Skip to page body Home Recreation & Enjoyment Services & Publications Projects & Initiatives Business & Development Mayor & Council Connect & Engage

January 2013


[view as pdf] Past Issues

Roundabouts Coming to Downtown Cary


Winter Weather Advisory: Be Prepared 

Jay Schubert Named Employee of the Year 

Enroll Now for Citizen's College

Celebrate Black History Month

Battery Recycling


Cary Now Home to One of the Largest Public-Private Solar Farms in the State

Valves Keep Sewage Out of Your Home

Batter Up


Free Kits to Fix Leaky Toilets

Summer Camp Registration

Help Fund Relief for Recreation


Fire Prevention: Show Your Numbers

Follow us on Twitter

Cultural Connection

BUD Bits




Roundabouts Coming to Downtown Cary

 

    We’re kicking off the construction of two major roundabouts that will bookend our downtown. 
    This project will improve roadway geometry, safety, and traffic operations at two key intersections in Downtown Cary – East Chatham Street at East Durham Road and West Chatham Street at Old Apex Road. 
    At both intersections, the Town will construct single-lane roundabouts to help move traffic more efficiently and provide a gateway to downtown Cary. 
    While these aren’t the first roundabouts in Cary, they are the first in the downtown area. 
    Check out a project map and schedule by searching “Downtown Roundabouts” at www.townofcary.org or calling (919) 462-3938.


Winter Weather Advisory: Be Prepared

 

    Before winter storms arise bringing paralyzing snow and ice, prepare now by assembling a three-day emergency kit. 
    Your kit should be easy to carry and include items like bottled water, non-perishable food, clothing, medicine, a first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, blankets, flashlights and extra batteries. Be sure to pack enough items so that each family member has their own three-day supply; don’t forget your pets, too! 
    Additionally, consider stockpiling a little sand now in preparation for icy driveways and sidewalks. Using sand for traction instead of placing fertilizers on icy patches ensures a cleaner runoff once the ice melts. 
    For more tips and a list of key phone numbers, search “Winter Weather” at www.townofcary.org.


Jay Schubert Named Employee of the Year

 

    If you’ve ever enjoyed a Town of Cary event, you’ve experienced the talents of this year’s Employee of the Year. Jay Schubert, Special Events Lead, received the award last month at the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon. He’s been with the Town of Cary for over 14 years and was selected out of 1,125 employees. 
    In addition to a plaque, he received $500 and recognition at last month’s Town Council meeting. 
    The Town of Cary’s Employee of the Year program was established in 1989 to recognize employees who consistently perform well beyond what the job description requires. Nominees are consistently courteous and helpful to others, and they strive to improve themselves. Many nominations included accolades from Cary citizens. 
    For more about the program, search “Employee of the Year” at www.townofcary.org.


Enroll Now for Citizen's College

 
    Interested in learning the ins and outs of your local government? Applications are being accepted for our School of Government, a six-week course that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at Cary Town Hall. Classes meet Wednesday evenings and on two Saturday mornings, and participants learn about Cary community planning, infrastructure, budget and finance, and municipal services. For an application, search “School of Government” at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4006.


Celebrate Black History Month

 
    Join us in celebrating the rich history of African-Americans. 
    On February 16, check out a vendor market with ethnic foods, live entertainment and family-friendly activities at the Cary Arts Center. This event is free and open to the public. 
    On March 10, join local and regional African-American authors for an evening of story-telling, conversation and tea. 
    To RSVP or for more, call (919) 469-4963.


Battery Recycling


Did you know the majority of batteries are purchased just after the holiday season? Remember to recycle your old rechargeable batteries at one of our three drop boxes found in each Cary community center. For more, call (919) 469-4090. 


Cary Now Home to One of the Largest Public-Private Solar Farms in the State

 

    In tune with our commitment to sustainability, last month we commissioned a 7-acre solar energy system at the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility that will provide enough energy to power nearly 200 homes annually. 
    The project is a partnership between the Town and FLS Energy of Asheville, North Carolina. FLS Energy will operate the equipment and lease the property from the Town, and all power produced by the system will be returned to the power grid as a renewable source of energy. Leasing revenues are expected to generate up to $45,000 annually. 
    Now that it’s fully operational, the Town will monitor and continue to explore other solar partnership opportunities. For more, search “Solar Panels” at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4090. 


Valves Keep Sewage Out of Your Home

 

    To protect your property and your health, households are required by North Carolina Building Code to install a backwater valve if the home’s plumbing fixtures are below the top of the first, upstream manhole on the street. 
    A properly operating backwater valve allows flow to go in one direction only, keeping wastewater from entering your home during normal sewer system maintenance or sewer system backups. 
    If sewage backs up into your home, the cost to repair and clean may be high, and the Town cannot be held liable for damages when a backwater valve has not been installed. 
    For more, call (919) 469-4043 or check out our backwater valve information sheet


Batter Up!

 
    Help your child develop team skills and sportsmanship while getting great exercise. 
    Youth baseball (ages 5-18) and Youth Softball (ages 8-18) league registration runs February 4-24. The season starts in April. For fees, registration information and more, search “Youth Athletics” at www.townofcary.org.


Free Kits to Fix Leaky Toilets

 

    As you ring in the New Year, resolve to be water conscious and fix leaky toilets. Depending on the nature of the leak, toilets can waste hundreds of gallons per day. 
    Call (919) 469-4090 to request a free “Toilet Training Tutorial.” The kit includes dye tabs that dissolve in the toilet tank and color the water to help you determine whether or not you have a leak. The kit also includes simple instructions to fix the most common leaks. 


Summer Camp Registration

 
    When school’s out, consider a Schoolz Out summer camp. We offer an array of camps focused on sports, arts, nature, science and more. Check out a full list of camps at www.townofcary.org starting February 1, or pick up a brochure at any staffed Cary facility after February 6. Registration opens February 7.


Happy New Year!

 

    Check Out the Mayor’s State of the Town Address at www.youtube.com/TownofCaryChannel or catch it on Cary TV 11 (TWC 11 and AT&T Uverse 99).


Help Fund Relief for Recreation

 
    Our parks, recreation and cultural resources activities are one of the many things that make Cary such a great place to live, work and raise a family. 
    The Relief for Recreation Scholarship Fund provides financial support to Cary residents who wish to participate in recreation, sports, environmental and cultural arts programs and services. 
    If you or a family member have enjoyed time spent in one of our programs, consider making a tax-deductable donation that will allow someone else to have the pleasure, too. 
    And on February 5, the Town of Cary will receive five percent of the day’s net sales at Whole Foods Market of Cary to be donated to Relief for Recreation. 
    To learn more, call (919) 469-4061.


Fire Prevention: Show Your Numbers

 

    Even though our first responders spend endless hours studying streets and familiarizing themselves with neighborhoods, finding your home in an emergency may be difficult. 
    That’s why well displayed house numbers are a must. Numbers should be large and in a contrasting color that can be easily seen from the street. If possible, place them in a well-lighted area or consider using reflective material. Post numbers on both sides of your mailbox, and be sure to trim any greenery that may obstruct the view. 
    Keep your home labeled—it could be the difference between life and death. 


Follow us on Twitter

 
    Get the latest Town of Cary news by following us on Twitter, a free service that offers a convenient way to gather, read and share real-time updates. Access our six news feeds at www.twitter.com/TownofCary.


Cultural Connection


Cary Town Band presents Girls in the Music (Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m., Cary Arts Center). Free. (919) 469-4069.

Marvelous Music Family Series: Triangle Wind Ensemble’s Musical Menagerie: A Young Person’s Guide to Woodwinds, Brass & Other Exotic Beasts of the Band (Feb. 17, 3 p.m., Cary Arts Center). For tickets and more, (919) 469-4069.

Triangle Brass Band + NC Saxophone Ensemble (Feb. 22, 8 p.m., Cary Arts Center). For tickets and more, (919) 469-4069. 


BUD BITS


Register now for the annual Daddy-Daughter Dance, a memorable evening of music, dancing and refreshments on February 8 and 9. For more, call (919) 462-3970.

The Town of Cary has earned second place in the North Carolina American Water Works Association’s Best Tasting Water Award which grades the water quality of North Carolina municipal water suppliers.

Severe winter weather can cause a loss of electricity and hinder travel. Dialing 911 should be reserved for imminent threats to people or property. For questions about street plowing, call (919) 469-4090; for questions about downed power lines, call (919) 469-4012.

Let us know the priorities you feel should be included in the Town’s FY14 budget. Speak directly to the Cary Town Council at either of the two budget public hearings scheduled on February 13 and February 27. For more, search “Budget Development” at www.townofcary.org.