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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 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, along with Dave Fauber, Public Works/Public Utility Director, and Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, met with South Port Investors regarding some Erosion & Sedimentation permitting in the STIP Development.

Jeb spoke with a homeowner regarding an ongoing code enforcement case and is hopeful the homeowner will begin the process of abating all code violations.

Jeb performed 13 erosion and sedimentation control inspections last week.

TOWN HARBOR - VA CLEAN MARINA 2008

Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reports that the Annual and Seasonal slip Rental agreements will be sent out mid March. The Harbor will be filling up with crab pots beginning next week, which is a welcoming site.

Smitty would like to inform everyone that between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM on Friday, April 3rd, there will be a loud cannon salute for the Blessing of the Fleet at the west end of the west dock. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary will be patrolling the waters of the harbor entrance and asks that all boaters stay clear during that time.  Smitty thanks all the many people involved in this year’s Blessing of the Fleet.

As the weather warms, staff will begin working on flowerbeds, etc.

LIBRARY

Ann Rutledge, Library Manager, reported that the Toddler/Preschool Storytime was held last Thursday and a total of seven (7) children and their caregivers attended. Last week's theme was "I Know My ABCs!"

On March 5 the Toddler/Preschool Storytime will celebrate Dr. Seuss’s 100th birthday with a Dr. Seuss Party.  Join us for refreshments and crafts.  This event is sponsored by the Woman’s Club of Cape Charles.

The six (6) week Writing Workshop, led by published author Margaret Richard, continued this week.

Ann attended the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce’s Open House Celebration on Thursday, February 26th where the Library received a generous donation from the 2008 Cape Charles Holiday Sampler & Progressive Dinner. This donation will fund two (2) children’s performers for the Summer Reading Program.

TOWN CLERK

Libby Hume, Town Clerk, reported the following information:

Notification letters were sent to owners of properties surrounding the proposed Skateboard Park.

Upcoming Meetings:

Thursday, March 12, 2009: Town Council Executive Session starting at 5:30 PM at the Town Hall re: Land Acquisition.

Town Council Public Hearing starting at 7:00 PM at the St. Charles Parish Hall to hear public comments on the proposed increases to the Water and Wastewater Connection Feed and the Wastewater Rates.

Town Council Regular Session immediately following the Public Hearing.

Monday, March 16, 2009: Planning Commission Work Session starting at 5:00 PM at the Town Hall re: Comprehensive Plan.

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

Historic District Review Board Meeting starting at 4:30 PM at the Town Hall.

Thursday, March 26, 2009: Town Council Work Session starting at 6:00 PM at the Town Hall re: Budget.

RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Tad Taborn, Children & Youth Advisor, reported the following:

• He has arranged for adult presenters to meet with the Town’s youth to conduct presentations on a variety of recreational and vocational topics from organic farming to crabbing.
• He has received a monetary donation from the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce.
• He is currently working on plans for activities during Spring break.
• He is working on the implementation procedures for the Skateboard facility.

PUBLIC WORKS/PUBLIC UTILITIES DEPARTMENTS

Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported the following:

• The transplanting of the bushes from Mason Avenue to the dune area is still in progress with direction from Eileen Cobb.
• Pressure gauges have been installed on the force main at the Mason Avenue Pump Station.
• A flower bed has been installed at the corner of Fig Street and Randolph Avenue.
• The final report from Stearns and Wheler under Task Order W-2 has been received.

TOWN MANAGER

Heather Arcos, Acting Town Manager, reports that the Town Council met in a Work Session on Wednesday, February 25th, and reviewed the current fiscal year budget and projected spending was reduced. The FY2010 budget worksheets have been distributed to the department heads and the Town Council will review the preliminary figures for the operating budget and capital projects at a Work Session on March 26, 2009.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Design and Performance of Headland Breakwater Systems for
Protection of Shoreline in High Energy Environments

Presentation by C. Scott Hardaway, Jr.
Geologist, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Thursday, March 5, 2009
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Palace Theatre
305 Mason Avenue, Cape Charles

The Eastern Shore has many miles of shoreline exposed to high energy waves that are subject to their erosive forces. Scott Hardaway has spent several decades designing and studying breakwater systems as the Head of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science's Shoreline Studies Program. After Hurricane Isabel in 2003, Scott Hardaway and other scientists evaluated the performance of several breakwater systems around the Bay and how they performed. His presentation will share important design lessons for individuals or government personnel wishing to protect shoreline on open waters where erosion is a significant problem.

Scott Hardaway, a VIMS scientist since 1979, is a widely recognized expert on shoreline management in Virginia with over 30 years of experience. His research has focused on assessing shoreline change, wave mechanics, sediment transport and modeling. As head of the Shoreline Studies Program (SSP) in the Department of Physical Sciences, he has been researching Virginia's estuarine shores for 30 years and developing management strategies (www.vims.edu/physical/research/shoreline/) implemented by a number of local governments in Virginia and Maryland. Scott Hardaway served on The National Research Council of the National Academies Committee on Mitigating Shore Erosion along Sheltered Coasts and as vice-chairman on the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Shore Protection Standards Committee from 1995 to 2005.

Contact Bob Meyers of the Northampton County Wetlands Board at (757)442-3814 for additional information.

MARCH 12 PUBLIC HEARING

The Cape Charles Town Council will hold a public hearing at 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2009, in the St. Charles Parish Hall located at 550 Tazewell Ave to hear public comments on proposed increases in connection charges and the minimum monthly rate for sewer service. The water rates and usage rate tiers will remain the same. The maximum proposed increases are shown below.

CURRENT AND PROPOSED MONTHLY SEWER SERVICE RATE

CURRENT AND PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL CONNECTION CHARGES

Heather Arcos
Town Manager (Acting)
Town of Cape Charles, VA
757-331-3259 x12

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 © 2009. All rights reserved.