Cape Charles Gazette

Publication Date: February 2, 2009

EMAIL CONTACTS:

Mayor
Town Council
Town Manager
Asst. Town Manager
Treasurer
Town Clerk
Code Enforcement
Town Planner
Public Works/Utilities
Harbor
Library
Police

Newsletter Feedback

ESVA Tourism Commission

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.

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Jeb Brady, Code Enforcement Officer, reported that he posted a Stop Work Order on a commercial property on Mason Avenue on Saturday January 24, 2009 where work was being started without the proper permits. Jeb has been meeting with the Town Attorney, Paul Watson, regarding several properties where the owners have basically refused to adhere to the Town Code.

Jeb also worked with Town Planner Tom Bonadeo on "911" addresses located on Bayshore Road to make them consistent with the rest of the Town. As it stands now; there is great confusion on the existing addresses on this road (i.e. "even & odd number" addresses on the same side of the road) that could cause future "emergency service" problems once development occurs in this area.

Jeb met with the owner of a building in Town regarding an ongoing Code Enforcement Case. The owner is in the process of getting a contractor to begin abatement of the Building Code Violations.

We ask Town citizens that if you feel that the economic times are going to prevent you from making required repairs on your property please come see us ASAP. Every "issue" can and will be worked out but we can NOT allow public safety and security issues to linger.

TOWN HARBOR - VA CLEAN MARINA 2008

Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that the Harbor Crew continues their work on replacing the floor in their office and Harbor restrooms.

Smitty reported that Vice-Mayor Chris Bannon, Assistant Town Manager Heather Arcos and he travelled to Richmond for the Virginia Aid to Local Ports Program. The purpose of this trip was to attempt to secure grant monies to construct the first phase of the Offshore Breakwater. The proposed Offshore Breakwater consists of five (5) separate barriers at an estimated cost of $645K apiece. This is necessary to protect the Harbor and encourage the potential growth in and around the Harbor. Smitty said the meeting went well and was very positive. The Town’s delegation also met with the Assistants to Senator Ralph Northam and Delegate Lynnwood Lewis. Smitty said this was also very informative and they learned of the "Shovel Ready" stimulus package that the Town staff addressed last week with Charles Stanton, Regional Representative for Senator Jim Webb. The Town would like to thank the staffs of Senator Northam, Delegate Lewis & Mr. Stanton for their professional and timely assistance.

The Harbor Crew would like to remind all boaters that the "Slow No Wake Zone" is any part of the Harbor east of the Jetty; which means the entire Harbor area. We had a recent "incident" where a vessel entered the Harbor at such a high speed that it almost knocked some workers off of a work barge at Bayshore Concrete. Please enjoy the Harbor but keep the speed down.

LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK

Ann Rutledge, Library Manager, reported that the Toddler/Preschool Storytime was held last week and a total of ten (10) children and their caregivers attended. Last week’s theme was "Yummy, Yummy, All about Food."

On Wednesday, January 28, 2009 the Library held the third computer class in the series on Excel, Word Processing and the Internet. These classes are well attended and the Library is happy to help citizens who desire more computer training. The Library is also expecting to obtain an additional two (2) computers and requested that the PWD build them the additional work space for the eight (8) Library computers.

Ann said that Tax Forms 1040, 1040EZ and 1040A are now available at the Library. Tax Returns can also be filled out on Library computers.

The Library will be holding a six (6) week Writing Workshop, led by published author Margaret Richard, beginning on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 and continuing through Wednesday, March 11, 2009. The workshop will be held at the Library and is FREE. The course is intended to help the student learn how to write or to improve the student’s current writing skills. All students will also have the opportunity to share their writing skills with fellow classmates. Please contact Ann at 757-331-1300 for additional information.

On Saturday, February 7, 2009 the Friends of the Library will host The Slammin’ at the Hall: A Family Poetry Slam starting at 1:00 PM. All poets, would-be poets and poetry lovers are invited to participate in a Poetry Slam at St. Charles Parish Hall (550 Tazewell Avenue in Cape Charles). A Poetry Slam is an event in which poets perform their works and are judged by members of the audience. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to register for this event please call the Library at 757-331-1300.

Last year’s event saw some of Cape Charles’ best and finest poets and authors. This included a "rapper from NYC", our own Dr. John Schulz and some young men and women who were absolute "stunt pilots" with the spoken word. Please come out and enjoy this FREE event with your neighbors. The Cape Charles Library is the "best" hour you’ll spend anywhere.

Libby Hume, Town Clerk, reported the following information:

Town Council Meetings/Work Sessions:

Wednesday, February 4, 2009:
Executive Session starting at 5:30 PM at the Town Hall regarding Personnel Matters.

Thursday, February 12, 2009:
Regular Town Council Meeting at 7:00 PM at the St. Charles Parish Hall; Subjects to be covered include the Waste Water Treatment Plant Location (Parcel 14; located near the radio tower), the Cape Harbor Project, the Waste Water Treatment Plant Capacity (a 500,000 gallon per day plant was approved; however some members of the Town Council are expressing a desire to reevaluate the capacity), the Memorandum of Agreement with the Eastern Shore of VA Broadband Authority, the VA Port Authority: Request for the Harbor Development and the 2008-2009 Budget Projections and Update.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009:
Broadband Management Team Regular Meeting starting at 2:00 PM at the Town Hall.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009:
Historic District Review Board Meeting starting at 4:30 PM at the Town Hall.

Libby reported that she had a Freedom of Information Act request last week from a citizen who wanted a copy of the minutes from the Town Council meeting of Thursday, January 22, 2009 regarding the Webtide Unsolicited Proposal and water capacity. This same citizen also requested a copy of the minutes from the Town Council meeting of Thursday, January 8, 2009.

Citizens are welcome to ALL the Town’s public records. It is "your" right to ask for this information and it will be made readily available to you.

Informed citizens are a benefit to the Town.

Linda Carola, Assistant Town Clerk, is continuing to work on file retention/destruction. This is to maintain our compliance with VA State Law and keep an orderly Town Clerk’s Office. She completed several boxes for the Cape Charles Police Department (CCPD) and the Treasurer’s office this week. Several boxes of files were taken to the "off-site" storage location to help keep the Town Hall clean and orderly.

RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Tad Taborn, Children & Youth Advisor, reported that he is in the process of preparing a detailed spring 2009 and summer 2009 schedule for the Town’s Children & Youth Programs.

He said that he also coordinated an "informational meeting" that occurred this past Saturday, January 31, 2009, at the Library for parents & skateboarders. This informal meeting was held to obtain information and interest levels of the Town of Cape Charles possibly requesting the Town Council’s permission to erect a Skateboard Park behind the Old Cape Charles High School.

Tad reported that there were approximately thirty (30) persons at this informal meeting. This included some twenty (20) children & youth and ten (10) parents. Citizen Jim Mahaffy has graciously volunteered his time and expertise to spearhead this "possible" project. The Town staff still needs to clear it with the Town council and conduct further research on insurance, potential rules and regulations and building material costs. As it stands now; Jim has collected over $2 K in "pledges" for this possible project.

Tad is coordinating a training schedule with Northampton County regarding driver training for the Town’s school bus. We intend on using this school bus for Children & Youth trips and events. This includes trips to the Randy Custis Memorial Park in Exmore, VA.

Tad has posted his work schedule for the Park. He reported that he will be in the Park in the afternoons as long as the weather permits same. His Saturday and Sunday hours will also be weather dependent but Tad will be at the Park until "dark" most days.

Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that "inside work" at the Town Hall continues and the next project is constructing a sturdier "hand rail" so citizens have greater access to the second floor of the Town Hall.

The PWD will also paint the benches and cement garbage pails (that now contain flowers) at the Beach in pastel colors once the cold weather breaks. The current battleship gray colors on the benches and garbage pails do not match the "theme" of positive fun and "welcome" the Town is attempting to create at the Beach. The PWD, Harbor Master and Town Manager have been in deep discussions over creating an atmosphere of "spirit" at our two (2) biggest natural assets: the Beach and the Harbor. More to follow.

The PWD has completed their work on Maintenance Packages for the nine (9) Pump Stations located throughout the Town. This includes the fire hydrants, valves, oil changes for the generators, graphic locations of water connections, etc. This is another "first" for the Town of Cape Charles and we thank Dave Fauber and Billy Powell for their attention to details and hard work in accomplishing this much needed task.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Chief David Eder provided the following synopsis of Law Enforcement Statistics for 2008:

Total Calls for service: 570
Calls for service in Cape Charles: 423
Calls for service in Northampton County: 107
Calls for 10-13 (Officer Needs Assistance): 40

Felony Arrests: 16
Misdemeanor Arrests: 28
DUI Arrests: 04

Traffic Summons issued: 228
Written Warnings issued: 195
Parking Tickets issued: 58

Assisted Sheriff’s Office: 37
Assisted VA State Police: 18
Assisted local PD & VDOT: 03
Assisted Federal Agencies: 01
Assisted Fire & Rescue: 66

ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER

The PWD is proud to announce that they placed all fifty (50) of the Birdhouses around the Town that we received from the Brownies, Cadettes & Girl Scouts. These were the Birdhouses that were constructed and donated by the young Ladies from Troop 191 Exmore, Troop 1456 Melfa, Troop 1063 Chincoteague, Troop 371 Chincoteague, Troop 37 Oak Hall, Troop 126 Temperanceville and Troop 615 Onancock. The Ladies built these Birdhouses for a Community Project.

Peter Leontief, Assistant PWD, further announced that ALL of the Birdhouses were marked using the Global Positioning System so that the Ladies can locate their work at a later date. We thank them again for their great work and kind hearts towards our animal friends in the Town. Thank you to Barbara Lazenby for her assistance in obtaining these Birdhouses for the Town.

Thank you again for the privilege and opportunity to serve this great Town and the people who live and own property here.

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARDEN

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
And then remember the Dick and Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.
Robert Fulghum

PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS

WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

The Town of Cape Charles will host a meeting at the Town Hall on Friday, February 6, 2009 at 11:00 AM regarding Northampton County’s proposed zoning and its impact on Cape Charles, particularly the possible development of Route 13 for businesses.

The speakers at this event are Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner and Supervisor Dave Burden (schedule permitting). Donna Bozza, District 2 representative on the Northampton County Planning Commission and Mary Miller, Vice Chairman of the Commission will be available for questions.

It’s important that the Town of Cape Charles hears your opinions, concerns and ideas. Please make the effort to attend this meeting.

Contact the Town Manager, Joe Vaccaro, at 757-331-3259 x20 or Assistant Town Manager Heather Arcos at 757-331-3259 x12 for additional information.

UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL FROM WEBTIDE

Several citizens have expressed interest in the Council's decision to reject the Webtide unsolicited proposal in light of the articles in the January 31, 2009 edition of The Eastern Shore News. To ensure that the public is fully informed about the basis for this decision, the Town of Cape Charles will hold a Public Information Session on Saturday, February 7 at 10:00 AM, at the Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Company building (2 Plum Street).

We will also invite Mr. Corrado of Webtide to attend and to answer any questions that the public might have. This invitation will be contingent upon Webtide agreeing to removing the confidential designation of Volume 2 of the proposal and making that information available to the public.

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.

If you wish to discontinue receiving this newsletter, please click on the link below.
Unsubscribe

Municipal Corporation of Cape Charles
2 Plum Street
Cape Charles, VA 23310
757-331-3259