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.
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 sent out three (3) letters to businesses that have failed to comply with State Fire Regulations and have five (5) business days to abate their violations or legal action will be taken against them.
Doug said the site plans for the Carousel Building in Bayside Village were approved last week. Letters were also sent to the owners of a structure located at Park Row offering an easement in return for a lien against their property. The lien would have to be reconciled within one (1) year. This involves an ongoing situation where a builder placed AC units and plants on Town property some years ago. The Town Council voted, several months ago, to pursue this situation in this manner.
Code Enforcement performed fifteen (15) Erosion & Sedimentation Control Inspections last week. The Town thanks the builders & developers for their assistance with these inspections.
HARBOR
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master Superb, reported that the Harbor Crew installed their Virginia Clean Marina Signs and Flag in the Town Harbor area.
The Harbor Crew continues to convert all of their files to electronic format to include Docking Permits etc. All Slip Holders are reminded that if you would like to sign up for E-Billing please contact the Harbor at 757-331-2357.
Smitty said that Harbor slips continue to be booked for December 2008 due to the fact that Cape Charles is the Premier Location on the Chesapeake Bay for "trophy Rock Fish" which can range from three (3) to five (5) feet in length.
The Harbor crew completed the painting of the Boat Ramp parking area and they are awaiting better weather to continue their painting efforts at the Harbor.
PLANNING
Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that his scheduled was "filled" with meetings last week that included a Town Council Meeting, Broadband Work Session and a Public Hearing. It ranged from Accessory Dwellings to the Keck Property located on Route 642 (Old Cape Charles Road).
The next version for Harbor Guidelines will be out in two (2) weeks. Once these Guidelines are approved the Town will place them on our Web site so the public can review same. Questions are most welcome and Tom can be reached at 757-331-3259 x15.
Tom & the Town Manager, Joe Vaccaro, had a meeting with the South Port Group and their potential management team for their Yacht Center. This professional group spent the better part of the week in our great Town. Welcome to the Town Gentlemen.
LIBRARY
Ann Rutledge, Library Manager, reported that the Toddler Preschool Storytime was held last week and three (3) children & their caregivers attended the event. Last week’s theme was "My House".
The Friends of the Library met last Monday, November 10, 2008 & the Library Board met on Wednesday, November 12, 2008. At the last Town Council Meeting, Thursday, November 13, 2008, Councilman Chris Bannon addressed several concerns regarding our Library. One of the concerns was a "recommendation" to move the Town Library to Route 13. The Town does not have any intentions of "moving" our Library anywhere at this time. The Library will continue to support the Eastern Shore Public Library (ESPL) System by 1) supporting the residents on the lower end of Northampton County (NHC) 2) continue to provide statistics that the ESPL & NHC can utilize to obtain additional funding and 3) continue to provide "late fee" funds to the ESPL & NHC. In return for this, the Library is asking to change the name of the Library from the Northampton Memorial Library to the Cape Charles Library in order to avoid confusion with the other memorial Library on the Eastern Shore.
The Town of Cape Charles has budgeted $79,940.00 for our Library (FY 2009) and NHC will provide $15,500.00 for the Town’s services as noted above. The Town is respectfully seeking some representation on the ESPL Board in exchange for the services listed above. This information was made public at the last Council Meeting.
Some points of interest from the Town’s Council last Retreat (April 2008) regarding our Library that were previously reported:
- Library began in the home of Mrs. Robert McQuire in the Town of Cape Charles in 1919.
- Library moved to its current location in 1926
- On May 27, 1927, the Library was dedicated and became the First War Memorial Library in VA and the first County Library on the Eastern Shore.
- The Library became a station of the Eastern Shore Public Library in 1957.
- On October 1, 1979 the Library became a Branch Library of the Eastern Shore Public Library.
- On September 1, 1981, the Board of Trustees of the Eastern Shore Public Library canceled the agreement that made the Town Library a Branch Library due to budget cuts. However, the bookmobile continued to visit Cape Charles and it was suggested that the Town keep the Library open.
- In 2003 the Friends of the Library group was formed and continues their great work.
- Customer Visits: 2001 - 6,817 & 2007 - 14,428
The Library will be offering a Be Not Afraid beginner computer class at the Library on Thursday, December 11 & Friday, December 12, 2008 from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. This class is presented by Friends of the Library member Joan Natali & the charge is $10.00 for this informative & very practical class.
RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE: The location for the FAB FALL DANCE, scheduled for Saturday, November 22, 2008 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, has been changed to Wendell Distributing Company, 650 Madison Avenue, Cape Charles, VA vice the Cape Charles Fire House(CCFH). The CCFH can not accommodate activities where the weather drops to forty (40) degrees or below due to equipment concerns.
Frank Wendell, local businessman & former Town Council member, graciously volunteered his location for the event. The Town thanks Frank & his sister Lisa Harman for their generosity & community spirit in helping our Town’s children & youth.
Anyone interested in assisting with this dance can contact Tad Taborn, Recreation Coordinator, at 757-331-3259 x18. We need chaperones and decorators who are interested in ensuring these children & youth have a safe & wonderful evening.
Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that the PWD is vacuuming leaves as the weather permits. He also said that the work on the "new" police station within the Town Hall continues.
Dave reported that the Town started the Monday Pickup of yard debris and all went well with that first time operation. Thank you to all the citizens who participated and understand the need for the Town to have tightened this former "erratic" Town procedure of picking up debris. Fuel & manpower costs could not have continued in the direction the Town was vectored in.
Dave respectfully reminds everyone again:
ENFORCEMENT OF TOWN CODE
In order to help us be more efficient at our tasks, starting in November there will be some changes in the way our Public Works crew will be handling the pickup of yard debris.
Yard debris will be picked up on Monday. If necessary we will continue to pick up on Tuesday, but the Town WILL NOT "back track".
Yard debris MUST be stacked in the front yard between the sidewalk and the curb.
Limbs and branches MUST be cut in maximum 4' lengths and stacked in piles no taller than 4' or wider than 4' (Town Code Sec. 58-32 (b).
No limbs larger than 2" diameter will be picked up.
Loose debris, vines and leaves must be bagged.
Construction debris will not be picked up by our Town crews.
Call Utility Administrative Assistant Tammy Teague at 331-3259 x14 if you have a large or bulky item to be picked up.
A $25 fee is charged for EACH large or bulky item.
POLICE
Chief David Eder reported that the Cape Charles Police Department had seven (7) arrests over the last two (2) weeks that included three (3) narcotics related incidents and four (4) alcohol related incidents. The alcohol related included one (1) DUI and three (3) Drunk in Public.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
American Legion Posts 56 & 400 conducted a Memorial Service at the Cape Charles flag pole on Veteran's Day and over sixty-five (65) people attended this event paying homage to our Nation’s service members. This was a very professional & dignified event; nice job to all.
The Town Council Mini-Retreat will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 starting at 8:00 AM in the Town Hall. The following agenda applies:
8:00 to 9:00 AM - Cape Charles High School "current status" with VHDA Project
9:00 to 10:00 AM - Alternate Energy Sources for the Town of Cape Charles
10:00 to 12:00 PM - Conflict of Interest Acts
12:00 to 1:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 to 2:00 PM - Televising Town Council Meetings
2:00 to 3:30 PM - Current Budget Needs-Short & Long Term Capital Investments & the Bridgewater Plan
3:30 to 4:30 PM - Recap Agenda items
This meeting is open to the Public and all are most welcome to attend.
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve this great Town and its people.
Cape Charles Factoid: The Town of Cape Charles was laid out in 1884 to be the southern terminus of the newly formed New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk (NYP&N) Railroad. It was also the transfer point to elegant steamers traveling across the Chesapeake Bay to Norfolk.
"A politician should have three hats. One for throwing into the ring, one for talking through and one for pulling rabbits out of if elected to office".
Carl Sandburg
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.