Cape Connection

Candidate Forum Scheduled for October 17

The 2023 municipal election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, with one-stop early voting beginning on Thursday, October 19. In Cape Carteret, the seats of the Mayor and 3 members of the Board of Commissioners are up for election in 2023.

The Swansboro Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Cape Carteret Candidate Forum on Tuesday, October 17 at Town Hall. A "meet and greet" with the candidates is scheduled from 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm, with a question and answer session scheduled from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Come on out and meet the candidates!

The candidates for the 2023 Cape Carteret election are as follows:

Mayor: Will Baker.

Commissioner: Courtney Barnhill, Gheorghe Cormos, Roy Fish, Heather Grainger, John Ritchie, Jeff Waters, and Cameron Watts.

The elected Mayor will serve a new 4-year term. The two Commissioner candidates with the most votes will also serve new 4-year terms, while the Commissioner candidate with the third-highest vote total will serve a new 2-year term.

For more information about the event, please contact the Swansboro Area Chamber of Commerce at 910-326-1174.

New Campaign Sign Regulations in Effect

New campaign sign regulations are now in effect for the 2023 municipal election, and a summary of the new regulations is available by clicking HERE .

The Town's previous campaign sign regulations were not consistent with State law and NCDOT regulations for State-maintained roads, and resulted in two different campaign sign regulations in the Town - one set for State-maintained roads and one set for Town streets. The new campaign sign regulations are consistent with State regulations, and apply everywhere in Cape Carteret.

Thank you to all of the candidates and their supporters for your compliance with the new regulations.

2023 Fall Festival - Saturday, November 4!

The 2023 Fall Festival is only a little more than a month away, and the Town is excited to present an expanded signature special event on Saturday, November 4. The Fall Festival will be held from 11 am - 6 pm at Community Park behind Town Hall.

Planned activities and attractions include 3 musical performances throughout the entire day, a beer tent, craft vendors, food trucks, a BMX demonstration, a trackless train ride, a bounce house and bounce slide, and more!

Please come out and enjoy the day's festivities with your neighbors!

Town Accepting Applications for Planning Board -

Apply by October 2

The Town is currently accepting applications from residents interested in serving on the Planning Board. There is currently 1 vacancy on the 6 member board, with additional vacancies upcoming in February.

Interested residents should submit the Planning Board application to Town Clerk Heather Leffingwell at Town Hall or via email by 5 pm on Monday, October 2.

2024 Boat Ramp Passes On Sale to Town Residents and Property Owners on November 1

2024 boat ramp passes will go on sale to Cape Carteret residents and property owners on Wednesday, November 1 at 9 am at Cape Carteret Town Hall located at 102 Dolphin Street.

Passes will be valid for the period from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. Each Cape Carteret resident and property owner may secure a maximum of 2 boat ramp permits per household. The annual permit fee is $225, and the second permit may be purchased for an additional $50.

Boat ramp permits will go on sale to all others beginning Friday, December 1, with a limit of 1 permit per household. The annual permit fee is $500 for residents of Cedar Point, Bogue, and Peletier, and $750 for all others.

The Board of Commissioners has established an annual permit cap of 285 permits. Permits will continue to be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until the total number of permits issued reaches the cap of 285 permits, after which no additional permits will be issued. The public is encouraged to visit Cape Carteret Town Hall in person as soon as permits go on sale to ensure that you receive a permit before the cap is reached.

New Town Website to Go Live on October 9

Town staff are currently putting the finishing touches on and testing the Town's new website, which will go live on Monday, October 9.

The new website includes a more attractive design, more intuitive navigation, online permitting services, online payment capabilities, and more information about Town services, programs, and initiatives. The Town is committed to effective public communication and transparency, and will continue to add additional information, resources, and capabilities on the Town's website in the future.

Town Working to Correct Drainage System Failure on Neptune Court

Recent rains have resulted in the failure of a key drainage pipe and catch basins on Neptune Court, and washed out a small section of road. Temporary repairs have been completed, and the road is passable and safe.

Town staff are currently working to determine the most cost-effective long-term improvements for this area, and hope to execute a construction contract for permanent repairs in the coming weeks.

House Numbers Important for Emergency Responders to Find You!

Every second counts for emergency responders, and the proper placement of house numbers on your property allows them to find you or your loved ones quicker and easier - and could make a big difference in the outcome.

The Town's ordinances require house numbers on all residential structures. House numbers must be 4 - 10 inches tall, displayed in a contrasting color as the structure, and clearly visible from the street. If the house numbers are not visible from the street, a small sign that includes the house numbers and is visible from the street is required. The Town allows a stand alone sign, not to exceed 15 inches by 15 inches, or a reflective sign not larger than 6 inches by 18 inches affixed to the mailbox.

Please contact Julie Shambaugh, Town Planner, at 252-393-8483 or via email for assistance or questions.

Design Work Nearly Complete for Final Segment of Cape Carteret Trail Along NC 58, Taylor Notion Road

The Town continues to work with design engineers, NCDOT, and the US Forest Service to complete the final design for the remaining ~ 1 mile segment of the Cape Carteret Trail along NC 58 and Taylor Notion Road.

Design work is nearly complete, and permitting activities are in progress. The Town hopes to secure the necessary permits from NCDOT and the US Forest Service in the coming weeks, and solicit construction bids later in October.

The Town previously hoped to have the project under construction this past summer, however, design and permitting issues have been more time consuming than originally anticipated. The Town remains hopeful that construction will begin prior to the end of this calendar year. 

Bogue Sound Drive Drainage Improvements Now Set to Begin in Early October; Temporary Road Closure Expected Later in October

Planned drainage improvements along Bogue Sound Drive have been slightly delayed due to supply chain issues, and construction is now expected to begin in early October and last for approximately 4 - 6 weeks.

It will be necessary to close Bogue Sound Drive just south of Park Avenue for approximately 2 - 3 weeks, likely in late October. Traffic will temporarily be directed along Park Avenue and Lejeune Road during the closure. All residences will remain fully accessible during construction.

Police Department In Process of Relocating to Town Hall

The Cape Carteret Police Department is in the process of relocating to Town Hall, with some staff and equipment already in place at Town Hall. The remaining staff and equipment will be moved within the next few weeks.

Citizens wishing to conduct business with the Police Department should visit the front desk at Town Hall for assistance, call the Police Department at 252-393-2183, or contact Police Chief Brian Silva via email.

Former Police Department Space at 204 WB McLean Drive Available For Lease

The space currently occupied by the Police Department at 204 WB McLean Drive will be vacant no later than October 31, and is available for lease anytime after that date. The space consists of approximately 2,000 heated square feet and is zoned commercial. Please contact Town Manager Frank Rush at 252-393-8483 or via email to learn more.

Next Vegetative Debris Collection Event Begins November 27

Public Works staff are currently completing debris collection from the September 25 collection event, and will complete this collection very soon.

The next Town-wide vegetative debris collection event will begin on Monday, November 27. Residents should place vegetative debris at the curbside between November 17 and November 26, and Public Works staff will collect the debris as soon as possible beginning on November 27.

Limbs should generally be limited to 8 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter. Please avoid placement directly under utility lines and large trees.

Upcoming Town Meetings

The Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 9 at 6 pm.

The Planning Board will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 24 at 6 pm. This meeting has been changed from the regular meeting date of Tuesday, October 17.

All meetings are held in the Debbie E. Stanley Boardroom at Town Hall, located at 102 Dolphin Street.

Stay Informed About the Town of Cape Carteret!

The Town of Cape Carteret is committed to providing timely, concise, and relevant information to the residents, property owners, businesses, and visitors to Cape Carteret, and "Cape Connection" is a great way to stay informed about the Town's issues, activities, and initiatives.

To join our mailing list, please click HERE , scroll to the bottom, and enter your email information. 

In addition to "Cape Connection", the Town offers the following opportunities to stay informed:

• Follow us on Facebook at Town of Cape Carteret NC. Please note the "NC" on the end.

• Follow us on Instagram - townofcapecarteret .

• Follow us on X - @TownofCapeC .

• Visit the Town's webpage at www.townofcapecarteret.org .

In addition, all of our customers are always welcome to call us at 252-393-8483, visit us in person at 102 Dolphin Street, or email Town staff .

Thank you for your interest in the Town of Cape Carteret!

Did You Know?

The Town of Cape Carteret issued golf cart permits for 163 golf carts in FY 2022-23!