Main Library Now Open on Sundays

Effective Sunday, July 31, the Main location of the Orange County Public Library in downtown Hillsborough will be open every Sunday, noon-6 p.m.

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved restoring Sunday hours when it approved the county’s budget in June.

“We are happy that the Commissioners supported the return of Sunday hours and are excited to offer access to library services seven days a week in Hillsborough,” said Erin Sapienza, library director.

“I think it’s important for the library to be open on Sunday afternoons,” said Orange County Commissioner Sally Greene, who co-sponsored the budget amendment with Chair Renee Price to restore Sunday hours. “It’s the best time for some people to go there.”

The Orange County Public Library has two locations, the Main Library at 137 W. Margaret Lane in downtown Hillsborough, and the Cybrary at 100 N. Greensboro Street in downtown Carrboro. For more information, visit OrangeCountyLibrary.org, call 919.245.2525, or email library@orangecountync.gov. Follow the library on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Commissioner Greene receives national honor for work on statewide Opioids Settlement Committee

The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) committee of county leaders on national opioid settlement funds won a 2022 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award.

Orange County Commissioner Sally Greene served on the 5-5-5 Committee, a specially appointed opioid settlement working group created to develop a statewide plan to effectively use funds coming to North Carolina from national opioid settlements. The 5-5-5 Committee consists of five county commissioners, five county managers, and five county attorneys from across the state and was recognized in the Health category.

"We are so appreciative of the incredible dedication shown by the county commissioners, managers and attorneys on the 5-5-5 Committee," said NCACC Executive Director Kevin Leonard. "Along with the North Carolina Attorney General’s office, they worked diligently to design an agreement that ensures national opioid litigation settlement proceeds are distributed in a way that maximizes funds flowing to North Carolina communities on the front lines of the opioid epidemic."

NC Agriculture Cost Share Funds Available Soon

The Orange Soil and Water Conservation District receives cost-share allocation from the State each year for non-point source pollution control from agriculture activities. These funds assist farmers in implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to decrease the amount of sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, animal waste, chemicals, and other pollutants entering surface and ground waters

Landowners and operators may apply for technical and cost-share assistance to install BMPs such as animal waste storage facilities, mortality management systems, wells and watering troughs in conjunction with livestock exclusion fencing from streams, heavy use areas, animal trails and stream crossings, closure of waste impoundments, cropland conversions, sod-based rotations, grassed waterways, field borders and diversions.

For a complete list of BMPs available and other cost-share programs to improve water
quality and enhance agriculture operations, go to Orange County Soil and Water Conservation’s website at www.orangecountync.gov/soilwater (see Financial Assistance).

An initial sign up will be held through Aug. 19 for landowners and operators requesting technical and cost-share assistance on practices. Technical assistance will be provided throughout the year and cost share assistance for as long as funding is available.

To apply for cost share assistance and other agricultural funding programs, please contact Kenny Ray, Todd Roberts or Jessica Perrin at (919) 245-2750.

Orange County Government is hiring!

To learn more about the job opportunities available please click the graphic to visit our Employment page If you would like to speak to someone contact the Human Resources Recruitment Manager at (919) 245-2557 or ddavenport@orangecountync.gov

Department on Aging to host discussion on end of life choices

The Orange County Department on Aging and the Project EngAGE End of Life Choices Senior Resource Team invite the public to attend the viewing and panel discussion of, Alternate Endings, on August 9.

Join us for the profoundly intimate and illuminating documentary, Alternate Endings, that explores what it means to be near death and captures the healing power of honoring, giving thanks, and staying true to our loved ones wishes. An in depth Q&A will immediately follow the screening with our distinguished panel of experts.

Guest speakers:

Ed Tiryakian, Founder and Executive Director, Dying Right North Carolina
Sara Williams, Founder and President, Shrouding Sisters
Anne Weston, Founder and President, Green Burial Project

The event will take place on Tue, Aug 9, from 6 – 8 pm. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Please register by Fri, Aug 5 with the Seymour Center front desk at 919-968-2070. Maximum in-person attendance:

Public health officials and community leaders share their reasons why they got a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in a new video titled, “Get Boosted, Orange County!” Participants include Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils, Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart, Hillsborough Mayor Jennifer Weaver, Orange County Board of County Commissioners Chair Renée Price, and Vice Chair of the Board of Health Keith Bagby.

Applicants Needed For Volunteer Boards And Commissions

One way residents can have a positive impact on the future of Orange County is to serve on a volunteer board or commission. The Orange County Board of Commissioners is currently recruiting applicants for the following boards and commissions:

Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee
Advisory Board on Aging
Affordable Housing Advisory Board
Agricultural Preservation Board
Animal Services Advisory Board
Animal Services Hearing Panel Pool
Board of Equalization and Review
Commission for the Environment
Historic Preservation Commission
Human Relations Commission
Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Orange County Board of Adjustment
Orange County Housing Authority Board
Orange County Parks and Recreation Council
Orange Unified Transportation Board

If interested in serving on any of these boards, view requirements and 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 or tmay@orangecountync.gov.

Orange County Community Climate Action Grant –– Applications Now Open for FY22-23 Funding

The application period for Orange County’s Community Climate Action Grant is now open for FY22-23. The process for soliciting and selecting projects to receive funding is being conducted through a formal grant program. The deadline to apply is Aug. 19.

An estimated $275,075 in funding will be provided to support expansion of climate change mitigation and resilience projects that build on Orange County’s long history of sustainable actions. An additional $275,075 in funding will be set aside to fund applications submitted under this grant program from either of Orange County’s two public school districts.

Details on grant eligibility, scoring and application materials are available at the grant program website: www.orangecountync.gov/CCAGP.

Orange County Library virtual author events graphic

Department on Aging accepting nominations for 2022 Direct Care Worker Awards

Orange County Department on Aging and the community group, Senior Health Advocacy and Resource Partners of Orange County (SHARP), will host the eighth annual SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards.

Nominations will be accepted from June 15 – Sept. 15, 2022. A recognition ceremony will be held for award winners on Thursday, Nov. 3.

This event is in honor of Direct Care Workers (nurse aides, personal care aides, companion caregivers, etc.) who affect their clients’ lives on a daily basis and make a difference in the Orange County community.

“Direct care workers provide crucial hands-on care to our older adults. They are frontline heroes quietly meeting the daily needs of their clients,” said Janice Tyler, director of Orange County Department on Aging. “We want them to know that they are valued and essential to our community; deserving of our support and praise.”

In recognition of the outstanding service provided by direct care workers, the Department on Aging and SHARP will present awards in the following categories: Client Impact, Longevity, Leadership, Going the Extra Mile, and Rising Star. One person will be chosen as the “Direct Care Worker of the Year.”

To be eligible, direct care workers must have served clients in Orange County within the past year. Each person may be nominated in two categories. Nominees must have provided direct care to clients and have at least six consecutive months of service in the past year.

For more information about the awards and to nominate a direct care worker, please complete the online or downloadable nomination form at: www.orangecountync.gov/SHARPAwards.

www.orangecountync.gov