Town Manager One-On-One
Monday I joined the town manager for our weekly meeting. Our topics of discussion included code enforcement of temporary structures in buffers, and the future demand for housing additions. The majority of our time was spent talking about the impacts of newly elected officials on staff.
Town Hall
Tuesday Cary held a town hall for two hours and fifteen minutes to provide information and answer questions submitted by citizens. Topics included a “did you know” section top-of-mind issues, a downtown development update, a session on understanding your government, and council Q&A. Council members only had time to answer one question each during the town hall. So, the answers to the remaining questions can be found here.
Cary Public Service Academy
Thursday I met with students that were part of the Cary Public Service Academy (CPSA). The CPSA’s purpose is to teach high school students how local government works and spark interest in potential career opportunities serving the community. Cary began the Public Service Academy as a pilot in 2024 for members of Cary Teen Council. I spent fifteen minutes talking about how the council functions, five minutes talking about the council meeting agenda for that night, and fifteen minutes answering questions.
First Electric Fire Truck
On Thursday Cary provided a press release for the first electric fire truck on the east coast. The following is that press release:
Cary, N.C. (July 24, 2025) – The Cary Fire department has officially placed into service the first electric fire truck on the East Coast — a groundbreaking addition to both the Town’s fleet and the future of firefighting in the region. The Pierce ® Volterra™ electric pumper is a cutting-edge addition to Cary’s fire fleet and a powerful step forward in the Town’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and operational resiliency.
On June 20, the Volterra was first on the scene at a residential structure fire.
The truck had responded to calls earlier that day and arrived with 87% battery. It pumped several lines for over three hours and left the scene with 42% battery remaining.
By the time firefighters finished decontaminating back at the station, the Volterra had recharged to nearly 90% and was ready for the next call.
Crews praised the electric pumper’s quiet operation, which created a calmer and safer working environment. Without the roar of a diesel engine, firefighters could hear each other more clearly in the cab, on the ground, and through dispatch headsets, supporting sharper focus and seamless coordination during a high-stakes response.
“Reliability is non-negotiable when it comes to public safety — it’s the foundation of every decision we make about fire response equipment,” said Fire Chief Mike Cooper. “That’s why we chose the Pierce Volterra. It delivers the performance and dependability we require while supporting Cary’s broader goals around sustainability and innovation.
“As part of our long-term planning for apparatus replacement, we saw an opportunity to advance our sustainability and resiliency goals in a way that also strengthens operations. The Volterra allows us to go even further in reducing emissions and meeting the expectations of an environmentally conscious community.”
With the ability to operate in full-electric mode and seamlessly transition to diesel backup when needed, the Volterra is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60% over its expected 20-year lifespan. Cary’s Volterra electric pumper also features a 500-gallon water tank, a 1,500 gallons per minute (GPM) pump, advanced safety systems, and fast-charge capability that enables a full recharge in approximately 15 minutes. The electric pumper cost $1.8 million – a strategic investment in both innovation and public safety.
“This investment reflects Cary’s values,” said Assistant Town Manager Danna Widmar. “We strive to lead with purpose and foresight, and the Volterra electric fire truck is a symbol of our commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility while keeping public safety our number one priority.”
This addition builds on Cary’s broader sustainability goals, including the Town’s 2012 Strategic Energy Action Plan and the newly adopted Sustainability and Climate Action Strategy. The Volterra is housed at Cary Fire Station 9, supported by a fast-charging infrastructure built in partnership with Cary-based ABB, a multinational corporation specializing in electrical engineering, industrial automation, robotics, and electrification.
To learn more about the electric fire truck, visit carync.gov/volterra.
For more information about Cary’s sustainability and fire operations, visit carync.gov/greenfleet.
Sustainability remains one of Cary’s core values as we move forward. We are proud to lead the east coast in this effort.
Meeting with Candidate
Thursday afternoon I met with a candidate for the District C council race. I hope to meet all the candidates if they are interested.
Work Session
Thursday evening the council held a work session and talked about social districts, dog park hours, and public records requests.
The council looked at two options for expanding the social district. After discussing the pros and cons of each option, the council decided on the smaller expansion option, which was the staff’s recommendation. The expansion includes the existing social district plus the block between Dry Avenue and Park Street, the block from Park Street to Chatham Street, the block from Park Street to Cedar Street, and the block from Chatham Street to Cedar Street. The vote was unanimous.
Next the council discussed the type of cup to be used (and purchased) by businesses participating in the social district. Most of the discussion focused on recyclability and cost. The council picked the recyclable aluminum at a cost of 38 cents per cup.
The Cary Downtown Dog Park hours were discussed at length. Residents adjacent to the dog park on Walker Street complained about barking late at night and early in the morning. A motion to change the opening and the closing times of the dog park failed because some council members just wanted to change the closing times. A motion to close the dog park an hour earlier was approved by a four to three vote. Starting October 1st, the hours will be:
M-F: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
SAT: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
SUN: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Under the Management Announcements I talked about public records requests. Public records requests are allowed and protected by law (North Carolina General Statutes chapters 132 and 160A-168). Records must be produced in a “reasonable” amount of time. The town does not have to create records of information from a public records request but just provide existing records. I believe we need a policy on these requests that includes how much this costs the taxpayers to fulfill the request and to make the name of the requester available. Make no mistake, I believe in transparency and the ability to provide public records, however I have seen several requests that appear to be a reaction to being angry at the town for whatever reason. This costs staff time which is tax dollars.
Town Council Meeting
The council held its last regularly scheduled meeting of July Thursday night. The agenda included recognition of the Cary Public Service Academy participants, five consent items, one public hearing, and no discussion items.
The one public hearing was to consider designating the Braswell House as a local landmark designation. The Braswell House, located at 309 North West Street, is in a historically residential neighborhood in the northwest part of downtown Cary and is northwest of the National Register of Historic Places Cary Downtown Historic District (generally between Academy Street, West Park Street, Harrison Avenue, and Dry Avenue). Built circa 1925, the house retains nearly all its original character-defining features, including the asymmetrical front façade formed by the nested gables, and building features evocative of Craftsman-style houses, including eave brackets, wooden shake siding in the gable ends, battered porch posts on brick piers, exposed rafter tails, and weatherboard siding. Interior details such as original oak hardwood flooring, two-panel doors with crystal doorknobs, built-in cabinetry, and a coal-burning fireplace that has been sensitively converted reflect the quality craftsmanship typical of the era. All recommendations from the Historic Preservation Commission related to the Braswell House were approved unanimously.
There were no discussion items so the council meeting ended in under forty-five minutes.
Cary Public Service Academy Graduation
Friday afternoon I attended the Cary Public Service Academy Graduation with council members Craig and Bansal. Before the graduation ceremony the council members rotated to each table and answered questions. The graduation ceremony included a certificate, a small gift and refreshments. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the youth and answering their questions. We are so blessed to have that kind of interest in Cary. Our future looks bright!
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
Council, it was a great discussion at last night’s work session on two very important topics. As I mentioned during the Council meeting, we will be posting the questions and answers from the Special Town Hall meeting by the end of the day today. You will be able to find them here.
Have a great weekend.
Sean
Cary Public Service Academy
This week, Cary Public Service Academy provided 17 local teens with an in-depth introduction to the services and amenities Cary provides. Participants toured various facilities, including Bond Park, Fire Station 9, Public Works, the North Cary Water Reclamation Facility, Town Hall, and Downtown Cary Park. During these tours, they engaged with staff to learn about departmental functions and career opportunities. The program included attending a Town Council meeting, offering the teens a comprehensive understanding of local governance and public service. A significant focus of the week was Cary’s budget, culminating in a hands-on budget exercise, and Q&A session with Councilmembers. The week concluded with a celebratory send-off at Academy Pavilion.
Cary’s First Electric Fire Truck Battles Structure Fire
The Fire Department has put into service the first electric fire truck on the East Coast.
The Pierce Volterra electric pumper proved its value on June 20. The truck had responded to calls earlier that day and arrived with 87% battery. It pumped several lines for over three hours and left the scene with 42% battery remaining. By the time firefighters finished decontaminating back at the station, the Volterra had recharged to nearly 90% and was ready for the next call.
Crews on scene were impressed by both its reliability and responsiveness. They also praised the Volterra’s quiet operation, which created a calmer and safer working environment. Without the roar of a diesel engine, firefighters could hear each other more clearly in the cab, on the ground, and through dispatch headsets, supporting sharper focus and seamless coordination during a high-stakes response.
Now operating out of Station 9, the Volterra reflects Cary’s commitment to both public safety and environmental responsibility. Designed to reduce the cost of operations and maintenance, while also reducing emissions by up to 60% over its 20-year lifespan, the truck offers fast-charging capability and can seamlessly transition to diesel when needed for extended operations.
This milestone investment supports a resilient, modern fire service and underscores Cary’s leadership in embracing innovative technologies that ensure reliability while serving the community and protecting the environment.
2025 Powell Bill Program
Cary has completed another successful Powell Bill submission. As an annual state-fiscal aid funding source, the Powell Bill Program funds local municipalities that submit qualified funding requests to support the repair, maintenance, and construction of municipal streets that are not part of the state’s highway system. Following strict guidelines, Construction and Field Services, Finance, and Transportation staff collaborated to track, measure, and verify field data. Along with assistance from IT and the Clerk’s Office, these efforts produced a Certified Statement and GIS map attesting to 525 miles of streets within corporate limits. Last year, Cary received approximately $5 million from this program to support street maintenance.
Cary Parkway Pedestrian Bridge Installation
Cary Parkway between Norwell Boulevard and Hampton Lee Court has been closed this week to prepare for the installation of the new pedestrian bridge over Black Creek.
The crane needed to lift the bridge into place arrived on 28 tractor trailers and took three days to assemble. The 280-foot-long bridge was delivered in five sections and required nearly 600 bolts to put together.
Installation is taking place today, and Cary Parkway is expected to reopen to traffic on Sunday morning.
Upcoming Meetings
Planning and Zoning Board
Monday, July 28
6:30 p.m.
Cary Candidate Filing
Filing for Cary Town Council ended on July 18th. Here are the candidates for Cary Council (Incumbents are denoted with I):
- At-Large: Carissa Kohn-Johnson (I), Marjorie Eastman
- District A: Jennifer Bryson Robinson (I), Brittany Richards
- District C: Renee Miller, Shuangshuang Huang
Elections are on November 4th.
Cary Mayor Rumors for 2027
Rumors that these next two years on the Cary Council will be my last are simply not true. I fully intend to seek re-election and am grateful to have the unwavering support of my family, friends, and constituents.
As the only living Mayor who has led Cary through a recession and some of the most challenging financial times, I see it as both my responsibility and my calling to continue my service on the Cary Council. I am committed to working alongside my colleagues to help guide our community through today’s uncertainties.
In the coming months, I encourage all citizens to focus on the important Cary Council election ahead, where three seats are up for decision. Once those choices are made by our community, we can then look ahead to November 2027.
Until then, I remain dedicated to my oath and to serving as Cary’s Mayor. I’m excited for what lies ahead—tomorrow and beyond.
Mayor’s Mailbox
- A concern about EBikes and scooters going too fast on greenways. (There is a 15-mph speed limit on greenways. Enforcement by Cary PD is done with officers on bikes and EBikes.)
- Requests to support the Braswell House as a landmark designation.
- A request to have a lower property tax rate for seniors (we do not have authority to have different property tax rates).
- A concern about not being selected for a Cary Advisory board.
- A thank-you for the Cary Town Hall.
- A request for information about seniors that have been scammed.
- A thank-you for having the lowest tax rate in Wake County.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, Diwali dance practice, and a NC Metro Mayors meeting.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, August 3rd, 2025. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts, those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.
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