December 2020
IN THIS ISSUE: "Welcome" letter / Monthly Review (November) / News & Notices / Coming Events (December) / Department Feature / Photo Review
Welcome to "The Current"
WELCOME to the inaugural edition of THE CURRENT, your monthly recap of all things previous, and guide for all things to come in the Town of Oak Island! Although this is an entirely new publication, it owes homages to longstanding traditions of direct communication between the Town and the people it serves. Longtime residents may remember The Oak Island Tribune, as a hard copy newsletter received with their utility bills. Expanding on that effort, The Current strives to provide a direct connection to the news, notices, and events of your town; all from the one-click convenience of a single online newsletter. As this publication grows, expect to see more local government news, community features, stunning local images, along with all of the content you need to keep current with the current events of Oak Island! Welcome, to The Current.
MONTHLY REVIEW: NOVEMBER
REMINDER: Information on all news items can be found on the Town Website at: www.OakIslandNC.com/NEWS.
Dune Repair & Sand Sifting Project Begins
Now that the Sea Turtle Nesting Season has officially ended, equipment is being secured to finalize Dune Pushing in areas where turtle nests prevented the original emergency pushing. Additionally, contracts are already in place to begin the larger Sifting & Redistribution Project as well.
Work in both of these areas is expected to begin during the week of November 30 (weather and contractor schedules permitting).
You can read more about this project on the special DUNES page of the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.com/DUNES, or by clicking the link below.
COVID-19 Updates
On Friday, November 20, 2020, Brunswick County Health and Human Services Executive Director, David Stanley along with Health Services Director, Cris Harrelson released a letter to all residents regarding travel during the Thanksgiving Holiday. In the letter, they urged all who can to avoid unnecessary travel during Thanksgiving and holiday season; and encouraged gathering only within immediate households.
The County also released their COVID-19 Snapshot, which noted a 16.6% increase in new cases from November 6-20. Key points noted the "Significant / Yellow" status on the new NC COVID-19 County Alert System, and stressed continuance of the "3-W's" prevention methods.
The letter, along with the Snapshot, and all COVID-19 response information Oak Island, Brunswick County and the State can be found on the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.com/COVID or by clicking the link below.
Walkover Repair Projects to Begin / Others Completed
While repairs to Town and public access facilities have been a large and ongoing project since the impact of Hurricane Isaias in August, one of the most common questions involves the repairs to the three Davis Canal pedestrian walkovers.
Repairs to the largest of the three, which connects SE 31st St. to 29th PL E, were completed in late October, with an opening shortly after. As of late November, the Town has obtained the services of Stature Engineering for the repairs to the walkovers at SE 20th (to 19th PL E) and SE 9th (to 9th PL E). All permits for the projects have been obtained along with the completed surveys and geotechnical work that is needed to complete the design, specs, and bid documents. Town Council will be awarding the repair contract(s) at their January 12, 2021 meeting, with construction anticipated to begin the first part of February. Additional updates will be provided as they develop.
As a reminder, updates on all repair projects can be found on the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.com/PROJECTS, or by clicking the link below.
"Roll Back" Policy Ends
Beginning on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 the contractor-provided “roll back” policy for garbage and recycling bins, currently in place for certain portions of Town, has ended. Moving forward, it will be the responsibility of all residents and businesses to bring their bins to the curb for collection, and return them from the roadway afterwards. NOTE: This does not affect individuals who pay additional fees for private roll back service, or those who are provided this service as part of their property management agreements.
TIMING: Containers should be placed curbside no earlier than the afternoon prior to collection; and should be rolled back to storage at the home no later than the evening following collection. When in storage, containers should always be stored on non-elevated surfaces next to ground level homes, or underneath elevated houses. The full policy regarding garbage collection and Recycling can be found in Chapter 24 of the Town Code of Ordinances
Beach Bonfire Permits
Now that Sea Turtle Nesting Season has officially passed, beach bonfire permits are now available through the Fire department. This year, the permit application process has been made available completely online (see link below)! Please remember, the online permit application is for bonfires on the public beach areas ONLY.
Reminders about Beach Bonfire Permits: They are only available November 16 - April 30 / They will not be accepted more than 72 hours before a planned burn / PEAK Winds speeds must be forecasted at or below 15 MPH for the time of your burn / Permit approval will be emailed and should be kept as proof of permit, and may be requested on location of burn.
Remember to always practice fire safety, and to please clean up after your bonfire! To learn more about permits or to apply, simply visit the Town Website at www.OakIslandNC.com/BONFIRE, or click the link below.
NEWS & NOTICES: DECEMBER
Council & Board Meetings
REMINDER: Information on all meetings can be found on the Town Website at: www.OakIslandNC.com/CALENDAR.
TOWN COUNCIL will hold their regular meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall, at 4601 E Oak Island Drive. NOTE: This meeting will be broadcast live on OKI-TV (Spectrum Cable channel 8), as well as livestreamed on www.OakIslandNC.com.
PLANNING BOARD will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 10:30 AM in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall, at 4601 E Oak Island Drive. NOTE: This meeting will be broadcast live on OKI-TV (Spectrum Cable channel 8), as well as livestreamed on www.OakIslandNC.com.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT will hold a called meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2020 at 10:00 AM in the Council Chambers, located on the second floor of Town Hall, at 4601 E Oak Island Drive.
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION COMMITTEE will hold a regular called meeting on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 8:30 AM, which will be conducted virtually via Zoom.
Closures & Holidays
NOVEMBER 26 & 27: Town offices will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving.
DECEMBER 24 & 25: Town offices will be closed in observance of Christmas.
COMING EVENTS: DECEMBER
REMINDER: Information on all special events can be found on the Town Website at: www.OakIslandNC.com/EVENTS.
Birds of Oak Island Marshlands
WHEN: December 5, 2020 • 9:00 AM, 1030 AM, & NOON
WHERE: Nature Center (Outside) • Corner of NE 52nd Street & E Yacht Drive
WHO: 15 pre-registrations per time slot required
COST: $5 Residents & $7 Non- Residents
ABOUT: This exciting educational nature program teaches all about the various birds of our area marshlands. The program should last approximately one hour, and will begin will with a special story time read from the porch of the Nature Center while attendees listen below. Tables will be set up below for kids to work on special "Marshland Birds" themed crafts, while still maintaining social distancing. (NOTE: Staff & attendees will be required to wear masks.)
To register, call the Recreation Center at 910-278-5518
OKI Tree Lighting
WHEN: Friday, December 4, 2020 • Dusk
WHERE: Middleton Park • 4601 E Oak Island Drive
WHO: Open to all
ABOUT: This year’s Tree Lighting ceremony will consist of a local band playing Christmas favorites, as participants social distance on the large field. Santa will be in a secret place in the park, and will appear in a decorated boat. Families can stand beside the boat to take socially distanced pictures with him. There will also be a North Pole Mailbox for letters to Santa. The waiting line for Santa will have candy canes or other festive items on the trail to remind folks to stay 6-feet apart. The wooded portions of Middleton Park will be decorated with holiday lights so families can stroll through at their leisure.
Pet Pictures with Santa
WHEN: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 • 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
WHERE: Middleton Park Christmas Tree Area • 4601 E Oak Island Drive
COST: FREE
ABOUT: Pet owners can call to make reservations to bring their pooch to the park for a self-taken photo with Santa. Santa will be socially distanced on the stage, and staff wearing masks and gloves will walk all pets in front of Santa for their picture.
To register, call the Recreation Center at 910-278-5518
Santa Calling
WHEN: Tuesday & Thursday, December 8 & 10, 2020 • 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
COST: FREE
ABOUT: Local residents will be able to submit the names and phone numbers for their children or grandchildren, for "Volunteer Santas" to call. Program is completely over the phone and involves no in-person contact.
To register, call the Recreation Center at 910-278-5518
Gingerbread Beach House Contest
WHEN: Houses due by Saturday, December 7, 2020 • 2:00 PM
WHERE: Recreation Center • 3003 E Oak Island Drive
COST: FREE
ABOUT: The Annual Gingerbread Beach House contest can be viewed online this year. Houses will be dropped off at the Recreation Center by December 7. Staff will video each house, and citizens can vote for their favorite online this year.
To register, call the Recreation Center at 910-278-5518
OKI Christmas Tree Crawl
WHEN: Tree decoration deadline of Thursday, December 5, 2020
WHERE: Various business throughout Oak Island
COST: $25 per business
ABOUT: This unique program partners with local OKI businesses to create a one-of-a-kind Christmas Tree decorating contest. Businesses will register themselves as a site for customers to view trees decorated at their business, who will then vote through the website on the best tree in Town. Trees can be viewed throughout the entire month of December.
AWARD CATEGORIES: Best Overall Christmas Tree / Best use of Theme / Most Oak Island Spirit / People’s Choice Award
To register, call the Recreation Center at 910-278-5518
FEATURE: PUBLIC WORKS
The Town of Oak Island Public Works Department performs many important functions for the Town of Oak Island, from facilities maintenance, to stormwater systems management, to street maintenance, and more! The department employees 27 staff members, led by Public Works Director, Scott Thornall, and consists of 5 divisions: Operations, Streets, Solid Waste, Stormwater, and Fleet Maintenance.
PROFILE: Public Works Director: With a lineage rooted in Cumberland County back to the 1700's, Scott Thornall broke from family tradition to join the Oak Island team in March of 2019. After working in the Public Works Commission for the City of Fayetteville, NC for over 25 years, Scott now serves the residents of Oak Island with a very "hands on" approach to both leadership and Public Works in general.
"We can do computer modeling and desk work all day long, but until you get out there in the streets, or in the ditches, you'll just never get a true sense of what needs to be done" said Thornall. "I like the Town of Oak Island, because working here gives me the chance to do that. I can lead the Department from the field, alongside my staff, just as efficiently as I can from behind a desk. It really helps you to connect with the people you serve."
PROFILE: Administrative Support Specialist: If you've ever interacted with the Department Directly, then you've probably interacted with Kennette Tower.
As the Administrative Support Specialist, she keeps systems running as smoothly in the office, as Public Works staff keep equipment running around Town.
Friendly and outgoing, you'll find her knowledge of pop culture and media almost equal to that of Public Works operations ... almost!
For assistance with any of the services provided by Public Works, you can email Kennette at ktower@ci.oak-island.nc.us or call 910-201-8083.
Department Administration is rounded out by Street Division Supervisor, David Smith and Operations Division Supervisor, Mike Goodson. While both divisions may be indistinguishable from the rest of staff most of the time, you really notice their efforts during times of emergency. They are the ones "hunkered down" during storms or other emergency events, and are the first ones out immediately afterwards, ensuring the rapid return of services and accessibility.
It's not just emergencies that motivate, however! Even in times of tranquility, they are always hard at work to make sure the streets are clean and safe, garbage and recycling is collected appropriately, and Town facilities are accessible and functioning. In fact, if you don't see Public Works staff every day out "fixing" something, that usually means they've succeeded in their job of maintaining equipment and infrastructure, preventing the need for more major repairs.
To learn more about the Public Works Department, and the many services they offer, you can visit them on the Town Website at: www.OakIslandNC.com/PW, or just click the link below.
PHOTO REVIEW
Below are photos from the previous month's events.
Thank you for reading this inaugural edition of The Current. This information is produced by the Town of Oak Island Communications Office, and is for information and educational purposes only. Any perceived endorsements or promotion of third party products, services, or organizations is unintentional. For more information on any of the departments or services provided by the Town of Oak Island, visit www.OakIslandNC.com, call 910-278-5011, or email OKI-info@ci.oak-island.nc.us.
©2020 Town of Oak Island NC. All Rights Reserved.
Credits:
Created with images by viarami - "update upgrade improve" • lowthy76 - "bird water nature" • PublicDomainPictures - "lights holiday bright" • Annabel_P - "jack russel christmas st nicholas" • Shutterbug75 - "camera aperture digital camera"