Volunteer Income Tax Assistance in Carolina Beach 2017

We're officially in tax season, which means it's time to get your official IRS documents, income statements, receipts, deductions and any other financial documentation together to file your yearly tax return. Although it's not the most fun time of year, some residents of Carolina Beach may be able to take advantage of New Hanover County's free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program.

The VITA program offers tax help to low- and moderate-income people with a focus on those 60 or older, completely free of charge. Through this program, IRS-certified volunteers provide free, basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in New Hanover County. VITA volunteers are able to inform about special tax credits, such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled.

New Town of Carolina Beach App

Be sure to download the Town of Carolina Beach App!

Features:

• Easy Access to Town Calendar and Events
• View Town Council Meetings
• Direct Access to Town Services - Pay your water bill from your phone!
• Information on Freeman Park, Boardwalk, and Local Businesses and Restaurants
• Access to Tide Reports, Weather, & Live Beach Cam

The Town of Carolina Beach App is part of a network of apps in the Regional Area including:

• Pleasure Island Chamber App
• Wilmington Chamber App
• Wilmington Golf App
• NC Aquarium App
• City of Wilmington App
• Battleship NC App
• NC Azalea Festival App
• Cameron Art Museum App
• Wilmington & Beaches App
• Wilmington Wedding App
• New Hanover Regional Medical App
• Wilmington Real Estate App

Available on the App Store and Google Play Store

Freeman Park - All Campsites Booked Memorial Day Weekend

News Release from the Town of Carolina Beach:

CAROLINA BEACH, NC -Freeman Park campsites SOLD OUT May 22, 2015-May 24, 2015

The online reservation system for overnight camping in Freeman Park is working great-the system is easy to use and is being utilized daily by campers.  The upcoming Memorial Day Weekend has already sold out all 119 campsites between May 22^nd-May 24^th! 

We advise anyone planning an overnight camping trip to Freeman Park to check the online reservation website, www.freeman.spplusparking.com, and verify that spots are available.  There's also information about site access, amenities, and updated rules and regulations.

Any questions about camping in Freeman Park should be directed to SP Plus Parking at

910-458-4614.

Changes to Rules Concerning Pets on the Beach

Dogs and other pets will now be allowed on the Municipal Beach Strand for the Town of Carolina Beach from October 1st through March 31st. This keeps the rules concerning pets on the beach consistent between the Carolina Beach and Kure Beach. (Read the new Carolina Beach ordinance here.)

Of course, please remember to keep all dogs on leashes and to pick up after them!

For more on Carolina Beach and Kure Beach Leash Laws including the rules for Freeman Park (the North End) and Fort Fisher State Recreation Area visit PleasureIslandNC.org.

Town of Carolina Beach Hires New Police Chief

Kenneth R Hinkle has accepted the position as Police Chief for the Town of Carolina Beach with a start date of November 12, 2013.

Chief Hinkle brings 30 plus years of policing experience most recently from the Village of Obetz, Ohio, where he worked as Police Chief for over five years. He has extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of community policing and developing strong relationships with business owners, residents, and tourists.

Town officials are happy to have him as part of the Carolina Beach team. Town Manager Michael Cramer will introduce Mr. Hinkle to the Town Council on November 12, 2013 at 6:00 pm.

Carolina Beach Sign Ordinance Public Input - 7pm on March 11

On Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 7 pm, the Carolina Beach Planning and Zoning Commission will hear about a proposal to relax the town's sign ordinance.  A recommendation will be presented to the town council  next month and public input is welcome.

The Commission will meet in the council room of the Carolina Beach Municipal Administration Building at 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd.

It was reported in the Star-News on March 9th, 2010 that Carolina Beach town officials are considering a change to the current ordinance governing commercial signage in the community.

Currently, the length of time allowed for temporary banners in Carolina Beach is set at four weeks.  Town officials are considering whether to lengthen that time period and are also considering "whether to permit vehicle/trailer signs, A-frame boards, balloons, and humans in costume" such as are allowed in other parts of New Hanover County.

The Star-News reports that some Carolina Beach business owners want more leeway to present signage promoting their products, services, specials, or events.  Other people want to see the ordinances stay the same or become even more restricted in order to preserve the aesthetics of the beach town.

If you have an opinion about this topic, please attend the meeting to share your views:

Details

• What: Carolina Beach Town Planning Commission public meeting
• When: Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 7 pm
• Where: Counsel room of the Carolina Beach Municipal Building at 1121 N. Lake Park Blvd
• Info: For more information, please contact Jeremy Hardison, zoning administrator, at 910-458-2991 or jeremy.hardison@carolinabeach.org.

To read the full Star-News article, please see: Carolina Beach considers relaxing sign rules

Carolina Beach Planning Department to Host Community Discussion

The Town of Carolina Beach wishes to extend an open invitation to participate in a discussion about allowances and changes to the Town’s sign regulations with the goal of enhancing economic development while preserving community appearance.

Any and all signs will be on the table for discussion including but not limited to permanent signs, temporary signs and any other sign not now displayed in Carolina Beach.

Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Business and Economic Development Committee and the Chamber of Commerce are encouraged to attend. 

Meeting Details:

What:   Town Sign Regulations Meeting

When:  Thursday, February 4, 2010

Time:    6:00 p.m.

Where: Police Training Room of Town Hall,
             1121 N. Lake Park Blvd.
             Carolina Beach, NC 28428

For more information or any questions, please contact Gary Ferguson at (910) 458-2986.

Town of Carolina Beach NC to Purchase Lots to Build Aquarium Pier

The Star-News and Snows Cut Monthly reported last week that the Carolina Beach Town Council voted 3-2 to approve the purchase of six empty lots from the former Arcadius development project located on Carolina Beach Avenue North to build out site of a new Aquarium Pier.

The Town Council also voted to approve the purchase of an additional Carolina Beach Avenue North lot where they held the winning bid in a bankruptcy auction.

The aquarium pier would be a joint project between the Town of Carolina Beach and the North Carolina Aquariums. The Star-News reports:

The pier would be a 1,000-foot concrete pier with wooden decking, including fish tanks and educational and event facilities. The town also has discussed putting a beach access, bathhouse and park there.

 The details of the project are still in the works.  The cost of purchasing the land and building the pier could mean higher taxes on residents or it could be covered by grants.  For now, the purchase price of the lots will be covered by funds from a town parking lot (which was not paid for with tax money).  Also, several uses for the lots are in consideration.

For more details on this story, please visit:

Carolina Beach approves buying aquarium pier lots

or listen to the Carolina Beach Town Council meeting from October 13th here:

http://www.carolinabeach.org/site_new/pages/council_min.html

(Photo credit to Diane Berry-Klutz via via the Facebook Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Fan Page)