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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.

References to external websites are for information purposes only. The Town makes no representation as to the accuracy of information on such sites, and reference to such sites is not intended as an endorsement by the Town of any materials or opinions expressed on such sites.

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Doug Smith, Code Enforcement Officer, reported that they have resolved all of the annual inspections for elevators, fire alarms, sprinklers and commercial range hoods for the Town of Cape Charles.

The site construction plans have been approved for South Port Parcel #12 where the 75 Ton Travel Lift is scheduled to be placed.

Doug briefed the Town Council on the Town’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for Hanna and also briefed them on the Town’s Fire Marshal Program. Anyone interested in obtaining a copy of what the Town did with the EOP in preparation for Hanna can contact Doug at 331-3259 x16 or Town Manager Joe Vaccaro at 331-3259 x20.

Legal actions are now underway for two (2) structures on the 500 Block of Plum Street, one (1) structure on the 500 Block of Peach Street and one (1) structure on the 400 Block of Randolph Avenue.

HARBOR

Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that Harbor Crew Member Kathleen Stevens is no longer assigned to the Harbor and has been re-assigned to the Town’s Public Works Department. Smitty said that he and Assistant Harbor Master Kent Pruitt wish Katie well in her new job and thank her for all of her hard work at the Harbor.

Smitty said that the Harbor Crew continues to build shelves in the new storage shed to make room for the supplies from the pump-out station. The purpose of this is to make room for the new 90 gallon Oil Spill Kit.

The Harbor Crew has also been working on scraping the rust off and painting their waste oil tank in preparation for their final compliance "piece" in order to obtain a Virginia Clean Harbor designator. This is a major accomplishment for a working Harbor. Smitty said that he expects to make an appointment next week to have the Cape Charles Harbor inspected by Virginia State Authorities.

LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK

Ann Rutledge, Library Manager, reported that the Toddler Preschool Storytime was held this past Thursday, September 18, 2008 and a total of eight (8) children & their caregivers attended the event. Last week’s subject was "For the Birds". This was a very appropriate subject since Cape Charles hosted the 16th Annual Eastern Shore Birding & Wildlife Festival over this past weekend. 

On Friday, September 19, 2008 the Library was honored to host fourteen (14) children from the Cheriton Migrant Headstart Program. These young ladies & gentlemen were treated to a wonderful Storytime by the Library Staff.

Ann said that on Tuesday, October 7, 2008, the Town Library will host Remarkable Trees of Virginia presentation. Jeff Kirwan, a Professor of Forestry at Virginia Tech and 4-H Extension Specialist, is the featured speaker who will address the audience on his four (4) year search for Virginia’s most remarkable trees. His new book Remarkable Trees of Virginia  features one hundred (100) of the oldest, most beautiful and historic trees of this great state. Jeff will focus on the trees of the Eastern Shore to include the Accomac Sycamore and the Eastville Willow Oak. These trees were selected from over 1,000 nominations from Virginians over the past three (3) years. Please come out and enjoy this informative & interesting presentation. For further information contact Ann at the Library at 331-1300.

Libby Hume, Town Clerk, reported the following upcoming Town Council Work Sessions: Regional Water/Waste Water & Cape Harbor-Thursday, September 25, 2008 starting at 5:30 PM (Upstairs at the Town Hall) & Zoning Ordinance-Accessory Dwellings-Tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, October 2, 2008 starting at 5:30 PM at the Cape Charles Fire House.

Libby said that she and Linda Carola, Assistant Town Clerk, have moved the Clerk’s Office to the second floor of the Town Hall and completed their efforts on Wednesday, September 24, 2008.

Libby further stated that she completed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA ) Request for the Thursday, September 11, 2008 Town Council Meeting and is working on obtaining FOIA Training for the Town staff.

Libby said that the Town has received four (4) applications to date for the Public Utilities position and that Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, expects to conduct interviews for that position within the next week. 

RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Tad Taborn, Recreation Coordinator, reported that the Town has started their Fall Flag Football Teams last week. If you are interested in playing arrive at the Park at 1000 AM or contact Tad at 331-3259 x18 for additional information.

Tad also said that he is reviewing upcoming activities to include a youth fishing tournament, group soccer, volleyball and arts& crafts. 

Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that he, Bob Panek (Special Town Consultant for Water/Waste Water & the Annexation Issue) and Town Treasurer Paul Skolnick attended a Virginia Tech workshop in Richmond, VA on Operating & Financing a Sustainable Water Works. One of the concepts this trio returned with was the idea of "swapping out" the older water meters the Town has for more modern ones in order to obtain more accurate, reliable and quicker readings. Reading the water meters for the Town now takes approximately three (3) days and consumes a great deal of manpower to ensure the billing cycle remains in tact.

Dave noted that the PWD assisted the Town Clerk & Town Planner with the move into their new office spaces this week and that Kathleen Stevens has reported for work with the PWD.

ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER

An observant citizen sent the Town a letter regarding the paint on the Town’s Water Tower on Route 184. We have already scheduled maintenance for this 300,000 gallon capacity water tower and that will include scraping the rust off of it and re-painting it. We thank this citizen for his/her keen observations, letter of concern and kind words.

The Town also received an e-mail from another one of our good citizens regarding the use of some verbiage in the last issue of The Gazette. For the record; any & all references to external websites in The Gazette are for information only. The Town makes no representation as to the accuracy of information on such sites and reference to such sites is not intended as an endorsement by the Town of any opinions expressed on such sites. The Town welcomes all citizens to visit the Town Hall in order to obtain information on all construction projects, water issues, annexation issues, FOIA, Conflict of Interest Acts, CCCCY upcoming events and Harbor matters. The idea of The Gazette is to inform the public, provoke curiosity into future projects & events and provide general knowledge regarding taxpayer’s monies. The Gazette regrets any inconvenience this may have caused anyone. 

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.

"Educate and inform the whole mass of people...They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."
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.