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 is a news source which reports upon 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 visit 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.
TOWN HARBOR - VA CLEAN MARINA 2008
Smitty Dize, Harbormaster, reported that the Harbor Crew has begun to repair the flooring of the Harbor office and restrooms. Smitty noted that one (1) of the two (2) restrooms will be closed for periods of time during these repairs. The Harbor will continue to have a minimum of one (1) restroom operating at all times.
Smitty and Assistant Harbormaster Kent Pruitt spent most of the weekend looking for water leaks around the Harbor and discovered a small leak under the building. The water was immediately shut off and repairs are now underway to correct same.
PLANNING
Tom Bonadeo, Planner, reported that he has been working on the Cape Harbor Work Session that was conducted last week. The issue regarding the number of units for this project still remains a question at this time.
He also worked with the Harbor Development Group on future developments for the waterfront and worked on a permit application for the Wetlands and Coastal Dune Review Board.
Tom also attended a Broadband Meeting and noted that efforts continue to move this much needed project forward through the Eastern Shore of VA. Tom said the "backbone" (lines) is in the final stages of design. Tom also completed the "historical review" of one application for a structure within the Town.
LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK
Ann Rutledge, Library Manager, reported that the Toddler Preschool Storytime was held last week and five (5) children & their care givers attended the event. Last week’s theme was "Things that Go".
Ann said that the Friends of the Library met on Monday, January 12, 2009. Details of that meeting are available upon request and may be obtained by contacting Ann at 757-331-1300.
The Library held it’s first "computer series" classes on Excel, Word Processing & the Internet last week. The class was presented by Etta Kaye Pruitt and will continue for two (2) more weeks at the Library. Anyone interested in these most excellent classes should contact Ann at the Library at 757-331-1300.
Libby Hume, Town Clerk reports the following meetings are scheduled:
Thursday, January 22, 2009: Executive Session regarding Webtide (Regional Waste Water Treatment Plant) starting at 5:00 PM at the Town Hall (representatives from Northampton County & Cheriton are expected to attend this Executive Session). This meeting will be a closed session and the Public will not be permitted to attend.
Thursday, January 22, 2009: Special Meeting regarding Waste Water System starting at 6:00 PM at the Town Hall. The Public is welcome.
Thursday, February 12, 2009: Regular Town Council Meeting starting at 7:00 PM at the St. Charles Parish Hall. The Public is welcome.
Board & Commission Meetings:
Monday, January 26, 2009: Planning Commission Meeting starting at 6:00 PM at the Town Hall. The Public is welcome.Special Meeting
The Town Clerk is attempting to schedule an Executive Session regarding personnel matters for Monday, February 2, 2009 or Wednesday, February 4, 2009. This meeting will be a closed session and the Public will not be permitted to attend.
RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS
Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that the PWD attended a class in Road Work Safety sponsored by VDOT. Dave said that this class fulfilled the requirements that all employees must attend and pass the test provided by VDOT prior to July 1, 2009. Road safety is a big concern for the Town’s work crews and the Town would like to maintain our record of no "street work" injuries due to traffic or carelessness.
PWD employee Kathleen Stevens tested for the VA Cooperative Extension Right of Way Pest Control. The Town should have those test results shortly. Dave initiated this program so that the Town of Cape Charles has its own program for "spraying" in the efforts to save Town monies & increase the knowledge & experience base of our PWD.
Dave reported that the Cape Charles Police Department has completed their move into the Town Hall. A special thanks to Pete Leontief, Dennis Bradford, Linwood Owens, Diego Upshur & Kathleen Stevens for keeping this move "sane".
Kathleen Stevens has started on painting the walls on the second floor of the Town Hall and the initial results are truly amazing; the halls look brighter and the area has taken on a new "businesslike" demeanor, which is the way Town Halls are supposed to look.
POLICE
Chief David Eder reported a large fight took place at an establishment off of Route 13 over the past weekend but the Cape Charles Police Department was not involved in the subsequent law enforcement response.
Chief Eder reported that his move into the new Town Headquarters was a success and thanks the PWD for their great help with this move. The telephone system will remain the same (757-331-3096 & 757-331-1817). The telephone system is expected to be up and operational on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
The Town has scheduled a meeting for Friday, January 23, 2009 at 10:00 AM in the Town Hall regarding the 2nd Annual Blessing of the Fleet and the 1st Annual Blessing of the Fleet 5K Walk, 5K Run & 10K Run. The Blessing of the Fleet will be held on Friday, April 3, 2009 and the Blessing of the Fleet Walk & Run Events will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2009. The Town is expecting to have a large field of walkers and runners for the Saturday event since advertisements are being placed on the Greater Hampton Roads Runners Network.
Thank you again for the opportunity and privilege of serving this great Town and her people.
"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book."
Groucho Marx
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Take the Plunge for Habitat for Humanity at the Cape Charles Beach
Eastern Shore of Virginia
Habitat for Humanity Inc.
13th Annual February Freeze
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Cape Charles Beachfront
Registration at 11:00 AM
Dip in the Bay at 12:00 Noon
Prizes: Highest Sponsor Dollars
Best Costume
Entertainment and Awards
Team Competitions
Trophy for the Winning Team
GOLDEN HAMMER AWARD
Lunch immediately following the dip
at Trinity United Methodist Church
Non-dippers - $5.00
Free Lunch for those who raise over $35.00
Free Lunch, Sweatshirt and door prize ticket
for over $60.00
Come "Team Up" with friends
& Join the Fun
For More Information –
Habitat Office 757-442-4687
www.easternshorehabitat.org
Whale Watch Boat Sighting Gave Guests Rare Glimpse
(Virginia Beach, VA) – The 19th Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Whale Watching Boat Trip season opened with a rare sighting of a North Atlantic right whale and its calf during a January 9 boat trip. Thanks to the right whale identification program at the New England Aquarium, the Aquarium’s research staff was able to identify the whale as "Baldy" and her calf as the eighth known "delivery".
Baldy is a mature female in excess of 40 feet long and her calf is less than half that size. The US Coast Guard was also notified of the sighting so that marine traffic would be alerted since it is illegal to approach right whales closer than 500 yards. Human interactions such as entanglements and ship strikes are the major causes of mortalities for this highly endangered species. It is believed that there are only about 350 remaining North Atlantic right whales.
On January 3, the noon and 3:00 PM Virginia Aquarium Whale Watching Boat Trip spied fin whales. They were located five miles south of Rudee Inlet.
The Aquarium’s Whale Watching Boat Trips run through March 15. These two and a half hour trips go out of the Virginia Beach Fishing Center at Rudee Inlet. Boats head out along the shores to look for humpback and fin whales, which are feeding on mostly bait fish such as menhaden. While searching for these majestic creatures, passengers may see historic landmarks along the way, and Aquarium educators talk about whale facts and show whale artifacts as well. Bird activity, mostly northern gannets, is also a treat to behold.
Trips run Thursdays and Fridays at 2:30 PM, and on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays at 9:00 AM, noon and 3:00 PM. The cost is $28 for adults and $24 for children (ages 4 -11). Reservations can be made by calling (757) 385-FISH(3474). Sightings are not guaranteed. Trips run weather permitting.
During the whale watching season the Virginia Aquarium 3D IMAX® Theater features the movie Dolphin & Whales 3D. Visit www.VirginiaAquarium.com for more information and show times.
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
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