Wendell News Outlet

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas!

ITEM 1. HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
For the Christmas holiday, Wendell town offices will be closed Wednesday, December 24th – Friday, December 26th. Facilities will reopen on Monday, December 29th. Town facilities will also be closed on Thursday, January 1st but most will re-open on Friday, January 2nd. The community center will still be closed on Friday, January 2nd.

ITEM 2. EVALUATION OF TOWN STREETS IN PREPARATION FOR STREET PAVING
Several employees from various town departments have been asked to provide input about streets that may need repair. (This evaluation of town streets is in preparation for street paving and has been performed by engineering firms in the past and billed to the town.) This information will be compiled into a comprehensive listing. Later, staff will assess each segment to establish a priority listing.

Anyone who would like to give input about streets in need of repair / repaving is asked to provide the following to Public Works Director Alton Bryant (abryant@townofwendell.com) by December 31st:

Street Name

Beginning block number and ending block number of segment requiring resurfacing

Any isolated large areas requiring a patch

ITEM 3. OTHER:
Staff continues to monitor sales tax revenue. The Town of Wendell is still ahead of last year and is also ahead of 2008-09 projections to date. Staff will continue to monitor revenues and keep the board informed on this matter.

Parks and Recreation part-time employee Art Musselman was honored at the December 22nd Marquette – NC State basketball game, along with the rest of the players and coaches from the 1974 championship basketball team. Art was an assistant coach on the team. Click here to read the News & Observer article about the halftime ceremony honoring the team.

The Town of Wendell will begin Christmas tree pick-up on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 and will continue with regular limb pick-up every Tuesday thereafter.

Click here to view the Wendell Code of Ordinances online. A link to the site will be available on the town web site in the near future.

The next meeting of the Joint Senate and House Study Commission on Municipal Annexation will be on January 6, 2009. The agenda for this meeting will include 45 minutes for public comment.  The commission is scheduled to vote on its recommendations at a January 22nd meeting.

At the January 12th Board of Commissioners meeting, a presentation by Diane Wilson of CAMPO is scheduled concerning the Long Range Transportation Plan (2035 Plan) for the CAMPO area.

Submissions for the town’s Request for Qualifications (or RFQ) for Economic Development Services are due January 8, 2009. Finalists are scheduled to make presentations to the Board of Commissioners at the January 24th meeting.

The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Breakfast will be on Monday, January 19th at 8:00 a.m. at Wendell Baptist Church.

Time Warner Cable has re-scheduled its meeting with downtown merchants to discuss the opportunity of hooking onto a fiber optic communications system when the lines to serve the town buildings are installed. The meeting will now be on WEDNESDAY, January 14th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Wendell Community Center.

ITEM 4. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

12/24 – 12/26 Christmas holiday (town offices closed)

01/01 New Year’s Day (town offices closed)

01/05 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

01/07 7:00 a.m. Employee Appreciation / Safety Breakfast @ Wendell Community Center

01/08 2:30 p.m. Economic Development RFQ Submissions Due @ Town Hall

01/12 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

01/14 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Time Warner Cable Meeting with Downtown Merchants about Access To Fiber Optic Network @ Wendell Community Center

01/19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (town offices closed)

01/19 8:00 a.m. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Breakfast @ Wendell Baptist Church

01/20 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

01/23 – 01/25 Chamber’s “Charms of Wendell” Art Exhibit @ Women’s Club

01/26 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

02/02 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

02/09 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

02/16 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

02/23 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

December 18, 2008

ITEM 1. FRIDAY MEMO EARLY THIS WEEK – MANAGER TO BE OFF ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19TH
The Friday Memo is being sent one day early this week because of the manager taking a vacation day on Friday, December 19th. The manager will be back in the office on Monday, December 22nd.

ITEM 2. UPDATE ON JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION
Commissioner Connolly and Town Manager Bone attended the second meeting of the Joint Senate and House Study Commission on Municipal Annexation on Wednesday, December 17th. There was no public comment at the meeting; however, the NC League of Municipalities was represented by Kelli Kukura, NCLM director of governmental affairs, and Kim Hibbard, NCLM associate general counsel. Kelli and Kim outlined 20 changes proposed by the League. 
The next commission meeting will be Jan. 6, 2009, and the agenda for this meeting will include 45 minutes for public comment.  Another meeting is scheduled for Jan. 22 for the commission to vote on the recommendations.

ITEM 3. INFORMATION MEETING ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RFQ HELD ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH
An information meeting about the town’s Request for Qualifications (or RFQ) for Economic Development Services was held on Tuesday, December 16th. Representatives from five firms were at the meeting. Additionally, at least five other firms have expressed an interest in submitting a response but were not able to be at the meeting. Submissions are due January 8, 2009. Finalists are scheduled to make presentations to the Board of Commissioners at the January 24th meeting.

ITEM 4. PLANNING BOARD MEETING RESULTS
At its December 16th meeting, the Planning Board voted to recommend the Village of Wendell (the Amos Greene development beside Food Lion) PUD document to the Board of Commissioners. The Village of Wendell PUD document (and the corresponding staff report) will be sent to the commissioners in the near future for their review. Because of the document’s size, the additional time before the next board meeting will provide an opportunity for commissioners to review the document in more detail.  Staff will discuss and review the report at the January 12th meeting, and a public hearing will be scheduled for January 26th.
A vote on the Parkview PUD document was delayed until the January Planning Board meeting.

ITEM 5. OTHER:
Accounting Technician Melia Edwards returned to work on Wednesday, December 17th. This was several days before she was scheduled to return. She is doing very well.
At the January 12th Board of Commissioners meeting, a presentation by Diane Wilson of CAMPO is scheduled concerning the Long Range Transportation Plan (2035 Plan) for the CAMPO area.
Town Manager David Bone assisted the Town of Knightdale all day on Thursday, December 18th with their assessment for the Knightdale Public Safety Director position.
Municode has received its copy of the resolution approving the codification. They are in preparation of uploading the code and should have it online within the next two weeks.
A retirement reception for TJCOG Director Dee Freeman was held on December 17th. The TJCOG Board has not finalized a decision for Dee’s replacement.
Tuesdays and Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. will be the regular time to broadcast the Wendell Board of Commissioners meetings on East Wake TV Channel 22.
Time Warner Cable has re-scheduled its meeting with downtown merchants to discuss the opportunity of hooking onto a fiber optic communications system when the lines to serve the town buildings are installed. The meeting will now be on WEDNESDAY, January 14th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Wendell Community Center.

ITEM 6. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

12/24 – 12/26 Christmas holiday (town offices closed)

01/01 New Year’s Day (town offices closed)

01/05 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

01/07 7:00 a.m. Employee Appreciation / Safety Breakfast @ Wendell Community Center

01/12 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

01/19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (town offices closed)

01/20 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

01/23 – 01/25 Chamber’s “Charms of Wendell” Art Exhibit @ Women’s Club

01/26 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

02/02 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

02/09 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

02/16 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

02/23 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

From: Karen Rindge, WakeUP Wake County (info@wakeupwakecounty.com)
Sent: Tue 12/16/08 7:25 PM

Concerned about North Carolina's long term supply of water?

Future growth and future drought may pose a real threat to our water needs. A study released by researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University recommends that North Carolina develop water "budgets" to ensure that we are planning for water needs down the road. The state ought to regulate large withdrawls of water from rivers and aquifers and should develop models of how much water each river basin contains, according to water researchers, Richard Whisnant of UNC's School of Government and Bill Holman of Duke's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions. Statewide goals for water conservation are also essential, according to their recommendations. To read more, click here.

Raleigh wants YOU to comment on 20 year plan for development!

The City of Raleigh's planning staff released a draft of a 20 year
Comprehensive Plan on Dec. 3. This important document will lay out the
vision for how Raleigh should grow and develop for the next 20 years. Raleigh's planning staff, under the leadership of City Planner, Mitch Silver, developed this plan over two years and included input from public meetings. Public comments on the plan are due by January 31st, and this is where YOU come in! If this plan will reflect what Raleigh citizens want our community to look like in the coming decades, we need to pay attention to this critical document. Please join WakeUP in providing comments -- contact Karen Rindge at krindge@earthlink.net to participate in a group of citizens reviewing the plan. View the Comp Plan draft here.

Want regional transit? Sign TRANSIT PETITION NOW!

Do you think it's time for the Triangle to be connected with expanded bus service, light rail and connectors? If you want TRANSIT for Wake County and the Triangle, join hundreds of others who are part of Capital Area Friends of Transit. Sign the transit petition right now! Click here to sign petition for regional transit.

The Capital Area Friends of Transit (CAFT) is an alliance of local organizations, civic leaders and citizens who want our mayors, county commissioners and state legislators to approve a regional transit plan and funding to help pay for it. WakeUP Wake County is part of CAFT.

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

December 5, 2008

ITEM 1. JOINT STUDY COMMISSION ON ANNEXATION
The Joint Senate and House Study Commission on Municipal Annexation held its first meeting on Thursday, December 4th. Mayor Broadwell, Mayor Pro Tem Connolly and Town Manager David Bone attended, along with leaders from other municipalities. A large anti-annexation group was also in attendance. There was no public input at the meeting. The charge of the commission was reviewed, and David Lawrence (of the UNC School of Government) reviewed the annexation statutes. The next meeting of the commission will be on December 17 at 9:30 a.m. (location TBA).

ITEM 2. STATES PRESS FOR FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE
An article in the News & Observer detailed requests from state leaders across the country for an economic stimulus package. NC House Speaker Joe Hackney was part of the effort at a legislators’ conference asking for help. At least 43 states are facing deficits that could total more than $140 billion over the next two years, said Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.

One of their top priorities is funding for an estimated $136 billion in infrastructure projects - mostly roads, bridges and sewers - that states have indicated are "ready to go" or are no more than a few months from being started. "States can move quickly to put this money on the ground," Hackney said. "The infrastructure projects are important because it's such a win-win." A billion dollars in infrastructure investment translates into roughly 40,000 new jobs, economists say. Click here to read the N&O article.

The Wendell town staff has already had preliminary discussions with the City of Raleigh and the town’s engineers about the idea of pursuing stimulus package money, once a stimulus package is approved and the criteria is developed. Economic stimulus money could help with water and sewer merger projects and other capital needs. The town staff will stay on top of this issue as it develops.

ITEM 3. SIGN OF THE TIMES: LOAN FOR HIGH-END GOLF COURSE COMMUNITY CALLED-IN
Developers of the luxury Hasentree golf course community in Wake Forest spared little expense when building the 934-acre gated community on N.C. 98. Now, those expenses are catching up.
According to an article in the Triangle Business Journal (click here to read that article) Hasentree’s banking partner, SunTrust Banks, has called its loan on the unsold lots at Hasentree.
The developers were caught in a credit crunch and had stopped payments on the loan. SunTrust Banks now holds the deed for the entire community, including the golf course, unsold lots and amenity buildings – everything except the homes that already have been sold. SunTrust is keeping the Hasentree managers on site.
Hasentree has so far sold 168 lots and $110 million worth of real estate. Hasentree’s new home marketing group, Fonville Morisey & Barefoot, is expected to continue running the sales center.

ITEM 4. RALEIGH MAYOR CHARLES MEEKER IS CRITICAL OF DENSITY ALLOWANCE IN REVISED LITTLE RIVER INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
On November 29th, the News & Observer printed an article reporting that Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker recently made some critical comments about the density allowance recently agreed upon by the Raleigh City Council in the Little River watershed. The Raleigh City Council recently endorsed limiting residential development to one house per two acres in the watershed "critical area" surrounding the planned Little River reservoir.
As you are aware, this past summer, the Wake County commissioners rejected recommendations to require at least three acres for each new house within about a half-mile of the lake. The proposal was aimed at reducing the risk of polluting the future water source.
Meeker said he voted for the rules because they are better than nothing. But he thinks they won't be enough to satisfy federal and state regulators who will decide whether Raleigh can build the 1,100-acre reservoir to help slake fast-growing Wake's thirst.
The Little River Resevoir is the last water-supply reservoir planned for Wake County. The lake would provide 17 million gallons of drinking water a day for Raleigh and towns of northeast Wake.
The city estimates it will need the additional water by 2020, so it must begin building the lake by 2017. The permitting process takes years and requires the Army Corps of Engineers and several state agencies to sign off.
Raleigh and Wake County leaders disagree about how strict the development rules for the 6,237-acre Little River watershed must be to get regulatory approval.
Click here to read the entire News & Observer article.

ITEM 5. NEW RALEIGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The City of Raleigh is in the midst of revamping its Comprehensive Plan. The draft released Monday, December 1st calls for Raleigh to funnel 60 percent of its growth over the next two decades -- about 72,000 residential units -- to downtown, seven urban centers and a number of major road corridors.
The plan's goal is to encourage urban living and create more transit options. Most American cities are moving in that direction. But moving so aggressively would be a major shift for Raleigh, a place where urban sprawl is rampant and reliance on the automobile is nearly total.
The current comprehensive plan, last updated in 1989, is widely considered to be overly complex, difficult to interpret and a relic of a time when concerns over growth were minimal. The city's population has increased more than 70 percent to about 368,000 since the last update, and more than 200,000 new residents are expected to arrive by 2030. Raleigh has annexed 56 square miles since 1989, and it now encompasses more than 140 square miles.
For more information about the draft plan, click here to read the News & Observer story at or click here to visit the City of Raleigh web site.

ITEM 6. OTHER:
A. Copies of the Economic Development RFQ were sent-out this week. An advertisement about this RFQ is scheduled to be in the paper next week. The submissions are due January 8th.
B. The replacement Police Department vehicle (for the one wrecked last spring) was finally delivered today. The vehicle was ordered in April.
C. The inaugural Wendell Candlelight Christmas Tour is being held on Saturday, December 13th from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. The tour is being sponsored by the Wendell Historical Society with the assistance of the Wendell Chamber of Commerce. Live music and refreshments will be provided at various locations. Maps will be provided with directions to each home. Tickets are available at Wits End and the Chamber office.
D. Time Warner Cable has tentatively scheduled the Wendell Community Center on Thursday, January 15th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. as a time to meet with downtown merchants to discuss the opportunity of hooking onto a fiber optic communications system when the lines to serve the town buildings are installed.
E. The Chamber’s "Charms of Wendell" art exhibition will be displayed in the Wendell Woman's Club building on Cypress Street from Friday, January 23 - Sunday, January 25, 2009. This exhibit will showcase original fine art pieces that depict our people, landscapes, town views, unique buildings in Wendell.
F. As part of its ongoing Local Elected Leaders Academy, the NC School of Government will offer a one-day training session entitled, “Good Growth: Chance or Choice”, on February 24, 2009 in Raleigh. Click here for more information on this workshop. Commissioner Baynes is already registered for this workshop.

ITEM 7. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

12/12 10:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Town of Wendell / Wendell Falls / Universal Chevrolet Christmas Party @ Wendell Community Center

12/13 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wendell Historical Society Candlelight Tour @ Historical Homes

12/15 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

12/17 9:30 a.m. Joint Legislative Study Commission on Municipal Annexation @ TBA

12/24 – 12/26 Christmas holiday (town offices closed)

01/01 (Thursday) New Year’s Day (town offices closed)

01/05 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

01/07 7:00 a.m. Employee Appreciation / Safety Breakfast @ Wendell Community Center

01/12 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

01/19 (Monday) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (town offices closed)

01/20 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

01/23 – 01/25 Wendell C of C “Charms of Wendell” Art Exhibit @ Wendell Women’s Club

01/26 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

There Is More to the Economic Stabilization Bill than Meets the Eye
Key Points

* The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 was attached to the recently passed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
* The act extends, adds, and enhances a number of tax credits and financial incentives related to renewables and energy efficiency. See the ENERGY STAR® Web site for a review of available federal tax credits related to the act.
* The 30% tax credit for residential and commercial solar installations has been extended eight years.

Click here to read the entire article.

Lots of great news for WakeUP Wake County these days! The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, based in Winston-Salem, recently announced it will award WakeUP a grant for $35,000 for our work in 2009. This is the first time the Z. Smith Reynolds has given a grant to WakeUP, and it is a fine honor. The foundation recognizes that growth is a serious issue for the entire state and sees WakeUP's efforts as timely and relevant to long-term quality of life. WakeUP is grateful for this generous grant!
Karen Rindge receives Indy's Citizen Award

And more good news.... WakeUP Wake County Chair, Karen Rindge, has been honored with the Independent Weekly's Citizen Award for 2008! Rindge is receiving the recognition for her efforts leading and building the WakeUP organization. The Indy notes WakeUP's key role in advocating for better schools and resources conservation in Wake County. Click here to read about Rindge and WakeUP.

Consider Year-End Gift for WakeUP

PayPal Donate Buttom
WakeUP Wake County and our teams of volunteers have worked hard in 2008 on issues vital to the long-term sustainability of our community. Can you help us continue these efforts in 2009 by making a tax-deductible contribution of $30 or more by the end of this year? We cannot do it without your key support!! Click here to donate.

2008 WakeUP Accomplishments:

* hosted 2 major public forums on long-term water supply and on transit
* advocated for "growth paying for growth" mechanisms, like the transfer tax
* launched a coalition for regional transit
* had many media hits on tv, radio and in print
* grew our supporters to over 725

Board of Commissioners Friday Update

December 5, 2008

ITEM 1. JOINT STUDY COMMISSION ON ANNEXATION
The Joint Senate and House Study Commission on Municipal Annexation held its first meeting on Thursday, December 4th. Mayor Broadwell, Mayor Pro Tem Connolly and Town Manager David Bone attended, along with leaders from other municipalities. A large anti-annexation group was also in attendance. There was no public input at the meeting. The charge of the commission was reviewed, and David Lawrence (of the UNC School of Government) reviewed the annexation statutes. The next meeting of the commission will be on December 17 at 9:30 a.m. (location TBA).

ITEM 2. STATES PRESS FOR FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE
An article in the News & Observer detailed requests from state leaders across the country for an economic stimulus package. NC House Speaker Joe Hackney was part of the effort at a legislators’ conference asking for help. At least 43 states are facing deficits that could total more than $140 billion over the next two years, said Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell.
One of their top priorities is funding for an estimated $136 billion in infrastructure projects - mostly roads, bridges and sewers - that states have indicated are "ready to go" or are no more than a few months from being started. "States can move quickly to put this money on the ground," Hackney said. "The infrastructure projects are important because it's such a win-win." A billion dollars in infrastructure investment translates into roughly 40,000 new jobs, economists say. For more information, click here to read the entire News & Observer article online.
The Wendell town staff has already had preliminary discussions with the City of Raleigh and the town’s engineers about the idea of pursuing stimulus package money, once a stimulus package is approved and the criteria is developed. Economic stimulus money could help with water and sewer merger projects and other capital needs. The town staff will stay on top of this issue as it develops.

ITEM 3. SIGN OF THE TIMES: LOAN FOR HIGH-END GOLF COURSE COMMUNITY CALLED-IN
Developers of the luxury Hasentree golf course community in Wake Forest spared little expense when building the 934-acre gated community on N.C. 98. Now, those expenses are catching up.
According to an article in the Triangle Business Journal (click here to read that article) Hasentree’s banking partner, SunTrust Banks, has called its loan on the unsold lots at Hasentree.
The developers were caught in a credit crunch and had stopped payments on the loan. SunTrust Banks now holds the deed for the entire community, including the golf course, unsold lots and amenity buildings – everything except the homes that already have been sold. SunTrust is keeping the Hasentree managers on site.
Hasentree has so far sold 168 lots and $110 million worth of real estate. Hasentree’s new home marketing group, Fonville Morisey & Barefoot, is expected to continue running the sales center.

ITEM 4. RALEIGH MAYOR CHARLES MEEKER IS CRITICAL OF DENSITY ALLOWANCE IN REVISED LITTLE RIVER INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
On November 29th, the News & Observer printed an article reporting that Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker recently made some critical comments about the density allowance recently agreed upon by the Raleigh City Council in the Little River watershed. The Raleigh City Council recently endorsed limiting residential development to one house per two acres in the watershed "critical area" surrounding the planned Little River reservoir.
As you are aware, this past summer, the Wake County commissioners rejected recommendations to require at least three acres for each new house within about a half-mile of the lake. The proposal was aimed at reducing the risk of polluting the future water source.
Meeker said he voted for the rules because they are better than nothing. But he thinks they won't be enough to satisfy federal and state regulators who will decide whether Raleigh can build the 1,100-acre reservoir to help slake fast-growing Wake's thirst.
The Little River Resevoir is the last water-supply reservoir planned for Wake County. The lake would provide 17 million gallons of drinking water a day for Raleigh and towns of northeast Wake.
The city estimates it will need the additional water by 2020, so it must begin building the lake by 2017. The permitting process takes years and requires the Army Corps of Engineers and several state agencies to sign off.
Raleigh and Wake County leaders disagree about how strict the development rules for the 6,237-acre Little River watershed must be to get regulatory approval.
For more information, click here to read the entire News & Observer article online.

ITEM 5. NEW RALEIGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The City of Raleigh is in the midst of revamping its Comprehensive Plan. The draft released Monday, December 1st calls for Raleigh to funnel 60 percent of its growth over the next two decades -- about 72,000 residential units -- to downtown, seven urban centers and a number of major road corridors.
The plan's goal is to encourage urban living and create more transit options. Most American cities are moving in that direction. But moving so aggressively would be a major shift for Raleigh, a place where urban sprawl is rampant and reliance on the automobile is nearly total.
The current comprehensive plan, last updated in 1989, is widely considered to be overly complex, difficult to interpret and a relic of a time when concerns over growth were minimal. The city's population has increased more than 70 percent to about 368,000 since the last update, and more than 200,000 new residents are expected to arrive by 2030. Raleigh has annexed 56 square miles since 1989, and it now encompasses more than 140 square miles.
For more information about the draft plan, click here for the News & Observer story or click here for Raleigh's updated Comprehensive Plan.

ITEM 6. OTHER:
A. Copies of the Economic Development RFQ were sent-out this week. An advertisement about this RFQ is scheduled to be in the paper next week. The submissions are due January 8th.
B. The replacement Police Department vehicle (for the one wrecked last spring) was finally delivered today. The vehicle was ordered in April.
C. The inaugural Wendell Candlelight Christmas Tour is being held on Saturday, December 13th from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. The tour is being sponsored by the Wendell Historical Society with the assistance of the Wendell Chamber of Commerce. Live music and refreshments will be provided at various locations. Maps will be provided with directions to each home. Tickets are available at Wits End and the Chamber office.
D. Time Warner Cable has tentatively scheduled the Wendell Community Center on Thursday, January 15th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. as a time to meet with downtown merchants to discuss the opportunity of hooking onto a fiber optic communications system when the lines to serve the town buildings are installed.
E. The Chamber’s "Charms of Wendell" art exhibition will be displayed in the Wendell Woman's Club building on Cypress Street from Friday, January 23 - Sunday, January 25, 2009. This exhibit will showcase original fine art pieces that depict our people, landscapes, town views, unique buildings in Wendell.
F. As part of its ongoing Local Elected Leaders Academy, the NC School of Government will offer a one-day training session entitled, “Good Growth: Chance or Choice”, on February 24, 2009 in Raleigh. Click here for more information on this workshop. Commissioner Baynes is already registered for this workshop.

ITEM 7. UPCOMING EVENTS:

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION

12/08 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

12/12 10:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Town of Wendell / Wendell Falls / Universal Chevrolet Christmas Party @ Wendell Community Center

12/13 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wendell Historical Society Candlelight Tour @ Historical Homes

12/15 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

12/17 9:30 a.m. Joint Legislative Study Commission on Municipal Annexation @ TBA

12/22 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

12/24 – 12/26 Christmas holiday (town offices closed)

01/01 (Thursday) New Year’s Day (town offices closed)

01/05 6:00 p.m. UDO Meeting @ Town Hall

01/07 7:00 a.m. Employee Appreciation / Safety Breakfast @ Wendell Community Center

01/12 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

01/19 (Monday) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (town offices closed)

01/20 7:00 p.m. Planning Board Meeting @ Town Hall

01/23 – 01/25 Wendell C of C “Charms of Wendell” Art Exhibit @ Wendell Women’s Club

01/26 7:00 p.m. Board of Commissioners Meeting @ Town Hall

Please join us this Thursday for happy hour with NRF staff, board, and friends

Come chat, meet or catch up with the staff and Board of Directors, get to know other NRF members, volunteers, and friends. This is a no-pressure event--no RSVP required, no need to show up on time or stay the duration--just pop in (maybe bring your spouse or coworker), have a beer, relax, and get to know others with similiar interests and inclinations. We hope to see you there!!

What: Happy hour with a cash bar and a great selection of food and drinks, including a number of local breweries on tap.

Time: Thursday, December 4th, 5:00-6:30 pm

Place: The Raleigh Times Bar, 14 E. Hargett Street, Downtown Raleigh

Contact: (919) 856-1180

Details, menu, and map may be found at: http://www.raleightimesbar.com/

Cheers,
Alissa Bierma
Upper Neuse RIVERKEEPER®

Neuse River Foundation
112 South Blount Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-856-1180
919-839-0767 fax
alissa@neuseriver.org
www.neuseriver.org

We Speak for the River