In support of the community’s interest and demand for growing composting opportunities, Cary opened a second food waste drop-off site at Mills Park. The expansion in service comes one year after the initial pilot site became a permanent fixture at the Citizen’s Convenience Center and collected 80 tons of material from 26,000 drop-offs. Citizens are making great use of the second site, with nearly 4.5 tons of food scraps collected there in the first two months of operation in February and March. 

In addition to reducing waste, the community’s efforts provide finished compost for Good Hope Farm, equivalent to 10% of the weight of collected food scraps from both sites. As Cary continues to develop long-term waste management strategies, making food waste diversion convenient and accessible for citizens is a commitment that’s crucial in extending the landfill’s life and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

In February, a contractor on behalf of Cary used LiDAR technology via a plane to gather updated topographic and impervious surface data throughout town. LiDAR uses light to detect and map terrain, which can be used to produce Geographic Information System, or GIS, maps. This data, which was last collected over a decade ago, is beneficial to many Cary projects, including transportation, public works, utilities, and stormwater. For example, when it comes to stormwater, the data allows staff to predict stormwater runoff flow and flooding risk. Another benefit is it allows Cary to quantify open space in an effort to fulfill the vision laid out in the Urban Forest Master Plan.

Cary hosted a tour of Downtown Cary Park for the Walnut Creek Watershed Action Team. This group of stakeholders included state, federal, and local organizations that collaborate on environmental justice issues and improvements in the Walnut Creek watershed. The park sits at the top of the watershed, so its multiple stormwater devices help improve water quality and reduce the rate at which water flows downstream to neighbors. For example, the stunning yet functional pond at the center of the park helps reduce peak runoff flow from the 100-year storm event by more than 50%. 

Cary contracted with Native Plants Matter and Leaf & Limb to remove invasive plants along Higgins Greenway. Phase 1 of the project included the trail from Union Street at Dorothy Park south to the greenway spur at Danforth Drive. Phase 2, which is currently in progress, extends south from the Danforth Drive spur to Southwest Maynard Road. Contractors are removing wisteria, Chinese privet, Bradford pear, and other invasive exotic species. Project completion is anticipated in May.

Symphony Lake was constructed in 1982, and more than 40 years of receiving storm flows and associated sediments from upstream areas resulted in the accumulation of sediment in the upper portions of the lake. In January, Cary began dredging Symphony Lake to restore the environmental and water quality characteristics of the lake. The removed sediment was transported to the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility to close a lagoon on the site. Site restoration activities at Symphony Lake will include repaving the Symphony Lake Greenway Trail from Regency Parkway to Koka Booth Amphitheater and reconstructing a greenway bridge over the stream at the head of the lake. Paving and other restoration are anticipated to be completed and the Symphony Lake Greenway reopened in May.

Cary’s Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Program, a nature-based initiative to manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality, launched in April. Cary already encourages the use of GSI on new development and redevelopment projects and aims to lead by example by incorporating GSI measures for projects on Cary-owned properties and within the public right-of-way. Now Cary is also offering a new grant program for property owners who wish to install GSI. The program provides reimbursement of up to $5,000 for eligible GSI measures that are installed on privately owned properties or lots within subdivisions that don’t have an existing stormwater control measure. Interested owners can submit an online interest form via Cary’s website to learn more about this exciting new program. 

In an effort to enhance tree maintenance, Cary’s urban forester launched a training series with Public Works landscape staff on structural tree pruning techniques and best practices. Staff gained an increased understanding of how trees respond to pruning to allow for more structurally sound tree crowns, leading to reduced maintenance costs and healthier urban trees. Cary also offered two online Tree Talks classes, engaging residents on proper tree care. This quarter’s topics educated citizens on proper tree planting to ensure the success and longevity of their trees while helping them identify mature tree hazards that can be addressed before major weather events.

The start of 2024 saw the successful completion of water main replacements and associated infrastructure improvements on Griffis Street, Byrum Street, and the alleyway adjacent to Fidelity Bank. The final pavement restoration on Griffis Street completes a continuous 0.8-mile segment that began at the West Chatham Street and South Harrison Avenue intersection. In addition to water main replacement and resurfacing, significant stretches of curb and gutter were replaced to improve drainage. Cary is also coordinating with Duke Energy to bury overhead power lines before completing work along Page Street, the final project area. More information and a project map are available at carync.gov/watermains.

In January, Cary began engaging residents who live in homes built prior to the federal lead ban in 1986 to identify the material of their privately owned water service line. Cary has since received more than 500 responses either identifying their pipe materials or requesting inspection by staff. To date, no lead service lines have been found in Cary. 

Cary will continue collecting information and will use the service line material data in its predictive model to complete the service line inventory required by the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. To have enough data to achieve accurate results using the predictive model, Cary will physically verify both the public and the private side of the same service line for about 400 locations. Cary’s goal is to submit an inventory with no lead service lines.

As part of Cary’s commitment to comprehensive planning to guide the future of the community, Cary completed a multiyear effort to update its Water System Master Plan. The update reflects current projections for future water demands and right sizes new water distribution and transmission mains to support growth and development throughout Cary’s utility service area, which includes Cary, Morrisville, and Wake County’s portion of Research Triangle Park. The updated plan, which helps ensure the successful long-term design, engineering, and development of water system infrastructure, is available 
at carync.gov/waterplan.

On Jan. 8, Cary launched a Long Range Water Resources Plan update in close coordination with a wide range of stakeholders and regional partners, including Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Research Triangle Park, the Cary Chamber of Commerce, Morrisville, Apex, Chatham County, and Wake County. The visioning process, which looks ahead several decades, laid the groundwork for how this plan will be distinct from past planning efforts as Jordan Lake is nearing full allocation and the region continues to grow. Attendees brainstormed unique trends and adaptive strategies and got sneak peeks at the draft forecast based on the Triangle Regional Model and other regional planning efforts. Cary will continue this close coordination with internal and external stakeholders throughout 2024 as the plan is developed.

Matt Jacoby 

Fire Assistant Chief Matt Jacoby was awarded the 2024 Cliff Jones Ambassador Award at the 2024 Excellence Conference in Orlando, Fla. in February. This award recognizes an individual who goes above and beyond in their support of accreditation, credentialing, and the Center for Public Safety Excellence as a whole. Jacoby also reprised his popular course, Credentialing Process Explained, at the weeklong conference, where he participated in sessions on accreditation, credentialing, leadership, and changes and opportunities in the fire service.

 

Andrew Maurer 

This quarter, Det. Andrew Maurer received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award at the 71st annual Attorney General’s Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Maurer has faithfully served the Cary Police Department as a task force officer on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and was awarded this honorable distinction from U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland for his part in disrupting and convicting a multinational suspect from attempting to provide material support to a terrorist criminal organization.