Cape Connection

2023 Fall Festival - This Saturday, November 4!

The 2023 Fall Festival is just a few days away, and we're excited to welcome residents and visitors to our signature special event this 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, and more!

This event is sponsored by by many local businesses, and we are grateful for their support! Our main Fall Festival sponsor is Sally Said So Professional Dog Training and Pup Kake Treat Company, so please check them out at the festival.

Other valued local sponsors include the Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority, Emerald Isle Realty, Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative, Ken Hudson Plumbing, Priority One Coastal, Shorewood Real Estate, South Swell Surf Shop, Yardworks, and Coastline Signature Homes. Thank you to each of our sponsors!

Please come out and enjoy a beautiful fall day with your neighbors! The forecast is currently calling for mostly sunny skies and a high temperature in the low / mid 70s.

2024 Boat Ramp Passes Now On Sale to Town Residents and Property Owners

2024 boat ramp passes are now on sale to Cape Carteret residents and property owners. Please visit Cape Carteret Town Hall located at 102 Dolphin Street to secure your annual pass.

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 passes per household, provided they own multiple boats. The annual fee is $225, and the second pass may be purchased for an additional $50. 2024 passes will be affixed to the windshield of the towing vehicle.

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

The Board of Commissioners has established an annual cap of 285 boat ramp passes. Passes will continue to be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until the total number issued reaches the cap of 285 passes, after which no additional passes will be issued.

Please click HERE for more information, including the 2024 boat ramp pass application.

Vote! Election Day is Tuesday, November 7!

The 2023 Town election is this coming Tuesday, November 7. Polls are open from 6:30 am - 7:30 pm, so please get out and vote!

Most Cape Carteret residents vote at the Western Park Community Center on Old NC 58, while residents of Star Hill North and the Bobwhite Circle area vote at Bethlehem United Methodist Church on Bogue Loop Road.

The lone candidate for Mayor is Will Baker, and the 7 candidates for the Board of Commissioners are Courtney Barnhill, Gheorghe Cormos, Roy Fish, Heather Grainger, John Ritchie, Jeff Waters, and Cameron Watts.

New Town Website is Live!

The new Town website, available at www.townofcapecarteret.org , is now live. Please check it out, and bookmark it as your source for all Town information in the future!

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 Set to Acquire Vacant Parcel at NC 58, Taylor Notion Road Intersection

The Board of Commissioners has approved the purchase of a vacant 1.1 acre parcel located at the intersection of NC 58 and Taylor Notion Road, and the Town expects to close on the land acquisition later in November. The total purchase price is $125,000, and will be funded with General Fund balance.

The parcel includes more than 400 linear feet of frontage on both roads, and will enable the Town to reduce the length of planned new multi-use path in this area, resulting in construction savings of approximately $50,000 or more. The acquisition of this parcel will provide a safer, more attractive route for the new multi-use path in this area, and the Town will retain nearly the entire parcel for future development.

The Town continues to work toward construction of the new multi-use path, with project permit applications currently being reviewed by the NCDOT and the US Forest Service. The Town will solicit construction bids in the coming weeks, with construction expected to begin in early 2024. 

Police Department Implements Body-Worn Cameras

The Cape Carteret Police Department is now utilizing body-worn cameras. All members of the Cape Carteret PD have been outfitted with the cameras, complementing existing in-car camera systems.

The implementation of the body cameras will improve Police accountability, provide helpful documentation of incidents, serve as valuable evidence in court proceedings, and be helpful for monitoring service quality and for officer training. The body-worn cameras are funded primarily by a Federal grant.

New Storm Water Management Regulations Adopted

The Board of Commissioners recently adopted new storm water management regulations after extensive review by Town staff and the Planning Board, and a formal public hearing.

The new regulations are intended to clarify the Town's storm water management requirements in a practical and straightforward manner, ensure consistent and predictable application of the Town's requirements, minimize the potential for flooding on adjacent properties and on the street right-of-ways, and protect the quality of nearby waters - all without placing an unreasonable cost and logistical burden on property owners and contractors.

Key provisions in the new regulations include the following:

• reliance on State storm water management permits for new commercial development and residential subdivision development, with a minimum 2" rainfall event requirement,

• a requirement for new single-family residential development that exceeds 30% impervious coverage to infiltrate runoff from a 1.5" rainfall event on-site, and

• simple requirements for all new development to prevent driveway runoff from flowing onto the adjacent street, including tilting the driveway away from the street, driveway grates, and/or other diversions.

All new development is required to comply with these requirements. Depending on the extent, certain modifications or expansions of existing development may also be required to comply with these requirements. Additionally, all new driveways associated with new development or existing development must comply with the simple driveway requirements included in the new regulations.

A copy of the new requirements is available on the Town's website by clicking HERE.

Bogue Sound Drive Drainage Improvements Underway, Road Temporarily Closed

Significant drainage improvements along Bogue Sound Drive are currently under construction, with new drainage features and driveway culverts recently installed along the east side of the street. The Town's contractor, SunLand Builders, is currently replacing and enlarging an existing culvert under Bogue Sound Drive, and this work is expected to continue for the next 2 - 3 weeks. This ~ $156,000 project is funded exclusively by State grant funds.

Bogue Sound Drive is temporarily closed at this location just south of Park Avenue, and will reopen later in November. Alternative travel routes are available on Lejeune Road, Bayshore Drive, and Edgewater Court.

Neptune Court Drainage Improvements Planned for Later This Month

The Board of Commissioners has awarded a construction contract for the replacement of an existing failing culvert, resetting of existing catch basins, and cleaning of associated storm water pipe on Neptune Court. This work is expected to begin later in November after the Bogue Sound Drive drainage improvements are complete.

The total cost of this project is slightly less than $30,000, and is ultimately funded by Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to the Town. SunLand Builders has been awarded this contract.

This project will require the temporary closure of Neptune Court at this location (mid-block), and will prohibit vehicle access for 10 properties located north of the culvert for approximately 3 days. Town staff are coordinating with affected property owners to minimize disruption to the maximum extent practical.

Manatee Street Bulkhead Installation Underway

A new vinyl bulkhead is currently being installed at the Town's Manatee Street Park, and will protect this waterfront park from future erosion along Bogue Sound. Coast 2 Coast Marine Construction is performing this work for the Town, and expects to complete work in the coming days. The total cost of the project is approximately $12,000, and is being funded by a General Fund appropriation included in the FY 23-24 budget.

The Town will also install a new set of steps from the top of the bulkhead down to the waters of Bogue Sound at this location, along with a slide feature to enable easy kayak launching at this location. This work will be completed by Town staff after bulkhead installation is complete.

Lowe's Home Improvement Donates Equipment to Cape Carteret Police Department

Lowe's Home Improvement recently donated tool sets that will enhance the Police Department's ability to force entry into buildings during a crisis situation.

Lowe's donated sledgehammers, bolt cutters, and pry bars to equip each Police vehicle, and the Town greatly appreciates this support!

Western Carteret Fire and EMS Offers Reflective Address Signs

Every second counts for emergency responders, and proper house numbering is essential to promote the fastest response.

Western Carteret Fire and EMS offers reflective address signs for placement on either the mailbox post or in the front yard, and is happy to assist our residents. For more information, please contact Western Carteret Fire and EMS at 252-393-8301.

Kayak Storage Passes Switched to Calendar Year Basis

The Town offers kayak storage racks at the Bayshore Drive, Holly Lane, and Anita Fort Drive waterfront parks, and Cape Carteret residents can secure an annual pass to store your kayak at these locations. Kayak storage passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis for a $25 annual fee.

The kayak storage passes were previously issued for the fiscal year period from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024, however, current passes have been extended through December 31, 2024. The Town is transitioning to a calendar year basis for these passes, and new passes for 2025 will be issued in late 2024.

To complete a kayak storage pass application online, please click HERE .

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 is currently vacant, and is available for lease. 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

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, November 13 at 6 pm.

The Planning Board will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 21 at 6 pm.

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 . 

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?

Zoning permit applications are required for all new building construction, modification and expansion of existing buildings, sheds, swimming pools, boat docks and lifts, bulkheads, driveways, fences, signs, and more, and you can apply for and pay for a permit online by clicking HERE .