Recycling Redux

Absolutely no Styrofoam™, pizza boxes, plastic bags and materials contained in bags can be recycled! That’s the message after just a few weeks of our recycling survey. When you put any one of these into your recycling cart, that entire cart – and maybe even the whole truck of recyclables – goes straight to the landfill. It’s all contaminated, even the good stuff.

If you received a hanging note on your cart it means you may have mistakenly mixed unaccepted items in with or improperly prepared your recyclables. What to do? Keep these offenders out of your cart and only recycle accepted items, as indicated on the back of the note. The list of accepted items can also be found online; search “Recycling” at www.townofcary.org.

Our survey runs through September; if we haven’t visited your street yet, not to fret, we’ll be there.

“Recycling” at  www.townofcary.org  | (919) 469-4090

Our Balanced Budget

At its June 25 meeting your Town Council adopted a $295 million FY16 budget, a balanced work and management plan for projects and activities through June 30, 2016. Highlights are as follows:

Projects of note that received funding are the construction of a third raw water pipeline to increase water treatment capacity and reliability; the resurfacing of over 23 miles of our streets; and contracting for services to assist with the significant increase in permitting, line location and inspection due to private gigabit fiber installations all over town. There’s also funding for an open data program through which you’ll have access to real-time, non-confidential data collected during normal operations.

Funding was added to the general capital budget to replace median barriers at Morrisville Parkway and Carpenter-Upchurch Road with a signalized intersection, develop a pocket park at Meeting Place and install a shade structure at Ritter Park.

Our 25.5 new or expanding positions include an animal control officer, a police officer, three firefighters, a position to oversee the open data program, customer service representatives in both Public Works and Development Services, and a position in Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources. Total staffing is 1,255 or about 8.1 staff per 1,000 residents, slightly lower than last year’s 8.2 per 1,000 ratio.

Our property tax rate increased two cents to 37 cents per $100 valuation, a rate that remains Wake County’s lowest. The two cents fulfills our promise to voters to pay for the 2012 Community Investment Bond Referendum. Other fee changes are a $1/month rise in solid waste fees; an average 10-percent increase in transportation development fees; and a 3.8-percent increase in water and sewer rates (that’s about $2.75 more monthly if you use 5,000 gallons of water).

If you’d like to read the budget, beginning September you can find a copy on our website, at Town Hall or in the public libraries in town.

“Budget” at www.townofcary.org

Holiday Collection

While Town offices will close on September 7 for Labor Day, your solid waste, yard waste and recycling will be collected as regularly scheduled. Our Citizen’s Convenience Center will be open on Labor Day from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

“2015 Holiday Schedule” at www.townofcary.org

Building Bridges

Join members of the Sister Cities Association for a dinner program with panelists designed to encourage   conversation about how citizens can make a difference by engaging with other cultures. Our “Building Cultural Bridges across Our Community: 2015 Citizen Diplomacy Dinner” is on September 10 at 7 p.m. at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center. Tickets are available at www.etix.com.

(919) 460-4963

Scootin’ Around Town?

If you’re using a moped to get around our General Assembly recently passed legislation requiring that you register your moped with the DMV before taking it out on North Carolina’s streets and highways. When you go to register, be certain you have the manufacturer’s certificate, as your moped must be designed and manufactured for use on highways or public streets.

There’s an $18 fee to register your moped. Residents of some counties, including Wake, pay additional fees. Visit the DMV website for more information: www.ncdot.gov/dmv.

Back-to-School Bingo

Head over to our back-to-school celebration for ages 5-10. Score some school supplies as bingo prizes and indulge your sweet tooth with ice cream sundaes for dessert! Join the fun at the Herb Young Center on September 11 or the Middle Creek Community Center on September 18; the event is from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at either location.  Pre-registration required.

(919) 460-4965

Hot Tips: Be Prepared

Are you and your loved ones ready to handle whatever disaster may come your way? Have you prepared your emergency kit? Do you have an evacuation plan? We’ve got these simple steps to help you prepare for the unexpected:

• Be informed. Visit www.readync.org or download the free smartphone app to learn about hazards we face in North Carolina. Read about what should go in your emergency supply kit. Get weather and road conditions. Or, find the number to report power outages.

• Make a plan. Where would you go if you had to evacuate? How would you contact family members? And remember to make contingency plans for your pets.

• Prepare an emergency kit. Use the www.readync.org suggestions and customize a kit for your household. Only you know your family’s specific needs. Your kit should be portable and able to sustain your family and pets for at least 72 hours.

• Get involved. Look into taking a free CERT class offered by our Fire Department. You’ll learn how to prepare your household and help those around you.

“CERT” at townofcary.org | (919) 460-4958

Are You Paying Too Much?

This spring we shared with you that following a review by the Insurance Services Office, our fire insurance rating jumped from a Class 3 to a Class 1, the top rating; the change went into effect on July 1. As a result, it’s possible that some businesses in our town will see a lower premiums. If you haven’t done so already, contact your insurance carrier to find out if - or how - our improved insurance rating might impact you. Homeowners, while the change in rating may have little to no impact on your insurance premiums, it wouldn’t hurt to confirm with your agent as well.

“ISO Fire Rating” at www.townofcary.org

A Dog’s Entreaty

Imagine wearing a fur coat year round, including on the hottest summer days. That’s our dogs’ tenue every day, which means they can easily overheat. It’s our responsibility to make sure man’s best friend stays cool and hydrated. You can take the following simple precautions to help prevent your hound from overheating:

• Limit your pup’s exercise on hot days (adjust intensity and duration depending on the temperature).

• Walk your four-legged friend on grass when possible (asphalt gets hot and can burn your pet’s paws).

• Make sure your pooch has a shady area when outside (a doghouse doesn’t provide relief from heat; in fact, it can make it worse by restricting air flow).

• Ensure your pet has fresh, cold drinking water to prevent dehydration.

And, do not ever - not even for one minute - leave your dog in a parked car. This bone of contention is both deadly and against the law. On a warm day, it takes only minutes for your car’s internal temperature to rise to a level that could kill your pup. Cracking your windows or parking in the shade doesn’t make a difference. When you have errands to run, leave Fido at home. Or contact the merchant to ask about its pet policy. And, remember, these tips can apply to other furry household pets.

“Animal Control” at www.townofcary.org  | (919) 462-3813

Cultural Connection

Starlight Concert Series presents Jamrock (August 28, 7 p.m., Page-Walker Arts And History Center).  (919) 460-4963.

Outback Concerts presents Gregg Allman/The Doobie Brothers (September 1, 7 p.m., Koka Booth Amphitheatre). (919) 462-2025.

Cary Players presents Isn’t It Romantic (September 18 - 19, 7:30 p.m.; September 20, 3 p.m., Cary Arts Center) (919) 469-4069.

Visit www.townofcary.org and Twitter @TOC_Fun for more

In the Name of Spirit

Know a Cary resident who enhances the quality of life in our community by preserving, promoting and carrying out positive and quantifiable traditional small-town community values and traits? If yes, from now through September 18, we’re accepting nominations for our Hometown Spirit Award. Nominees should embody such qualities as helping neighbors, showing hospitality, supporting local businesses, promoting a sense of community and displaying patriotism; they must also be 21 or older.

In October, a panel will select an award winner who will be recognized at our November Council meeting. All nominees will be recognized at a reception.

“Hometown Spirit Award” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 319-4505

Game, Set, Match

If you’ve been to the Cary Tennis Park recently, you may have noticed improvements that include the installation of LED lighting and professional scoreboards; these upgrades were necessary not only to enhance the courts for our regular players, but also to attract high profile events.

We’re thrilled to announce that from September 14-20, we’ll be hosting the Cary Tennis Championships, an Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Challenger Tour event. For those who are less familiar with tennis, this is a stepping stone for the future stars of professional tennis as they work their way up through the ranks. We’ll see over 60 professionals on the ATP Tour come through town to compete for the prize. For ticket information, search “Cary Tennis Championships” on our website.

“ATP Challenger Tour” at www.townofcary.org  | (919) 462-2061

Hound Comes to Town

Applause! Cary Youth Theatre is hosting auditions and design team interviews for The Hound of the Baskervilles; auditions are on September 1, and design team interviews are September 2; both are from 5-9 p.m. at the Cary Arts Center.

Ages 13-18 are eligible to participate. While you needn’t have experience to participate, you’ll need to pre-register. Email rachel.hunter@townofcary.org for an appointment.

“Applause” at www.townofcary.org | (919) 469-4069

Active Retirement

We’ve added to our website information for our seniors. When you visit the Senior Resources and Services page, in addition to the programs and services we offer, we’ve included opportunities for involvement and volunteerism in our town. You’ll also find contacts for resources provided by local agencies and organizations.

From our Citizens Police Academy to our Boards and Commissions, you’re certain to find something to keep you active in your retirement  years. Take a look and let us know what you think.

“Senior Services” at www.townofcary.org  | (919) 460-4970

Pet Pickup

Pick up after your pet! Not only is it the law in our town, but doing so will help protect our environment and water quality. An added bonus - cleaning up after your pet will keep you on good terms with your neighbors.

“Stormwater education” at www.townofcary.org

BUD Bits

Catch the Railhawks on September 4 at 7:30 p.m. as they take on the Atlanta Silverbacks at the WakeMed Soccer Park. “Soccer” at www.townofcary.org.

Ages 50+ are invited to learn about SeniorNet’s Computer Learning program on September 10 from 1:30-4 p.m. Drop by our Senior Center to meet instructors and sign up for one of the 50 classes offered this fall! Cary Senior Center” at www.townofcary.org or (919) 469-4081.

Grab your mat and come to Bond Park for a free yoga sampler  on September 12 from 9 a.m.-noon. From gentle to power yoga, sessions are 9-9:30 a.m., 9:45-10:15 a.m., 10:30-11 a.m. and 11:15-11:45 a.m. (919) 469-3970.

Sprint over to the WakeMed Soccer Park for the Adidas Cross Country Challenge Meets on September 18 at 4 p.m. (college races) and September 19 at 8 a.m. (high school races). “Adidas XC” at www.townofcary.org or (919) 858-0464.