Mayor Issues Annual State of the Town Address
    In striving to achieve transparency and strong leadership, Mayor Harold Weinbrecht issued the annual State of the Town Address via the Web and Cary TV 11 last month. 
    Recognizing the numerous achievements and accolades in 2009 while paying notice to the state of the economy, Mayor Weinbrecht highlighted the many goals and initiatives of Town Council in 2010.
    These include technology-related projects like the new online job application process, powered by NeoGov, continued safety and law enforcement using GeoPolicing and numerous green projects that will keep Cary environmentally friendly. Mayor Weinbrecht discussed details of Aquastar, an advanced meter reading system that will replace monthly manual meter reads with a wireless system that collects multiple remote meter reads per day. By moving to Aquastar, the Town’s utility system will conservatively see a $2.4 million savings. 
    Regardless of topic, Mayor Weinbrecht emphasized a goal of progress paired with fiscal responsibility.
    You can read the full speech at the State of the Town Web page or watch the Mayor deliver the address in the Cary TV video section of www.townofcary.org.


Embarking on New Journey, Old Elementary School Begins Transformation into Arts Center
    As part of our continuing commitment to the arts and downtown, we’ve begun renovating the Old Cary Elementary School building into the future Cary Community Arts Center. 
    Over the next 14 months, the elementary school will be transformed into a new cultural resource for the public to enjoy. The center will feature visual and performing arts space on all three levels and a fully functioning theater with a stage, fly loft and 399 seats.
    When complete, it will be about 48,000 sq. ft., and offer classrooms, studios, rehearsal, performance and office space for visual arts, ceramic arts, and performing arts.
    The renovation of Old Cary Elementary School into an arts and cultural resource was a key element put forth in the Town’s 2006 Civic and Cultural Arts Study. It will join the likes of Jordan Hall Arts Center and Page-Walker Arts and History Center to be the third cultural arts center in Cary.
    You can follow the progress of the new Cary Community Arts Center and share your memories of Old Cary Elementary School online at the Town of Cary’s Web site, www.townofcary.org.


Temporary Changes at the Tap
    Every March, the Town temporarily changes the water treatment process by suspending the use of ammonia. This disinfection process is a state-mandated practice to ensure safe drinking water. 
    If you use a kidney dialysis machine, please be aware that water may contain chlorine, ammonia, or a mixture of the two from March 1 through March 31. For more information, call 469-4090 or visit theTown's Web site.


Speak Now: 2011 Budget Input Sought
    From now until February 28, you are invited to weigh in on the priorities you feel should be included in the Town’s Fiscal Year 2011 budget, which identifies services and projects to be undertaken by the Town from July 2010 through June 2011. Share your thoughts at budgetinput@townofcary.org or 469-4307.


K9 Unit Welcomes Newest Member
    There’s a new dog in town! On the heels of our first K9 retirement, we’re welcoming a new K9 officer, Enzo. Purchased from the Czech Republic, Enzo is a solid black, 17-month-old German Shepherd. He and his partner, K9 Handler and Cary Police Officer Seth Everett, are currently enrolled in a three-month K9 training program in Chapel Hill. 
    Enzo replaces Axle, a German Shepherd that serviced Cary during his seven years as a K9 Officer.  During his career, Axle met over 3,000 children and their parents during special community events.
    In addition to Enzo, our Police Department will be recruiting a third dog in March to join the K9 Program. This dog and its K9 Handler will be in training by the end of March and on patrol serving the citizens of Cary by June. 
    In just the last two years, our K9 Program has been used to investigate or solve over 600 cases. Cary has benefited from the safety and security of a K9 Program since 2005. 
    To request the K9 unit at your next community event or to make a donation to the program, visit the Police Department on the Town’s Web site, www.townofcary.org.


Don't Throw Your Hard Earned Cash Down the Storm Drain! 
   With springtime just around the corner, February is the time to consider pre-emergent weed control applications. If you choose to use chemicals, make sure to only apply them after a heavy rainfall so that the newly applied chemicals don’t end up in our streams and lakes. If fertilizing, use a “time-release” nitrogen that will leach into your soil slowly. To learn more, visit the Engineering Department on the Town's Web site.


Historic Preservation Society Wants Your Thoughts
    After a year of public input from community meetings, workshops and citizens’ advisory committee meetings, our Historic Preservation Master Plan has been drafted. The 10-year draft plan features a series of goals, objectives and recommended implementation actions for historic preservation in Cary. 
    This month, we’re asking you to share your thoughts on the draft plan’s recommendations.
     To participate or to learn more, visit Historic Preservation Master Plan at www.townofcary.org. A hard copy of the questionnaire is also available at the Town of Cary Planning Department, 316 N. Academy Street, until March 1, 2010.

Phase II of Town Web Site Unveiled 
   The Town of Cary is continuing to make its Web site a user-friendly resource. The latest phase of updates includes an online job application program and interactive planning/development guide.
    The online employment application tool allows applicants to view and apply for vacancies in one central database. Employment applications can be filled out and sent electronically, either from a personal computer or at one of two computer kiosks available in the Town of Cary’s Human Resources Department. With the new system in place, employment applications will now be accepted online only.
    The Virtual Interactive Planner (VIP) is an interactive and dynamic platform designed to break down the process of planning and development into easy-to-follow steps. Additional information like necessary applications and fee schedules is provided.
    The new features can be found in the Town’s Web site’s online services section. If you have suggestions to improve the site, please email feedback@townofcary.org.


BUD BITS
    2010 Recycling collection calendars are now online. You can find your schedule in the recycling section of our Web site or by calling 469-4090.

   The Town of Cary’s Schoolz Out 411 Summer Edition Brochures are available at any Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources staffed facility as well as online.

    The US Tennis Association–Southern Section has awarded Cary Tennis Park with the 2009 Facility of the Year.


Cultural Connection
The Moonlighters Swing Dance & Concert (March 5, 7:30 p.m., Herbert C. Young Community Center, FREE) For more, 469-4061.

An Evening with the Brussels Chamber Orchestra and Members of the NC Symphony (March 12-13, 7:30 p.m., Page-Walker Arts & History Center, $20) For more, 821-2478.

At the Theater with the Cary Town Band (March 12, 7:30 p.m., Cary Senior Center, FREE) For more,www.carytownband.org.

Undaunted Heart: The True Story of a Southern Belle & a Yankee General: A Reading and Discussion by Cary author Suzy Barile (March 15, Page-Walker Arts & History Center, 7 p.m.) Free. For more, 460-4963.

Applause! Cary Youth Theatre Presents Much Ado About Will (March 20, 7 p.m., Cary Senior Center, FREE) For more, 469-4061.

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