Welcome to our weekly e-newsletter - What's Up in Wake Forest . Here you'll find information about Town programs, services, activities, projects, special events and more! If you haven't already, tell your friends and neighbors to visit our E-Notifier page to learn about our full array of free email offerings.

Curbside trash, recycling and yard waste collection was suspended Monday, May 25, due to Memorial Day . As a result, the trash and recycling collection schedule is operating one day later than normal throughout the remainder of the week extending into Saturday. So, for example, Monday’s route will be collected Tuesday and Friday’s route will be collected Saturday.

Yard waste collection will resume Tuesday, May 26, at 7 a.m. Crews will follow the normal collection schedule beginning with Monday’s route. Collection of the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday routes will occur throughout the remainder of the week until all routes have been completed.

Bulk waste collection resumes today. More>>

The Town of Wake Forest is following North Carolina’s Safer-At-Home Phase 2 Order as outlined by Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order No. 141 . The Safer At Home Phase 2 runs through at least Friday, June 26.

Several Town operations and programs are being adjusted during Phase 2.

Beginning Wednesday, May 27, Town Hall will re-open to the public on a limited basis weekdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Town staff will be screened for temperature daily upon arrival, and anyone with a reading of 100.4 or greater will be required to return home. While at work, staff will have the option to wear a face covering. Finally, a deep cleaning will occur throughout Town Hall each day after 3 p.m.

As the Town begins the process of gradually and carefully reopening, anyone planning to visit Town Hall is strongly urged to follow these guidelines:

  • Make an appointment, if possible;
  • Wear face covering;
  • Utilize hand sanitizing stations;
  • Maintain a six-foot distance between yourself and others.

Please note: Staff at all Town facilities will retain a daily log of visitors to facilitate contact tracing in the event a COVID-19 outbreak occurs. More>>

You can make a difference in our community by applying to fill the vacancy on the Cemetery Advisory Board (CAB). All residents of Wake Forest and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) are eligible to apply.

The online application is available on the Town’s website. Completed applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 10.

Applicants will be expected to call in to the virtual CAB meeting on Wednesday, June 24, at 7 p.m. to introduce themselves and discuss why they wish to serve. Call-in instructions will be provided to all applicants no later than noon on Tuesday, June 23.

Following the virtual interviews on June 24, the CAB will review its slate of candidates before submitting its recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. The Board will announce the new appointments during its regular work session on Tuesday, July 7.

The selected applicant will fill the vacated seat and their term will commence immediately.

Wake Forest Loop B resumed normal operations today (Tuesday, May 26), after being suspended since March 30 due to COVID-19. Wake Forest-Raleigh Express service remains suspended until further notice.

Operated using GoRaleigh vehicles,  Wake Forest Loops A and B  offer fare-free service for residents traveling within Wake Forest and a portion of Wakefield.

Riders are asked to board the GoRaleigh buses using the rear doors in an effort to promote greater social distancing. Front door access will be available for persons with disabilities. Per CDC guidelines, if you are sick, please stay at home and only travel if it is absolutely necessary. Please cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, avoid touching your face, and keep distance between yourself and others. These practices can help limit the impact of COVID-19 on our community. For more information, call 919-485-RIDE (7433). More>>

The Town of Wake Forest is following North Carolina’s Safer-At-Home Phase 2 Order as outlined by Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order No. 141 . The Safer At Home Phase 2 runs through at least Friday, June 26.

Mass gathering limits in Phase 2 are no more than 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors in most circumstances. 

Due to the current mass gathering limits and an expectation that residents will not be allowed to gather safely in large groups for the foreseeable future, the Town has canceled its traditional July 3 Fireworks Spectacular.
However, instead of the conventional in-person celebration, officials plan to put on an aerial fireworks display that residents can watch in a variety of ways, including (but not necessarily limited to) Facebook Live and WFTV 10. Plans are still being developed, so specific details will be provided in the coming weeks.

Wake Forest’s July 4 festivities, including the annual Children’s Parade and Art-in-the-Park, have also been canceled. Planning was well underway for these events before the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. The Town of Wake Forest would like to recognize the Wake Forest Optimist Club and the Wake Forest Woman’s Club for pledging their support for these events.
Recycling Refresher

It's time to take a fresh look at recycling and change how we think about it! It's less important to fill the bin with a mix of things we think MAY be recyclable as it is to put in things we KNOW are recyclable. This video is designed to help you "get the right things in the bin - for the win!"
We're tied in the
Mayors' Census Challenge!

Oh no! We're tied at 71 percent! For several weeks Wake Forest led Fuquay-Varina in our head-to-head match-up over which town finishes with the better self-response rate. That lead has vanished like bottles of hand-sanitizer from your local grocery store! If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to complete the 2020 US Census online at  https://my2020census.gov/   and help ensure Mayor Jones and Wake Forest "clean up" the competition! We're "counting" on you!

As the world continues coping with COVID-19, a growing number of area residents have been taking advantage of the Town’s 50-plus miles of greenways. Some trail users like to walk and bike for exercise, while others do so for their mental well-being.

Regardless of your reason for using Wake Forest’s greenways, it is important for everyone to respect private property and remain within the confines of the marked trails. Anyone who ventures off the trails onto the adjacent land may be guilty of trespassing.

In North Carolina, trespassing is classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor under NCGS 14-159.12 and punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The Wake Forest Police Department urges greenway users to remain on the trails and off adjacent property. Anyone witnessing suspicious activity is urged to call the Police Department at 919-554-6150.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about six out of 10 people living with dementia will wander away from their homes. As the development of the disease continues, it can become increasingly difficult and potentially impossible for the person to find their way home. Many children with autism may also wander. That’s why the Wake Forest Police Department (WFPD) is introducing a new program designed to help officers find and safely return home people with disabilities as quickly as possible when they wander away from their families or caregivers.

The  Take Me Home initiative is designed to protect Wake Forest children, adults and the elderly with disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome or Alzheimer’s and other dementia disorders, who go missing and may be unable to communicate who they are and where they live.

The program is a free, voluntary and confidential database offered, managed and maintained by Wake Forest police for Wake Forest residents. It is only accessible to law enforcement via the WFPD.

Fred Smith Co., a private contractor working on behalf of the Town of Wake Forest, has begun preliminary work on the Ligon Mill Road Operational Improvements Project (LMROIP) . 

Initial efforts will include the installation of project signage and silt and tree protection fencing, along with equipment mobilization. This work will have little to no impact on pedestrians or traffic.

The LMROIP consists of widening the existing narrow corridor from two lanes to a four-lane median-divided roadway with left-turn lanes, bike lanes, curb and gutter and extra-wide sidewalks. In addition, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and dedicated left, through and right-turn lanes will be installed at the existing intersection with South Main Street/US 1A.

These improvements are designed to significantly improve the mobility and safety of this corridor. Decorative stone retaining walls will also be installed to enhance the visual appearance of the area.

For complete information, including project updates, visit our website . 

The NC Department of Transportation wants to hear from you about North Carolina’s trails and how to make them better. The NCDOT is encouraging residents and leaders to participate in a brief  survey  on our state’s multi-modal transportation. The input will be used to identify a network of shared-use paths and trails that connects​​​ every county in North Carolina.

The public can give feedback in two ways by taking an  interactive map survey  or a  10-question survey . Participants are encouraged to take both surveys beginning now through September 30.

Available here , these surveys are a part of NCDOT’s effort to develop its statewide trail plan and 5-year implementation strategy, called the  Great Trails State Plan .

The Great Trails State Plan is focusing on shared-use paths that can serve transportation purposes, providing connections between where people live, work and play. 
Check out our new
"Wonderful Wake Forest" video
Please...don't...litter!

The Town of Wake Forest often receives reports about trash of all kinds along our roads. It's a shame we're forced to constantly reinforce this message - but please don’t litter! We need everyone to help keep Wake Forest and North Carolina beautiful and safe, and it starts with each of us doing our part.

Thank you for doing your part to keep Wake Forest safe, and for proving every day that the caring community we know and love is still here and as strong as ever.  #StayStrongWF

All  Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources' playgrounds and athletics fields are closed until further notice.
 
All Town parks and greenways remain open to the public, but water fountains are turned off.
 
Parks and greenways users are urged to remember the following:
  • Refrain from using parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.
  • While on trails, warn other users of your presence as you pass, and step aside to let others pass.
  • Always observe CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of 6 feet from other individuals. If this is not possible, find an alternate location or depart that space.

Police officials are reminding Wake Forest motorists to park in the direction of traffic flow or risk a $25 fine. Wording in Sec. 30-251 of the Town's Code of Ordinances addresses "Parking in direction of traffic flow."

"Parking shall be established in the direction of traffic flow on all streets within corporate limits of the Town of Wake Forest with passenger side (right) tires to the curb on two-way streets."

In summary, on a two-way road, you must park with the right-hand wheels next to the right-side curb. Otherwise, you are parked illegally.  More>>
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If you have questions or comments about the Town of Wake Forest website or E-News, please contact Bill Crabtree by email or call 919-435-9421.