworks for the upcoming Harbor Party on Saturday, July 19, 2008. These were the fireworks originally intended to be set off on the Fourth of July but were postponed due to inclement weather.

HARBOR

Kent Pruitt, Assistant Harbor Master, reported that the Beach Patrol has an increase in people climbing the rocks at the Beach and this has created a dangerous situation for young children. The Town urges adults not to climb the rocks and to keep their children from climbing these rocks. We already have reports of individuals falling and receiving deep cuts as a result of those falls.

FOR THE RECORD: Fishing from the rocks is NOT permitted.

FIRES, BONFIRES AND OPEN GRILLS ARE ALSO NOT ALLOWED ON THE BEACH

The Harbor is currently obtaining oil pollution response items and equipment in order to comply with the Clean Harbor Act.

Kent would like to remind everyone that the Harbor Party is scheduled from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM this Saturday, July 19, 2008. This Harbor Party is sponsored by the good folks from the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce.  Musical guests are the fabulous Love Sick Cousins Band. Fireworks are scheduled for the evening.

PLANNING

Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that the Planning Commission has been busy over the last week to complete a recommendation for the Cape Harbor Project. He said the Planning Commission also reviewed an application for rezoning and will schedule a public hearing regarding the rezoning of 15.5 acres of undeveloped property on Route 642.

The staff worked with Landmark on the next sequence of approvals required to begin work on the Cape Harbor Project. The project will require a permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals to provide condominiums and they will require a Harbor Development Certificate and approval by the Town Council. A Work Session with Planning will be held on Thursday, July 31, 2008 followed by a Public Hearing on Thursday, August 14, 2008.

The staff also assisted in the Flood Plain Ordinance approval process and the implementation phase and Web site uploads will follow.  Planning also completed the approval process for the Town’s Official Zoning Map and the maps have been ordered in two (2) sizes for public, developer, real estate and builder purchases.

LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK

Ann Rutledge, Town Librarian, reported that fifty-four (54) children have signed up for the Summer Reading Program called Catch the Reading Bug.

The Summer Toddler Preschool Storytime was held last Thursday and twenty (20) children and their caregivers attended the event. The theme was "Hooray for the Honeybees" and the children were given Graham Crackers with a "dab" of honey for a treat. This week’s theme will be "Backyard Safari; Worms& Other Creatures".

Ann said that an additional attraction at the Library this week was the appearance of Magician Rob Wescott who presented Catch the Reading Bug with a program of puppets, magic and music.  Twenty-five (25) children and their caregivers attended this very special presentation.

As of July 1, 2008 all of the books in the Northampton Memorial Library (Cape Charles) have been sent to the Eastern Shore Public Library to be bar-coded. This means that our book collection is now on line and all of our books at the Library can be accessed through the computer catalog. Another major achievement for the Town’s Library!

Charlene Riley, Director of Migrant Head Start in Cheriton is holding a Love Books Campaign from Monday, July 21 through Friday, August 1, 2008 at her school. She is looking for volunteers to read to the children twice a day during these weeks, at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, or 3:30 PM.  Ann will be reading to the children and would like to get some other Town/Library people involved.  This is a great opportunity to see what is going on in the community for children.  Please contact Ann at 331-1300 if you’re interested. Or call Charlene Riley at 331-4897.

The Town Clerk position remains open and all applicants should have their resumes and Town Employment Applications in by Friday, July 18, 2008. If anyone is interested in additional details please contact the Assistant Town Clerk, Linda Carola, at 757-331-3259 x24 or email Linda at clerk2@capecharles.org. The Mayor and Town Council will interview qualified candidates for this position and will ultimately make the decision who will be the next Town Clerk. 

RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Tad Taborn, Recreation Coordinator, reported that he has been busy working with Roberta Newman from the Cape Charles Committee on Children & Youth (CCCCY) on the upcoming Summer Slam Basketball Tournaments. The "new" dates for these tournaments are Saturday, July 26, 2008, Saturday, August 9, 2008 and Saturday, August 23, 2008. Roberta said that the CCCCY has eight (8) local business sponsors for these tournaments and the Town will list them in an upcoming special Gazette. Thank you Roberta, Chuck Little and the entire CCCCY for trying to make the Town of Cape Charles a better place to live for children & youth.

Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that the PWD Crew installed a new vent fan for the Wet Well at the Mason Avenue Pump Station in order to help alleviate the odors emitting from the location. They also repaired the Ultra Violet lamps at the Waste Water Treatment Plant; this is one of the final stages in ensuring that the Town’s waste water is in compliance with DEQ Regulations.

The tree and shrub planting continues and the PWD planted additional trees and shrubs on Madison Avenue, Mason Avenue (near the "hump") and Jefferson Avenue. The Town is determined to plant these "gifts" of 1000 trees and shrubs to enhance the environment and beautify the Town.

The Town of Cape Charles is in the process of constructing a plan on conserving fuel costs and saving energy during this "gas crisis". The plan will be made public as soon as it is formalized with the PWD.

ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER

Please make plans to attend the HARBOR PARTY this Saturday, July 19, 2008 beginning at 3:00 PM and enjoy the Town’s Fireworks. As always - Children and Families are MOST welcome.

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.

"Fear is an instinct. Courage is a choice."
Rear Admiral Joseph Kernan, USN

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.