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March 2013
Tap Into the New Aquastar Web Portal
Want to know more about your water usage? With the launch of the Aquastar web portal, you can now view your usage details online.
Through the portal, you can view up to 13 months of your water usage data by hour, day, week or month, in both charts and tables, and request usage alerts by email and/or text message.
Accessing your data is easy and secure. If you already have an online utility billing account, you can use your existing login information. If you haven’t already set up your online account, all you need is your utility bill and an email address.
To get to the Aquastar portal, search “My Utility Bill” at www.townofcary.org. From there, as well as once logged in to the secure site, you’ll have access to both video and text tutorials with more details about creating an online account, viewing your usage and managing notifications.
The Aquastar web portal is one more example of how we’re maintaining a high quality of life for you through cost-effective, innovative programs. The service is possible thanks to Aquastar, the Town’s wireless meter reading system which went into operation last summer.
Questions? Call customer service at (919) 469-4050 or email utilityaccounts@townofcary.org.
Join us April 13 for our annual Spring Litter Sweep. Participate from 9-11:30 a.m. at a Town-sponsored site or gather a group to sweep at a location of your choice. We provide the supplies, and when you’re done, we pick up the trash and recycling bags.
Last spring, volunteers cleared 5,700 pounds of litter from our parks, streets, trails and streams.
All volunteers must be registered, so call (919) 469-4301.
Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival
Enjoy Arts in the Park at the 20th annual Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival featuring more than 180 local artists, entertainers, festival foods, exciting activities, storytelling and more.
A special Earth Day area offers tips, giveaways and more to help protect the environment and preserve our natural resources. And don’t miss the 37-foot long sea creature art installation on Bond Park Lake.
For more, search “Spring Daze” and “Earth Day” at www.townofcary.org and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CaryArtDaze.
Preparing for the Unpredictable
Peak tornado season in our area is now through May. Tornadoes, while often unpredictable, always strike quickly and with little warning.
Get prepared now by designating a safe room in your home: the basement or an interior room on the first floor with no windows.
For tips, search “Severe Weather” at www.townofcary.org and check out www.fema.gov for ideas on disaster preparedness kits.
Tossing unwanted paint? Check its label. Oil-based paint is considered household hazardous waste and should be taken to a Wake County Household Hazardous Waste facility. These facilities also accept lacquer, paint strippers/thinners, varnishes, and stains. Dried latex paint, also accepted at County HHW facilities, is collected curbside in Cary if there is less than two inches of it in the can and it’s still in its original container. Call (919) 469-4090 for a free pickup.
The ACC Tennis Tournament will be at the Cary Tennis Park April 25-28.
Whether you bleed red, blue, gold or orange, this tournament will feature the best in conference men’s and women’s tennis, including hometown favorites UNC and Duke.
Tickets for purchase are only available at the gate.
To take a more active role in the tournament, consider volunteering. For more information, call (919) 462-2061.
New Wildlife Make Their Debuts in Unexpected Places
Spring is here, so expect to see wildlife babies in your yard or in public spaces.
Coyotes, Canada geese, foxes, black bears and deer do not cause damage in the traditional sense but can be considered a nuisance merely by their presence.
Wildlife that cross roads, nest and feed around homes, make noise, and leave droppings are common occurrences that may interrupt everyday life.
If you’re interested in having wildlife trapped, you should turn to a private pest control agency.
Animal Control will only respond and remove wildlife when they show visible signs of being sick, injured, or pose a legitimate threat to the safety of those around them.
Also, take this time to ensure the animals you do want around—like your dogs and cats—are current on their rabies vaccines and other medical shots.
Search “Animal Control” for tips to coexist with wildlife or call (919) 319-4517.
April is Fit Cary Month, and we have a variety of opportunities for you to get information on health and wellness.
Events include the Cary Road Race, Walk with WakeMed at Bond Park and Head to Toe Healthy Living Screening at WakeMed Cary.
As part of Spring Daze, be sure to pick up a Passport to Fitness and learn easy healthy living tips.
Ultimately, we hope you take what you learn to our parks, community centers and greenway system to fully realize your fitness and wellness potential.
Look for Fit Cary Month information at all fitness-related activities and programs hosted by the Town in April; search “Programs and Classes” at www.townof cary.org for a schedule. And search “Hike & Bike Map” on our website for a printable map of greenways/bike paths in Cary.
Rehabbing: Turning a House from Drab to Fab
Did you know the Town offers grants to eligible residential property owners to undertake home repairs?
Federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, we receive Community Development Block Grants to cover improvements ranging from minor repairs and painting to substantial roof and structural renovations.
Eligible residential property owners within Town limits must meet federally mandated household income requirements to qualify and must submit an application detailing their project.
For more information or to obtain an application, search “Housing Rehabilitation” at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 380-2782.
Stormwater Tip: Lawn Maintenance
Lawn maintenance is now right around the corner. When fertilizing your law, never apply lawn chemicals before heavy rains that would wash them into our streams and lakes.
Help protect our water resources by always applying lawn chemicals and fertilizers during dry periods or a few days before light rains are expected. In fact, today’s quality lawn care products are time-released and will seep into your soil slowly.
If you use a lawn service, ask how they check your soil to ensure that they are applying the correct type and amount of lawn treatment. Are you your own professional? Homeowners can obtain free soil analysis from the NC Department of Agriculture by calling (919) 733-2655.
Watch your Town government at work on Time Warner Cable Channel 11 or AT&T U-verse Channel 99.
In addition to Town Council meetings, you’ll have access to Wake County Board of Commissioners and School Board meetings.
For a program schedule and clips, click the Cary TV 11 logo on the Town's website, or check out many original programs at www.youtube.com/TownofCary Channel.
Don’t subscribe to cable? You can live stream Town Council meetings from our homepage, www.townofcary.org.
Fire Prevention: Time to Check Smoke Alarms
Working smoke alarms are proven to save lives, cutting the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Fire prevention specialists recommend testing smoke alarms at least once a month and replacing the batteries when you adjust your clocks for Daylight Savings. At this time, also dust or vacuum your smoke alarm to ensure it’s free of any debris that could hinder its ability to detect smoke.
Some homes may now use smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries that are designed to be effective up to 10 years. Don’t forget to still test these at least once a year, and if your alarm chirps a warning that the battery is low, remember you’ll need to replace the entire smoke alarm unit.
Cultural Connection
Cary Town Band: Opera-tune-ity (April 5, 7:30 p.m., Cary Senior Center). Free. www.carytownband. org.
Seven O’Clock Rock Series: Latin Night with Caribe Vibe (April 11, 7 p.m., Academy & Chatham Streets). Free. (919) 469-4069.
Marvelous Music Mainstage Series: Jeremy Kittel Band (April 19, 7:30 p.m., Cary Arts Center). For tickets and more, (919) 469-4069.
Marvelous Music Family Series: Farmer Jason (April 20, 3 p.m., Cary Arts Center). For tickets and more, (919) 469-4069.
Downtown Performers Series: The Swang Brothers (April 20, 7 p.m., Downtown Performance Green). Free. (919) 469-4069.
Triangle Youth String Orchestras Spring Concert (April 21, 3 p.m., Cary Arts Center) Free. (919) 469-4069.
Town Offices will close March 29 in observance of Good Friday; there are no changes to solid waste, yard waste or blue week recycling. Get a complete holiday collection schedule at www.townofcary.org.
To establish new seed, sod or plugs, you can apply for one Alternate Day Watering Exemption Permit per year, per account, allowing youto water as needed for up to 45 days. Current water/sewer rates apply. Search “Watering Exemptions” at www.townofcary.org for more.
Check out the impressive expansion at WakeMed Soccer Park and join the Railhawks for their home opener against FC Edmonton on April 13. For tickets, visit www.carolinarailhawks.com.
Don’t forget to test for household leaks this month as part of the Fix A Leak campaign. Pick up a Toilet Testing Kit at any of our community centers, the Finance window at Cary Town Hall or Morrisville’s Town Hall and stop the most common household leak.
We’re hosting two days of extreme BMX and skate fun at our annual SK8 Spring Jam at SK8 Cary, April 27-28. To participate and for more info, call (919) 380-2970.