Odor Complaints about WWRWRF
We have received a few complaints about odor coming from the Western Wake Regional Water Reclamation Facility (WWRWRF) which was emphasized by WRAL. The following is staff’s response to WRAL:
Current Conditions and Odor-Control Measures
- Community complaints and monitoring: We’re not currently receiving odor complaints or calls at WWRWRF. Our plant staff also routinely visit and drive through nearby communities to monitor conditions and check for any potential odor issues. To date, we’re not detecting any at this time.
- Seasonal weather conditions: As we move through seasonal weather transitions, larger differences between daytime heating and nighttime cooling can contribute to atmospheric thermal inversions. Under these conditions, which limit vertical dispersion and mixing, even small odor concentrations can be held down at ground level instead of dispersing. Citizens usually experience this later in the evening until the daytime heating completely mixes with the cooler nighttime air. While weather patterns are notoriously difficult to predict, this usually subsides when the weather changes from summer conditions to more traditional fall weather.
- Nearby construction activity: There is also substantial construction work underway along Old US1, including asphalt paving and other roadway work. This is simply additional context regarding current activities in the area, not a conclusion about the source of any reported odors.
- Dryer facility odor control: The odor control systems serving the dryer facility have been reloaded and recharged. Based on our current monitoring, we believe these systems are performing well, and we will continue to monitor their operation and effectiveness.
- Additional odor control capacity: We have supplemented the dryer facility’s odor control measures by installing an additional biofilter system that was salvaged from a pump station site that is no longer in service, saving the partnership hundreds of thousands of dollars in new equipment purchase and providing another redundant layer of treatment to help manage potential odors from the facility.
- Headworks odor control: Although we are rebuilding a portion of the north headworks biofilter, redundant odor-control systems are functioning well, and our staff are actively monitoring conditions and have not identified any odor issues through our current checks. It’s worth noting that we maintain two-stage odor control including the standard biofilter plus supplemental carbon polishing at the headworks.
In summary, we will continue to monitor the facility and surrounding community, maintain robust odor control systems, and make improvements as warranted. Our goal is to operate WWRWRF as a good neighbor and to address any substantiated concerns promptly and responsibly.
Diwali Celebration in Downtown Park
I was delighted to join Council Members Bansal, Craig, Richards, and Huong, along with Morrisville Mayor Cawley, at Downtown Cary Park for a wonderful celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights.
Diwali has been celebrated in Cary for many years, including the popular Hum Sub Diwali celebration held annually at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. This year, we were pleased to welcome a special Diwali celebration at Downtown Cary Park, organized by Sai Temple, bringing our community together to honor this beautiful tradition.
The festivities began with the traditional lighting of the lamps, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Council Member Bansal shared a few remarks about the significance of the occasion, and I had the honor of reading a proclamation recognizing and celebrating Diwali. The evening continued with a series of colorful and vibrant cultural performances that showcased the richness of Indian traditions and the joy of sharing our cultural heritage with the broader community.
Events like these remind us of the incredible diversity that makes Cary such a special place to live. They provide opportunities to learn from one another, celebrate our traditions, and strengthen the connections that bring our community together.
What a wonderful addition to the events at Downtown Cary Park! Thank you to Sai Temple, the performers, volunteers, and everyone who helped make this celebration such a memorable success. May the light of Diwali continue to inspire peace, joy, and prosperity throughout our community!
Council Work Session
The Cary Town Council held a work session Tuesday evening to learn more about a potential stormwater utility fee and strategies for funding the town’s stormwater management program.
Cary’s Stormwater Department is responsible for implementing state and federal stormwater mandates. The town is also updating its Stormwater Master Plan, which is currently moving through the approval process and is scheduled for approval late next year.
Stormwater is rainwater that flows across impervious surfaces, such as rooftops, driveways, and streets, before entering pipes and eventually flowing into streams. It is managed through a separate system from the town’s wastewater system.
Currently, stormwater management costs are funded through property taxes. Over the past four years, Cary has spent an average of $4.3 million annually on stormwater management.
During Tuesday’s work session, the council heard from a consultant and a representative from the UNC School of Government. They presented data, shared information about how other communities fund stormwater services, and provided peer comparisons. More than 100 municipalities across North Carolina already have stormwater utility fees, including Raleigh, Apex, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Wake Forest, and Wendell.
A dedicated stormwater fee could provide a more stable and predictable source of revenue, improve access to revenue bonds and State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans, and better align costs with each property’s contribution to stormwater runoff. It could also support credits and incentives for property owners who implement measures such as green infrastructure. If a fee is adopted, the council could choose to shift some or all stormwater management costs away from property taxes.
The consultant recommended that Cary consider an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)-based fee structure. Because the town already has a robust geographic information system (GIS), this approach could be practical to administer. A tiered structure could also be developed so that properties with larger impervious areas pay more than those with smaller impervious areas, reflecting their contribution to stormwater runoff.
What happens next?
Town staff will begin developing potential options for the council to consider. The council will revisit the topic at a future meeting as the planning process continues.
No immediate changes are planned. Any new stormwater fee would be more than a year away, giving the town time to evaluate the options and determine the best approach for Cary.
HOA Meeting
On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of attending a District C homeowners association meeting and engaging with residents about the issues that matter most to them. We discussed a wide range of topics, including road and pedestrian improvement projects, bike lanes, zoning for various properties, Waverly Place, the RHA decision, Old Cary Mall, South Hills, and the new By-Right legislation that allows redevelopment without council approval.
I appreciated the opportunity to spend about 30 minutes sharing information, answering questions, and hearing directly from residents about their concerns and priorities. These conversations are invaluable in understanding our community’s needs and ensuring residents’ voices are heard.
Economic Development Meeting
The Economic Development Committee held its quarterly meeting on Wednesday. The agenda included an appointment to an advisory task force, an update from the town manager, a development update, and the quarterly report from the Chamber of Commerce.
Advisory Task Force Appointment
The committee discussed and made an appointment to the Advisory Task Force, which will develop recommendations for a council subcommittee addressing council compensation and allowances. The task force will consist of one representative from each advisory board. The council subcommittee will review the task force’s recommendations and then present its recommendations to the full council for consideration and adoption.
Town Manager’s Update
Newly appointed Town Manager Russ Overton provided a brief introduction as part of the meeting’s town manager update.
Development Update
The committee discussed legislation passed by the state legislature in August that establishes build-by-right provisions affecting Charlotte, Raleigh, and Cary. These provisions allow apartments of up to 60 feet in height as part of qualifying redevelopment projects without requiring town council approval or public input.
The committee also reviewed updates on two development projects:
- Park Overlook West, Phase 2: The project is in the site-planning stage. The developer is working closely with town staff to prepare for construction, with groundbreaking anticipated by mid-2027 or sooner.
- RDU Business Park: The first phase of the west side of the property has been cleared, paving the way for the first three speculative buildings. Together, the buildings will provide more than 200,000 square feet of Class A light-industrial space.
Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Report
The committee received a comprehensive quarterly report from the Chamber of Commerce president, covering economic indicators, office and retail market conditions, and local development activity. Key takeaways included the following:
Inflation Trends:
The report outlined the following U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) annual inflation rates:
- May: 4.2%
- June: 3.5%
- July: 3.4%
- August: 3.4%
- September: 3.7%
Office Market Conditions: From May through September 2026, Cary’s Class A office vacancy rate remained elevated, fluctuating between 18.0% and 22.3%, depending on the availability of direct-leased and sublease space.
Cary continued to be one of the Triangle’s largest concentrations of available suburban office space. Although regional Class A office vacancy hovered near 22%, suburban markets such as Cary faced continued pressure from corporate consolidation and tenant turnover.
Some activity helped offset these challenges. For example, Biologics renewed its 75,000-square-foot lease in Cary, supporting local occupancy. However, turnover among older, large-format office tenants contributed to modest negative net absorption. By September, the broader regional Class A vacancy rate had declined slightly to 21.3%.
Demand remained strongest in North Cary and along the Weston Parkway corridor, where proximity to I-40 and Research Triangle Park continues to attract corporate tenants.
Retail Market Conditions: Cary’s retail market remained exceptionally tight, with an average vacancy rate of just 2.4%. This placed Cary among the tightest retail submarkets in the greater Raleigh-Durham region. The broader metro area also remained highly competitive, with a retail vacancy rate of 3.0%, among the lowest of major U.S. metropolitan areas.
High demand for premium retail locations: Walkable lifestyle developments, particularly Fenton, continued to attract strong interest throughout the summer. Retail spaces in these high-traffic destinations were frequently leased before construction or tenant turnover was complete, creating waiting lists for desirable locations.
Strong demand for small-shop space: Demand for neighborhood retail and smaller storefronts, generally units under 10,000 square feet, remained robust. Regional small-shop vacancy was just 1.6% heading into September.
Big-box tenant turnover: Despite the strength of smaller retail spaces and lifestyle centers, Cary experienced some negative net absorption due to turnover among large-format tenants. New leases, including a Crunch Fitness lease at Cary Commons, helped offset some available space. However, the report also noted a significant 81,308-square-foot vacancy following the departure of an anchor tenant elsewhere in the broader regional market.
Looking Ahead: The committee concluded the meeting by discussing opportunities to increase its impact and provide more meaningful recommendations to the town. Members also discussed business incubators and explored ways the town could encourage their development to support entrepreneurship, small businesses, and future economic growth.
Recommendations Committee Meeting
The Cary Council’s Recommendation Committee met Thursday evening to discuss council compensation, travel and training, and ethics.
During the meeting, the committee accepted the members of the resident task force that will develop recommendations on council compensation. The group will be known as the Council Compensation Resident Task Force, is expected to begin meeting virtually around the week of November 16.
Much of the meeting was spent finalizing details of the proposed council policies related to travel, training, and meals. A draft of the policies will be reviewed by the committee at its next meeting on November 4.
That meeting will likely be the committee’s last until the Council Compensation Resident Task Force completes its work.
Town Manager’s Report
Council,
It’s hard to believe it’s almost November and time to change the clocks again. I’m not a fan of it getting dark so early, but I guess the extra hour of sleep isn’t a bad trade.
I hope everyone enjoys Halloween this weekend and gets lots of candy!
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at next week’s Quarterly.
Russ Overton
Cary Town Manager
Moving Forward Dashboard Update
Cary has updated its Moving Forward Dashboard to reflect progress through this week, changing the status of one recommendation to Complete (WBD 12).
Cary Economic Development Report
Cary Chamber of Commerce President Mark Lawson submitted a summary of economic development activity between May and October 2026.
Early Voting Update
Saturday is the last day of early voting ahead of Election Day on November 3. As of October 29, more than 45,000 voters have cast their ballots at Cary’s early voting sites, Herb Young Community Center and the Senior Center. During early voting, residents may vote at any early voting site in their county. On Election Day, voters must cast their ballots at their assigned polling place, which can be found using the State Board of Elections’ voter lookup tool. For more information, visit carync.gov/elections.
Loose Leaf Collection Begins November 2nd
Cary’s seasonal loose leaf collection begins Monday, with crews collecting leaves from residential neighborhoods across town. Residents can visit carync.gov/leaves to view the interactive collection map, check neighborhood schedules, track collection progress, and find helpful tips for preparing leaves for pickup.
Black Creek Greenway Renovation Complete
The third and final phase of the Black Creek Greenway Renovation Project is complete, and the greenway reopened today. The $17.2 million project included improvements to approximately 2.5 miles of greenway between West Dynasty Drive and the Old Reedy Creek Road trailhead near Lake Crabtree. Improvements included widening trail sections, upgrading aging infrastructure, improving drainage and flood resilience, replacing bridges, and enhancing accessibility. A key component of the project is the approximately 285-foot pedestrian bridge over Black Creek at Northwest Cary Parkway, which closes a longstanding gap in Cary’s sidewalk network and improves connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists.
The project received more than $12 million in federal funding for greenway improvements through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program and Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program, along with approximately $2.25 million through the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program for the pedestrian bridge.
Utilities Annual Asset Management Report Complete
The 2026 Annual Asset Management Report is now available, providing an overview of Cary’s water, wastewater, stormwater, and reclaimed water infrastructure, including system inventories, maintenance and replacement activities, and key performance indicators. This information supports system performance monitoring and guides long-term infrastructure maintenance and capital planning. This year’s report also highlights improvements to Cary’s geographic information system (GIS), utility work order management, and ongoing efforts to prioritize infrastructure investments.
Downtown Cary Park Diwali Celebration
Approximately 1,000 attendees gathered at Downtown Cary Park last Saturday to celebrate Diwali with an evening of music, dance, and cultural performances. Emceed by Arunima Das, the celebration featured performances by Ishanya Performing Arts Academy, Dhol Tasha, and Leela Dance Co., along with music and a dance party led by DJ Rang. The event brought the community together to experience Diwali traditions and celebrate Cary’s cultural diversity.
Halloween Event Recap
Halloween festivities brought residents and visitors of all ages together across Cary this month. At Downtown Scary Park, attendees carved more than 450 pumpkins and enjoyed crafts, pottery painting, and sensory stations. Downtown Cary Park also hosted a Halloween-themed edition of its Ponder program, welcoming 22 participants living with dementia and their caregivers. The Theater’s 11th annual Zombiepalooza brought more Halloween fun to the park, featuring a short film competition with 11 films selected from 23 submissions across the Triangle, a brain-eating contest, a children’s costume showcase, and zombie musical chairs. The Halloween spirit extended to the Page-Walker Arts and History Center, where Cary Players brought the ghosts of Cary’s past to life in Haunting at the Old Hotel, drawing 100 attendees across two sold-out shows. At Bond Park, an estimated 1,200 attendees enjoyed the Haunted Walk and Pumpkin Flotilla, featuring displays created by Teen Council and 55 illuminated pumpkins.
Applause! Cary Youth Theatre Presents Me… Jane
More than 700 audience members attended Applause! Youth Theatre’s production of Me…Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall at the Arts Center last weekend. The youth stage adaptation of this musical made its regional premiere in Cary, featuring 31 performers and crew members who brought Jane Goodall’s childhood story to life.
Important Dates
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board
Monday, November 2, 5:15 p.m.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Monday, November 2, 6:30 p.m.
Senior Advisory Board
Wednesday, November 4, 12:00 p.m.
Council Recommendations Committee
Wednesday, November 4, 5:15 p.m.
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting
Wednesday, November 4, 6:30 p.m.
Council Quarterly Meeting
Thursday, November 5, 1:00 p.m.
Mayor’s Mailbox
- A complaint about Waste Management making too much noise in quiet hours.
- A complaint that a 2025 rezoning at Wynwood South “destroy the beauty within our community”.
- A complaint about the town manager selection process “why was there not more communication”. By law it has to be done in closed session because it is a personnel matter. We cannot disclose that information.
- Thanks for selecting Russ Overton as town manager.
- A complaint that the Trenton Road rezoning does not fall under the new legislative action the bypasses council approval (our attorney says it does).
- A complaint about odor concerns at the Western Wake Regional Wastewater Facility.
- A request to interview with WRAL to “set the record straight” (No thank you. I don’t trust WRAL with anything I say).
- A complaint from businesses that will be impacted by NCDOT’s project to tunnel under the railroad tracks at Maynard and Chatham.
- A request for Cary to have its own First Night.
- A request for stormwater fees.
- A complaint about the lack of response and greenway status update for White Oak Greenway.
- A request to protect refugee families from a new national rule (we have no authority over the federal government).
- A request to renew tax credits for apartments (we don’t have authority to do tax credits).
- A request for a pedestrian crossing at Green Level Church Road.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a Recommendations Committee meeting, a quarterly council-staff meeting, a Veterans Luncheon, and the Cooper’s Hawk Restaurant ribbon cutting.
My next post will be on Sunday, November 8th, 2026. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov. Note that all emails sent to me in my role as mayor are public documents.
Dashboard of Recommendations by Cherry Bekaert, OSA, and Womble Bond Dickinson
The latest updates on the Town’s actions in response to recommendations from Cherry Bekaert, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA), and Womble Bond Dickinson are available on the Town’s Moving Forward Dashboard. There are 39 recommendations in total. This link gives the progress on each of those recommendations:
https://www.carync.gov/connect-engage/newsroom/bottom-line/moving-forward-dashboard
You can also sign up to receive notifications whenever the dashboard is updated.
Council Initiated Items
The council has a process that allows members to introduce items for discussion at meetings, often leading to further action. Given the recent increase in these requests, I will begin sharing them here along with my perspective on their pros and cons.
Partnering with the school board to pilot school zone safety improvements
This proposal was submitted by Council Member Bansal, and I provided the second. It was brought up at the May 28th Council meeting.
Several schools in Cary, particularly middle schools and high schools, are experiencing transportation safety concerns on and around school property. While the schools are responsible for transportation operations on campus and NCDOT oversees roadway infrastructure decisions, progress on improvements has been slow and resident complaints have continued to increase. This proposal would direct staff to work collaboratively with the schools on programs and strategies to help address these concerns.
PROS:
- Allows the Town to take a more proactive role, even when we are not the primary decision-maker.
- Responds to growing community concerns regarding school transportation safety.
CONS:
- The Town is currently understaffed, so this effort could require shifting staff resources away from other projects.
- Potential solutions could result in additional costs to taxpayers if Cary contributes funding toward implementation.
E-Bike Safety
This proposal was submitted by Council Members Bansal and Richards and presented at the April 16th meeting. It was part of our June 23rd work session.
The council initially launched a pilot program in June 2022 to allow e-bikes. After a one-year trial period, the program was made permanent, with a posted speed limit of 15 mph on greenways. Recently, however, there have been complaints that e-bikes, scooters, and similar devices are traveling at excessive speeds and creating potentially hazardous conditions.
PROS:
- We are listening to our citizens’ complaints.
- Preventing e-bikes and scooters will possibly make greenways safer.
CONS:
- There is basically no way to enforce an ordinance that has e-bikes or not.
- Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.
- We are revisiting a decision that was made after a one-year trial and review of data.
Council will vote on a draft ordinance of this later this year.
Smoke Free Ordinance
This proposal was submitted by Mayor Pro-Tem Bush and Council Member Craig and presented at the April 16th meeting. It was part of our June 23rd work session.
PROS:
- Eliminates toxic secondhand smoke.
- Current ordinance does not match state law and Raleigh/Wake ordinance.
CONS:
- Any enforcement effort would require additional officers and officers’ time. We are currently underfunding officers and require overtime to maintain existing levels of service.
The council did not have enough votes to amend the current ordinance at the October 8th meeting. It will return for another vote at a future meeting.
Affordable Housing on Old Library Site
This proposal, submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Bush and Council Member Bansal, would place a podium-style parking deck with affordable housing on the former library site. This has yet to be scheduled for a meeting agenda.
PROS:
- Adds parking across from Downtown Cary Park.
- Create affordable housing units in the downtown area.
CONS:
- May underutilize one of the municipality’s most valuable properties. Downtown Cary Park generates approximately $16 million annually in economic impact, and this site could represent an opportunity for a more transformative use.
- The town has already invested millions in renovating the Ivey-Ellington House, positioning this area as a premier destination.
How Cary Government Works
Cary’s government, like most cities in North Carolina and most mid-sized cities in the U.S., 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.
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!
