Purpose of this Blog
It is my hope that this blog will provide insight not only into who I am meeting with on behalf of the Town, but also the topics we discuss. I believe strongly in open and transparent government. This blog is one of several initiatives I implemented when I became mayor in 2007 to make the governmental process more accessible to our citizens.
This blog is written with sincerity, honesty, and a commitment to accuracy so our constituents can better understand the work we do. After all, we work for them!
How Cary Government Works
Cary’s government, like most cities in North Carolina, uses a council–manager form of government. This system works a lot like a company, but for local government. Residents elect a council and a mayor, who set policy by passing laws, approving the budget, and guiding the town’s overall priorities. The council then hires a professional manager to run the town’s day-to-day operations.
Think of it like a company: the council acts like a board of directors, making policy and representing the public, while the city manager acts like a CEO, overseeing all departments, such as finance, public works, police, and fire, and managing town staff. The mayor leads council meetings, represents the town publicly, and has limited executive authority. While the council and mayor make policy decisions and receive regular reports, they usually see only high-level summaries rather than the detailed inner workings of each department.
In short, just as a board hires a CEO to run a company, Cary’s council hires a manager to run the town, ensuring professional management while elected officials focus on big-picture decisions and community priorities.
You can find additional information about how Cary’s government works on the town’s website here.
Kiwanis Club Meeting
Monday I met with regional members of the Kiwanis Club who are attempting to start a chapter in Cary.
Kiwanis is a local service organization focused on improving the lives of children and communities through volunteer-driven service projects and fundraising. Members, known as Kiwanians, address community needs by building playgrounds, supporting literacy, mentoring youth, feeding the hungry, and raising funds for pediatric health initiatives. Local clubs perform over 1.3 million projects annually. Common activities include stocking food pantries, cleaning parks, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, and buying medical equipment.
You can find out more about joining here.
VFW Auxiliary National President
Thursday evening, I had the distinct honor of attending a banquet welcoming the National President of the VFW Auxiliary, Lois Callahan. Along with hearing inspiring remarks from President Callahan, I also had the opportunity to share a few words of my own. An excerpt from my remarks is below:
“It is truly a privilege to stand among the men and women whose sacrifice and dedication protect the freedoms we cherish. Please know that I, along with the citizens of our community, will never forget what you have given—and continue to give—so that we may live in liberty and peace.
While I have not worn the uniform myself and cannot fully understand the thoughts and experiences that come with active duty and deployment, I do understand the pride, concern, and deep love that surround your service, as my own family is currently supporting a deployed service member.
VFW Post 7383 plays a vital role in our community, steadfast in its commitment to veterans and their families. Though the words ‘thank you for your service’ may sometimes sound routine, their meaning is profound. You have placed service above self, and that selflessness is the very definition of heroism.”
It was a wonderful evening spent visiting with veterans and their supporters. We are truly blessed by their sacrifice, dedication, and continued commitment to our community.
Morrisville Apartment Fire
I was heartbroken to learn about the apartment fire in Morrisville this week. Having lost my own home to a fire in 2002, this news feels especially personal. My heart goes out to everyone impacted by this devastating event. No one ever imagines facing something like this, and it’s incredibly difficult to see families and neighbors navigating such sudden loss and uncertainty.
To those who have lost their homes or been displaced, please know you are not alone. The strength and compassion of Morrisville and the surrounding communities are most evident in times like these. I’m confident that neighbors, friends, and local organizations will rally to provide comfort and support. I understand that NeighborUp (Dorcas) has been on site assisting residents, and the United Way 211 center is also available to help connect people with needed resources.
Wishing safety, healing, and resilience to all who have been affected, and sincere gratitude to the first responders who acted swiftly and courageously.
Town Manager’s Report
Council,
I want to thank you again for your time and engagement at last week’s Council-Staff Annual Meeting. I thought it was a productive time together, with great dialogue and candid feedback, and I appreciate the way each of you contributed. That kind of conversation makes us better and helps staff move forward with clarity, especially as we shift our attention toward budget season. I look forward to continuing those conversations in the months ahead.
This week, Danna and I were in Chapel Hill attending the UNC School of Government’s Essentials of Municipal Government course, along with Councilmembers Bella, Brittany, and Sarika. The program, offered in partnership with the North Carolina League of Municipalities, is a solid refresher on municipal authority, financial oversight, ethics, and the council-manager form of government. Even after all these years, it’s helpful to step back, focus on the fundamentals of good governance, and remind ourselves why structure matters.
Since we skipped last Friday’s report because of the annual meeting, this week’s report is a bit longer than usual, but it’s full of important updates that I hope you’ll have time to review.
Have a great weekend.
Russ Overton
Interim Town Manager
Quarterly Cary Economic Development Report
Cary Chamber of Commerce President Mark Lawson submitted a summary of economic development activity between November 2025 and January 2026. The report can be found here.
311 Snapshot
311 processed 2,339 new cases this week.
Volume by Contact Method
- Phone: 1,490
- Email: 359
- Web: 232
- Internal: 157
- Walk-In: 54
- Text: 40
- Social Media: 7
55.02% cases fell into these top five categories:
- Utility Billing & Services: 563
- Inspections and Certifications: 316
- Permitting: 171
- Water Meter Service & Requests: 129
- Parks & Recreation Programming (Classes/Camps): 108
FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
As reviewed at the February 5 Work Session and Council meeting, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year 2025 has been completed and officially submitted to the Local Government Commission (LGC). As this year’s Report concludes, attention also turns to the future. The audit is not just a conclusion; it is an opportunity to strengthen systems and affirm the organization’s responsibility to maintain effective internal controls.
2026 Cary 101 Applications Open
Applications for Cary 101 are now open through March 17. Residents can apply today at www.carync.gov/cary101. Cary 101 is a nine-session program that offers citizens an opportunity to deepen their understanding of local government and inspire greater community involvement. Participants receive a behind-the-scenes look at Cary’s culture, departments, and operations prior to their graduation in May.
Haleys Branch Trails Community Meeting
Wake County will be holding a community engagement meeting to share updates on the 286 East property, now named Haleys Branch. The 151-acre site, located adjacent to Lake Crabtree County Park, is currently leased to Wake County from RDU Airport Authority. The meeting will provide a first look at the concept plan for the property, including proposed mountain bike and hiking trails, and offer an opportunity for public feedback. It will be held on March 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Academy Pavilion Event Space at Downtown Cary Park.
CDBG Public Input Opportunity
To further the goals of the Imagine Cary Community Plan (ICCP) and Cary Housing Plan, Cary supports key initiatives in new housing development, housing rehabilitation, and housing stability support services. To accomplish this, Cary uses a blend of local and federal funds, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Every year, Cary prepares an Annual Action Plan outlining how federal CDBG and local funds will be used to implement community goals for the coming fiscal year, in alignment with community input and the ICCP. Before preparing the draft 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan, staff will host a CDBG Public Input Opportunity on March 3 from 4-7 p.m. at the Herb Young Community Center to share information about community goals and receive public comment. Staff will consider all feedback when drafting the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan, which will be posted for public review in late March. For more information about the March 3 public input opportunity, visit housing.carync.gov.
25-REZ-15 Carpenter Fire Station Townhouses Withdrawn
On February 12, the applicant for rezoning 25-REZ-15 Carpenter Fire Station Townhouses at 7021, 7025, and 7029 Carpenter Fire Station Road requested to withdraw the rezoning request. A neighborhood meeting for this case was held in January, and it had not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.
Council-Staff Annual Meeting Community Engagement
Staff kept the community informed during this year’s Council-Staff Annual Meeting through clear and accessible communications. The three livestream sessions averaged about 2,600 viewers, significantly extending the meeting’s reach, with two residents attending in person. Media coverage included seven online articles and 14 television segments across major outlets. Social media posts generated over 25,000 impressions and nearly 1,000 engagements (clicks, reactions, shares, or comments), keeping key information visible throughout the weekend. Emails to around 6,600 subscribers had strong open rates with over 1,600 opens each, directing residents to videos and materials online. With only two 311 inquiries, the low number of follow-up questions suggests the information was easy to find and understand. Overall, the communications approach helped reinforce transparency throughout the meeting. View a detailed breakdown of outreach and content here.
Annual Water Disinfection Switchover
The Cary/ Apex Water Treatment Facility (CAWTF) will begin its annual disinfection switchover process today. In accordance with state and federal recommendations, each year the treatment facility temporarily stops adding the normal chlorine/ammonia disinfection mixture and switches to free chlorine. This change to a more potent disinfectant, combined with flushing of water lines, cleanses the system and helps ensure high-quality drinking water throughout the remainder of the year. During this time, residents and customers may notice a minor increase in chlorine and, in some cases, the water may appear slightly discolored. This activity is part of our normal water system maintenance process and will be taking place in tandem with several of our neighboring municipalities. The switch in disinfectants will continue until April 6.
Annual Biosolids Report
In 2025, the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility (SCWRF) and Western Wake Water Reclamation Facility (WWWRF) produced 6,174 dry tons of biosolids. Cary reports annual biosolids production to the Environmental Protection Agency and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. The report documents production volumes, treatment performance, and compliance with Class A Exceptional Quality standards. Through thermal drying at the SCWRF and WWWRF, biosolids are converted into Enviro-Gems, a fertilizer and soil amendment used in agriculture, supporting sustainable reuse and reducing waste. Read the 2025 Annual Biosolids Report here.
Aquastar Anniversary and AMI Updates
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Cary’s implementation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), a milestone in commitment to innovation and responsible water resource management. While all of our first-generation residential meters have been replaced and upgraded, staff continue to upgrade infrastructure as part of our proactive, asset-management-based meter management program. These efforts ensure long-term system efficiency, billing accuracy, and reliable service for our citizens and customers.
Water Main Replacement Construction Update
The Annual Water Main Replacement Project has mobilized to Shirley Drive, where the existing 8-inch water main will be upsized to 12 inches to improve downtown system resiliency. Aging sewer infrastructure will also be replaced before street restoration to reduce future maintenance needs. Letters and door hangers were distributed to impacted residents to provide advance notice of the work and associated closures. Beginning Monday, Shirley Drive will be closed to through traffic weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. while a new gravity sewer main is installed. Due to the pipe depth and center-road location, traffic cannot be maintained during construction. Daytime closures are expected to last approximately three months. Resident access will be maintained, and a signed detour will use Kildaire Farm Road, W. Cornwall Road, and Griffis Street. Since starting in December 2025, the project has progressed steadily. Water main installation is complete on Logan Circle and Carnoustie Circle, with final pavement restoration pending warmer temperatures. New water mains on Tanglewood Drive and Sarazan Meadow Way are undergoing testing before being placed in service.
Wake County Hotel Development Summit
On Thursday, Cary Chamber President Mark Lawson, Director of Planning and Community Development Heather Whelehan, and Assistant Director of Administrative Services Brittany Edwards represented Cary at the Wake County Hotel Development Summit, organized by Visit Raleigh, JLL, and Wake County Economic Development. The event connected dozens of hotel developers from across the country with municipal leaders through a series of 20-minute appointments. At Cary’s table specifically, discussions focused on local supply and demand trends, the type of hospitality product best aligned with Cary’s market, and the Town’s targeted mixed-use strategy.
Cary Chamber Business Expo
Staff from our 311 team were in attendance at this year’s Cary Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on February 25. The expo is an opportunity to showcase Cary’s 311 services to Chamber members and the community. The event was well attended and featured business exhibits, educational seminars, networking, and an afternoon social.
School BreakOUT! The Arts
More than 600 people stopped by Downtown Cary Park for School BreakOUT. Families explored a wide variety of artist-led, hands-on activities designed to spark imagination and keep young creators engaged throughout the afternoon. Participants painted ceramics, crafted pearler bead necklaces, and experimented with open-ended art using reusable materials. Artists from the Cary Arts Center also led interactive experiences, guiding guests through mosaic wood slice creations, mini watercolor resist paintings, and step-by-step Chibi manga drawing.
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting: March 4
The following neighborhood meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, please visit the Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting page.
Important Dates
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
Monday, March 2, 5:15 p.m.
Information Services Advisory Board
Monday, March 2, 6:00 p.m.
Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, March 4, 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting
Wednesday, March 4, 6:30 p.m.
2026 State of Cary
Thursday, March 5, 6:00 p.m.
Q&A on Manager’s Resignation and Other Items
The situation left by the former town manager has been aptly described by one of our new council members as an oil spill, and that comparison is quite fitting. Like any spill, new issues may arise as the investigation and cleanup progress. While the former town manager’s actions were clearly unethical, I am not aware of any illegal conduct at this time. However, three important efforts are ongoing: a review and report by the North Carolina State Auditor, a criminal investigation led by the NC State Bureau of Investigation at the request of the Wake County District Attorney, and an internal investigation by Womble Bond Dickinson on behalf of the Council. From the information available to me, the impact of the former town manager’s actions was limited due to the town’s consistently strong financial position.
The following questions were addressed on my January 4th, January 11th, and January 18th blog:
- WithersRavenel Contract
- Was the $1.3 million in fraud returned to Cary? Yes …
- Why didn’t you know about the town manager’s behavior?
- When did you learn about the land purchase to Cary Elementary?
- Do you have conflicts of interest?
- Why did you give push back to a council member that wanted to move forward with changes now?
- How could you not know all the things the former manager was doing?
- Did I know the book “Top of the Arc” cost the town $150,000?
- Why did you pay the town manager’s severance?
- What changes have you made and will you make?
The questions that are new or updated are below.
Mayor’s Mailbox
- Dozens of emails about ICE potentially moving into a building in Regency. (We have no authority over the federal government. At this time, the town has not received any requests or permit applications from ICE. However, they could proceed there, and we do not have the authority to stop them.)
- A complaint about a town utility vehicle blocking traffic.
- Thank you for our police officer’s compassion and care after an accident.
- A request for a letter of congratulations.
- Requests to help with school projects.
- A request for flags at half staff for Jesse Jackson (these are done by the Governor, and this one was already approved).
- A question about the former town manager’s hiring process.
- Requests to attend several events.
- A request to recognize a student who is competing for a national award.
- A thank you: “I continue to have full confidence in your leadership. We need your guidance and role model now more than ever. I know this is a challenging time, but you are the perfect person to lead Cary forward. Thank you for your continued dedication to making Cary the best place to live, work, and play.”
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, meetings with residents, a State of Cary address at Glenaire, a State of Cary at town hall, a NC Metro Mayors meeting, Dr. Sharma’s 100th birthday celebration, and Hum Sub’s Basant Bahar celebration.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, March 8th, 2026. 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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