Guide to Services

We know that getting the most out of your day often means getting the most out of your government. That’s why the Town of Cary developed the first Citizen’s Guide to Services in 2001. Updated every third year, the Guide puts the answers to your most asked questions at your fingertips.

The Guide also gives you valuable information about many of the policies and processes used by the Town to implement your Town Council’s vision for our community.

As you will see, the Guide is just one of several information vehicles we use in our comprehensive communications program to inform and involve Cary citizens in your local government. From www.townofcary.org to Cary TV 11 to 24-Hour Town Hall, we hope you take advantage of these resources to learn about and interact with the Town of Cary. And as always, don’t hesitate to contact us if you see ways we can improve our service to you.

OUR COMMUNITY

Cary, North Carolina is located in western Wake County and eastern Chatham County at the heart of North Carolina’s renowned Research Triangle Region. Bound on the north and east by Raleigh, on the north and west by Research Triangle Park and Morrisville, on the south by Apex and Holly Springs, and on the west by the Jordan Lake area, Cary is one of the state's most progressive towns and the seventh largest municipality in North Carolina.

2007 Vital Statistics

Square Miles: 52.79

Street Miles: 551

Maintained by the Town: 381

Maintained by NCDOT: 104

Privately maintained: 66

Population: 117,442

Race and Ethnicity

Hispanic: 4%

African American: 6%

Asian: 8%

Caucasian: 82 %

Median Age: 34.9

Median family income: $79,395

Households with children under 18: 44.2%

Cary adults with a college degree: 70.9%

Number of Parks: 21

Total Park Acreage: 1,800

Miles of Greenway: 26

Largest Employer: SAS Institute

No. of Town Employees: 1,090

Median Price of New Single Family House: $363,000

Residents living in Cary five years or less: 44.1%

Residents living in Cary over 10 years: 37%

History

Today’s Cary began in 1750 as a settlement called Bradford's Ordinary. About 100 years later, the construction of the North Carolina Railroad between New Bern and Hillsborough placed Bradford's Ordinary on a major transportation route. Soon after, Allison Francis Page, a Wake County farmer and lumberman, bought 300 acres of land nearby and established a sawmill, general store, and post office. He called his development Cary after Samuel Fenton Cary, an Ohio prohibitionist whom Page admired. The Town of Cary—the community we serve today—was incorporated on April 6, 1871.

In 1868, Page built a hotel to serve railroad passengers coming through Cary. Page sold the hotel to J. R. Walker in 1884; meals and rooms were available to travelers until 1916. It later became a private residence but by the mid-1980’s had fallen into disrepair.

A group of concerned and dedicated citizens formed the Friends of the Page-Walker and spearheaded saving the historic structure. Following its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, the Friends partnered with the Town government to save the historic resource for use by all Cary citizens. Today, the Page-Walker Arts and History Center, located on Town Hall Campus, serves as a focus for arts and history activities as well as Town celebrations.

In the late 1800,s, a prestigious, private boarding school was started in Cary and later became the first public high school in North Carolina. The school was located on the site currently occupied by Old Cary Elementary School in the heart of downtown Cary.

With the development of Research Triangle Park in the 1960’s and its proximity to Raleigh, Durham, and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Cary experienced the beginning of the high-quality development that still characterizes the Town today. From about 1,000 residents, Cary grew dramatically during the first decade of the Research Triangle Park, adding nearly 6,000 new citizens by the early 1970’s. That number more than tripled to about 24,000 in the early 1980’s and doubled again in the 1990’s to more than 45,000. Cary broke the 100,000 mark in 2001.

Now known as the Technology Town of North Carolina, Cary is home to the largest privately-held software company in the world—SAS—and has attracted other key, world-class businesses including Cotton Inc., John Deere, IBM, Siemens, American Airlines, Oxford University Press, R.H. Donnelly, Infineon, and the Lord Corporation to name just a few.

OUR STRUCTURE

Cary, North Carolina exists because the people who lived here many years ago asked the State of North Carolina to officially recognize their community and to give them the right to chart their own destiny. These people banded together because they knew they could accomplish more as a group than they could as individuals. Over the years, they created a shared vision for the area and put in place a structure to make that vision a reality. That structure is your local municipal government, the Town of Cary.

Overview of Governmental Responsibilities

Four distinct governmental entities serve Cary citizens – Town of Cary, Wake County or Chatham County depending on which side of the county line you reside, the State of North Carolina, and the United States government. Each provides, oversees, regulates, and/or enforces a number of shared as well as unique elements, services, and activities affecting Cary citizens.

Closest to Cary citizens is the Town of Cary municipal government, charged with providing the broad range of services that touch most citizens every day and are detailed in this Guide. Cary uses a council-manager form of government (see page 5) to provide vital services including but not limited to police and fire protection, solid waste and recycling collection, parks, recreation and athletic activities, cultural arts, water and sewer utilities, and building inspections.

Cary citizens are also served by either Wake County or Chatham County government, which under State law uniquely oversees such things as public, mental, and environmental health as well as social services. Each county government is headed by an elected board of commissioners, and county government also includes the Board of Elections as well as the elected county Sheriff and elected Register of Deeds. In our area, responsibilities for K-12 public schools also fall to county government. While an elected county board of education develops, oversees, and implements school policies, practices, and hiring decisions, it is the county board of commissioners that approves school funding requests since boards of education have no taxing authority in North Carolina.

State government, headed by the Governor, the General Assembly, and the North Carolina Supreme Court, handles most everything related to motor vehicles including titles and tags, major roadway construction and maintenance, and driver licensing. Public colleges and universities as well as alcoholic beverage control, consumer protection, and insurance and utilities regulation also fall to the state.

Federal government includes the President, Congress, and the federal court system. Under the auspices of the federal government, citizens will find Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, postal service, air and rail service regulation, immigration, and more.

Often, service provision overlaps two or more of these government entities depending on the very specific nature of that service and the laws of a particular state. For example, all four governmental entities collect taxes, but these taxes come from different sources and are used to support different services. It is the state and county governments – not the Town of Cary – that share responsibility for courts, schools, and elections. On the other hand, it is the Town that provides most emergency services such as police and fire, but we can get assistance from the county, state, and federal governments when necessary.

While most of the information in this Guide is targeted to Town of Cary services and responsibilities, a separate listing of contact numbers for some key services performed by other government agencies is also included (see page 55).

Town of Cary Government

Chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1871, the Town of Cary is one of more than 525 municipal corporations in the State of North Carolina. Governed by a council-manager form of administration as provided for in the North Carolina General Statutes, the powers and authority of the municipal government are spelled out in state law, and Cary may do no more than is authorized by that body of law.

Under its council-manager form of administration, the citizens of Cary elect a seven member Town Council, including the mayor. Four of the seven council members are district representatives chosen by voters within each geographic district. Two council members and the mayor are at-large representatives elected town-wide. Cary elections are held in odd-numbered years. The council members’ four year terms are staggered so that voters fill three or four of the seats every two years.

The elected council creates a vision for the community by setting the policies, goals, and direction of the government including adopting necessary laws. The council also appoints three staff members: the town attorney, the town clerk, and the town manager.

As the chief executive officer for the government, the town manager implements council’s policies and oversees all government operations. The manager advises the council on all issues, proposes the annual budget, and coordinates the work of all municipal staff not appointed by the council. Cary’s professional staff develops and implements projects, programs, and services in support of council’s goals and is responsible for the organization’s day-to-day operations. In 2007, this translated into needing about 1,090 staff to serve in more than 275 unique positions.

Location

Cary Town Hall and most of the administrative offices are located in the heart of downtown Cary – the 300 block of North Academy Street between Chatham Street and Chapel Hill Road. There you’ll find Administration, Engineering, Finance, Inspections and Permits, Human Resources, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, Planning, Police, and Technology Services as well as the Page-Walker Arts and History Center and the Herbert C. Young Community Center. Fire administration is housed one block south of Town Hall in the 100 block of North Academy Street, and most Public Works and Utilities operations are conducted out of the William M. Garmon Operations Center at 400 James Jackson Avenue.

Town Departments

Administration includes the town manager’s office, budget, and public information. The town manager is responsible for implementing the policies set forth by the Town Council and exercises management responsibility over all operational departments. Through management of the operational departments, the town manager’s office ensures the advancement of the philosophies and policies of the Town Council and that all local, state and federal laws and regulations are met. Budget directs and manages the planning, development, and execution of the annual operating budget, annual capital improvements budget, and long-range capital improvements plan. Public information manages all aspects of communications including developing and executing the Town’s annual Comprehensive Communications Plan and overseeing Cary TV 11, BUD, the 24-Hour Town Hall recorded message line, and all Web site content.

Telephone: (919) 469-4007

Engineering provides leadership for controlled infrastructure development within the Town of Cary and is responsible for overseeing the planning, design, construction, and inspection of public capital improvements projects including street improvements, right-of-way acquisitions, stormwater and utility system improvements, utility plant expansions, and traffic engineering. Engineering and Planning collaborate on thoroughfare planning. Engineering also enforces stormwater management ordinances and other engineering-related laws and regulations.

Telephone: (919) 469-4030

Finance administers the financial affairs of the Town including utility billing and collection, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, risk management, purchasing, cash management, accounting, and debt administration. This department provides financial customer service to utility customers, taxpayers, other departments, employees, and vendors, and the department produces the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report which includes general information about the Town, financial statements, the independent auditor’s report, and statistical information. Thanks to prudent financial decision-making and action by the entire team of council and staff, the Town of Cary’s general obligation bonds are rated AAA, the best possible rating for a local government!

Telephone: (919) 469-4380

Fire trains firefighters to protect the community from the adverse effects of disasters and emergencies, enforces fire code ordinances, and provides public education in fire prevention and safety. The department received and has maintained national accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International since 1999, which requires every aspect of Cary’s fire program to be evaluated including governance and administration, assessment and planning, goals and objectives, financial resources, physical resources, human resources, training, and competency.

Telephone: (919) 469-4056

Human Resources recruits, develops, and promotes model personnel and safety programs and practices designed to attract, develop, and retain a well-qualified and diverse work force. Responsibilities include advising management on recruitment and hiring, classification and pay, employee relations, performance reviews, equal employment opportunities, employee training and development, benefits administration, and employee safety.

Telephone: (919) 469-4070

Inspections and Permits is responsible for enforcing the North Carolina Building Code through building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing code inspections. The department is also responsible for street addressing and enforces minimum housing standards, reviews construction plans, collects fees, and issues permits for new construction and renovations.

Telephone: (919) 469-4340

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources (PRCR) plans and provides a variety of enjoyable and cost-effective recreation, sports, environmental, historical, and cultural arts programs and services. PRCR acquires, develops, beautifies, conserves, and maintains a system of parks, greenways, and recreation facilities to assure quality leisure opportunities for all Cary residents.

Telephone: (919) 469-4061

Planning develops and implements comprehensive growth and land use plans, small area, district and corridor plans, open space and historic resources plans, affordable housing plans and programs, and downtown redevelopment. Staff also coordinates intergovernmental and regional planning and agreements. This department is responsible for assembling demographic data, maintaining and enforcing zoning ordinances, processing sign permits, preparing maps, and assisting planning boards and commissions. Transportation planning for roadways, pedestrians, and bicyclists is led by this department as well as managing C-Tran, the Town’s transit system. Planning handles annexations and rezonings and reviews all development plans.

Telephone: (919) 469-4082

Police protects the life and property of the citizens of Cary through education, prevention, and enforcement efforts that include youth services, school resource officers, neighborhood watch programs, animal control, and the Citizens Police Academy. As one of the nation’s most progressive law enforcement agencies, the department has been nationally accredited since 1992 through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Cary is one of over 600 police departments across the country to receive this prestigious accreditation.

Telephone: (919) 469-4012

Public Works and Utilities provides an adequate and safe water supply to citizens of the towns of Cary, Apex, and Morrisville as well as the Wake County portion of the Research Triangle Park and the Raleigh Durham International Airport. The department also provides environmentally-sensitive wastewater services for Cary, Morrisville, and the Wake County portion of the Research Triangle Park, including processing more than 4.4 billion gallons of wastewater each year. The department performs system maintenance on water and wastewater instrumentation and equipment and directs the Town’s water conservation, reclaimed water, and wastewater treatment and monitoring programs. Responsibilities also include long-range utility planning as well as maintenance of streets, parks, Town-owned buildings and grounds, and traffic signals. Staff also provides garbage and trash removal and disposal for residential and commercial customers, residential recycling pickup, and fleet maintenance for all Town vehicles and equipment.

Telephone: (919) 469-4090

Technology Services supports the Town government’s council and staff in the management and use of information technology to provide better and more cost-effective services to the citizens of Cary.

Telephone: (919) 460-4900

The Town Clerk gives notice of council meetings, prepares the council agenda and records council proceedings, serves as custodian of all permanent Town records, keeps the Town seal, attests all Town documents, updates the Town’s Code of Ordinances, and keeps records of appointments to and terms of office for the various boards and commissions.

Telephone: (919) 469-4011

The Town Attorney is the full-time legal advisor for Town Council and staff.

Telephone: (919) 469-4008

Budget Process

Everything that everyone does as part of or on behalf of the Town of Cary has its origins and justifications in the annual budget, the official plan that lays out how the organization will meet the vision for Cary. In the budget, the Town Council articulates its vision, which drives the operation of the organization by guiding Town staff in their creation and maintenance of specific programs, projects, and activities.

The Town of Cary prides itself on using the most progressive, comprehensive, and effective practices in developing and implementing the annual budget. A yearlong process tied directly to the Town Council’s priorities, Cary’s budget development begins with each department submitting prioritized budget requests to the budget office. After reviewing the initial budget requests, the town manager, assistant manager and budget staff meet with departments to thoroughly examine all requests. Emphasis is placed on achieving Council’s goals by maintaining a strong financial position and high levels of service, identifying opportunities for further efficiencies in the organization, reducing costs, and ensuring that we plan for future needs. Streamlined budget narratives submitted by the departments focus on program objectives and performance measures, with quantitative and qualitative performance indicators included to measure progress toward program objectives. After deliberations by the panel, public input from our citizens, work sessions with Council, and a formal public hearing, the Town Council adopts the budget each year on or before June 30th as required by state law. Cary’s budget includes the Annual Operating Budget and the Annual Capital Improvements Budget as well as a 10-year Capital Improvements Plan.

The work of every staff member, every contractor, and every consultant is directly tied to the Town Council’s vision and goals. To illustrate, let’s take a look at one of the council’s goals to see how it all fits together.

Ensure that roads, water and wastewater facilities, parks, and other infrastructure exists for the existing citizens and for the future needs identified in the Comprehensive Plan.

To support this goal, the organization hires:

· Scientists and engineers to make sure that the roads, water system, and wastewater systems are designed to meet local, state, and federal environmental standards;

· Construction workers to build the roads and lay the lines and meters for the water and wastewater systems;

· Inspectors to ensure that roads are built to Town standards;

· Fleet maintenance workers to keep the inspectors’ trucks in good working order;

· Purchasing agents to acquire the trucks that the inspectors drive, the tools that the maintenance workers use, the shovels and heavy equipment that the construction workers need, and the office, lab, and safety equipment and supplies for the scientists and the engineers;

· Buildings and grounds crews to maintain the buildings where the purchasing agents, engineers, scientists, and fleet maintenance workers work.

And so it goes until every staff member, volunteer, consultant and contractor is accounted for. From stocking inventory to designing and constructing a new downtown streetscape, everything we do can be tied to Town Council’s vision for Cary.

Please take time to review the current year’s budget online at http://www.townofcary.org/.

On the Horizon

To meet the needs of the Town and requests of our citizens, Council has directed the undertaking of a diverse array of important projects including improving our downtown streetscape, renovating old Cary Elementary for use as a cultural arts center, building an aquatics center, a baseball complex, and a performing arts center as well as adding miles of new sidewalks, parks, trails, and greenways. Each of these and countless others are all targeted to enhance the ease and quality of life for Cary residents.

To improve travel times in and through Cary, the Town has installed a computerized traffic signal system that controls and synchronizes all of Cary’s more than 140 signalized intersections. In addition, major roadway projects over the next few years include widening SW Maynard Road, Tryon Road (Phase 2), Chapel Hill Road, Evans Road, and Holly Springs Road. Through innovative working and financial arrangements, Cary recently facilitated NC Department of Transportation’s improvements to NC 55 and the ramps at Walnut Street and US 1/64.

A recently-completed major expansion of the North Cary Water Reclamation Facility as well as the addition and upgrade of sewage pump stations and the extension of main lines in northwestern Cary are helping us prepare for the high quality growth that continues in that area. And Cary is also partnering with Apex, Holly Springs, and Morrisville to design and construct the Western Wake Regional Waste Water Management Facilities which should come online in 2011.

To stay informed about these and other Town projects, visit www.townofcary.org. While there, subscribe to our free electronic mailing list service to receive timely information about projects, activities, and emergencies.

OUR CULTURE

In the Town of Cary, how we approach our work is as important as the work itself, and there are three primary statements that guide Town staff in our approach: the Town of Cary Mission Statement, Statement of Values, and our Citizen Service Commitment.

Mission Statement

At the Town of Cary we focus every day on enriching the lives of our citizens by creating an exceptional environment and providing exemplary services that enable our community to thrive and prosper.

Statement of Values

To achieve our mission we will uphold the following values:

1. Our organization exists to serve our citizens. We will be open, ensure access, encourage involvement and be accountable to our citizens.

2. Employees are our most important resource. We will attract and retain the best employees and invest in their personal and professional growth.

3. We will be honest, ethical and diligent. Our actions will comply with local, state and federal laws.

4. We will treat everyone with dignity, respect and fairness.

5. We will achieve the best results through effective teamwork, strategic partnerships and community participation.

6. We will provide outstanding customer service that is polite, friendly and responsive.

7. We value creative thinking and innovation. We will continue to be nationally recognized for excellence in local government.

8. We value growth that balances desired service levels, economic benefits and continued stability for our community.

9. We are cost conscious. We spend public funds responsibly and effectively to ensure the Town’s short and long term financial strength.

10. We are committed to proactive, comprehensive planning to guide the future of our community.

11. We will preserve and protect our environment. We will be good stewards of our finite natural resources.

Adopted by Town Council, 2006

Citizen Service Commitment

With service as our only product, the Town of Cary is dedicated to providing the highest achievable level of customer satisfaction by providing citizen services in the most effective manner possible. We will accomplish this through polite, friendly, and courteous interactions with citizens and by making a personal commitment to resolving citizen problems quickly and thoroughly. We strive to give immediate attention to citizen needs and to provide citizens with complete and accurate information in a timely manner. Our goal is to be recognized throughout the Eastern United States for providing the highest quality customer service to all citizens.

Citizen Involvement

An involved citizenry is the hallmark of a strong community and an effective government. Indeed, it was a citizen’s movement that in 1871 resulted in the formation of the Town of Cary. Today, opportunities abound for Cary citizens to continue taking part in shaping their government and, therefore, their own futures.

Attend Meetings: All meetings of the Town Council as well as those of its appointed boards and commissions are open to the public. Notices of meeting times and locations are posted days in advance at Town Hall, on the Town’s Web site, www.townofcary.org, and on Cary TV 11, the Town’s government access cable television channel. Meeting notices also appear each Wednesday in the local newspaper, The Cary News. Regular Town Council meetings include “Public Speaks Out,” a period designated specifically for public comment. In addition, many council meetings include public hearings during which citizens may speak about the subject of that particular hearing.

For many special projects, the Town reaches out to citizens with neighborhood meetings held to answer questions and receive input from residents in the area directly and potentially impacted by the project. Topics vary from widening an existing road to adding sidewalks to proposed construction projects of Town facilities. These invaluable input sessions lead to projects’ being designed in ways that best meet the needs of those most closely associated with their long-term impacts. Just like regular council meetings, upcoming input sessions are advertised on Cary TV, www.townofcary.org, and in The Cary News. And for those most affected, check your mail for a letter directly from us.

E-Participation: As citizens of North Carolina’s Technology Town, Cary citizens enjoy wide access to their government electronically. With over 94 percent of citizens having access to the Internet at home or at work in 2006, the Town’s #1 communication tool is our award-winning Web site—www.townofcary.org. From Web polls to answers to thousands of frequently asked questions to the latest news to a growing list of online governmental services including program registration and utility payments, http://www.townofcary.org/ is where to go to get and give ideas and information concerning the Cary community. Subscribe now to our electronic mailing list service and never miss an important announcement from your Town government.

Information is also available 24/7 on Cary TV 11. Programming includes wink—a live look at rush-hour traffic via more than 20 cameras throughout Cary, the monthly news magazine BUD-TV, as well as live meetings of the Cary Town Council, the Wake County Board of Commissioners, and the Wake County Board of Education. Cary TV also carries programming from NASA and Annenberg CPB as well as news magazines from Wake County government and the Wake County Public School System. You’ll find the daily programming guide at www.townofcary.org.

Finally, get information and participate in quick polls via your touch-tone telephone using the Town of Cary’s 24-Hour Town Hall telephone message system. More than 250 recorded messages and over 30 faxable documents answer the most frequently asked questions about government services and operations. Just call (919) 319-4500.

Volunteer to Serve: Citizens may apply to serve on one of several standing council-appointed boards and commissions (see www.townofcary.org for a current list). The Town Clerk recruits to fill vacancies each fall with appointments being made by Town Council in January. Most board seats are for three-year terms. In addition to the standing boards, the Town sometimes has a number of special committees and task forces working for a finite time on specific, current issues. Appointments to these special groups are made as needed and advertised on our Web site and in the local newspaper. Terms of service for these groups vary.

Telephone: (919) 469-4011

In addition to council boards, the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department recruits large numbers of volunteers to participate in many areas including coaching athletic teams, trail workdays, park cleanup, maintenance or enhancement projects, docents at Page-Walker Arts and History Center, and helping out with Applause! Cary Youth Theater. The Athletics Committee, Greenways Committee, Teen Advisory Committee and Cultural Arts Committee serve as advisory bodies to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board.

Telephone: (919) 469-4061

Groups of citizens may volunteer to stencil storm drains in the Town of Cary. Storm drain stenciling is part of an effort to increase public awareness that what goes into storm drains eventually ends up in our rivers, not in a wastewater treatment facility. Cary has more than 13,000 storm drains which empty into either the Neuse or Cape Fear watersheds. Small groups of volunteers attend a brief training session and then, using stenciling kits provided by the Town, spray-paint drains with a “Flows to the Neuse River” or “Flows to the Cape Fear River” message.

Telephone: (919) 469-4030

Many citizens are also interested in the Block Leader Program, a special grassroots communications effort to educate citizens about conservation and the environment. These volunteers are resources for their neighborhoods, providing information and materials to help residents become more conscientious about their water use, solid waste disposal, stormwater runoff, and recycling practices. To become better informed, Block Leaders annually attend a one-hour orientation session and pick up their materials for distribution. Block Leaders do not have any enforcement responsibilities.

Telephone: (919) 469-4090

And finally, volunteer to help our police by becoming part of Cary’s CAP Team – Citizens Assisting Police. CAP Team members help provide security at public events and assist the Police Department with fingerprinting, child safety seat installation, clerical duties, service center staffing, Community Watch programs and other duties. CAP members do not carry guns, and before becoming CAP Team members, a volunteer must successfully complete Cary's Citizens Police Academy and receive training in such responsibilities as report writing. For more information, call (919) 469-4324.

TOWN SERVICES, ACTIVITIES AND INITIATIVES

24-Hour Town Hall Recorded Telephone Message Line

See Public Information

Accident Reports

Call Police Records at (919) 469-4021 to get a copy of an accident report.

Accounting

The Town’s accounting division administers Town’s financial affairs including investing all Town funds, debt planning and issuance, maintaining accounting and financial records, invoicing all non-utility billed revenues, managing revenues and collections, preparing the bi-weekly payroll, and preparing the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Within the division, accounts payable processes payments to vendors for goods and services provided to the Town.

Finance, (919) 469-4380

Affordable Housing

The Affordable Housing Plan, adopted by Town Council on May 11, 2000, is a chapter in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan that provides long-term guidance to future land use and development decisions. The plan includes strategies and initiatives to achieve a higher proportion of housing accessible to Town employees such as police officers and firefighters, as well as teachers, service workers, and others who seek affordable housing in Cary. See also Housing Resources.

Planning, (919) 469-4082

Alternate Day Watering

Adopted by the Cary Town Council in April 2000, the Alternate Day Watering Ordinance is a year-round outdoor watering law for all utility customers except for the relatively few citizens who irrigate with non-drinking water sources such as reclaimed, pond, lake, or well water. According to the alternate day watering schedule, customers have the same three days each week to water their landscape with irrigation systems or sprinklers:

Odd numbered street addresses: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Even numbered street addresses: Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

While hand watering is allowed any day of the week, watering with automatic irrigation systems or sprinklers on Mondays is not permitted. This allows time for system recovery and maintenance. Permitted handheld devices include, but are not limited to, hoses and watering cans or wands.

A three-week exception to the Alternate Day Watering Ordinance is available from April 15 through August 15 for customers planting warm season grasses (Zoysia, Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Centipede) and from September 15 through November 15 for customers planting cool season grasses such as fescue. Apply for exceptions online at www.townofcary.org or by calling the Public Works and Utilities Department. The alternate day watering schedule does not apply to any type of car washing, filling pools, or power washing. During emergencies, however, restrictions further limiting the alternate day schedule may be added as necessary.

Public Works and Utilities, (919) 469-4090

Amphitheaters

See Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park and Sertoma Amphitheatre

Animals, Dead

See Solid Waste Collection

Animals, Rules

See Pets

Animals, Wild

Sick or injured animals, animals that are treated cruelly, or animals running at large should be reported to Animal Control; also report any animal bites to humans or pets. Do not touch or try to capture any wild or stranger animal, especially those that may carry the rabies virus and even if you think the animal is dead; instead, report the location of the animal to Animal Control immediately. For help removing or repelling pesky wild animals not in your living space – such as bats in the attic or raccoons in the garbage – see PEST CONTROL in the Yellow Pages. See also Solid Waste Collection.

Police, (919) 319-4517 or (919) 469-4012

Annexation

The State of North Carolina asserts that areas which are urban in character should be part of and served by municipalities. Annexation is the process under state law by which property not within a town’s corporate limits may become part of that town. The annexation process may be initiated by citizens or by a municipality. Under citizen initiated annexation, the property owner petitions the municipality to be added to its corporate limits; with town initiated annexation, it is the municipality that initiates the annexation. The Town of Cary supports both the citizen initiated and town initiated annexation processes and administers them in accordance with state law.

Annexation into Cary’s corporate limits is required prior to connecting to the water or sewer systems. Properties that are annexed may take advantage of all the services offered by Cary, including the accredited police, fire and paramedic services and trash and debris removal, and the variety of recreational opportunities offered by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. All major new development proposals are required to annex into the Town’s corporate limits. The process requires submittal of an application, which is free of charge. Each annexation requires a public hearing, and the citizen initiated process generally takes two to three months. View a short video about Cary’s annexation process by visiting www.townofcary.org.

Planning, (919) 469-4082

Applause! Cary Youth Theatre

Applause! offers theatre classes, camps and workshops for youth age 4-18. In addition to class and camp performances, Applause! holds auditions and design team interviews for two annual main-stage productions. Auditions are typically open to ages 8-18; design team interviews are typically open to ages 10-18.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, (919) 469-4061

Appliance Disposal

See Solid Waste Collection

Art

See Public Art

Backwater Valve

To protect your property, the North Carolina Building Code requires a backwater valve to be installed if the plumbing fixtures are below the top of the first, upstream manhole on the street. A properly operating backwater valve allows flow to only go in one direction, thus preventing wastewater from entering your building during regular sewer system maintenance or inadvertent sewer system backups. To find out if you have or need a backwater valve, check your plumbing plans or consult with your builder or professional plumber. If sewage backs up into your home, the cost to clean up and repair damages may be high, and towns cannot be held liable for damages when a backwater valve has not been installed by a property owner.

Inspections and Permits, (919) 469-4340

Ball Field Rental

Ball field reservations and rentals may be made in person at the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources office in Town Hall at 316 North Academy Street. Reservations may be made starting on Monday at 8 a.m. for that week. Fields are available for rental from March through October. The softball complexes at Middle Creek Park and Thomas Brooks Park are available for tournaments and event rentals only. For more information on renting these complexes, call (919) 367-2695.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, (919) 469-4061

Bicycling

Part of the Town of Cary’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan, the Bicycle Plan includes information on bicycle safety and rules of the road, a bicycle route map and guide, links to registering bicycles, and recommendations for future bicycle planning in Cary. The League of American Bicyclists has recognized Cary as a “Bicycle Friendly Community” and has presented Cary with a Bronze Award for writing, directing and producing a bicycle education video in English and Spanish on bicycle facilities, rules of the road and bicycle safety tips. The video airs regularly on Cary TV 11 and is available on the Town’s Web site.

Planning, (919) 469-4082

Boards and Commissions

The Town Council appoints the members to nine citizen boards and commissions that advise the Council on various issues in the community.

· The Economic Development Commission provides advice and recommendations to the council on economic development standards and activities for the Town of Cary.

· The Information Services Advisory Board advises the council on information technology and communications matters as they relate to the Cary citizenry and offers input and guidance on the development and implementation of efficient and effective communications tools and programs to disseminate information and to receive input from the public.

· The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Advisory Board advises the council in the planning and implementing of parks and greenways as well as the programs conducted as part of the parks, recreation and cultural resources system.

· The Planning and Zoning Board advises the council on land use, zoning, and development issues.

· The Public Art Advisory Board provides advice and recommendations to the council on all matters relating to the administration, acquisition, and inclusion of public art.

· The Sister Cities Commission strives to further global understanding and to encourage and assist sister city relationships between the Town of Cary and its citizens and cities throughout the world.

· The Town Center Review Commission reviews new subdivision and site plans for the downtown area. This commission is also responsible for reviewing proposed plans for development approval within the boundaries of the Town Center District, reviewing proposed public enhancement projects such as public art and streetscapes in the town center, administering downtown design guidelines, and making recommendations on requests for variances from the downtown sign regulations.

· The Utility Board of Adjustment approves or denies requests for adjustments to billed water, sewer, reconnection, late payment penalty and/or meter testing fee based upon a determination of whether policies were correctly applied.

· The Zoning Board of Adjustment hears and decides appeals where it is alleged that there is an error in any order, requirement, permit, decision, determination or refusal made by the planning staff or other administrative officials in the enforcement of any provisions of the zoning ordinance.

The Town Clerk recruits volunteers each fall from the general citizenry and, depending on the board, the Town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, to fill vacancies with appointments being made by the Town Council in January. Most board seat terms are for three-years.

Town Clerk, (919) 469-4011

Boat Rental

Bond Park provides pedal boats, fishing boats, canoes, kayaks and sailboats for rent. For fee information and the boathouse schedule, use the automated service at (919) 469-4100.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, (919) 469-4061

Bond Park

Fred G. Bond Metro Park, a 310-acre facility, is the largest municipal park in Wake County. The park’s design offers opportunities for both passive and active recreation while preserving the environment and integrating all facilities into natural settings. The park features a 42-acre lake for fishing and boating as well as picnic shelters, seven athletic fields, a 300-seat amphitheatre, trails, a large playground, and the Challenge Ropes Course. The park’s Compost Education Center includes a self-guided trail that demonstrates how to compost, the environmental and economic benefits of composting, and how to use the finished compost. The 29,000 square foot Bond Park Community Center includes activity and meeting rooms, two gymnasiums, and shower and locker rooms. Also at Bond Park is the 16,000 square foot Senior Center, which includes meeting, activity and kitchen facilities.

Bond Park Community Center, (919) 462-3970

Cary Senior Center, (919) 469-4081

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, (919) 469-4061

Bond Rating–AAA

The Town's general obligation bonds are rated AAA by the three national rating agencies: Fitch, Moody’s, and Standard & Poors. Having a AAA credit rating saves Cary and its citizens hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest as the Town borrows money for large capital projects.

Finance, (919) 469-4380

Bonds

As part of our debt management strategy, the Town issues bonds and enters into installment contracts to finance many large capital projects. The Town’s general obligation bonds are rated AAA, the best possible, by all three national credit rating agencies, which saves Cary and its citizens hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest when the Town borrows money. Most of the Town’s bonds are sold competitively to the investment banking firm that submits the lowest interest rate bid. The winning bidder then sells the bonds to individuals and institutions. Individuals can purchase Cary bonds from registered broker dealers.

Finance, (919) 462-3957

Building Permits

Building permits are issued to erect, enlarge, alter, remove, demolish, or repair a structure in the Town of Cary in accordance with the North Carolina Building Code. This includes everything from new construction to renovations and additions to residential as well as commercial structures.

Building Permits for small projects can be obtained using the SPOT (Small Project One-hour Turnaround) Program. Applicants that come in between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. with all required information (plot plan, building plans, contractor info, etc.) may receive their permits within one hour. If there are any problems with the plans or paperwork, staff will work with the applicant to resolve the problem on the spot. Decks, porches, storage buildings, attic or basement conversions, and additions of under 500 square feet are all eligible for SPOT permitting.

Electrical permits are required for the installation of new electrical service equipment, existing service relocation and service increases as well as interior and exterior fixed appliances and equipment connections.

Mechanical permits are required for the replacement, repair or alteration of mechanical systems in structures including gas lines, gas logs, gas lights, gas grills, propane tanks, and associated piping for flammable liquids.

Plumbing permits are required for all plumbing work including water service, drains, water mains, sewage disposal systems, irrigation systems, and related fixtures and appliances.

Inspections and Permits, (919) 469-4340

Bulk Reclaimed Water

The Town of Cary provides reclaimed water free of charge for use by contractors and landscape companies for irrigation, dust control, and other non-potable uses (250 gallon minimum). Reclaimed water is highly cleaned wastewater that meets state reclaimed water quality requirements. It is a safe, cost-effective alternative to using potable water for non-drinking uses. Pickups are available during regular business hours at both of Cary’s reclamation facilities. Tank truck drivers must participate in a brief training prior to pickup and distribution of reclaimed water.

North Cary Water Reclamation Facility, (919) 677-0850

South Cary Water Reclamation Facility, (919) 779-0697

Bulk Water Sales/Hydrant Access

Public Works and Utilities will supply to citizens and contractors bulk water meters that attach to fire hydrants. The hydrant equipment may be used to fill pools, clean streets, control road dust, for special events or to supply water to construction sites. First time bulk water users must establish a credit account with the Town of Cary by calling the Finance Department at (919) 319-4552. Bulk water transactions are conducted 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays. To schedule a bulk water meter setup or pickup, call Public Works and Utilities 24 hours in advance.

Public Works and Utilities, (919) 469-4090

Burning, Outdoor

Any outdoor burning requires a permit issued by the Cary Fire Department Risk Management Division.

Fire, (919) 469-4056

Buses

See C-Tran

Business License

Any person conducting business within Cary’s corporate limits must pay a business license tax unless specifically exempted by State law. Business activities include but are not limited to maintaining a business location within the Town limits, conducting business personally or through agents, soliciting business within the Town, and picking up and/or delivering goods or services within the Town limits. If an individual or company is engaged in more than one type of business, separate licenses may be required for each type. The business license form is on the Town’s Web site at www.townofcary.org.

Finance, (919) 460-4952

C-Tran

C-Tran, Cary’s transit system, provides the following types of transit service:

• Door-to-Door Transit Service – C-Tran provides door-to-door van service for medical, shopping, social, and employment trips for Cary citizens age 55 or older or disabled of any age. Citizens must register at the Cary Senior Center for this specialized service. In-town trips are provided for $2 per one-way trip and out-of-town trips provided for $4 per one-way trip to Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Morrisville, and Apex. C-Tran offers discount pricing for tickets during off-peak in-town trips only between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Out-of-town trips are provided only for medical and employment trips for seniors and the disabled. Reservations must be made by calling 481-2020 at least 24 hours before the scheduled pick-up. C-Tran strives to ensure that pick-ups occur within 15 minutes of the scheduled departure time. This is not an exclusive taxi-type service, but rather a shared-ride service where passengers are grouped according to common destinations.

• Fixed Route Service – Open to any member of the general public, no registration is required. Riders pay $1 per one-way trip; one transfer between routes is free. C-Tran also honors the TTA Day Pass and Monthly Pass. Seniors and disabled pay $.50 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All fixed route buses are equipped with bike racks. Transfers can be made between the North-South Route and East-West Route at the Cary Depot.

1) North-South Route – Service provided from Harrison Square Shopping Center (N. Harrison and Weston Parkway) to the south along Harrison Avenue, Academy Street and Kildaire Farm Road and terminates at the WalMart at Crescent Commons to the south. Service runs every half hour from approximately 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with hourly service between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

2) East-West Route – Service provided from Preston Corners (High House and Cary Parkway) to Cary Towne Center along High House Road, Chatham Street, and East Maynard Road. Service runs every half hour from approximately 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with hourly service between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

3) Maynard Loop Route – Hourly service provided in both directions around the Maynard Loop with stops at Cary Towne Center, Crossroads and Dillard Drive near Centrum.

Service is provided Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. excluding holidays. Maps

and schedules for the fixed route service are available on the Town’s Web site at

www.townofcary.org or can be picked up at Town Hall, the Senior Center or on the buses.

Planning, (919) 469-4082

Calendars

Find calendars for special events, solid waste collection, official Town government meetings, and much more on the Town’s Web site, www.townofcary.org. Also see the Town’s weekly display ad on page A-5 of the local newspaper, The Cary News.

Public Information, (919) 469-4007

Camps and Art Experiences

Day camps for traditional calendar and tracked out year-round students are offered throughout the year. For details, go to www.townofcary.org or call:

• Art Camps, (919) 469-4069

• Sports Camps, (919) 469-4062

• Clown Camp, (919) 460-4963

• Nature Camps, (919) 387-5980

• Performing Arts Experiences, (919) 469-4061

• Safety Town, (919) 460-4965

• Summer Day Camps, (919) 462-3970

• Teen Adventure Camps, (919) 462-3970

• Teen Video Project, (919) 460-4963

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, (919) 469-4061

Cary Tennis Park

The Cary Tennis Park features 30 lighted tennis courts including an exhibition court and a stadium court. A variety of tennis opportunities are offered including instructional and play for beginner through advanced players for both youth and adults. Contact the park directly at (919) 462-2061 for additional information.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, (919) 469-4061

Cary TV 11

See Public Information

Cemetery

See Hillcrest Cemetery

Christmas Parade

For over 25 years, the Cary Jaycees has sponsored a downtown Christmas Parade. Information and applications may be found on their Web site at www.caryjaycees.org.

Cary Jaycees, (919) 406-6200

Christmas Tree Collection

See Solid Waste Collection

Citizen Satisfaction Survey

Every two years the Town undertakes a scientific, representative telephone survey of Cary citizens as part of our assessment of citizen opinion on our effectiveness in helping promote and support a high quality of life for our citizens. Survey results are available at www.townofcary.org.

Public Information, (919) 460-4951

Citizens Police Academy

This multi-week evening program offers an opportunity for the general public to see firsthand the duties and responsibilities of law enforcement personnel. Attendees interact with police officers, emergency communications officers, records clerks, and animal control officers. The program does not train citizens to become police officers; the program helps attendees better understand the law enforcement profession. Training for the academy is provided entirely by the Police Department.

Police, (919) 460-4903

Citizen’s Convenience Center

Located at 313 North Dixon Avenue in downtown Cary, the Citizen’s Convenience Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 1 - 6 p.m., and most holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Convenience Center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Cary citizens may dispose of bulky trash, yard waste, miscellaneous trash, household garbage and large appliances (fee applies) at the Citizen’s Convenience Center. Newspapers and glossy magazines; corrugated cardboard and chipboard; residential computers and electronic equipment; aluminum, steel and tin cans; brown, green and clear glass bottles and jars; and #1, #2, #5, and #7 flattened plastic bottles may be dropped off to be recycled. See also Solid Waste Collection.

Public Works and Utilities, (919) 469-4090

Community Centers

Recreation programs and special events are offered at the Bond Park Community Center, Middle Creek Community Center and the Herbert C. Young Community Center. Programs include fitness and exercise, dance, self-defense, and other recreational and athletic opportunities. The Bond Park Community Center is located in Bond Park, 801 High House Road. Middle Creek Community Center is located at 123 Middle Creek Park Avenue adjacent to Middle Creek High School. The Herbert C. Young Community Center is located at 101 Wilkinson Avenue in downtown Cary (see also Senior Citizen Programs).

Bond Park Community Center, (919) 462-3970

Middle Creek Community Center, (919) 771-1295

Herbert C. Young Community Center, (919) 460-4965

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, (919) 469-4061

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Cary Fire and emergency services train citizens how to take care of themselves first and then help others in the community in the first three days following a natural or manmade disaster. CERT members are taught basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. CERT classes are offered 1-2 times a year.

Fire, (919) 469-4056

Community Watch

Help keep Cary safe by joining a local arm of the national Community Watch, which facilitates neighborhoods working together to reduce crime. The Cary Community Watch Association acts as the “eyes and ears” of the police by reporting suspicious activity.

Police, (919) 469-4324

Compost Education Center

To learn more about composting vegetative debris, visit the Compost Education Center in Bond Park. A self-guided trail demonstrates how to compost, the environmental and economic benefits of composting, and how to use the resulting product to enrich and improve soil.

Public Works and Utilities, (919) 469-4090

Concerts

The NC Symphony’s Summerfest Concert Series is held annually in June and July at Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park. For additional Summerfest concert information, call the NC Symphony at (919) 733-2750. Other concerts are held at the Amphitheatre from April through October. Contact the box office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the concert season at (919) 462-2025. Other concert opportunities include Cary’s Marvelous Music Series at the Herbert C. Young Community Center, the Friends of the Page-Walker Concert Series and the Starlight Concert Series as well as a variety of concerts throughout the year at Bond Park's Sertoma Amphitheatre.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, (919) 469-4061

Crime Stoppers

Crime Stoppers of Cary, Inc., a non-profit organization, involves the community, the media, and law enforcement in the fight against crime. Crime Stoppers works with the Cary Police Department but is not part of it. Most of the information received by Crime Stoppers is by telephone, and all calls to Crime Stoppers are kept in complete confidence. When a call is received, it is logged with the date and time along with a brief summary of the caller's information. Callers are given a confidential code number that is used for identification in subsequent transactions. Citizens who supply information leading to an arrest and indictment are eligible for rewards up to $2500. At the time of the initial phone call, the caller is given instructions on when to call back to check on the case. When the caller does call back, if the information provided resulted in an arrest and indictment, the caller will be given information on how to collect the reward and still remain anonymous. To report information about a crime, call 226-CRIM(E).

Police, (919) 469-4017

Cross Connection

In order to protect the public water system from possible contamination or pollution, the Town’s Cross Connection Control Ordinance requires all commercial customers to have backflow prevention assemblies installed on all domestic water services, fire sprinkler and irrigation systems. Residential customers with irrigation systems must also install a backflow prevention device. All backflow prevention assemblies must be tested annually and a copy of the test and maintenance report retained for three years.

Public Works and Utilities, (919) 469-4090

Cultural Arts

The Town supports cultural arts through the Cultural Arts division of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department as well as by supporting local cultural arts non-profits that serve our community. In FY2007, the Town provided support to the following organizations:

Cary/Apex Piano Teachers Association

Offers master classes, recitals and competitions for community pianists

(919) 481-0108

Cary Ballet Company

Provides dancers with quality training and performing experience

www.caryballet.net; (919) 481-6509

Cary Community Choir

A special choir assembled annually for the presentation of the Christmas portion of The Messiah

www.carycommunitychoir.com; (919) 463-5284

Cary Players

Cary’s Community Theatre Company dedicated to developing, enhancing and showcasing theatrical talents through a diverse offering of excellent theatrical productions

www.caryplayers.org

Cary Town Band

Music in the spirit of turn of the century bands led by Sousa and Goldman

www.angelfire.com/nc/CaryTownBand; (919) 467-7336

Cary Visual Art

Facilitates the commissioning and placement of art throughout the community

www.caryvisualart.org; (919) 468-9500

Concert Singers of Cary

Performing outstanding vocal music from all traditions with several ensembles for adults at various skill levels and for children grades 3-9

www.concertsingers.org; (919) 678-1009

Diamante, Inc.

Encourages Hispanic cultural programming and co-sponsors Festival Ritmo Latino

www.diamanteinc.org; (919) 852-0075

Fine Arts League of Cary

Increases public awareness of fine visual art through exhibits, competitions and workshops

www.fineartsleagueofcary.org; (919) 303-7887

Hum Sub, Inc.

Co-sponsors Cary Diwali and other festive celebrations to share Indian cultural heritage

www.humsub.net; (919) 342-0345

NC Symphony

Full time, professional orchestra that performs its annual Summerfest concert series in Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park, a state-of-the-art performance center adjacent to Symphony Lake.

www.ncsymphony.org; (919) 733-2750

Philharmonic Association

Ensemble opportunities for youth at various skill levels

(Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble, Triangle Youth Orchestra, Triangle Youth Symphony, Triangle Youth Philharmonic)

www.philharmonic-association.org; (919) 467-2727

Triangle Wind Ensemble

Performance opportunities for advanced wind and percussion instrumentalists

www.trianglewind.org; (919) 531-7757

The Ujima Group

Co-sponsors Cary Kwanzaa and the African-American Celebration, communal, cultural events that honor African-Americans and their heritage

(919) 380-7020

Dance

See Cultural Arts

Direct Draft for Utility Bills

Dance

See Cultural Arts

Direct Draft for Utility Bills

Save time by having your utility bill drafted from your bank account. Simply complete a Bank Draft Authorization Form and return it to Town of Cary Finance Department, PO Box 8049, Cary, NC 27512-8049. The amount of your utility bill will be automatically drafted on the due date. Inquire about your utility account, pay your bill online, or find the Bank Draft Authorization Form at www.townofcary.org.

Finance, (919) 469-4050

Disabilities, People With

See C-Tran

Dog Park

The Town of Cary’s dog park provides a place for dog owners to let their pets run safely and legally without a leash. The park is a one-acre fenced area accessed through Robert V. Godbold Park at 2050 NW Maynard Road. The hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with no entry after 9 p.m. Dog park passes may be purchased at any community center by presenting Town of Cary Pet ID Tag and proof of current rabies vaccination.

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources (919) 469-4064 or (919) 462-3970

Driveways

When replacing an existing driveway or adding a new residential driveway, a permit is required for the portion of the work in the public right-of-way and may be obtained from Inspections and Permits.

Inspections and Permits, (919) 469-4340

Easements

An easement is a legal interest in property for a specific purpose, such as giving a company access to run a telephone line underground. Utility easements that are dedicated to the Town of Cary cover water and/or sanitary sewer lines and are typically 20 feet wide. After the easement is granted, the property owner continues to maintain the easement like the rest of the yard. While ground covers or grasses are okay within an easement, no trees or shrubbery should be placed within a utility easement because of the need for utility maintenance staff to access the area and to help prevent utility line damage caused by tree and shrub roots. Fences and landscaping improvements installed within the easement are subject to disturbance or damage during the Town's use of the easement and may be removed if the Town needs access for maintenance or utility line repair. See Utility Easement Clearing and Mowing.

Public Works and Utilities, (919 469-4090

Elections

In North Carolina, the elections process is the legal responsibility of county government, and in Cary, these duties fall to the Wake County Board of Elections (BOE) and the Chatham County BOE. Registered voters are assigned to one of several dozen voting precincts established by the BOE. Since precinct assignment is based on current residential street address, it’s important for voters to notify their county BOE immediately upon changing residences in order to be eligible to vote in upcoming elections.

Town Clerk, (919) 469-4011

Electronic Mailing List Service

See Public Information

E-mail

Town of Cary e-mail addresses are configured as follows:

firstname.lastname@townofcary.org. For example: john.smith@townofcary.org.