Board of Commissioners approve new Longtime Homeowner Assistance program

Orange County will launch a new Longtime Homeowner Assistance (LHA) program on Oct. 8 to provide property tax bill assistance to help people stay in their homes. The Orange County Board of Commissioners initiated the LHA Program on June 15, 2021, by allocating $250,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to assist households affected by the 2021 countywide property revaluation. The final program
To qualify, homeowners must:

Live in Orange County;
Have lived in their home for at least 10 years;
Have experienced an increase in property taxes due to the 2021 tax revaluation; and
Earn no more than 80% of the area median income

Orange County will accept applications starting Oct. 8. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2021, to allow time for processing.

Click here for more information and a link to the application portal.

Youth winter basketball registration graphic

The Orange County Youth Basketball League is a developmental program for area youth ages 5 to 12. Volunteer coaches will work with the children to improve individual skills in dribbling, passing, and shooting while instilling values in teamwork and sportsmanship. Players ages 7 and above will be placed on teams through a mandatory skills assessment process. Click the graphic to register.

Pfizer Booster Shots Available for High-Risk Groups

To strengthen and extend protections against severe illness, North Carolinians at high risk for serious illness or exposure who have been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine for six months or more can now receive a COVID-19 booster shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot is recommended for individuals who have been fully vaccinated for six months or more with the Pfizer vaccine. People who are 65 years or older, 18 years or older with underlying medical conditions or work in a high-risk setting like healthcare workers, teachers and childcare providers or food workers are eligible in North Carolina.

Who is Eligible
CDC recommends the following groups should get a COVID-19 booster if they have previously been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer vaccine:

people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
people aged 50 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
people 18 to 49 who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks; and
people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

Click here for more information.

Farnan promoted to Orange County Fire Marshal

After an extensive search and recruitment process, Orange County named Elizabeth Farnan as the new Fire Marshal for Orange County. She officially began her duties Sept. 25.

Farnan, who was appointed Acting Fire Marshal in July, began her career in 1994 as a telecommunicator for Orange County before moving on to various firefighting roles with the Town of Carrboro, Orange County and Chapel Hill Fire Departments. She has served as Assistant Fire Marshal with Orange County Emergency Services since October 2009 and holds numerous certifications.

“I am confident that her 27 years of experience and wealth of knowledge will serve the county well,” said Orange County Emergency Services Director Kirby Saunders.

Farnan graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in psychology/religion and serves on a number of professional organizations. She was recently nominated to serve on the N.C. Fire Code Revision Committee through the N.C. Office of the State Fire Marshal.

“I am very honored for the opportunity to serve as the Fire Marshal for Orange County,” Farnan said. “Some of my goals and visions in serving Orange County are promoting every home having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, implementing more fire and life safety educational programs, and working with all our partners to build a solid Community Risk Reduction Dashboard. I look forward to continuing the efforts of the previous Fire Marshals in furthering the legacy of the Fire Marshal Division’s commitment to life safety, community service, and risk reduction for all.”

Duties of the Fire Marshal include enforcing the North Carolina State Building Code, Fire Prevention Code and local ordinances, interpreting and implementing local, State, and Federal laws, rules, and regulations, and overseeing the County's fire prevention, fire response, fire suppression, and fire investigation programs.

The Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program provides free, unbiased education and assistance with Medicare. We can help you understand when and how to enroll, how to choose between the different Medicare options, and how to read your Medicare statements. We offer classes and one-on-one counseling appointments. Medicare open enrollment runs Oct. 15 - Dec. 7. Many seniors can save money by switching plans – sometimes as much as $500 or even more, but you have to switch during Open Enrollment.

Announcing the Next Master Aging Plan!

We are excited to announce the kick-off of the next Master Aging Plan. To get started, we will host Community Engagement Drop-in events during October at key locations around the County.

Please join us to:

Celebrate the achievements of the past five years
Hear results from the July 2021 MAP Survey
Share what’s important to you
Engage with MAP workgroup leaders

No registration is necessary. All events are open to the public.

Community Engagement Drop-in Schedule

Seymour Center
2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill, NC
Monday, Oct. 11, from 10 am – 12 noon

Passmore Center
103 Meadowlands Drive, Hillsborough, NC
Monday, Oct. 11, from 4 – 6 pm

Cedar Grove Community Center
5800 NC 86N Hillsborough, NC
Tuesday, Oct. 12, from 10 am – 12 noon

Rogers Road Community Center
101 Edgar Drive, Chapel Hill, NC
Thursday, Oct. 14, from 4 – 6 p.m.

Virtual Event
Register in advance for confirmation and event link: www.orangecountync.gov/MAPVirtualEvent
Tuesday, Oct. 12, from 2:30 – 4:30 pm

All COVID protocols are being followed and everyone will be required to wear a mask. For more information, please call 919-968-2087 or visit our website at www.orangecountync.gov/Aging.

The Master Aging Plan (MAP) is a five-year plan that provides comprehensive and coordinated delivery of community services and supports that foster lifelong community engagement and well-being for older adults in Orange County. The Department on Aging created its first MAP in 2000, and each new MAP continues to evolve to meet the needs, expectations, and contributions of a growing aging population.

Applicants Needed For Orange County Housing Authority Board

The Orange County Housing Authority Board is currently seeking applications, particularly from Orange County residents residing outside Chapel Hill Town Limits, for an open at-large position.

Orange County Housing Authority Board members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for low and moderate-income families in the County. At least one member of the board shall be a Housing Choice Voucher holder. Other board members may represent the following areas of interest: real estate, development, affordable housing, municipal law, and banking.

The Orange County Housing Authority Board typically meets on the Third Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. If interested, apply at www.orangecountync.gov/Apply.

Orange County strives for authentically diverse representation on volunteer boards and commissions. Residents of all demographic backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply. Applicants must reside in Orange County. Volunteers appointed by the Board of County Commissioners have the opportunity to directly influence the County’s decisions, policies, and priorities.

For additional information, contact Tara May at 919-245-2125.

The Orange County Arts Commission presents the 5th Annual Paint it Orange Plein Air Paint-Out and Wet Paint Sale November 3-5, 2021. Artists are invited to Orange County, North Carolina, to capture the landscapes and landmarks signature to the Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Carrboro communities. Participating artists will paint at their sites of choosing throughout Orange County from November 3-5, and will submit up to three of their favorite paintings for jurying on Friday, November 5 at the Eno Arts Mill Gallery in Hillsborough.

Inktober graphic from Orange County Public Library

Animal Services offers grant program to support animal welfare initiatives in Orange County

Orange County Animal Services is offering The Pat Sanford Animal Welfare Grant, a program to support animal welfare initiatives and projects in Orange County, thanks to a generous donation from Friends of Orange County Animal Shelter. This is the sixth year the award has been offered, and it will be awarded for initiatives up to $500. Applications must be received by Friday, Oct 15.

The grant can be used for a wide range of pilot or seed projects or to supplement other programs, projects, and grants which support companion animals, including those animals used in recreation or therapy. It is available to individuals, groups, and organizations and although the recipients do not have to live in Orange County, the funds must be used to aid animal welfare efforts in Orange County. Past recipients include Hope Animal Rescue, Independent Animal Rescue, NC Therapeutic Riding Center, Pet Pals, Trestle Leaf Web Design, and Carolina Boxer Rescue.

The program honors Pat Sanford, former Executive Director of the Animal Protection Society of Orange County (APS). Sanford served there for 17 years, where she pushed for spay/neuter to combat the county’s pet overpopulation problem, helped expand the APS twice, and created a wildlife rehabilitation component that would carry on beyond her retirement. After her retirement in 2002, Sanford continued her work for Orange County animals and served on the county’s Animal Services Advisory Board for several years.

Ms. Sanford’s accomplishments are vast and her contributions helped Orange County become one of the leading counties in the state and country for animal placement, recovery, and overall well-being. The grants awarded in her honor will support efforts that exemplify the same dedication and commitment to animal welfare in Orange County. The initial donation will sustain the program for a 10-year period. Additional donations are welcomed to increase the annual award amount and to extend the period in which the grant is awarded.

For more information on the grant, to find the application, and to find out more about giving opportunities for this program, visit http://www.orangecountync.gov/368/Pat-Sanford-Animal-Welfare-Award.

Early voting for municipal elections begins Oct. 14. Click the link for more information or to learn how to register.

www.orangecountync.gov