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 closed their last Fire Inspection Case last week. Doug thanked Chief David Eder & Sgt. Sambo Brown for their assistance in resolving this matter.
Doug & Jeb Brady, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer, completed their reorganization & painting of the Code Office in the Town Hall and performed sixteen (16) Erosion & Sedimentation (E & S) Control inspections last week.
Code Enforcement inspected three (3) parcels with our friends at Baymark last week regarding E & S issues. Based on the "positive" results of those inspections; the Town has agreed to release the performance bonds for said parcels. Thank you for the cooperation Baymark!
HARBOR
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that the "Rock fishing" off the coast of Cape Charles was highly successful last week with reports of fishermen catching Rockfish from 28 to 50 inches in length. Smitty said most of the Rockfish were caught around the Old Plantation Light area.
Smitty said that he spoke to Dave Burden, County Supervisor & Shore Keeper, regarding the cleaning up of "Ghost Pots". Ghost pots are the crab pots that have been cut adrift by weather or man made conditions and are no longer in service but clutter the waterways & beaches. One proposal is to utilize the Watermen to conduct this clean up using VA State or Federal funds.
The Harbor Crew reminds everyone that when the temperature does not achieve 38 degrees during the day at the Harbor; the staff cuts the water off at various locations. The staff will also start their "winterizing" of the pump out station here within the next few days.
Smitty said that the Harbor Crew inspected power pedestals, cleaning terminals, checking meters, checking breakers, checking outlets, checking lights and water valves last week and will continue the Harbor Preventative Maintenance Program over the next few weeks.
LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK
Ann Rutledge, Library Manager, reported that Toddler Preschool Storytime was held last week and six (6) children and their caregivers attended the event. Last week’s theme was "It’s Raining".
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 to 4:30 PM. The class will be taught by Friend of the Library Joan Natali. The charge is $10.00 per person. Please call the Library at 757-331-1300 ASAP to sign up since spaces are limited for this class.
From Monday, December 1 through Wednesday, December 31, 2008 the Library will be collecting canned goods and canned pet food to benefit the Food Bank and the SPCA. For each can of food donated, the Library will waive $1.00 of overdue fines, with a $10.00 maximum. Please help our most needy on the Eastern Shore this year.
The "new" official name for the Northampton Memorial Library is the Cape Charles Memorial Library. This name was several years in the making and the Town hopes this will cause less confusion with the other memorial library located on the Eastern Shore. Our Library has a proud & interesting history and it is only fitting that it bears the name of the community of citizens who have so faithfully supported it over the years.
The Friends of the Library have decorated the Library for Christmas. Please stop and view their great work.
Libby Hume, Town Clerk, reported that she has nine (9) citizens coming in to fill four (4) positions that include the Planning Commission, Wetlands & Coastal Dune and Zoning. One (1) of these citizens is also being interviewed for the Library Board.
The next Town Council meeting is Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the St. Charles Catholic Church Parish Hall starting at 7:00 PM. Items to be addressed are: Filling the Vacancies on Boards & Commissions, Cape Charles High School Plans, Cape Harbor Project, Randy Custis Park, Open Space - Set a Public Hearing, Public Utility Facility - Set a Public Hearing.
RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Tad Taborn, Children & Youth Advisor, reported that he will be working with the Town staff regarding a Spring Talent Show at the Park Gazebo. The event will take place at night (To be Determined) & FREE to the public. This event will hopefully become the prelude to the Shakespeare in the Park events that some of our esteemed citizens have proposed to the Town.
The Town will post notice on future planning meetings but the call goes out now to all our local actors, poets, dancers, musicians, bands, lighting specialists, sound specialists and volunteers to participate in this Town sponsored event. The Town anticipates that food & drink will be available at the Spring Talent Show. Lets’ make this the success the Blessing of the Fleet was!
Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that Shannon Miller (Waste Water Treatment Plant) passed her VA State Waste Water Class IV Certification Examination. Class IV designates Shannon as an "operator in training"; her next certification (Class III) will classify her as an actual plant operator. Congratulations Shannon!
The Public Utilities Crew finally located an "elusive" water leak in the Marina Villages. These leaks are made more difficult to locate when residences are unoccupied. FOR THE RECORD : The Public Utilities Crew will "cut off" water to a residence if they discover a running meter at a "known" unoccupied home or discover an obvious leak. They will notify the owners of that residence ASAP of that "cut off" due to the suspected or actual leakage. If you are an "absentee" home owner and receive a call regarding a water leak, it’s your responsibility to repair this leak if it’s "inside the residence".
Unfortunately, the Town has encountered situations where the Town has been forced to "cut off" water due to leakage and the home owners "have turned it back on" and never repaired the leak. This has led some home owners to later complain about a "high water bill". Please contact the Town ASAP if you have any suspected problems so we can help you ahead of time with "cut offs", bills and repairs. Dave Fauber’s work number is 757-331-3259 x17.
Construction on the "new" police station in the Town Hall continues and the PWD supported the Progressive Dinner Tour 2008 this past week.
POLICE
Chief David Eder reported that the Cape Charles Police Department (CCPD) is investigating a B & E (Breaking & Entering) in the 600 Block of Monroe Avenue. The individuals(s) who committed this crime apparently knew that the residents were not home and rummaged through the home. Entry was made via a rear window. This B & E occurred over this past weekend (December 5 & 6, 2008).
The CCPD continues to investigate a theft of monies that occurred in October 2008 from a business located on Mason Avenue.
The CCPD will travel out of state over the next few weeks to interview a possible suspect on last summer’s attempted abduction of a 6 year old female from Mason Avenue & Strawberry Street.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
Members of the Town staff met last week to discuss the impact of this downward economy on the Town’s capital projects & personnel. The Town Council members have expressed concerns over how the Town will respond to upcoming financial issues. Some of these issues include the new Waste Water Treatment Plant costs, the impasse over the Annexation Agreement, the new Wells that are scheduled to come on line, current Preventive Maintenance Programs at the Water & Waste Water Treatment Plants, increased legal fees for current & future projects and a possible "re-striking" of the current Budget to ensure fiscal soundness.
Please note that the Town will set a Public Hearing at this week’s Town Council Meeting regarding a possible increase in Water & Waste Water Rates.
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve this great Town and the people who reside in it.
"The same prudence which in private life would forbid our paying our own money for unexplained projects, forbids it in the dispensation of the public moneys."
Thomas Jefferson, letter to Shelton Gilliam, 19 June 1808
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Holiday Christmas Parade sponsored by our friends & neighbors at the U.S. Postal Service, Cape Charles will take place on Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 5:00 PM. Please contact Postmaster Coretta Alston at 757-331-4927 or e-mail her at coretta.l.alston@usps.gov.
The Northampton County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for their upcoming 2008 Citizens of the Year Awards. There are several opportunities to nominate Northampton County citizens and business owners for well-deserved, special recognition. Please call the Chamber at 757-678-0010 or e-mail them at chamber@northamptoncountychamber.com for a nomination form. The deadline for nominations is December 20, 2008.
2008 Citizens of the Year Awards Dinner
Limited Tickets Available
Friday, January 9, 2009
The Palace Theater - Cape Charles
Appetizers from 5:30 – 6:30
Cash Bar of Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks
Provided By the Palace Theater
Dinner Served at 6:30
Dinner by Sean Hart of Exmore Diner Catering Services
Tickets $20.00 per person
Reservations must be made in advance by calling the Chamber at 757-678-0010
And What Have We Done?
Another Year Over;
A New One Just Begun;
And So Happy Christmas;
I Hope You Have Fun;
The Near And The Dear Ones;
The Old And The Young."
John Lennon, Happy Christmas
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.