Cary Housing Continues to Soar
According to a recent article, Redfin calculates that the medium home price in Cary has risen 18.2% over the last year. More details can be found here.
Audit Inquiry
Monday I was interviewed by a Cherry Bekaert accounting firm representative as part of our annual audit. They asked questions about potential fraud, misuse of funds, etc. Of course, I had no knowledge of any misuse of taxpayer dollars. In all my years of being involved as an elected official in Cary government the staff has done an amazing job with the town’s finances.
Manager One-On-One
Monday evening I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Our topics of discussion included council-staff relationships, the evolution of the downtown park, bonds, and reviewing the social district expansion.
Wake County Mayors Association
Monday night I participated in a meeting of the Wake County Mayors Association which was held in Apex. In attendance were mayors from Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, Morrisville, and Rolesville. Most of our discussions were about what was going on in each municipality and the upcoming municipal elections.
Milkshake With the Mayor
Tuesday afternoon I visited Glenaire for “Milkshake with the Mayor”. There were about fifty in attendance. For more than an hour, I visited each table and talked to residents about issues they were interested in. It was a lot of fun, and a great way to have several one-on-one conversations. I was impressed with the knowledge base Glenaire residents have on so many complex issues.
CAMPO
Wednesday I participated in a meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (CAMPO) Executive Board. This board has over thirty members comprised of over elected officials from member governments, as well as stakeholders from other agencies. CAMPO is the federally mandated agency responsible for continuous and comprehensive transportation planning in the greater Raleigh area. Its primary functions include developing long-range transportation plans, programming transportation projects into a short-range plan, and coordinating with local governments and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to meet the region’s transportation needs. This includes planning for all transportation modes, such as roadways, transit, and pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, and conducting studies on regional transportation issues.
This month’s agenda had four consent items, three public hearings, and four discussion items.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously and included minutes, a Unified Planning Work Program Amendment, record retention and schedules, and a sub-allocation award for the Raleigh Urbanized Area funding partners.
All three public hearings were held without speakers and were approved unanimously. The first public hearing was the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan Amendment #2 & Air Quality Conformity Determination Report. CAMPO is required to demonstrate conformity between the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for air quality. This is a required step for the development of an Air Quality Conformity Determination analysis and report. This is also required for updates and changes to the MTP and/or the TIP.
The second public hearing was the FY 2026-2035 TIP. CAMPO staff update the TIP every two years. This is a draft TIP completed to meet the federal requirement stating that the TIP and State’s Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) must be identical. This had implications for Cary. In this draft the Trinity Road bridge project will be in the first decade of FY2026-FY2035, and the Chatham/Maynard bridge project will follow in the next decade.
The last public hearing was for the Locally Administered Projects Program (LAPP) FY2027 Target Modal Mix. This determines the percentage funding mix of roads, bike/ped, and transit.
Under discussion the board received information on the Federal Functional Classification Changes, the 8th update for SPOT (State’s Prioritization for transportation), and an update for 2055 MTP/CTP (Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Comprehensive Transportation Plan). In one other discussion item the board endorsed the North Harnett Transit Study Recommendations for use in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
EAB Discussion
Thursday afternoon I met with staff members to go over the Environmental Advisory Board applications. After discussing the qualification of several applicants and the goals for the board, we decided on candidates that we will recommend to the rest of the council.
Lazy Daze Dinner with the Websters
Thursday night I joined members of Sister Cities in a dinner to welcome our town crier and his wife, John and Mary Webster, for Lazy Daze. John and Mary are from our sister city in Markham, Canada, and John has been our town crier for over 25 years. We are blessed to have had his friendship and participation all these years. John presented a proclamation and a gift from Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti.
Lazy Daze
Saturday I participated in the opening ceremony for the 49th Lazy Daze Arts and Craft festival in Cary which is the premiere event of its kind in the southeasts. This year there were 250 artists from 19 states. Dan Pike welcomed the crowd and introduced the Cary High School Band which played our national anthem. This was followed by the Town Crier who read a proclamation on my behalf. Then I provided welcoming remarks including recognition of the Lazy Daze founder, Jerry Miller, who passed away earlier this year. Thankfully, his daughter was there with us.
The weather was perfect for both days with temperatures in the upper 70s and lower 80s for both days. IMHO, it was another great success.
Cary vs Apex Football 100-year anniversary
Saturday night I joined council member Craig for the 100th anniversary of the Cary and Apex football rivalry. As part of the pregame Apex Mayor Gilbert and I met at midfield for the coin toss which was performed by Wake County Schoolboard member Swanson who represents both Cary and Apex. The game was a tough fought battle that was closer than the score. In the end the mighty Imps from Cary prevailed by a score of 25 to 10. Congratulations to all those who “bleed green”.
Council Out and About
Message From Mayor and Council
As the longest-serving elected official in our town’s history, representing District C since 1989, I’m honored to share a few reflections with you this week. Nearing the end of my service on Council, I take great pride in having played a role in Cary’s thoughtful growth, strong community spirit, and dedication to environmental stewardship.
Cary continues to thrive because of your involvement and dedication. Our success has always been built on collaboration — neighbors, staff, and elected officials working together toward a shared vision. I’m proud to serve alongside you and grateful for the trust you place in me.
This newsletter is one of the many ways we aim to keep you connected to what’s happening in Cary. Below, you’ll find updates on recent events and opportunities to engage with your town government. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read through and stay involved — your participation is what makes Cary such a vibrant and welcoming community.
Jack Smith
District C Council Member
GoCary at Cary High School
Councilmember Michelle Craig joined staff last Tuesday at Cary High School’s first IMPressions Freshman Camp sessions, where GoCary hosted an information booth to introduce incoming students to routes and services.
Cary Fire Department Graduation
On Friday, Councilmembers Michelle Craig and Carissa Kohn-Johnson attended the Cary Fire Department’s graduation ceremony. They joined family, friends, and colleagues in honoring 20 new recruits for their hard work, dedication, and accomplishments as they enter the fire service family.
Meeting with County Meath
On Saturday, August 16, Councilmember Jack Smith met with Meath County Councilmember Brian Fitzgerald to discuss upcoming Sister Cities activities between Cary and Meath. As part of the visit, Brian received an autographed copy of Town Manager Sean Stegall’s recently published book, The Top of the Arc.
India Independence Day Celebration
On Sunday, Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Robinson and Councilmembers Sarika Bansal, Michelle Craig, and Carissa Kohn-Johnson attended the India Independence Day Celebration hosted by Hindi Vikas Mandal at the Hindu Society of North Carolina in Morrisville. The event featured a flag-hoisting ceremony, cultural performances highlighting India’s heritage, and an informal community lunch, bringing families together in the spirit of freedom and unity.
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
Council,
As a reminder, Lazy Daze takes place tomorrow and Sunday. Town Hall closed at noon today to allow staff to prepare for the two-day festival. I continue to be amazed at the creativity and energy our staff pour into making Lazy Daze a success.
On Tuesday evening, I will join you for our joint dinner with the Holly Springs Council and staff. This dinner is an important opportunity to connect and deepen relationships while discussing the utility and sewer needs of Holly Springs and the potential role Cary might play in supporting them in the future.
As always, thank you for the way you show up for these moments. The work we do together creates conditions for excellence not only in Cary, but in the region.
Wake County Approves Green Level West Road Renaming
This week, the Wake County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to rename a portion of Green Level West Road to High House Road, between NC 55 and Green Level Church Road, as was previously approved by Council on June 12. Staff will begin the process of notifying property owners along the corridor by mail early next week and coordinating street sign replacement. For more information on the renaming process, visit the street renaming projects website.
Cary-Morrisville Traffic Signal Agreement Adopted
Cary and Morrisville have renewed an agreement to incorporate all traffic signals in Morrisville into Cary’s Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS). Under this agreement, Morrisville will fully reimburse Cary for the direct costs of operating and maintaining its signals. By managing a larger, more coordinated network, the ATMS improves traffic flow across town boundaries, reduces congestion, and enhances overall system efficiency. In addition, Cary will have a greater role in planning Morrisville’s transportation network as they update their Comprehensive Transportation Plan, which will include traffic signals and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) infrastructure.
Draft Open Space Plan
Staff is seeking feedback on the draft Open Space Plan now through Sept. 28 and will be available to answer questions at a Lazy Daze booth this weekend.
Staff Recognized at National APWA Conference
This week, staff attended the American Public Works Association’s (APWA) annual Public Works Expo in Chicago. Fleet Manager Brandon Pasinski was named APWA’s Professional Fleet Manager of the Year, a national honor recognizing his leadership in advancing Cary’s award-winning green fleet through innovations such as renewable propane conversions for police vehicles, optimizing the motor pool with the addition of electric vehicles, and initiating Cary’s first Fleet Technician Intern Program. Urban Forester Leslie Moorman also presented on Cary’s tree care program, sharing how decentralized responsibility and shared resources across departments foster flexibility and resilience in municipal tree management. Her talk sparked conversation among urban forestry professionals nationwide about new ways to strengthen local tree programs.
Downtown Cary Park Honored at GRCVB Annual Meeting
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources (PRCR) was honored this week at the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (GRCVB) annual meeting with the 37th Thad Eure Jr. Memorial Award. Named for well-respected local leader, Thad Eure, this award recognizes individuals and organizations that embody the ideals of hospitality and service that were hallmarks of his life. This award is the GRCVB’s highest accolade for contributions to our hospitality landscape and honors the work that Cary and the PRCR Department have accomplished with the development and opening of Downtown Cary Park. Assistant Director of PRCR Dana Kennedy, Downtown Cary Park General Manager Joy Ennis, and Downtown Cary Park Assistant General Manager Sarah Preston attended to accept the award along with Councilmember Jack Smith.
Cary Appears Again in Southern Living
Marketing Strategy Team Efforts Pay Off, Highlighting Town’s Regional Strength
Cary earned another major national spotlight this week with a feature in Southern Living. The piece also was picked up by Yahoo Life and AOL, in total reaching more than 418 million online readers and generating nearly $4 million in PR value for Cary. The story echoed the team’s pitch, saying “Cary is making the case that there has never been a better time to do a little further digging into the state’s famed Research Triangle.”
Tree Removal at Depot
The Cary Depot was temporarily closed last Friday after Cary’s Urban Forestry Expeditor Kelly Blair identified a large tree near the south platform as an immediate fall risk. The tree posed a threat to nearby railroad tracks and bus shelters. Transit staff enacted the GoCary Emergency Operations Plan, rerouting bus service to Town Hall Campus while the tree was removed. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of Transit, Urban Forestry, 311, Public Works, and Police, the disruption was minimal and normal operations resumed within a few hours.
Downtown Pedestrian Crossing Enhancements
As part of continued improvements to the downtown mobility network an enhanced pedestrian crossing was recently installed at the intersection of South Harrison Avenue and West Park Street. This upgrade provides clearer visual warnings for drivers with new yield line markings and signs in advance of the crosswalk along with pedestrian activated LED-enhanced signs at the crosswalk.
Wake Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
On Wednesday, Cary hosted the Wake Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) at WakeMed Soccer Park, welcoming staff from neighboring municipalities for a quarterly discussion on solid waste and landfill operations. Stadium and Facilities Operations Manager David Crotts opened the meeting by highlighting the venue’s top-tier operations and events. Through the South Wake Landfill Interlocal Agreement, staff actively participate in these regional conversations to shape long-term waste management strategies and strengthen Cary’s solid waste services.
Cary-Apex Water Treatment Facility Future Planning
This week marks another successful year of operation at the Cary-Apex Water Treatment Facility (CAWTF). Over the last 32 years, it has grown from a 12 million gallon per day capacity to 56 million gallons per day and it currently provides high-quality drinking water to over 300,000 people. To celebrate the anniversary, the facility kicked off a new master planning project this week. The project will take a deep dive into the treatment processes and anticipated water demands, which will be used to create a measured plan for incremental expansion, ensuring the facility can meet the drinking water needs of our citizens for the next 30 years and beyond.
Important Dates
Planning and Zoning Board
Monday, August 25
6:30 p.m.
Cary and Holly Springs Joint Meeting
Tuesday, August 26
5:30 p.m.
Cultural Arts Committee
Wednesday, August 27
6:00 p.m.
Town Council Meeting (Work Session)
Thursday, August 28
5:30 p.m.
Town Council Meeting (Regular)
Thursday, August 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 Johnson (I), Marjorie Eastman
- District A: Jennifer Robinson (I), Brittany Richards
- District C: Renee Miller, Bella 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 complaint about the median placement on North Harrison and Montebello Drive.
- A complaint about old homes being torn down and large homes replacing them in the downtown area.
- A complaint about programming of tennis courts.
- A request for support for the Carying Place.
- A complaint about the downtown park dog park.
- Requests for statements of support.
- A request to expand recycling.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a trip to New York, a work session, and a council meeting.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, August 31st, 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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