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 he completed the plans for the review of the first model of the Island Villas being constructed by our neighbors at Baymark Construction.
Doug completed the preparation and the mailing of the second notices to Cape Charles business owners regarding the upcoming Fire Inspection Program. The purpose of this program is public safety & security and the Town will work with everyone to ensure their businesses meet VA State Compliance & Standards for Fire Safety. Doug has also prepared notices for the annual fire sprinkler, fire alarm, elevator and range hood suppression systems that will also be sent out this week.
Doug met with the Northampton Commonwealth Attorney last week regarding an upcoming case against a contractor who has allegedly bilked several citizens out of construction monies and equipment.
Doug and the Assistant Code Officer, Jeb Brady, attended the Customer Service Class at the Aqua and later monitored an "open burn" inside Bayside Village. They also re-inspected the Erosion & Sedimentation Control measures at South Port and Bayside Villages.
Doug and Jeb sent out nineteen(19) Grass Cutting Notices in the Town over the last week and they gently remind citizens NOT to dump their grass cuttings into the gutters because the cuttings "clog" the sewage lines in the Town. Please bag your cuttings so we don’t cause further harm to our precious water system here on the Eastern Shore.
HARBOR
Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that the Harbor received four (4) vessels over the weekend from the Old Point Comfort Yacht Club who were here a few weeks ago. Smitty said he was very happy about their return since they brought "new customers" with them into our Harbor.
Smitty thanked Harbor Mate Kathleen Stevens for planting all of the "Knockout Roses" around the Harbor last week just in time for Schooner Fest 2008. Smitty would also like to thank Matt Pruitt, Buddy Owens, Diego Upshur, Dennis Bradford from the Town’s PWD and Chief Jack Williamson and PO Bobby Messick (U.S. Coast Guard) for their hard work and efforts in preparing the Harbor for Schooner Fest 2008.
PLANNING
Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that he worked with the Code Officials to complete the review of the Town’s Flood Plain Ordinance modification. Tom also said that he revised the Town’s Zoning Map and worked with ANEC (electrical) engineers on future development issues regarding the Harbor.
Tom noted that he met with the VMRC on wetland and dune issues in and around the Town of Cape Charles. He also worked with a property owner on Randolph Avenue regarding some apartments that have been illegally occupied for years since this particular area is not zoned for residential usage. The last apartment will be vacated within the next month. The Town thanks the property owner for his cooperation in this matter.
LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK
Ann Rutledge, Town Librarian, reported that the Toddler & Preschool Storytime was held last week and seventeen (17) children and their caregivers attended the event. The theme for the event was "Father’s Day" and after the event the children colored a picture for their Dads.
Ann said that on Friday, June 13, 2008 children from the Migrant Headstart Program from our sister Town of Cheriton returned to our Library for their annual Storytime program. Ann noted that this program lasts through the tomato harvesting season. Cape Charles is proud to host this program for these young people and welcomes their presence in our Town. Knowledge and education will always fight poverty and misunderstanding.
The Town Library asks our Children & Youth to "CATCH THE READING BUG" this summer it begins on Monday, June 16 at the Library. Come by the Library and sign up and your child will receive a reading folder, a bookmark, and a sticker. Every time a student reads two (2) books they will receive a prize. If they read twenty (20) books they will receive a free book at the end of the summer.
The Library will also have a Storytime Program every week featuring a bug puppet as the "host" for the event. Join the Library Staff & Friends for music, stories, and activities. The Library will also have two (2) special guest performers during the summer. All of the programs are free and all ages are welcome.
For the teens the Library will be offering Teen Movie Night on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and a Summer Reading Program will be available for both teens and adults. Come by the Library for more information or call 331-1300. Future plans at the Library include a visit by some Eastern Shore Authors, Joan Natali’s marvelous Computer Classes, a Writer’s Class and the AARP Driver’s Class scheduled for November 19 & 20, 2008.
Joy Pelletier, Town Clerk, reported a very busy week involving dozens of telephone calls regarding last Saturday’s (June 14, 2008) Schooner Fest 2008 and employment inquires regarding the Town’s Beach Patrol.
Joy also said that the Clerk’s Office was involved with the "bid process" for the Town’s beach chairs that were sold in total to the highest bidder; Bailey’s Bait & Tackle, Mason Avenue, Cape Charles. The Town would like to thank everyone for their bids and the Town is happy to report that we are no longer in the beach chair and umbrella business.
Joy and Assistant Town Clerk, Linda Carola, have also been working on advertisements for Public Hearings for the Planning Commission, Town Council and continue their work with Retention/Destruction of old records and files.
Joy mentioned that while working on a permit for an organization to use the Park, she discovered that the Town has been paying for an electrical "hook up" that is not in place. Joy will investigate this issue and report back to the Town Manager her findings into another Town anomaly where the Town is paying for "something" we don’t have.
RECREATION & PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
The Town has completed the interviews for the Town's Youth Director Position. An announcement regarding that selection will be made as soon as some additional administrative matters are completed.
Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that East Well III will be operational as soon as the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) receives some additional information from Shore Engineering. Dave said that he was involved with a conference call last week with Stearns & Wheler (The Town’s company for water & waste water matters) regarding the intended East Well II "hook up". Stearns & Wheler will submit their final report to the VDH next week.
Dave said that the PWD replaced the pump at the Mason Avenue Pump Station. Thank you Billy Powell, Gerald Elliot and Jay Bell for your hard work and long hours to ensure that this job was completed on time.
Dave said that the PWD is working on a non-potable system at the Waste Water Treatment Plant that was designed into the plant but not used that often. Dave said that using this non-potable water will help the Town conserve our drinking water. The Town anticipates using this water for our Town’s new plants & shrubs.
Dave noted that the Town’s Sidewalk Repair Program (SRP) is coming to a rapid end and the PWD will provide an accurate account of what was completed in the SRP within the next few weeks. Please note that the roadways and sidewalks in the Town of Cape Charles are the responsibility of the VDOT and the VDOT has been very cooperative with the Town but the lack of funding is an issue at all levels of government now. The Town thanks VDOT for their cooperation and guidance.
Dave and his PWD Crew will start planting the trees and shrubs around the Town that were so graciously donated by the Bobtown Nursery. The Town respectfully asks that our citizens please watch over these trees and shrubs so they can grow and further beautify this great Town. The Town will be responsible for watering the trees and shrubs. Citizens are responsible for enjoying them.
POLICE
Chief David Eder reported that the Cape Charles Police Department was busy over this past week responding to incidents in the Town and requests for "back up" outside of the Town. The incidents included a man in medical distress at one of the local restaurants, a "silent alarm" at a local business and a tragic car accident that took place over the weekend.
Chief Eder would like to remind everyone again that golf carts are not allowed on Route 642 (Old Cape Charles Road) or on Route 184 east of Fulcher Street. The speeds that fellow citizens travel on these roads are too dangerous to have these slow moving golf carts on the same roadways with them.
Please note that the Town of Cape Charles Traffic Code states in Section 42-54 (1) Golf carts may be operated on the highways of The Town of Cape Charles that allow a maximum speed of 25 MPH.
The Virginia State Code also reads:
46.2-916.3. Limitations on golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways
- golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways shall be in accordance with the following limitations:
- A golf cart or utility vehicle may be operated only on designated public highways where the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less. No golf cart or utility vehicle shall cross any highway at an intersection where the highway being crossed has a posted speed limit of more than 25 miles per hour.
- No person shall operate any golf cart or utility vehicle on any public highway unless he has in his possession a valid driver’s license.
- Every golf cart or utility vehicle, whenever operated on a public highway, shall display a slow-moving vehicle emblem in conformity with 46.2-1081and
- Golf carts and utility vehicle shall be operated upon the public highways only between sunrise and sunset, unless equipped with such lights as are required in Article 3 ( 46.2-1010) of Chapter 10 of this title, for different classes of vehicles.
- The limitations of subdivision A 1 shall not apply to golf carts and utility vehicles being operated as follows:
- To cross a highway from one portion of a golf course to another portion thereof or to another adjacent golf course; or to travel between a persons home and golf course if (i) the trip would not be longer then one-half mile in either direction, and (ii) the speed limit on the road is no more than 35 miles per hour;
- to the extent necessary for local government employees, operating only upon highways located within the locality, to fulfill a governmental purpose, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less; and
- As necessary by employees of public or private two year or four year institutions of higher educations if operating on highways within the property limits of such institutions, provided the golf cart or utility vehicle is being operated on highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less.
- The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance impose additional restrictions or limitations on operations of golf carts, utility vehicles, or both, on public highways within its boundaries, provided that the restrictions or limitations imposed by any such ordinance are no less stringent than the restrictions and limitations contained in this article. In the event that any provision of any such ordinance conflicts with any provision of this section, the provision of the ordinance shall be controlling.
ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER
It is the Town of Cape Charles’ policy that we will not conduct any official business with any & all businesses, organizations or individuals who owe the Town BPOL Taxes, utilities payments, back taxes or other monies owed the Town. The Town supports commerce but will not support any ventures that cost the taxpayers additional monies. If you have a business and are seeking work within the Town please ensure that your taxes and BPOL Taxes are paid in full prior to submitting bids, etc.
For the record: Our funding for the Town's Recreation Program is alive and well and the facts are that the Cape Charles Committee on Children & Youth came into being at the Town's Council Retreat in April 2007. The Town Council originally budgeted $4500.00 for events and the Town found an additional $5000.00 for this very important and worthwhile program to proceed ahead. So that means $9500.00 was set aside for events. The overall total budget last year for Recreation was $36,669.00. That included one (1) part time Recreation Employee and two (2) part time Beach Patrol Employees. This year’s budget for Recreation is $28,876.00 with $10,000.00 allotted for events ($500.00 more than last year) and does not include the two (2) part time Beach Patrol Employees since they now fall under the Harbor and not Recreation. Anyone who believes the Town has taken monies from the Recreation Programs or Children & Youth is welcome to review the records at the Town Hall for clarification.
The Town expects that our Recreation program will continue along the same path of greatness we're on now thanks to the CCCCY and the Town's absolute commitment to ensure this program is successful.
Thank you again for the privilege and opportunity to serve this great Town and all the citizens here.
"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not upon our circumstances."
Martha Washington (1732 - 1802)
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.