Cape Connection

New Commissioners Barnhill and Ritchie To Be Sworn In On December 11

Two new members of the Board of Commissioners will be sworn in at the December 11 Town meeting. Courtney Barnhill and John Ritchie were both elected to a 4-year term in November, and will begin their service on the Board that evening.

Both are thankful for the opportunity and are eager to serve the people of Cape Carteret!

Baker and Watts Re-Elected, Will Also Be Sworn In On December 11

Mayor Will Baker and Commissioner Cameron Watts were re-elected in November, and will also be sworn in again at the December 11 meeting. Mayor Baker will serve a new 4-year term, and Commissioner Watts will serve a new 2-year term.

Both have enjoyed their service on the Board, and look forward to continuing to serve the people of Cape Carteret!

Town Appreciates Service of Miller and Waters

The terms of Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Waters and Commissioner Don Miller are ending, and the Town will recognize both for their contributions to the Town at the December 11 meeting. Commissioner Miller has served on the Board of Commissioners since 2015, and Mayor Pro Tem Waters has served since 2019.

The Town greatly appreciates their service to the people of Cape Carteret, and wishes them well in their post-Town endeavors!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Will Visit Cape Carteret on December 18 and 19

The Town is pleased to welcome Santa Claus to Cape Carteret on December 18 and 19!

With the help of Town staff, Santa will be touring the residential areas of Cape Carteret from 6 pm - 8 pm each night to greet the children of Cape Carteret. Santa will be touring the residential areas south of NC 24 (Old Cape Carteret, Cape Point, Country Club Point, and Bayshore Park) on Monday, December 18, and will tour the residential areas north of NC 24 (Star Hill, Star Hill North, Bobwhite Circle, Quailwood, and Ardan Oaks) on Tuesday, December 19.

Santa's elves will accompany Santa, and will have some candy and gifts to distribute before his big night the following week! Santa looks forward to seeing you in Cape Carteret!

2024 Boat Ramp Passes On Sale to Everyone on December 1 - Until Cap is Reached

2024 boat ramp passes have been on sale to Cape Carteret residents and property owners since November 1, and the Town has issued a total of 186 passes thus far. Passes remain available to Cape Carteret residents and property owners, and will also be available to residents of surrounding areas beginning Friday, December 1.

Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis until the Town reaches the established cap of 285 passes. As of November 28, there are 99 passes still available, and no additional passes will be issued after the Town reaches the cap. Please visit Cape Carteret Town Hall located at 102 Dolphin Street to secure your annual pass, or click HERE to apply and pay online.

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. Boat ramp passes for residents of surrounding areas are limited to 1 pass per household. The annual fee is $500 for residents of Cedar Point, Bogue, and Peletier, and $750 for all others.

Renew Your Golf Cart Registration for 2024

The Town is currently processing golf cart registrations for 2024, and Cape Carteret golf cart owners can click HERE to register and pay online. Golf cart owners may also visit Town Hall at 102 Dolphin Street to register your golf cart.

The annual registration fee is $75, and covers the period from January 1 - December 31, 2024. If you no longer own your golf cart, or if it is no longer in service, please return your plate to Town Hall at your earliest convenience.

Bogue Sound Drive Drainage Improvements Essentially Complete

Drainage improvements along Bogue Sound Drive are essentially complete, with only a short segment of street resurfacing remaining. The gravel street segment has reopened for vehicle traffic, and will be paved in the next few weeks.

The project involved the construction of two new, enlarged culverts under Bogue Sound Drive, the replacement of several driveway culverts along the east side of the street, and the construction of larger conveyances and infiltration areas on the east side of the street. The project is funded entirely by State grant funds.

The Town is pleased to complete these beneficial drainage improvements in this area!

Neptune Court Drainage Improvements Under Construction

The Town's contractor, SunLand Builders, is currently replacing an existing failed culvert under Neptune Court and also re-setting associated catch basins in this area. The entire drainage line existing this area was cleaned last week.

The Town expects construction to be complete sometime during the week of December 4, with associated street paving work to be completed in the next few weeks.

The Town is pleased to complete these beneficial improvements, and appreciates the patience and understanding of residents in this area!

Town Receives Favorable Audit Report,

Maintains Excellent Financial Position

The Town's auditors, S. Preston Douglas & Associates, presented the Town's audited financial statements to the Board of Commissioners at the November 13 meeting. The Town received a favorable audit report, and maintains an overall excellent financial position. A copy of the full report is available by clicking HERE .

The Town's total fund balance across all Town funds at June 30, 2023 is $3,125,940, an increase of $765,427 over the June 30, 2022 amount of $2,360,513. The Town continues to maintain a General Fund balance in excess of 100% of annual operating expenditures, and is well-positioned to address any emergency events and/or seize any unexpected beneficial opportunities in the future.

Ditch Improvements Completed Near Feather Lane, Bobwhite Circle, and Quailwood Court

The Town's Public Works staff recently completed beneficial improvements to an important drainage feature located off of Feather Lane and behind Bobwhite Circle and Quailwood Court. These ditch improvements will improve storm water flow away from these neighborhoods during future rainfall events.

This location is one of 13 locations previously identified by the Board of Commissioners for drainage improvements in 2022. The Town has now addressed 8 of the 13 locations, and will be working to improve the remaining 5 locations in 2024.

New Bulkhead in Place at Manatee Street

The Town's contractor has completed the installation of new bulkhead along Bogue Sound at the Manatee Street Park. The new bulkhead will prevent further shoreline erosion in this area, and also includes a new set of steps and kayak slide to enable easy access for kayakers.

The Town will be working to adjust the storm water drainage in this area in the coming weeks to prevent standing water in the park in the future.

Town Awaiting NCDOT Permit for Final Segment of Cape Carteret Trail

The Town's engineers have completed the design of the final ~ 1 mile segment of the Cape Carteret Trail, and the Town was recently issued the necessary permit from the US Forest Service. The Town is currently awaiting the issuance of the necessary NCDOT permit for the project, and will solicit construction bids for the project in early 2024. The Town now hopes to begin construction by late winter or early spring 2024.

Toys for Tots Collection Station at Town Hall

The Cape Carteret Town Hall is an authorized drop off point for Toys for Tots! Please consider donating new, unwrapped childrens' toys for distribution to children in need in our area. Donations are encouraged sooner than later, and not later than December 20.

Dock Construction Now Requires Building Permit from Carteret County

Recent legislation adopted by the NC General Assembly now requires the issuance of a building permit for docks and piers in estuarine waters, including those surrounding Cape Carteret. Property owners and contractors building new docks will need to first secure a zoning permit from the Town of Cape Carteret, and then secure a building permit from Carteret County. For more information, please contact Town Planner Julie Shambaugh via email or at 252-393-8483.

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

The space previously 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.

Recycle Your Oyster Shells

As we enter the holiday season, many people will be enjoying oysters with friends and family as part of their holiday celebrations, and the Town encourages everyone to recycle their oyster shells!

There are many public shell recycling stations, including at the Carteret County Solid Waste collection site on West Firetower Road near NC 58 and at the NC Coastal Federation headquarters on NC 24 east of Cape Carteret. All recycled shells will be returned to strategic locations where they will create new oyster reefs to keep our wild populations thriving.

For more information, please click HERE .  

Upcoming Town Meetings

The Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Monday, December 11 at 6 pm.

The Planning Board will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 12 at 6 pm. This meeting was originally scheduled for December 19 but has been moved up one week due to the Christmas holiday.

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?

There are nearly 200 golf carts registered to operate on Town streets in Cape Carteret! Registered golf carts may operate on any public street in Cape Carteret, but are not permitted to operate on NC 24, NC 58, or Taylor Notion Road.