E-News

Welcome to Town of Wake Forest E-News
January 27, 2006
The Town of Wake Forest is pleased to present the January edition of our monthly E-newsletter. We believe the ensuing information is useful and contributes to a heightened awareness of happenings in the Town of Wake Forest. 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.

Remember, if you wish to be removed from our E-News mailing list, simply click HERE, and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.


Online Utility Bill Payment Service Begins Monday
The Town of Wake Forest is pleased to introduce free, online utility bill payment beginning January 30. All Town of Wake Forest residential and commercial utility customers are eligible to make online payments. Getting started is easy. Just visit the Town of Wake Forest website at www.wakeforestnc.gov, click on “Online Services” and follow the simple instructions. You will create a user profile, including a username, password, and security question. Once enrolled, you will receive an email notification confirming the creation of your online account record, username, and password. You will then be prompted to provide your utility account number & service address. When entering your address, be certain to enter it exactly as it appears on your bill.  

Following their enrollment in the online payment program, customers can:

  • Pay their utility bill with a MasterCard or Visa credit card or debit card with MasterCard or Visa logos
  • View their bill, current balance and due date 
  • Access billing history, payments, and charges
  • View historical consumption data

 Online utility bill payment offers several benefits, including:

  • Ease of use - No more hassles with paperwork, postage or different payment methods for different statements.
  • Security and Privacy - Personal information remains confidential and secure.
  • Flexibility - No more postage or time spent handwriting a check. Customers can pay with a Mastercard or Visa credit card or a debit card bearing MasterCard or Visa logos.
  • Accessibility – Customers can pay bills any time, from anywhere, as long as they have Internet access. They can also view payments, bill history, and consumption data. 

Customers with questions concerning the new online bill payment service should contact Customer Service Supervisor Drew Brown at (919) 554-6107.


Electric Surcharge Increase
Nationwide, energy costs are steadily increasing. We are all familiar with recent high gasoline, coal and natural gas prices. In fact, the price of natural gas has more than doubled in the past few months. The natural disasters in the Gulf Coast region have compounded natural gas supply issues and affected price. We do not yet know what the long term implications may be.  Earlier this year, a fuel adjustment charge was necessary due to the increased cost of coal. Now, the rise in the price of natural gas has again caused an increase in the Town of Wake Forest’s electric wholesale rates – or the amount the Town pays for electricity. As a result of the wholesale rate increase, the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners agreed in January to pass along an approximate 10% “Fuel Adjustment” surcharge to all electric customers until further notice. The “Fuel Adjustment Rate” line item on the electric portion of your utility bill indicates the surcharge.


Announcing New Residential Energy Audit Program
The Town of Wake Forest is pleased to announce the creation of a new Residential Energy Audit Program. Beginning in February, the Town will provide free residential energy audits on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month to qualifying Town of Wake Forest electric customers.

What is a Residential Energy Audit? It is an effort by the Town of Wake Forest to help you identify ways you can save energy and money at your home. Our Certified 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.

Your home audit includes:

  • Inspection of your home’s attic, insulation, doors, windows, furnace, appliances and other key areas.
  • Analysis of how you can make your home more comfortable and maximize savings on your energy bill.
  • Recommendations for the most cost-effective, energy-saving improvements that will add to your home’s long-term value.

A home energy audit usually takes about two hours. To sign up for your audit, call Customer Service Supervisor Drew Brown at (919) 554-6107. Some restrictions apply.


Improvements Announced at Alston-Massenburg Center
The Town of Wake Forest Parks and Recreation Department announced in early January that renovations and repairs at the Alston-Massenburg Center on North Taylor Street have been completed.

Over the past two months, workers gave the center a full makeover by painting inside walls and doors, installing a new tile floor, and completely refurbishing the kitchen. Improvements to the kitchen included the installation of new cabinets, a new counter top, a new sink, and the addition of new appliances, including a stove, microwave, and refrigerator.

Workers also replaced a significant portion of the Alston-Massenburg Center’s roof, installed new flashing and down spouts, pressure washed the exterior of the building, and resealed the concrete blocks.

The total cost for the renovations and repairs was approximately $24,000.

To view “before” and “after” pictures of the Alston-Massenburg Center, click HERE.


Town Hires Parking Enforcement Officer
Wake Forest Police Chief Greg Harrington announced in early January the hiring of Charles Mosier as the town’s part-time parking enforcement officer. Mosier is responsible for enforcing the town’s parking ordinance.

“Charles will police the entire town, including the parking lots in all shopping areas,” said Harrington. “He will specifically monitor parking violations in handicapped and fire lanes.

“Charles will keep a current record of the tickets he writes and document those who pay (their fines) and those who don’t.”

According to Harrington, individuals who receive a ticket but do not pay their parking fine will receive a letter reminding them to pay. The letter will also explain that if they do not pay the fine then the parking enforcement officer will take them to court.

A former law enforcement officer, Mosier has served in several law enforcement agencies throughout his career, including Montgomery County Police Department, Rockville, MD; Greeley Police Department, Greeley, CO; Rodgers Police Patrol, San Diego, CA; University of San Diego, San Diego, CA; and the San Diego County Public Defender’s Officer, San Diego, CA.


Renaissance Plan Public Presentation
Arnett Muldrow, the consulting firm hired by the DRC in the spring of 2005 to develop a marketing strategy for downtown, will give their final report at a public meeting Thursday, February 23, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at Town Hall.

In their effort to develop the marketing strategy, Arnett Muldrow 1) analyzed retail market data for downtown businesses; 2) developed a marketing timetable; 3) researched marketing opportunities; 4) designed a new brand identity, including a new logo and tag line; and 5) developed a signage strategy for downtown.

The February 23 event is the culmination of these efforts and a public unveiling of their work.

A capsule of the market analysis will be presented in order to help the audience understand how branding conclusions were developed. Additionally, the new downtown logo and branding tools will be presented, along with the downtown signage strategy.

Following the presentation, audience members will be permitted to ask questions.


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, please contact Town Clerk Joyce Wilson at (919) 554- 6190.


Cemetery Advisory Board Seeking Members
The Board of Commissioner 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, please contact Town Clerk Joyce Wilson at 919-554-6190.


Parks and Recreation
Men’s Spring Softball League Registration
Registration for the Wake Forest Parks & Recreation Department’s men’s Spring softball league begins Monday, February 6 and ends Friday, February 24. The league is limited to “recreational” teams (USSSA “D” and below). League play will begin in March, and games will be played on Monday and Wednesday evenings at J.B. Flaherty Park. Registration information and league rules are available at Wake Forest Town Hall, and online (www.wakeforestnc.gov/Residents/Parks_AthleticsPrograms.aspx). The fee is $450/team. For more information, contact Edward Austin, Athletic Coordinator, at 919 554 6183. 

Youth Basketball Update
The Youth basketball season began on January 7 with 472 registered players on 52 teams. Games are played on Saturdays at Flaherty Park Community Center, Wake Forest-Rolesville Middle School, the DuBois Center, and Wake Forest-Rolesville High School. The season concludes March 25.

Youth Baseball League Registration 
Youth Baseball League Registration for boys, ages 11-17, is scheduled for February 13 - March 3. The participant fee is $35 for in-town residents, and $60 for out-of-town residents. Teams will be formed in late March, and the season will run from April to June. For more information, contact Edward Austin, Athletic Coordinator, at 919 554 6183. 

The Wake Forest Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of activities for people of all ages and interests, including youth and adult athletics, as well as cultural programs. The Parks and Recreation Department’s Winter brochure which lists all upcoming department-sponsored classes, programs and special events is now available. For more information, call 554-6180.


REMINDER - Arbor Day Celebration and Poster Contest
The Wake Forest Tree Board will sponsor its 28th annual Arbor Day celebration Thursday, March 16, 2006, 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!”

The “Art-Arbor Poster Contest” is again expected to be one of the highlights of the Arbor Day festivities. Open to all Wake Forest residents between the ages of 5 and 12, the poster contest will be judged by Tree Board members according to artwork, creativity and depiction of the theme. For complete contest guidelines and rules, click HERE. The poster entry deadline is February 6. 

U.S. Savings Bonds in the amount of $50 will be awarded to the poster contest winners in three categories: 1) Best Picture; 2) Most Creative; and, 3) Honorable Mention. As a special incentive, the poster selected for “Best Picture” will be used as the illustration for the 2006 Arbor Day T-Shirt.


Calendar of Events
Board of Commissioners Work Session – Tuesday, February 7, at 5:30 p.m.

Joint Public Hearing and Planning Board Meeting – Tuesday, February 7, at 7:30 p.m. Joint Public Hearings and Planning Board meetings are aired live on Community Channel 10.

Board of Commissioners Meeting – Tuesday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m. There will be a public hearing during the meeting to discuss the location of the new town hall. Board of Commissioner meetings are aired live on Community Channel 10.


Save Energy During Cold Weather
Although we’ve enjoyed a mild winter season so far, colder temperatures are likely right around the corner. Click HERE to view some helpful tips to conserve fuel and reduce energy bills.


Equal Payment Plan, Bank Draft, & Load Management
The Town of Wake Forest offers several programs designed to help our utility customers save time and money, including 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 a new program offered by the Town of Wake Forest. Created 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. Click HERE for more information.


Bulk Waste Collection
Bulky 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 Bulky Waste Collection:

a) Frequency of Service: Bulky 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 bulky waste which will be collected is not regulated.

c) Preparation: Residents desiring collection of bulky items shall contact the Town to schedule collection and pay any applicable fees.

d) Point of Service: Bulky waste shall be placed on the premises at the curb but not blocking the street or sidewalk. 


Town News
To keep informed about what’s happening in the Town of Wake Forest, be sure to check out the latest press releases, which are listed on the home page of our website under “Town News.” Also, be sure to visit Town Manager Mark Williams’ Weblog every Friday.


Employment Opportunities
For a complete listing of job openings at the Town of Wake Forest, click HERE.