Welcome to Town of Wake Forest E-News
February 28, 2006
The Town of Wake Forest is pleased to present the February edition of its monthly E-newsletter. As always, we ask that you please forward E-News to your friends and neighbors and encourage them to sign up to receive it on the homepage of our website. We are pleased to announce that thanks to your enthusiastic response to E-News, we now have 668 subscribers!
Remember, if you wish to be removed from our E-News mailing list, simply click HERE, and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
State of the Town Address Aired on Community Channel 10
For the first time in Wake Forest’s history, the Town’s mayor videotaped the “State of the Town” address for re-broadcast on Community Channel 10. Mayor Vivian Jones’s seven-minute presentation focuses on a number of the Town’s accomplishments during 2005. Jones also addresses several current issues, including the Renaissance Plan and construction of the new Town Hall. Additionally, she provides an update on July’s water and sewer system merger with the City of Raleigh and highlights a few of the Town’s initiatives for 2006.
The State of the Town address will be broadcast on Community Channel 10 throughout March on Mondays and Thursdays. For the complete story about the mayor’s State of the Town address, click HERE to read Johnny Whitfield’s article in last week’s edition of The Wake Weekly.
US 1 Corridor Study Public Meeting
Two reasons for improving the US 1 corridor are often cited: 1) to meet growing travel demand; and 2) improve safety. Current travel demand on the route meets or exceeds its capacity for the section of US 1 south of US 1A (South Main Street) in Wake County. The purpose of the US 1 Corridor Study is to develop an integrated transportation plan that provides for reasonable mobility along the US 1 Corridor while maintaining a high quality environment for the surrounding communities by providing for well-planned and sustainable growth along this corridor.
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (Capital Area MPO) Public Involvement Program for the US 1 Corridor Study is designed to increase public participation in the transportation planning process and to identify the most important issues regarding the project from the perspective of local communities. The Capital Area MPO will host a public meeting on March 14, from 3-7 p.m. at The Living Word Family Church, located on 10520 Star Road, Wake Forest. During that meeting, the public will have an opportunity to learn about the project and provide input into the planning process for the corridor. For more information, contact Chip Russell, Wake Forest planning director, or visit www.ncdot.org/~us1study.
Road Construction Updates
South Main Street
South Main Street has been widened to five lanes (two in each direction with a center turn lane) under a Town-supervised contract from Capital Boulevard to Ligon Mill Road. In spring 2006 NCDOT will award a contract to resurface or overlay South Main Street from Capital to NC98 Bypass – minus the section from Rogers Road to Forbes Road. The Town Board will award a separate contract to widen the latter section to five lanes and then overlay that section. Upon completion of the overlay, NCDOT or the Town, as appropriate dependant upon section, will add thermoplastic pavement lane markings and lane “cats eyes” to further distinguish lanes.
Stadium Drive Bridge Closing – April 1 through August 28
The NCDOT has awarded a contract to replace the bridge carrying Stadium Drive over Richland Creek. Consequently, Stadium Drive will be closed from April 1 to August 28 in the vicinity of the bridge to facilitate the demolition of the existing bridge and the construction of a new three lane bridge with sidewalk. Traffic will be detoured per NCDOT guidelines.
Capital Improvements Plan – Public Hearing Set for March 21
The Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) is a five-year plan that addresses the financing of major projects which represent contributions to the Town's overall inventory of physical assets. As a long-range plan, the CIP reflects the Town's policy regarding long-range physical and economic development. By providing a planned schedule of public improvements, the CIP outlines present and future public needs and priorities. The CIP must be updated each year to address the Town’s changing needs and priorities, emergencies, cost changes, mandates and changes in technology. The updated document for FY 2006-2011 is available for review in the office of the Town Clerk or you may contact Aileen Staples at (919) 554-6105 for additional information. A public hearing on the proposed update is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, at Town Hall during the Board of Commissioners meeting.
Recycling and Garbage Collection Announcement
Republic Waste Services, the Town’s Solid Waste and Recycling provider, has experienced a number of service problems over the past two weeks. Republic officials say the problems are due to equipment failure and inexperienced personnel. They hope to have these issues resolved by the end of February.
In other news, the Town’s recycling and garbage collection and yard waste collection schedules are now available online. Click HERE to view those schedules. For questions concerning recycling, garbage, yard waste and bulk waste, contact Betty Pearce at (919) 554- 6120.
Phone Book Recycling
Wake Forest
residents and business owners can begin recycling their outdated phone books through May 1 by dropping them off at the Town of Wake Forest Operations Center, located on Friendship Chapel Road. In the past, Wake County has provided a phone book recycling container at Town Hall. This year, the county decided not to provide a dumpster at Town Hall, but to instead locate two containers at the Operations Center, which will serve as a 24-hour-a-day drop-off location. A sign at the entrance of the facility will direct residents to the designated phone book recycling receptacles. The telephone books recycled in Wake County will be used to make environmentally friendly insulation for houses, mulch for gardens, egg cartons, and a variety of assorted paper products, such as utility bill envelopes, cereal boxes, and grocery bags. For more information, contact Betty Pearce at (919) 554 6120.
Tree Seedling Giveaway Set for March 3
Are you interested in dressing up a corner of your yard? Are you searching for a way to commemorate a family birthday or anniversary in a special way? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then consider planting a tree. That’s the message from the Wake Forest Urban Forestry Board which is sponsoring its annual tree seedling giveaway Friday, March 3. The event is scheduled from 10 am to 1 pm, or until all the seedlings are gone, at the Wake Forest Town Hall, 401 Elm Avenue. The seedlings are free, but there is a limit of two seedlings per person. This year’s seedlings will include Eastern Red Cedar, Redbud, Shumard Oak, and Green Ash. Each will come with information about planting and care, as well as interesting information about the tree itself.
Each year the Urban Forestry Board, formerly known as the Tree Board, sponsors the tree seedling giveaway in observance of Arbor Day, a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.
Arbor Day Celebration Set for March 16
The Wake Forest Urban Forestry Board will sponsor its 28th annual Arbor Day celebration Thursday, March 16, at 10:00 a.m. The event will take place at the Wake Forest Community House, located at 133 West Owen Avenue. This year’s Arbor Day theme is “Trees are Terrific…in All Shapes and Sizes!” Check out Town News over the next several days for more details.For more information about Arbor Day or the tree seedling giveaway, contact Lisa Potts, town planner, at (919) 554-6143.
Community Calendar
Our Community Calendar provides useful information concerning programs, activities, and events taking place in the Wake Forest community. Civic clubs and other community organizations who wish to have their special event include should contact Bill Crabtree at (919) 554-6196.
Online Utility Bill Payment Service is Now Available
All Town of Wake Forest residential and commercial utility customers are now eligible to make online utility bill payments. Getting started is easy. Just visit the Town of Wake Forest website, click on “Online Services” and follow the simple instructions. Following your enrollment in the online payment program, you can:
- Pay your utility bill with a MasterCard or Visa credit card or debit card with MasterCard or Visa logos
- View your bill, current balance and due date
- Access billing history, payments, and charges
- View historical consumption data
Customers with questions concerning the new online bill payment service should contact Customer Service Supervisor Drew Brown at (919) 554-6107.
Residential Energy Audits
The Town of Wake Forest is providing free residential energy audits on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month to qualifying Town of Wake Forest electricity customers. Residential energy audits are designed to help you identify ways you can save energy and money at your home. Upon request, our residential energy auditor will visit your home and help you uncover the most cost-effective ways to save energy (and money) while making your home more comfortable.
A Town of Wake Forest Home Energy Audit identifies your home’s energy wasters, such as:
- Drafty windows
- Insufficient insulation
- Humidity problems
- Inefficient appliances
- Poor ventilation
These energy wasters take away from the comfort of your home and can add up to several hundred dollars in wasted energy each year. A home energy audit usually takes about two hours. To sign up for your audit, contact Customer Service Supervisor Drew Brown at (919) 554-6107. Some restrictions apply.
Disclaimer: The Town of Wake Forest is offering residential energy audits as a service to its electricity customers. Although home energy audits are designed to identify ways to save energy and money, the Town of Wake Forest does not guarantee its customers a lower utility bill as a result of an audit.
Greenways Advisory Board Seeking Members
The formerly-named “Greenways Committee” was upgraded recently when it was named the Town’s ninth advisory board. The Greenways Advisory Board will make recommendations concerning the planning and design of town greenways. If you are interested in serving on the Greenways Advisory Board, contact Town Clerk Joyce Wilson at (919) 554-6190.
Cemetery Advisory Board Seeks Members
The Board of Commissioners recently approved the increase of membership on the Cemetery Advisory Board from five to nine members. The Cemetery Advisory Board will make recommendations concerning the cemetery to the Board of Commissioners. If you are interested in serving on the Cemetery Advisory Board, contact Town Clerk Joyce Wilson at (919) 554-6190.
Parks and Recreation
Youth Baseball Registration
The Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Department’s youth baseball league registration for players ages 11-17 began February 13. The registration period will run through Friday, March 3. Teams will be formed in late March and practices will start in April. The regular season is scheduled to extend through June. Registration information and league rules are available at the Wake Forest Town Hall, and online. The fee is $35 for Wake Forest residents and $60 for non-residents. For more information, contact Edward Austin, Athletic Coordinator, at (919) 554-6183.
Track and Field Series Coming in May
The Town of Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Department is sponsoring a series of Track & Field meets each month from May through August at Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School. For more information or to obtain a registration form and meet-day schedule, contact Edward Austin, Athletics Coordinator at (919) 554-6183 or click HERE.
Cultural Programs
The Wake Forest Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of cultural activities for both youth and adults. Click HERE for information concerning upcoming classes, workshops, and special events sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department. For more information, contact Cindy Fergeson at (919) 556-4818.
Town News
If you want to keep informed about what’s happening in the Town of Wake Forest, be sure to check out Town News for the latest press releases, Town Manager Weblog and Weblog archives, Community Calendar, and much more!
Calendar of Events
Board of Commissioners Work Session – Tuesday, March 7, at 5:00 p.m.
Joint Public Hearing and Planning Board Meeting – Tuesday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m. Joint Public Hearings and Planning Board meetings are aired live on Community Channel 10 and re-broadcast over the next two weeks on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
US 1 Corridor Study Public Meeting – Tuesday, March 14, from 3- 7 pm at The Living Word Family Church, 10520 Star Road, Wake Forest. For more information, visit www.ncdot.org/~us1study.
Pedestrian Plan Public Workshop – Thursday, March 16, from 4 – 7 pm in the Board of Commissioners’ Chambers at Town Hall. For more information, contact Ann Ayers at (919) 570-7999.
B oard of Commissioners Meeting – Tuesday, March 21, at 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners meetings are aired live on Community Channel 10 and re-broadcast over the next two weeks on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. A public hearing on the proposed CIP update is scheduled for this meeting.
Equal Payment Plan, Bank Draft, & Load Management
The Town of Wake Forest offers several utility billing programs designed to help our utility customers save time and money, including online bill pay, Equal Payment Plan, Bank Draft, and Load Management. For more information on these customer-friendly programs, click on the links or call 554-6107.
H.O.P.E.
Helping Others by Providing Electricity or H.O.P.E. is offered by the Town of Wake Forest to help financially disadvantaged electric customers reconcile their utility bill. The initiative is funded by the generous donations of area residential and commercial utility customers. Donating is quick and easy, and contributions are tax-deductible. The program is administered through a partnership between the Town and ChurchNet, a local non-profit organization assisting people in need. For more information, click HERE or contact Drew Brown at (919) 554-6107.
Bulk Waste Collection
Bulk Waste is defined by the Town of Wake Forest Code of Ordinances as “refuse including appliances, furniture and other large items weighing in excess of 75 pounds each.”
The Town of Wake Forest Code of Ordinances also addresses Bulk Waste Collection:
a) Frequency of Service : Bulk waste shall be collected on an as needed basis.
b) Quantity : Subject to the availability of equipment and to the provisions of this section, the maximum quantity of bulk waste which will be collected is not regulated.
c) Preparation : Residents desiring collection of bulk items shall contact the Town to schedule collection and pay any applicable fees.
d) Point of Service : Bulk waste shall be placed on the premises at the curb but not blocking the street or sidewalk.
For more information about Bulk Waste or Bulk Waste Collection, contact Betty Pearce at (919) 554-6120.
Employment Opportunities
For a complete listing of job openings at the Town of Wake Forest, click HERE.