News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(Dec. 3, 2024) 

It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays around Carrboro! Thanks to the Carrboro Community Garden Club for creating the unique, natural wreaths hanging at Town Hall. The tree lighting ceremony is this Friday and then the holiday parade follows on Saturday!  We are excited to welcome our new  Town Council member, Cristóbal Palmer, who will take the oath of office this Tuesday evening. Check this issue for more local news and events!  

Wreaths for Town Hall: A Community Tradition 

Thanks to the Carrboro Garden Club, Town Hall is adorned with beautiful natural wreaths for the holiday season. 

A community tradition for the past 40 years, the wreaths are made by community members with clippings from their yards and gardens including conifer greenery like Eastern Red Cedar, Pine and Juniper. They also use Magnolia branches, grasses, pinecones, other interesting cones, holly, and berries of different colors. 

The Carrboro Public Works Department works closely with the club members on the wreath project each year. 

Here’s a historical overview of the tradition from the membership:

Ken Moore asked the Town to build a huge 6-foot wooden wreath form from plywood and paint it green. Since then, two other smaller wreath plywood bases have been created. We strive to use native conifer boughs, Eastern Red Cedar, Magnolia branches, Holly berries, native pinecones, decorative pods, grasses and even dried Okra pods to embellish our wreaths. Sherry Jones and her friend and colleague Jean (who worked together at Southern States) created huge red velvet bows to embellish our wreaths. 

The Carrboro Community Garden Club was formed by Frances Shetley and others in 1987.  At that time, Marty Mandell was president, Nancy White was vice president, Sherry Jones was secretary, and Doug Wait was treasurer. Committees were led by Aileen Randall (membership), Sherry Jones and Frances Shetley (Town contacts), and Barbara Cox, Sherry Jones and Mary Jiminez (program). 

For 36 years, our local Carrboro Community Garden Club has strived to encourage our neighbors and the town of Carrboro to include natural, native plants for our beautiful Carrboro gardens and public spaces. In the 1990s, Ken Moore, then assistant director of the NC botanical Garden, joined our group and helped steer us toward appreciating native plants for our gardens and the community. 

Carrboro is a special town that honors nature. 

Photo caption (from Carrboro This Week cover) – Thanks to the Carrboro Community Garden Club, beautiful and natural, native wreaths are hung at Carrboro Town Hall! Club members met for the raising of the wreaths on Monday, Dec. 2 -- (left to right) Melva Fager Okun, Town Manager Patrice Toney, Aileen Randall, Marcia Mills and Sherry Jones with Public Works staff members Jay Nicholson and Bobby Horton. The child pictured at far left is Iona.  

Swearing-in Ceremony of Newly Elected

Council Member set for Dec. 3

Following results of a Nov. 5, 2024, special election, Cristóbal Palmer will be sworn into office as a member of the Carrboro Town Council during an organization meeting set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. 

The special election was held to fill Mayor Barbara Foushee’s unexpired Council term through December 2025. 

Celebrate at the Carrboro Annual Tree Lighting

Join us at Carrboro Town Hall on at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 as we gather for the Annual Tree Lighting and celebrate the festive season!

We welcome all community members to join members of the Town Council along with local schoolchildren from Carrboro and McDougle elementary schools as we officially kick off the season with music and the lighting of the community tree. 

In collaboration with our participating schools, we have partnered with Porch to hold a canned food drive. Please bring non-perishable items to the tree lighting and place in each designated box. Let's see which school can collect the most donations!

Celebrate Holiday Magic at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Holiday Parade

The annual Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Get festive and watch arts, cultural, and community groups make their way through downtown! 

“As a team, we’re really excited to end the year strong and bring community together one last time in 2024,” says Xavier Vallejo, Community Arts & Culture’s Special Events Coordinator. “Folks can expect to see plenty of cheer teams, marching bands, cultural performances, and more.” 

The parade begins at the 140 West Franklin Street Plaza, travels along Franklin Street, continues onto Main Street, and ends at Carrboro Town Hall. 

 “I am excited that the Town Council will be joined by staff and community members in this year’s parade with our uniquely styled Carrboro Team entry,” said Carrboro Town Manager Patrice Toney. “We look forward to joining community in kicking off the holiday season.” 

Save the Date: Carrboro Event Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Join us on Jan. 18, 2025 for a youth-led event that brings the community together to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The event will begin at 1 p.m. in Century Hall located at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510. 

Apply Now for Carrboro's Residential Stormwater Assistance Program

The Town of Carrboro is pleased to announce the re-launch of the Town’s Residential Stormwater Assistance Program to offer no cost assessments to Carrboro homeowners interested in stormwater drainage improvement projects on their lots.  

Applications are available starting on Monday, Nov. 25, and site assessments will begin in January 2025.  Interested residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

The program provides technical advice regarding possible solutions to flooding, drainage, erosion, or other stormwater or stream related concerns.  Examples of technical advice include rain gardens, bioswales, impervious surface reduction, rainwater harvesting, and conceptual plans.

Learn more about the Residential Stormwater Assistance Program.

Red Curb Means No Parking

Carrboro Public Works crews are painting curbs red around select fire hydrants the fire department repeatedly sees cars parked in front of to remind folks that it is prohibited to park in this zone. 

Every second counts in a fire, so immediate hydrant access is critical. Help ensure that firefighters have access to this vital water supply during an emergency. Parked vehicles in front of hydrants also can obscure their visibility from the street, making it difficult for fire crews to locate them when needed. 

Note that it's illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, regardless of whether the curb is painted red.

Carrboro holding application orientation for human services funding

The Town of Carrboro, along with the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County, is holding an orientation for nonprofit applicants to the Outside Agency/Human Services funding program for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. 

The orientation provides an overview of the funding program and guidance on using the online application platform, administered through the Town of Chapel Hill’s website.  The application will be available via an online portal on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.

Orientation Session:

Date: Friday, Dec. 6 
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 
Location: Donna S. Baker Meeting Room, Whitted Building, 2nd Floor, 300 West Tryon Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278

The Towns and County will also host two virtual Q&A Sessions. These sessions offer an opportunity for applicants to ask questions and receive clarification on any aspects of the application process.

Q&A Sessions:

• Monday, Dec. 16 from 9 - 10 a.m.
•  Monday, Jan. 6 from 9 -10 a.m.

For more information contact Anne-Marie Vanaman at 919-918-7321 or Malia Summey at 919-918-7318, or email humanservices@carrboronc.gov.

Traffic Alert: Maple Avenue to be closed for repaving

Beginning next week, (Monday Dec 2), E. Braxton Foushee Street will return to two-way traffic.  At the same time, work will begin on Maple Ave Extension.  Maple Avenue Extension will be closed for about four weeks (the month of December) while it is regraded and repaved.

Access to houses on Maple Avenue, the houses and businesses on E. Braxton Foushee Street, as well as the parking lot at the end of East Braxton Foushee will be maintained by two-way traffic on E.  Braxton Foushee Street.

Read more information about this roadwork which is part of the construction of the 203 Project, newly named the Drakeford Library Complex. 

Carrboro’s Snow Plow Rodeo hits the streets next week

North Carolina's Winter Weather Preparedness Week is Dec. 1-7. Take the time now to prepare for the winter season. 

The Public Works Department is doing its part with the annual Snow Plow Rodeo. Each year, before we see a single snowflake fall, Public Works gathers to work on technical abilities with snow plows and other equipment. You may see snow plows around town on Tuesday, Dec. 10 as trucks are out and about.

Make sure you plan ahead of the winter season and gather information now.

• More information on the National Weather Service Winter Preparedness webpage
• Bookmark Carrboro's Emergency webpage

Mayors' Monarch Pledge: Help Protect Pollinators

Did you know that the fall is the best time to plant milkweed seeds to benefit monarch butterflies and other pollinators? Milkweed seeds must be exposed to cold weather in order to germinate in the spring.  

To plant, simply sprinkle some seeds onto soil in a pot or in your yard with a few inches of loosely-packed mulch or straw on top. Water lightly and then leave for the winter – seeds will sprout in the spring! 

Monarch butterflies rely exclusively on milkweed as their larval host plant. Milkweed sap contains compounds which the caterpillars ingest when eating the leaves, protecting them by making them poisonous to many predators. The monarch butterfly population in the eastern U.S. has declined by 90% in recent years. The Town of Carrboro has taken action to help monarchs by joining the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. 

Remember to also choose native milkweed species! Native plants are adapted to the local ecology and provide food and habitat for diverse pollinators native to the area. To learn more about native milkweeds in North Carolina, the Milkweeds of the Southeast publication from the Xerces Society is a helpful resource. 

Death by Distribution Charge in Overdose Death

On March 29, 2023, the Carrboro Police Department responded to a residence on E. Winmore Ave. for a person who had overdosed. Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim, Arman Guerra Imani, 32, deceased. An autopsy determined that Arman Guerra Imani died of a fentanyl overdose. As a result of the investigation into this incident, David Allen Bonita, 33, of Durham, was charged with Death by Distribution. Bonita was arrested today in Durham by the Carolinas Regional US Marshals Task Force and confined in the Orange County Detention Center under a $150,000 bond.

Bonita is charged under the Death by Distribution statute (link below) as the investigation revealed that he sold a qualifying controlled substance to Arman Guerra Imani and that substance was the proximate cause of Arman Guerra Imani death.

If you suspect someone is in an overdose state, call 911 immediately. North Carolina’s Good Samaritan Law (link below) provides protections to someone in an overdose state and the 911 caller if certain conditions are met. The Carrboro Police Department has carried naloxone, an opioid antagonist, since 2014 and had the first two law enforcement reversals of an opioid overdose in the state in 2015. The police department is committed to providing life-saving care in these situations. A link to behavioral health resources for people living with substance use and other challenges is listed below.

• NCGS Death by Distribution Law: GS_14-18.4.pdf (ncleg.gov) - https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_14/GS_14-18.4.pdf
•  NCGS Good Samaritan Law: GS_90-96.2.pdf (ncleg.net) https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_90/GS_90-96.2.pdf
• Behavioral Health Resources: Behavioral Health Resources | Orange County, NC (orangecountync.gov) https://www.orangecountync.gov/2065/Behavioral-Health-Resources

Media Point of Contact: Captain R. Daniels, 919-918-7408

Town Council Update

The Town Council is scheduled to meet next on Tuesday, Dec. 3. 

Following results of a special election, Cristóbal Palmer will be sworn into office as a member of the Carrboro Town Council during an organization meeting set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. The special election was held to fill Mayor Barbara Foushee’s unexpired Council term through December 2025. 

The Town Council meets at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  OR at https://carrboro.legistar.com/ 

The livestream will be available  at https://www.youtube.com/live/kk3abBRgNSA?si=rzLw5PtIn2GY-2n4 

Past Meeting Recap 
The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Nov. 19 and considered an agenda posted at https://carrboro.legistar.com

Watch the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/3Y9lU-E5ei8?si=eYv2_ee2mNhnRn3x

ABOUT CARRBORO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. You can reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions anytime at Council@carrboronc.gov  Meetings are open to the public to join in person at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. OR via Livestreaming at YouTube.com/CarrboroNC    

• Regular business meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Work sessions are generally held the second Tuesdays of the month. Public comment is not accepted during work sessions, and votes are not taken.
• Agendas (and meeting videos) are posted at https://carrboro.legistar.com/
• The Town of Carrboro offers free language translation and interpretation services to residents. Information: 919-918-7391 or info@carrboronc.gov 
• Sign up to receive Council Updates with meeting agendas and post-meeting recaps at www.carrboronc.gov/signup (choose Carrboro Town News)
• Learn more about your Town Council
•  Questions? Reach Town Clerk Lamar Joyner at 919-918-7309 or townclerk@carrboronc.gov 

Thanks to all the Gallop & Gorge participants

Congrats to all the runners at the Gallop & Gorge 8K in Carrboro on Thursday, Nov. 28, celebrating its 20th year with Le Tour de Carrboro! The Cardinal Track Club Race Series consists of Four on the Fourth, Carrboro 10K and Gallop & Gorge 8K that all take place in Carrboro -- and all of which support nonprofits and community goodwill. 

Y'all looked great in your turkey hats! Special thanks to the many volunteers, and to the Town of Carrboro staff from the Police Department and Public Works Department. 

Orange County Cold Weather Shelters

Cold weather shelters are available every night from November through March at IFC. The Orange County Shelter is available on the evenings when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. 

For more information visit the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness Resources page.

Save the Dates for Carrboro’s Holiday Events

Join The Town of Carrboro in celebrating the holiday season and save the dates for these upcoming festive events.

Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

Join us at Carrboro Town Hall as we gather and celebrate the festive season!

We welcome all community members to join members of the Town Council along with local schoolchildren from Carrboro and McDougle elementary schools as we officially kick off the season with music and the lighting of the community tree. 

In collaboration with our participating schools, we have partnered with Porch to hold a canned food drive. Please bring non-perishable items to the tree lighting and place in each designated box. Let's see which school can collect the most donations!

This event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in front of Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. 

Chapel Hill – Carrboro Community Holiday Parade

The annual Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade is kicking off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. The parade route begins at 140 West Plaza, travels along Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, proceeds to Main Street in Carrboro, and ends at Carrboro Town Hall.  

Join us for a festive, entertaining, safe, and inclusive community parade to celebrate the winter holiday season. Stake out your curbside spot and watch arts, cultural, and community groups parade through town. 

Kids, Cookies & Candy Canes

Join our holiday celebration for children of all ages! Bring the family to the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St, Carrboro, NC on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to noon and enjoy some holiday fun!  Join us for cookies, crafts, and a children's show.

Visit the Events Calendar on our website to learn more about all our upcoming events.

December Holiday Service Schedule

The Town of Carrboro will observe the holidays Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1.

Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed. 

Please note the changes to residential trash collection for the week of Dec. 23-27.

• If your regular collection day is Wednesday - Your trash will be collected on Monday, Dec. 23.
• If your regular collection day is Thursday - Your trash will be collected on Friday, Dec. 27.
• If your regular collection day is Friday - Your trash will be collected on Monday, Dec. 30.

Yard waste and bulk waste will not be collected for the week of Dec. 23-27.

For changes to recycling collection visit: https://www.orangecountync.gov/1741/SWM-2018-Holiday-Schedule

Leaf Collection in Carrboro

Have you noticed leaf piles around town? It’s certainly that time of year. The Town of Carrboro would like to remind everyone that leaves should not be piled into traffic lanes, bike lanes or sidewalks, as they become a dangerous public safety hazard.

Residents should also check collection schedules for yard waste and leaves, so that piles do not remain at the curb longer than necessary. 

Typically, residents receive yard waste and loose-leaf collection twice per month, either on the first and third Mondays of the month or the second and fourth Mondays of the month. It’s important to note that although the collection day is Monday, depending on the volume of material placed at the curb, the routes may take more than one day to complete.  

• Check your solid waste collection schedule.
• Note the holiday schedule.

Requirements for Leaf Pickup

• Don’t put leaves in the street or block sidewalks, bike lanes or storm drains.
• Optional use of a roll-out cart which is collected with an automated side loader refuse truck. 
• No plastic or paper bags are allowed. No plastic bags allowed.
• Keep the gutter clear. Allow at least 1 foot between the curb and the leaves.
• Don't block stormwater grates.
• Loose leaves waste must be free of all debris.  No dirt, sod, rock, or concrete. 
• Separate loose leaves and brush. Piles that contain limbs, brush or other yard waste will not be picked up.
• Place your leaf piles away from trees that have overhanging branches less than 14 feet from the ground, or lower branches that protrude into the lane of travel. These branches pose hazards to our equipment.
• Park vehicles at least 10 feet away from piles.
• Do not place leaves in lanes of travel (bike lanes/travel lanes).
• Help keep your neighborhood safe for people walking, biking, and driving by placing your trash, recycling and yard waste carts where they don't block the sidewalk, bike lane, or traffic flow.

More Information about Leaf Collection in Carrboro

• Loose leaves are picked up at no extra charge to our residents. 
• This program helps to keep gutters and storm drainage grates clean and working properly through the winter.
• Carrboro’s Loose Leaf Collection Program is year-round. 
• Often, when residents see our machinery approaching, they will come out and move their parked vehicles so we can access their leaf piles more easily. The crews appreciate this, as it makes the process go more smoothly.
• The Town recycles leaves as compost. Diverting these natural materials from the solid waste stream helps extend the usable landfill space and keeps methane-producing materials out of the landfill. FREE leaf compost is available to Carrboro residents. 
• With appreciation and recognition to the New Hope Audubon Society, the Town is encouraging residents to follow their "Leave the Leaves" initiative. Leaving leaves where they fall, or close thereby, saves time and money and recycles nutrients into the local ecosystem. 
• Learn more about Leaf Collection in Carrboro.
• Contact Carrboro Public Works at (919) 918-7425 or PWorks@townofcarrboro.org

Avoid collisions with deer 

Drivers should remain vigilant on the roads to avoid deer-vehicle collisions, especially between September and December. Deer movement increases dramatically during this time, and limited lighting makes it more difficult for drivers to see them on or near roads.

Safety Advice

Below are important tips from the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) regarding animal (usually deer) crashes: 

• Always maintain a safe amount of distance between your vehicle and others, especially at night. If the vehicle ahead of you hits a deer, you could also become involved in the crash. 
• Slow down in areas posted with deer crossing signs and in heavily wooded areas, especially during the late afternoon and evening.
• Most deer-vehicle crashes occur where deer are more likely to travel, near bridges or overpasses, railroad tracks, streams and ditches.
• Drive with high beams on when possible and watch for deer eyes reflecting in the headlights. 
• Deer often travel in small herds so if you see one deer near a road be alert for others.
• If you see deer near a road, slow down and blow your horn with one long blast
• Do not swerve to avoid a collision. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and cause a more serious crash.
• If your vehicle does strike a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can be dangerous or further injure itself. Get your vehicle off the road, if possible, and call 911.

Deciding not to rake leaves is a simple way to support the environment and local biodiversity while also making yard maintenance easier and more sustainable. 

Pledge to Leave Your Leaves  online or in-person at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. and pick up a free yard sign! Yard signs measure 18 x 24 inches, are made of sturdy, weather-resistant materials, and are printed with low-VOC vegetable-based inks. There is a limit of one free yard sign per household per year.   

The Town of Carrboro is partnering with the Towns of Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, Orange County, the New Hope Bird Alliance, and Keep Durham Beautiful to encourage community members to Leave the Leaves, support biodiversity, improve water quality, and reduce pollution. 

Did you know that leaves are natural fertilizers and help protect wildlife? Nature’s bounty provides an opportunity to put fallen leaves to good use. 

Learn more about Leave Your Leaves.

Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources

Monthly Events Newsletter

View the Monthly Events Newsletter and discover all of the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!

Check out the Monthly Newsletter.

Public parking available in downtown Carrboro

It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 10 public lots all over town.

Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.

Find more information including an interactive parking map on our Downtown Parking webpage.