The majority of homeowners and business people will see little or no difference from these rate changes, which the Town Council approved in January. Sewer charges are not affected.

For single-family customers in Cary, the Town has added a fourth rate tier of $9.90 per 1,000 gallons, which applies to all water use over 23,000 gallons in a month. The Tier 4 amount was calculated by adding Cary’s average household water consumption of 8,000 gallons per month and adding 15,000 gallons for irrigation.

The irrigation “budget” of 15,000 gallons a month assumes an average lawn size of 5,000 square feet watered at 1 inch per week, plus a 3,000-gallon cushion. The formula assumes no rainfall.

For irrigation meters at Cary homes, usage up to 15,000 gallons a month will continue to cost $4.40 per 1,000 gallons. Usage over 15,000 gallons will be billed at $9.90 per 1,000 gallons.

For businesses and other customers in the non-residential category, the Town has created water budgets for each customer. High-volume irrigators have water budgets that take the amount of landscaped area into account. Others will have a budget based on twice their average monthly use. The new higher rate of $9.90 per 1,000 gallons will apply to usage in excess of the amount budgeted. The current rates of $3.23 per 1,000 gallons or $4.40 for irrigation meters will apply otherwise.

In a few cases, leaks or watering exceptionally large lots may cause customers to exceed their allocations. Town staff members who specialize in water conservation will be available to work with such customers to evaluate consumption case-by-case.

Rates that the Town charges its customers in Research Triangle Park are twice what those inside Cary pay. Other out-of-town customers pay triple rates. Those surcharges will apply with the new rates as well.

Additional information on the revisions can be found on the Town of Cary’s Web site at www.townofcary.org or by calling the Finance Department at 469-4050. Additional information on water conservation or water budgets can be found on the Web site or by calling Public Works and Utilities at 469-4090.

The Town of Cary has closed the deal on more than 50 acres for a new community park in southern Cary.

The 51.62-acre tract is southwest of the intersection of Penny and Holly Springs roads. The Town bought the land for $1.5 million from the N.C. State University Foundation. The foundation had received it in December as a donation. The deal included a provision enabling the donor to continue living on the property for as long as he chooses.

Mary Barry, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director, said the purchase fits the Town’s Master Parks Plan and its goal of preserving and protecting our natural resources, particularly open space. “I think it’s fair to say that our purchasing this land for a park helps limit the intensity of development in the area,” she said.

The Town of Cary will celebrate Earth Day with a series of activities April 19-22. Here are some of the activities:

April 19th is Arbor Day. Take time to appreciate the value of trees in the world.

April 20th is “Clean Your Files Day.” Increase recycling within your business by cleaning out your files.

April 21 is Cary’s Spring Litter Sweep from 8 AM until noon with lunch provided. Call 469-4090 to sign up. Come to the Town’s Operations Center at noon to learn about storm drain stenciling. The Operations Center is on James Jackson Avenue off Northwest Maynard Road.

On Earth Day, April 22, join the Earth Day celebration at Bond Park. Learn about proper tree planting and pruning, composting and rainwater harvesting. Take a nature walk. This event will be from 1 PM until 4:30 PM at the ball field picnic shelter. If it rains, the event will be at the Senior Center in Bond Park.

Using dirty chimneys at the end of the heating season can be just as dangerous as in the beginning. Your chimney may have even been damaged from a slow burning fire without your knowing it.

Here are warning signs:

• “Puffy” creosote with rainbow colored streaks beyond creosote’s normal form
• Warped damper, metal smoke chamber,
  connector pipe or factory-built metal chimney
• Cracked or collapsed flue tiles, or tiles with large chunks missing
• Discolored and distorted rain cap
• Creosote flakes and pieces found on the roof or ground
• Roofing material damaged from hot creosote
• Cracks in exterior masonry
• Evidence of smoke escaping through mortar joints of masonry or tile liners

Simple wood or chain link fences may be installed within water and sewer easements. If the Town needs access, however, it may remove the fence without replacing it. Permanent fences such as masonry or stone are prohibited in easements. Fences should not impede water flow in drainage easements that lack a subsurface pipe.

These are additional requirements for fences that are within 30 feet of a thoroughfare or collector street and taller than 42 inches:

• Install finished side toward road
• Plant evergreen shrubs every 5 feet on center
• Choose shrubs at least 12 inches high at time of installation
• Set fence back at least 5 feet from the property line.

To learn more, please call the Planning Department at 469-4082.

LEARN COMPOSTING

Free composting workshops are under way in Bond Park. Learn to reduce yard waste and produce nourishment for plants. Call the Public Works and Utilities Department at 469-4090 to register for these workshops:

• Saturday, April 7, 10-11 AM – for more advanced composting
• Saturday, May 19, 10-11 AM – for those who are interested in starting a compost pile.