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Welcome Back to Our Town
Welcome to Our Town, the Town of Chapel Hill's weekly e-newsletter full of news, events, stories, and alerts from your local government. This week we celebrate the end of Employee Appreciation Month by awarding the Town's highest employee honor. This weekend don't miss out on scary-good Halloween events and Festifall, our annual arts markets. Be sure to read to the end to meet Chapel Hill Police Department's newest employee!
 Carla Burnette Honored as 2024 Cal Horton Award Winner
At a ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 22, Chapel Hill Town Manager Chris Blue announced Carla Burnette as the recipient of the 2024 Cal Horton Service Award. She currently serves as Administrative Coordinator in the Technology Solutions department and has been employed with the Town for 31 years.
A colleague nominated Burnette for the award, stating Carla "represents the Town's mission of learning, serving, and working together to build a community where people thrive by her willingness to share her knowledge and expertise and contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels safe and respected." Congrats, Carla!
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Looking Ahead to Halloween
We know many of you enjoy spending Halloween evening downtown! We’re not limiting parking and we don’t expect any road closures this year. Our Guardians of the Hill will be out watching for everyone’s safety. If you’re driving, give yourself plenty of time to help keep folks who are walking, biking, and rolling safe.
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Plaque Honors Howard and Lillian Lee
We unveiled a plaque honoring Mayor Howard Lee and his wife, Lillian Lee, for their visionary leadership in establishing Chapel Hill Transit 50 years ago. Mayor Howard Lee's bold push to create a public transit system in our community has left a lasting legacy that continues to thrive today.
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Town of Chapel Hill Bonds are on the Ballot
If you live in Chapel Hill town limits, you can vote on a municipal bond referendum. The language on the ballot might be a little confusing. When you read that "the estimated amount of property tax liability increase...would be zero," know that this means the Town can borrow the money without raising property taxes.
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Festifall is Back this Weekend and Nov. 2
Our 51st annual arts markets return in downtown Chapel Hill from 12 to 5 p.m.. This year, each date has a unique theme.
Oct. 26: Carolina Day, highlighting all things NC and Tar Heel nation
Nov. 2: Día de los Muertos, uplifting the Triangle's Latino/a/e communities.
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A Fan Favorite Returns: Trunk-or-Treat at Haunted Hill
Grab your costume and join us for Trunk-or-Treat, a Great Pumpkin Decorating contest, and a Movie in the Park! We'll be at Community Center Park (120 S. Estes Dr.) on October 26 starting at 5 p.m. for a spooktacularly fun time.
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Attend a Spooky Harp Concert
Join us as Leigh Stringfellow brings her harp students, aged 7 to adult, to the library! They will share a Halloween tune and a ghost story. This program explores the connection between music and storytelling, and brings live harp music to the community.
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Grab a Cookie with a Cop on Oct. 29
Join us at Crumbl Cookies (133 W. Franklin St.) from 2 to 4 p.m. to chat with a Guardian of the Hill. You can get one free mini chocolate chip cookie if you join us. The mission of Cookie with a Cop is to break down barriers between police officers and the community. Ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know us.
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Cast Your Early Vote at the Library
Early voting started October 17, and the library is an early voting site. (Town Hall is not).
Visit the Orange County Board of Elections website for all the details on early voting, registration, and voter ID requirements.
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Homestead Aquatic Center Closed for Maintenance
Homestead Aquatic Center will be closed from October 2024 through early March 2025 to replace two major systems that have reached the end of their useful life.
The Community Center pool is available Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
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October 23 Council Meeting Recap
Council met for a regular meeting on Wednesday, October 23.
They proclaimed August 2024 to August 2025 as the "Year of Chapel Hill Transit." Mayor Anderson presented the proclamation to former Mayor Howard Lee and Current Transit Director Brian Litchfield.
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 Quick Tips about Seasonal Leaf Collection
Our Public Works crews have started our annual leaf collection and will continue through mid-February. If you participate in the program, here are some things to remember:
- Pile your leaves behind the curb (not in the street)
- Keep bike lanes, sidewalks, fire hydrants, mailboxes, strom drains, and water meters clear of leaves
- Don't put your leaves in plastic bags
- Take out any tree limbs or yard debris from your leaf piles
We also have a voluntary program called Leave Your Leaves. When you take the pledge to leave your leaves, you can get a free yard sign!
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Engage With Us
Check out our new engagement platform, Engage Chapel Hill. Learn about major Town projects and initiatives and provide your feedback.
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Guardians of the Hill Welcome New Recruit
Frankie the dog is the newest member of the Chapel Hill Police Department. She offers comfort and support to all their staff, helping manage stress and promote well-being within the department. Check out CBS17's story on our newest recruit.
Check out her Instagram debut:
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Apply for Funding for Arts or Cultural Project
Are you an Orange County nonprofit with a great arts or cultural project idea? Apply for funding through our Arts & Culture Award Program! Eligible projects include Chapel Hill-based commuity events, public art, and art experiences. Awards range from $2,500 to $10,000. Apply by Friday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m.
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Check the Town calendar for a variety of public meetings. The upcoming schedule includes:
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Buncombe County Sends a Big "Thank You"
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Our neighbors in Buncombe County share their thanks with all who've donated clothes, water, and more to the Hurricane Helene recovery effort. The outpouring of support has been incredible, and thanks to everyone's generosity, organizations are so full of donations that they can't accept anymore. There's also such a strong FEMA and emergency presence that they don't have opportunities available for volunteers not requested by government agencies or community organizations. The best way for you to help in recovery at this time is to make financial contributions to reputable organizations helping Buncombe County residents. |
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Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Subscribe to Our Town, our weekly e-newsletter, for news, events, stories, and alerts from the Town of Chapel Hill. It's one of the best ways to stay in the know!
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Ongoing
Northbound turning lane on Fordham Blvd. near Ephesus Church Rd. tree work
October 21 - October 25, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The turn lane will be narrowed but still accessible.
300 Market St. ADA enhancement work
October 3 - November 1, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The sidewalk will be closed during construction hours and reopened when possible in the evening.
S. Columbia St. Carrington Hall work
Present to December 2024
A pedestrian detour is in place along S. Columbia St. near Medical Dr. as crews work on Carrington Hall.
Upcoming
Southbound lane of Ephesus Church Rd. between Fordham Blvd. and Legion Rd. water and sewer work
November 4 - November 26, 24/7
More details to come
Pope Rd. near Ephesus Church Rd. culvert repair
Dates to be determined.
For more information, email Jcmanuel-nelson@ncdot.gov
All road work depends on the weather. Schedules may change accordingly. Google Maps and Waze show the most up-to-date traffic conditions
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