Mayor
Town Council
Town Manager
Asst. Town Manager
Treasurer
Town Clerk
Code Enforcement
Town Planner
Public Works/Utilities
Harbor
Library
Police
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 will be a news source that will report 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 go to the Town’s website at http://www.capecharles.org/or contact us at gazette@capecharles.org.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Doug Smith, Code Enforcement Officer, reported that his department reviewed the Erosion & Sedimentation Control Plans & Landscape Plan for South Port investor’s Parcel 12. Doug said the Town continues to work with South Port to ensure Code Compliance and a working relationship with this group.
Doug met with an engineering group and toured the Town Hall regarding a Request For Proposal (RFP) for engineering services as related to the "possible" Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This EOC has NOT been approved by the Town Council and this is merely an RFP to ascertain if this project is financially possible.
Jeb Brady, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer, received his Zoning Inspector Certification this past week. Excellent work again Jeb!
Doug reported that the owner of a dilapidated building on Madison Avenue decided to demolish the building as allowed by the Town Code rather than have the Town perform the demolition. The property in question has been up for sale for several years and was actually condemned by the previous Town’s Code Enforcement Officer over six (6) years ago. The building was in horrible condition and a threat to public safety with its roof, walls and porch starting to collapse. This is another example of citizens creating a hazard to their neighbors and creating an "eyesore" in the Historic District. The Town thanks the current owners of this building for their decisive action and Code Enforcement for their attention to details.
Code Enforcement sent out a mass mailing to ALL Cape Charles residents regarding flood & hurricane hazard awareness. They also sent notices to mortgage lenders, real estate agents and insurance agents regarding flooding and the Cape Charles area.
Doug & Jeb attended a class last week on changes in the State of VA Codes and Wall Bracing. Jeb also attended a class on Customer Service Training and dealing with the public.
Code Enforcement cleared two (2) additional sump pump cases in their efforts to assist the PWD and their situation with the DEQ and water problems within the Town. The Town is making great efforts to comply with the DEQ standards to ensure that our water quality continues to meet the high standards for our citizens.
Doug said that the current Code Enforcement Case against the owner of a residence on Jefferson Avenue has been resolved and some work was completed by the owner to ensure the residence did not become a "Demolition by Neglect" situation. The owner also paid $2160.00 in fines. The Town will work with any citizen who has a problem with a residence but the Town can not afford to allow public safety or "eye sore" situations to linger and disrupt the rest of the neighborhood. Please come into the Town Office’s ASAP if you believe you have a problem or receive a Code Violation. We are here to serve you.
HARBOR
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that the majority of the fishing fleet that was in our Town Harbor over the past several weeks has departed the area and they are back at their home ports. Smitty said that this was a great spring for fishing in our Harbor with approximately 400,000 lbs. of fish (mainly Croakers) coming across our docks.
Smitty announced that Amanda Wimbrough has joined the Harbor Staff as a part time Town employee assigned to the Town’s Beach Patrol. Welcome aboard Amanda! Smitty expects to fill two (2) additional positions for the Beach Patrol this week.
The Gazebo (formerly located at the STIP) was moved into place this past Saturday (May 17, 2008) and it’s now located adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Station at the end of the south side dock of our Harbor. A special thanks to Eyre Baldwin for the generous donation to the Town and to Scott Walker for ensuring the "follow through" on this project. The Town is still in the process of adding steps to the Gazebo and the "view" of the Harbor promises to be spectacular once it’s completed.
The Old Point Comfort Yacht Club will be visiting our Harbor this weekend and Smitty is expecting twenty (20) to twenty-five (25) sail boats will grace our Harbor with their presence.
PLANNING
Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that he made a site visit to the Bayside Village (Bay Creek) area to review the primary dune. Tom reported that there are nineteen (19) lots along side of the dune and the Town has received a request for a "walkway" to cross the dune onto the beach. Tom noted that this will require action by the Town’s Wetlands/Coastal Dune Board. Tom observed that this has the potential for nineteen (19) walkways onto the beach in approximately 1000 feet of dune.
Tom also worked with the South Port Development Team regarding the trees at their site development to ensure that they are in compliance with the Town’s Tree Ordinances.
Tom worked with our friends at the Eastern Shore Community College regarding "signage". The Town is reassessing our Sign Code after receiving complaints regarding improper signs being erected throughout the Town.
Tom was also busy working with participants at a Harbor Development Meeting and working with Bay Creek on new development and zoning compliance.
LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK
Ann Rutledge, Town Librarian, reported that the Toddler & Preschool Storytime was held last week and thirteen (13) children and their care givers attended the event. The theme for last week’s event was "Let’s Go to the Beach".
Joan Natali will teach another Do Not Be Afraid Computer Class on May 28, 29 and 30, 2008 (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). Please contact the Library for additional times and details. The number to call is 757- 331-1300.
Some points of interest from the Town’s Council Retreat (April 2008):
- Library began in the home of Mrs. Robert McQuire in the Town of Cape Charles in 1919.
- Library moved to its current location in 1926
- On May 27, 1927, the Library was dedicated and became the First War Memorial Library in VA and the first County Library on the Eastern Shore.
- The Library became a station of the Eastern Shore Public Library in 1957.
- On October 1, 1979 the Library became a Branch Library of the Eastern Shore Public Library.
- On September 1, 1981, the Board of Trustees of the Eastern Shore Public Library canceled the agreement that made the Town Library a Branch Library due to budget cuts. However; the bookmobile continued to visit Cape Charles and it was suggested that the Town keep the Library open.
- In 2003 the Friends of the Library group was formed and continues their great work
- Customer Visits: 2001- 6,817 & 2007- 14, 428
Joy Pelletier, Town Clerk, reported that the Clerk’s Office had another busy week working on the minutes from Board and Council meetings, updating the Town’s Web site, notifying VDOT of street closings for upcoming town events, researching items for the Town Council and staff, conducting retention and destruction of various files and verifying Zoning Ordinance updates.
Linda Carola, Assistant Town Clerk, was involved with preparing the paperwork for the three (3) new hires for the Town’s Beach Patrol. This also included the required police background checks and drug testing that is required for employment with the Town.
RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Jimmy Marvel, Youth Director, will depart Town employment this week and the Town staff wishes him well with his new endeavors.
The Town’s due date for hiring another Youth Director is Wednesday, May 21, 2008 and we expect to hire someone within the next week after interviews.
Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, announced that the Town accepted a contractor for our long sought spraying services. The Town hired Ben Lewis at $2650.00 to conduct spraying operations in the Town.
Dave reported that Phase I of the Gazebo construction is near completion. Dave also thanked Matt Pruitt, Assistant Director of the PWD, for his outstanding work performance during last week’s storm. The Town had two (2) large trees that fell on Pine Street & Madison Avenue and Matt directed his work crews in a highly efficient manner while Dave was out of the area.
Dave reported that the lowest bidder to raise the Town’s manhole covers was Collins Asphalt who was awarded the contract for $3400.00.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
The Town Manager, Joe Vaccaro, conducted a meeting last week regarding the number of illegal signs that seem to be multiplying over the last several weeks. The following applies:
- There are a few businesses located on Mason Avenue that leave their "sandwich board" signs overnight on the sidewalks. Over the next week the Town will be visiting these businesses to remind them that ALL signs must be off of the sidewalks at the close of business and can be placed in the same location at the start of the next business day.
- Businesses are NOT allowed to block any portion of the sidewalk with chairs, selling fruits, advertising their location or anything else that prevents citizens from freely walking down the center of the Public Right of Way.
- "Hanging signs" must be 8 feet off of the ground and NOT in the Public Right of Way.
- If an organization wants to advertise an upcoming event they are most welcome to use the Town property but they should contact the Town Manager for approval prior to placing their sign(s) on Town property. The situation at the intersection of Route 184, Randolph Avenue, Fig Street and Mason Avenue has gotten somewhat out of hand with citizens placing signs on Town property for yard sales, free Viagra, kittens, upcoming events, happy birthday notifications and car washes. We gently remind everyone that this is the "main entrance way" to our Historic Town and NOT an obscure side road. Please contact the Town before you place your signs on trees, Stop Signs, telephone poles, fences and metal posts. In one case we had a number of "yard sales" signs that were posted throughout the Town using the inside of gray rubber garbage pail lids that were up for weeks because we couldn’t find them all. Please help us keep the Town clean; especially now during the tourist season.
The Town respectfully asks that citizens and their guests stay off of the sand dunes at the Beach. Over the last week we have several instances where children, dogs and a few adults (We’re sorry to report) have been walking on and over the dunes. Please refrain from using the dunes as a "cut through" to the Beach. There are eight (8) entry ways to legally enter the Beach and we ask that you use those entry ways. We also ask that you gently remind other fellow citizens about the dunes. The Town needs to be ever watchful of our natural resources.
The Northampton Chamber of Commerce would like to remind everyone about the Cape Charles Memorial Day Party scheduled for Sunday, May 25, 2008. The party will take place at the Beach front from 2:00 to 9:00 PM and will feature the usual great food, drinks, fun and live music. Beach activities will include kayaking, wind surfing, Beach volley ball, a sand sculpting event and meeting some of the best people in the Country; your fellow citizens! For additional details please contact Deborah Christie, Executive Director, Northampton County Chamber of Commerce at 757-331-2304.
Thank you again for the privilege and opportunity to serve this great Town and all the citizens here.
"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length"
Robert Frost
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.
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Municipal Corporation of Cape Charles
2 Plum Street
Cape Charles, VA 23310
757-331-3259
Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.