News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(Nov. 12, 2024) 

You've turned back your clocks, now turn on your bike lights! You can use lights, reflective gear, and clothing to make yourself more visible to other road users.  Friendly staff members from the Town of Carrboro have your safety in mind as they bring the Lighten Up bicycle event to the Libba Cotten Bikeway on Thursday. Find more news here and save the dates for holiday events coming up! 

Lighten Up with The Town of Carrboro

Thursday, Nov. 14 is the annual Lighten Up Event! The Town of Carrboro will be tabling at both ends of the Libba Cotten Bikeway, near Roberson Street AND Merritt Mill Road from 4 to 6 p.m.

Town staff will be distributing lights, slap bracelets and other visibility accessories. Staff will also have road safety information for pedestrians and cyclists.

Lighten Up is a safety-focused event that equips current cyclists and pedestrians with lights and reflective safety gear as a part of our Transportation Demand Management program.

Learn more about Lighten Up on our Biking webpage.

Carrboro Honors Veterans

In a ceremony at Town Hall, Mayor Barbara Foushee read the proclamation for Veterans Day this Monday, Nov. 11, as a day to remember the invaluable contribution of Carrboro's veterans. She urges all residents to take every opportunity to honor the service and sacrifice of individuals in uniform transitioning from active service. 

Town of Carrboro employees recognized are Police Lieutenant Joe Thomas (Marine Corps) and Clarence Potter (Army). They were joined by Town Manager Patrice Toney and fellow employees outside Town Hall. 

Engagement Session about Town properties under review for possible affordable housing 

Thanks to all the residents who came out for the question-and-answer session about the report on Town properties under consideration for possible affordable housing use, which was presented to Town Council earlier this year.

Held Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at the Carrboro Century Center, the session was hosted by Housing & Community Services Director Anne-Marie Vanaman with William Wirt of Summit Design and Engineering Services offering an information presentation and answering questions. Please note that the report is still under review. No decisions about potential development have been made.

Watch the video of the engagement session and learn more about this topic at https://engage.carrboronc.gov/affordable-housing-town-owned-land 

Civic Building named Drakeford Library Complex by Orange County and Town of Carrboro

The new public building under construction at 203 S. Greensboro St. will be named the Drakeford Library Complex in honor of former Carrboro Mayor Robert Drakeford. 

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted in favor of the new name on Thursday, Nov. 7 while the Carrboro Town Council approved the new building name on Tuesday, Oct. 15. 

The $42 million development is the future home of the Orange County Southern Branch Library. The facility also provides a permanent home for the Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department; Orange County Skills Development Center; WCOM Radio; and performance/multipurpose uses. 

The elected bodies supported the recommendation of a Naming Committee comprised of members from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, Carrboro Town Council, and Friends of the Library. The committee met in the spring of 2024 to develop a community engagement process to name the public building, which will be jointly operated by the Town of Carrboro and Orange County. A grand opening of the public complex is set for February 2025 on a date to be broadly announced throughout the community. 

The committee members from Town of Carrboro are Council Member Catherine Fray and Council Member Eliazar Posada. The Orange County committee members are Commissioner Sally Greene and Commissioner Anna Richards. Also on the committee were two members from the Friends of the Library, Alexandra Brown and Nerys Levy. 

The committee reviewed results from a communitywide survey that received more than 200 responses and subsequently took a formal vote on Sept. 24, 2024, to recommend that the building be named the Drakeford Library Complex.

Learn more about the Drakeford library Complex.

Carrboro's fourth Bike Fix-it Station installed 

Carrboro Public Works has installed the town’s fourth bike fix-it station located at MLK Park, 120 Hillsborough Road.

The stations are equipped with various tools for basic bike repairs and maintenance including pumping up tires, changing a bike tube, adjusting handlebars, and making chain alignments. Learn more at https://www.dero.com/product/fixit-plus/

The other three fix-it stations are located along the Libba Cotten Bikeway, 400 Roberson St.; Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St.; and Wilson Park, 101 Williams St.

Pump Track Renovation Underway 

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Carrboro Mayor proclaims Jay Bryan a 2024 Carrboro Community Treasure

Mayor Barbara Foushee proclaims Jay Bryan a 2024 Carrboro Community Treasure.

For more than five decades in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community, Jay Bryan has worn many hats including attorney, poet, husband, elected official, neighborhood activist, father and judge.

The thread tying his varied roles together is one of sustainable community.

Jay formed Friends of Carrboro, a group that positively influenced local planning decisions and he served on the Carrboro Board of Aldermen for 10 years. 

Among his many board accomplishments are funding what was then a struggling ArtsCenter, voting to provide employee benefits for members of the LGBTQ community, establishing, along with Jacquie Gist, an annual Carrboro Day, and forming a gun regulation committee.

Not only did Jay create the position of Carrboro Poet Laureate, he also served as the town’s poet laureate for two years.

The Town of Carrboro is grateful for all that Jay has done for the Carrboro community throughout the years.

Learn more about Carrboro Community Treasure Jay Bryan.

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. 

View more details about the Tuesday, Nov. 5, election at the Orange County Board of Elections.

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

Town Council Update

The Town Council is scheduled to meet next 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 for its regular business meeting. The agenda will be available at https://carrboro.legistar.com/ 

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 YouTube

New Council Meeting Time 
A new meeting time has been set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday meeting dates through 2024. The Council wants to hear from the community about if the new time works well! Let us know at Engage Carrboro.

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 at https://www.carrboronc.gov/248/Town-Council
• Questions? Reach Town Clerk Lamar Joyner at 919-918-7309 or townclerk@carrboronc.gov

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.

20th Annual Gallop & Gorge 8K is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day

The final race of the 20th annual Le Tour de Carrboro series is the Gallop & Gorge 8K scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28.

The race will begin and end on Weaver Street in downtown Carrboro so expect traffic delays in that area. View the full race route below. 

There will also be an opportunity to give back to your community.  Collection boxes will be available for non-perishable food items to be donated to the Interfaith Council Food Pantry.

Grab a cup of coffee, some non-perishable items to donate, and come out to cheer on the runners before you begin your Thanksgiving festivities at home.

The race's 2024 Community Partners include Carrboro Boy Scout Troop 845, Carrboro Family Garden, Meals on Wheels of Orange County, Optimist Club of Chapel Hill, Orange County Rape Crisis Center, Table and UNC Get Real & Heel Cancer Exercise Program.

Learn about the race.

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.

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.

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.