Welcome to our weekly e-newsletter - What's Up in Wake Forest . Here you'll find information about Town programs, services, activities, projects, special events and more! If you haven't already, tell your friends and neighbors to visit our E-Notifier page to learn about our full array of free email offerings.
Check out our new
"Wonderful Wake Forest" video
A message from
Mayor Vivian Jones

In recent days, I have received messages from several residents imploring me to issue an order to “reopen” Wake Forest. Although I am very sensitive to such requests and recognize the hardships our residents and businesses are experiencing, an order from me that is less stringent than Governor Cooper’s order ( Executive Order No. 131 ) would – for all intents and purposes – be useless. Any time there are differences between the state's Stay-at-Home order and an order from the county or a municipality, we are obligated by law to adhere to the stricter regulation.

Over the past few weeks, we have worked closely with Wake County and their public health officials to navigate these unprecedented times. That partnership has allowed us to make considerable progress keeping our community safe, while moving ever closer towards "reopening" Wake Forest.

Wake County’s stay-at-home order ended Thursday at midnight giving way to North Carolina's order. Since the county's order was more restrictive than the state's, its expiration eases - but doesn't eliminate - restrictions for Wake County residents. Moving forward, all of us in Wake County will follow North Carolina’s less restrictive stay-at-home order, which (for example) allows gatherings up to 10 people, funerals of up to 50 people instead of 25 and many retail stores to open as long as they observe social distancing, capacity and other requirements as described in Executive Order 131 . North Carolina's current stay-at-home order runs at least through May 8.



Additionally, since Wake County will have the same order as the state, it will be easier for our businesses as they try to reopen and operate because they will only have to deal with one set of regulations.

Now that we can see the "light at the end of the tunnel," it's important we remain steadfast. Gov. Cooper has announced a reasonable plan to gradually reopen the state, so let's continue doing our part to ensure we don't waste the incredible progress we've worked so hard to achieve.

#StayStrongWF  We'll get through this!
Mayors' Census Challenge is on -
and we need your help!

It's go time!!! Fuquay-Varina Mayor John Byrne recently challenged Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones to a Census Self-Reporting Contest . Mayor Byrne claims Fuquay-Varina will finish with a higher census self-reporting percentage than Wake Forest. Never one to shy away from a challenge and with bragging rights (and lunch) on the line, Mayor Jones responded "game on!" Now she's urging all Wake Forest residents to stand with her and demonstrate Wake Forest pride by taking just a few minutes to complete the 2020 US Census online .

Currently, Wake Forest holds a very narrow lead over Fuquay-Varina at 65.7 percent to 64 percent - but we need everyone's help to ensure Mayor Jones and Wake Forest emerge victorious! Please take a moment to share this with all your Wake Forest friends and neighbors. Learn more about the   2020 Census .

The Town of Wake Forest will join more than 30,000 cities and towns across the U.S. and Canada in celebrating Public Works Week May 17-23. But as our way of honoring the contributions our Public Works Department makes to our community every day, we are inviting Wake Forest residents to help us celebrate throughout May .

As part of our month-long celebration, Wake Forest families are invited to share photos, drawings, and letters that illustrate or express their appreciation for our Public Works Department. Submissions may include photos of kids dressed as their favorite public works employee, drawings that illustrate the value of public works and its contribution to our quality of life, and letters of gratitude. Any creative way of showing appreciation for the efforts of our Public Works personnel will be accepted. You can easily share your submissions through our online form .  

Beginning Monday, May 4, Fred Smith Co., a private contractor working on behalf of the Town of Wake Forest, will begin preliminary work on the Ligon Mill Road Operational Improvements Project (LMROIP) . 

Initial efforts will include the installation of project signage and silt and tree protection fencing, along with equipment mobilization. This work will have little to no impact on pedestrians or traffic.

The LMROIP consists of widening the existing narrow corridor from two lanes to a four-lane median-divided roadway with left-turn lanes, bike lanes, curb and gutter and extra-wide sidewalks. In addition, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and dedicated left, through and right-turn lanes will be installed at the existing intersection with South Main Street/US 1A.

These improvements are designed to significantly improve the mobility and safety of this corridor. Decorative stone retaining walls will also be installed to enhance the visual appearance of the area.

For complete information, including project updates, visit our website . 

The Town of Wake Forest is currently accepting applications from area high school students interested in serving on the Youth in Government Advisory Board (YGAB) for the 2020-21 school year. Applications and recommendation forms are available on the Town’s website . Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Monday, May 11.

Only high school students (grades 9-12) are eligible to serve on the YGAB, including rising ninth graders. Members serve four‐year terms or until graduation, whichever comes first.

The YGAB is comprised of eight to 20 members. No more than four can live outside the corporate town limits. For the upcoming school year, the board will have an opening for at least five members.

The NC Department of Transportation wants to hear from you about North Carolina’s trails and how to make them better. The NCDOT is encouraging residents and leaders to participate in a brief  survey  on our state’s multi-modal transportation. The input will be used to identify a network of shared-use paths and trails that connects​​​ every county in North Carolina.

The public can give feedback in two ways by taking an  interactive map survey  or a  10-question survey . Participants are encouraged to take both surveys beginning now through September 30.

Available here , these surveys are a part of NCDOT’s effort to develop its statewide trail plan and 5-year implementation strategy, called the  Great Trails State Plan .

The Great Trails State Plan is focusing on shared-use paths that can serve transportation purposes, providing connections between where people live, work and play. 

Despite some confusion earlier this week, Simple Recycling has officially resumed its collection program in Wake Forest. Anyone in need of extra bags should contact Simple Recycling directly at 866-835-5068 or  info@simplerecycling.com . Please note - For those who tried calling last week, the answering service has been updated.

In April 2019 Simple Recycling and the Town of Wake Forest partnered to offer an initiative that allows Town sanitation customers to recycle clothing, shoes and various accessories. To kick off the program, Town sanitation customers received in the mail an orange and green-colored “Simple Recycling” postcard offering details, along with an orange bag. Customers can fill the orange bag with pre-loved clothing, shoes and accessories, then set the bag out next to their recycling cart on their normal collection day. Simple Recycling drivers will pick up the bags and leave replacement bags behind.
Please...don't...litter!

The Town of Wake Forest often receives reports about trash of all kinds along our roads. It's a shame we're forced to constantly reinforce this message - but please don’t litter! We need everyone to help keep Wake Forest and North Carolina beautiful and safe, and it starts with each of us doing our part.

In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Raleigh Yard Waste Center closed in late March. In response, the Town of Wake Forest suspended yard waste collection until further notice.

Many yard trimmings can be quickly composted at home and re-used as mulch. If you aren't already backyard composting and would like to learn how, visit our website . 

Thank you for doing your part to keep Wake Forest safe, and for proving every day that the caring community we know and love is still here and as strong as ever.  #StayStrongWF

The Town of Wake Forest is under a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic . Town Hall and all other staffed facilities are closed to the public as are playgrounds and picnic shelters. Parks and greenways remain open, but restrooms are closed and water fountains are turned off.

Wake Forest is taking a series of precautionary steps to limit the community spread of COVID-19 and do our best to maintain Town operations. For a complete listing of COVID-19-related alerts, cancellations and closures, visit our website .

Wake County has launched a new dashboard that provides important and current data about how COVID-19 is affecting our community. The dashboard is available at https://covid19.wakegov.com/ .

The dashboard is updated three times per day – at around 8:15 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. It includes the:

• Total number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases;
• Average age of those with the virus; and
• A gender breakdown (when provided on testing forms).

Also, if you have COVID-19-related questions, please note the following:

Specific questions about your risk
email  covid19.questions@wakegov.com  or call 919-856-7044.
Someone from Wake County's public health team will return your message within the next business day.

General feedback

Health-related questions
email  covid19.questions@wakegov.com  or call 919-856-7044

Business-related questions
call 919-856-7420

All  Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources' playgrounds, restrooms and athletics fields are closed until further notice. All PRCR-maintained picnic shelters, basketball, pickleball and tennis courts are also closed until further notice. This is in addition to the closure of all facilities and the cancellation of all programs, special events, and facility rentals.
 
All Town parks and greenways remain open to the public, but water fountains are turned off.
 
Parks and greenways users are urged to remember the following:
  • Refrain from using parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.
  • While on trails, warn other users of your presence as you pass, and step aside to let others pass.
  • Always observe CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of 6 feet from other individuals. If this is not possible, find an alternate location or depart that space.

Police officials are reminding Wake Forest motorists to park in the direction of traffic flow or risk a $25 fine. Wording in Sec. 30-251 of the Town's Code of Ordinances addresses "Parking in direction of traffic flow."

"Parking shall be established in the direction of traffic flow on all streets within corporate limits of the Town of Wake Forest with passenger side (right) tires to the curb on two-way streets."

In summary, on a two-way road, you must park with the right-hand wheels next to the right-side curb. Otherwise, you are parked illegally.  More>>
Stay In Touch
You have received this e-mail because you are subscribed to E-News – part of the Town of Wake Forest’s e-mail subscription service. E-News keeps you up-to-date on Town of Wake Forest news, information, events and services. If you believe you have been subscribed in error, or would like to cancel your subscription to The Week Ahead, you may unsubscribe below.
 
If you have questions or comments about the Town of Wake Forest website or E-News, please contact Bill Crabtree by email or call 919-435-9421.