Carolina Trace News

Please direct your questions to: CTA Laurel Thicket Representative

CTA News! December 4, 2024

The CTA Board of Directors meeting was held Wed., December 4, 2024. Thirteen of the eighteen POAs were represented. Included in this news brief are actions taken and information shared at that meeting as well as other pertinent community announcements.

Nominations Report (2025 Officer Elections): The Board elected the following individuals as CTA officers for the 2025 term: president- Jeff Wennberg (LWPOA), vice president - Tom King (HWPOA), secretary – Sharon Sheldon (NSPOA), treasurer – Randi Constant (NSPOA). CTA thanks outgoing officers Joe Zanga and Jody Jackett and CTA directors Jennifer Williams (ENPOA) and Tom Boerger (VTPOA) for their volunteer service for this community.

2025 is Calling You! Committee chairs/ members are needed for 2025! There are opportunities for qualified Subject Matter Experts as well as anyone willing to join the hard-working group of volunteers overseeing the CTA infrastructure. CTA will be restructuring its committees and spreading tasks among more volunteers to encourage greater collaboration. Contact CTA officers at https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/CTA-Officers-2 or your POA’s CTA director for more information.

Corporate Transparency Act Filing Temporarily Suspended: CTA has been keeping the POA Boards updated on the need for the CTA and the POAs to comply with this Act. On December 3, a Federal Judge issued a nationwide injunction to suspend enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act pending further judicial review.

This decision means that no corporations will have to submit a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) by the now-suspended January 1, 2025 filing deadline, and individuals do not have to obtain FinCEN IDs in anticipation of including them in BOIRs.

Until further court action, neither the CTA nor any of the POAs needs to file a BOIR, collect FinCEN IDs from officers and directors, or take any other action in response to the Corporate Transparency Act. This also means that at this time, CTA and the POAs will not have to address the consequences of any officer or board director that does not comply with FinCEN regulations. Other court cases challenging the Act remain pending so stay tuned.

Finance

Census Update: The CTA directors are considering a Board resolution regarding what to do about POAs that have allowed property owners to combine lots with the intent of reducing assessments. CTA’s bylaws do not allow a POA to reduce the assessments it owes to CTA if the POA allows a lot owner to combine lots or if the POA declares a lot “unbuildable.” It is very likely that most, if not all, POAs are also constrained by their bylaws or covenants to collect assessments even if lots are combined or considered unbuildable. The Board will discuss how it should address accounting for combined lots at its January 7 meeting.

January 2025 Finance Forum Covers POA, CTA Insurance Coverages: POA Board members are invited to attend a January 18, 2025 Insurance Coverages Forum at 10 a.m. at CTCC (2100 Country Club Drive). The community’s insurance broker, Scott Wheeler, SFI Group, will be on hand to discuss current coverage as well as coverages that POAs may appreciate considering. RSVP to either the CTA Secretary ([email protected]) or Treasurer ([email protected]).

2024 Budget Line Item Overages: The treasurer provided budget overruns for specific line items by TRAM and Security and Safety committees. The Board voted to allow the overages to appear in red (as budget line deficits) as CTA nears year end to provide the difference between originally approved budgets vs actual spending. This should help inform the upcoming year.

Year End Finance Reports: The year-end finance reports will be presented in full for Board review at the January 2025 meeting.

Security & Safety Committee (S&S)

Security-Specific Email Reminder: To help improve communications regarding security issues in the community, the committee now has a specific email address for those concerns: [email protected]

Gate Sentry Update: Gate Sentry has implemented a free upgrade to include an “Events” function. Access your web portal (portal.gatesentry.com) to see how you can enter multiple guests for one event or upload a list of guests for an event, and set parameters as to how you want to be alerted as guests arrive at the main gate. This functionality is only available by using the Gate Sentry web portal. Residents who choose not to use Gate Sentry and are planning to have more than 5 outside guests for an event should visit the gatehouse and discuss with staff how they can create passes for everyone on your guest list.

CERT Basic Course Offered: Any resident of Carolina Trace is welcome to join CT’s Community Emergency Response Team (“CERT”). Read more about CERT at this link. The next training for CERT is on these dates in January 2025: 10, 11, 17 and 18. Check out the CTA calendar for exact times.

Sign Up for “Code Red” Alerts: Lee County’s Office of Emergency Management operates an alert system for weather and other concerns affecting Lee County residents. Sign up for these free alerts at https://leecountync.gov/departments/emergency_management/index.php

Trace Lake & Dam Committee (TLDC)

Community questions or concerns about Lake Trace or the country club’s management of the lake should be directed only to Bill Huggins, chair of the committee, at this email address: [email protected]. Bill is CTA’s sole liaison with the country club regarding Lake Trace and the dam.

Lake Lowering in 2025: The exact date(s) for this is pending; POAs will be updated as soon as the information is clarified via a meeting between the TLDC chair and the CTCC General Manager

Traceway Roads and Maintenance (TRAM)

Culvert Work Set to Begin Dec. 16: Watch message centers and emails for how this may impact your travel on Traceway (minimal). Four culverts will be repaired: on the north side: the “waterfall” culvert at the intersection of Country Club Drive and Traceway and the culvert at the Lake 8 green, and on the south side of Traceway, the first Lakewood culvert and the first South Landing culvert.

Eyes/Ears Needed: CT residents are asked to report any issues regarding the condition of Traceway (such as potholes, cracked/crumbling asphalt, etc.) to the TRAM committee at [email protected]. Thanks!

Utilities:

The Carolina Trace Community mourns the loss of its longtime (18+ years) Utility volunteer with the death of Vince Roy on November 25. Vince attained a great age of 93 and was a tireless representative of CT’s interests with the Carolina Water Service (CWS) and the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC).

CWS infrastructure issues (main breaks, sewer issues): Continue to report these to the 800# on your invoice and to CT Utilities Committee volunteer Jeff Wennberg, [email protected] CTA continues to press CWS to improve its communications with residents. CTA needs this information to support any comments to state regulators that CWS is not fulfilling its commitment to proactively improve the infrastructure here.

Your Voices Are Needed! CTA’s utility volunteers will begin attending NCUC’s quarterly meetings in 2025. To volunteer to be a part of this effort to make voices heard, all property owners are welcome to be included. One or two people representing several thousand is not as impactful as a crowd representing our community. Contact Jeff Wennberg for details.

Community Calendar – Open to All CT Residents:

January 10, 11, 17 & 18 – Basic CERT Training. Check out the CTA calendar for exact times.

January 18, 2025, 10 a.m. – POA/CTA Insurance Coverages Forum. Open to all POA Board members. RSVP to the CTA treasurer ([email protected]) or secretary ([email protected]).

Housekeeping

The approved November 6, 2024 CTA Board Meeting Minutes packet has been uploaded to the website -

https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/CTA-Board-Meeting-Minutes

Message Center Slides – If you miss an announcement while driving through the gates, you can read them at the CTA website at www.carolinatrace.org

Thanks for reading to the end!

Community Hotline: Call 919.499.2722 OR the Gatehouse line, option 2. The hotline will provide the status of roads, gates, and utilities.

Questions or Concerns? Your POA's CTA Director can help and is in the best position to point you in the direction of the correct volunteer if they can’t. Remember that CTA exists to keep the infrastructure common to all 18 POAs in good condition (Traceway North and South, gatehouse, gates, and landscaping of non-POA common areas). CTA budget and policies are set by delegates from each of the 18 POAs. Each POA is responsible for its own infrastructure, amenities, regulations, and lot assessments.

Thank you to all 2024 volunteers! As 2024 winds down, CTA wishes to thank all volunteers who have put in many hours working on behalf of the Carolina Trace Community.

CTA News! November 6, 2024

The CTA Board of Directors meeting was held Wed., November 6, 2024. Fourteen of the eighteen POAs were represented. Included in this news brief are actions taken and information shared at that meeting as well as other pertinent community announcements.

Nominations Report (2025 Officer Elections): The nominations committee has put forth the following candidates for CTA officers for the 2025 term: president- Jeff Wennberg (LWPOA), vice president - Tom King (HWPOA), secretary – Sharon Sheldon (NSPOA), treasurer – Randi Constant (NSPOA). The board will vote on these candidates at its December meeting. Nominations from the board are also welcome between now and the December 4 meeting.

Committee chairs and committee members are also needed. The ongoing lack of volunteers – both worker bees and qualified Subject Matter Experts – continues to strain the small but hard-working group of volunteers overseeing the CTA infrastructure. Contact CTA officers at https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/CTA-Officers-2 or your POA’s CTA director for more information.

Community Standards: CTA, in agreement with Escalante Golf (owner of Lake Trace) issues the following reminders for all Carolina Trace residents, from an ecological and community safety standpoint:

Watercraft Policy/No Gasoline Engines, Limits on HP, No Wake Lake – Updates to this policy to ensure peaceful enjoyment of the lake have been posted at the CTA website. Residents are reminded of the tree stumps and other debris spotted on the lakebed during the recent lake lowering. These items could be hazardous to swimming/diving/higher speed watercraft.
Dumping of Debris into the Lake - POAs with lakefront properties are reminded to advise residents that intentional dumping of yard and landscaping debris into any of the waters within Carolina Trace is prohibited, and a violation of NC law.
Open Burning – All open burning on CTA common property is prohibited by CTA. Individual property owners are governed by their specific POA’s covenants and restrictions. Questions about safe use of fire pits, etc., should be directed to your POA board. Board members recommended all POAs look into participation in NC’s "Firewise Program" - https://www.resistwildfirenc.org/grants.htm#, a program run by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services that provides free roadside debris removal service with the intent of mitigating wildfire risks.

Corporate Transparency Act Filing Deadline is January 1, 2025 – CTA has been keeping the POA Boards updated on the need for CTA and the POAs to comply with this Act. All Boards must file the paperwork for their specific POA board and its leadership. Individual Board members must apply for a FinCEN ID number as a condition to serving on our volunteer Boards. CTA continues to monitor this Federal reporting requirement but as of now, CTA and the POAs must submit their first reports with FinCEN by January 1, 2025. For more information, contact your POA Board leadership. Information on obtaining a FinCEN ID is available at fincenid.fincen.gov.

Finance

Census Update: The 2024 census numbers, POA reports of developed and undeveloped lots and used for 2025 assessment calculations, show an uptick of lots “not in good standing” within the POAs. This of course, causes an increase in assessments for all other lots when some lot owners are not paying their share to their POAs. It was reiterated that CTA’s bylaws recognize two types of lots within Carolina Trace: improved and unimproved. Contact your POA for additional information.
Finance Forum to meet quarterly: Following a successful gathering of POA leadership at an October 10 Finance Forum, this group has decided to meet quarterly for the purposes of sharing information on assessment collections, lien procedures, etc. The next meeting will be sometime in January 2025.

Security & Safety Committee (S&S)

Security-Specific Email Reminder: To help improve communications regarding security issues in the community, the committee now has a specific email address for those concerns: [email protected]
South Gate Barrier/Lift Gate Update: Work on this access point has been completed.
CERT Basic Course Offered: Any resident of Carolina Trace is welcome to join CT’s Community Emergency Response Team (“CERT”). Read more about CERT at this link. The next training for CERT is on these dates in January 2025: 10, 11, 17 and 18. Check out the CTA calendar for exact times.
Sign Up for “Code Red” Alerts: Lee County’s Office of Emergency Management operates an alert system for weather and other concerns affecting Lee County residents. Sign up for these free alerts at https://leecountync.gov/departments/emergency_management/index.php

Trace Lake & Dam Committee (TLDC)

Community questions or concerns about Lake Trace or the country club’s management of the lake should be directed only to Bill Huggins, chair of the committee, at this email address: [email protected]. Bill is CTA’s sole liaison with the country club regarding Lake Trace and the dam.
Lake Lowering in 2025: CTCC Management has agreed to lower the lake (2-3 feet) at some point after the first of the new year to allow for seawall and dock work.
Bathymetric Study Update: In early November, NC State University was onsite conducting another mapping of Lake Trace. This includes vegetative study, sediment measurements, and consideration of adding flow meters to the lake. Flow meters measure the amount of incoming lake sediment and its velocity from its sources (storm water runoff and the Upper Little River).

Traceway Roads and Maintenance (TRAM)

Culvert Work Rescheduled: The culvert work scheduled for October was rescheduled to December due to the contractor’s need to support work in Western North Carolina. Watch for message centers and emails for how this may impact your travel on Traceway (minimal) once work begins. Four culverts will be repaired: on the north side, the waterfall culvert at the intersection of Country Club Drive and Traceway, the culvert at the Lake 8 hole, and on the south side of Traceway, the first Lakewood culvert and the first South Landing culvert.
Eyes/Ears Needed: CT residents are asked to report any issues regarding the condition of Traceway (such as potholes, cracked/crumbling asphalt, etc.) to the TRAM committee at [email protected]. Thanks!

Utilities:

CWS infrastructure issues (main breaks, sewer issues): Continue to report these to the 800# on your invoice and to CT Utilities Committee volunteer Jeff Wennberg, [email protected] CTA continues to press CWS to improve its communications with residents. CTA needs this information to support any comments to state regulators that CWS is not fulfilling its commitment to proactively improve the infrastructure here.
Your Voices Are Needed! CTA’s utility volunteers will begin attending NCPUC’s quarterly meetings in 2025. To volunteer to be a part of this effort to make voices heard, all property owners are welcome to be included. One or two people representing several thousand is not as impactful as a crowd representing our community. Contact Vince Roy for details ([email protected]).

Carolina Trace Volunteer Fire Department:

November Fire Hydrant Testing: Fire Hydrant testing is being conducted in CT this month. Please do not park near or block access to fire hydrants.

Community Calendar – Open to All CT Residents:

January 2025 TBD – POA Treasurer’s Forum. Open to all POA Board members.
January 10, 11, 17 & 18 – Basic CERT Training

Housekeeping

The approved October 2, 2024 CTA Board Meeting Minutes packet has been uploaded to the website: https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/CTA-Board-Meeting-Minutes

CTA News! October 4, 2024

The CTA Board of Directors meeting was held Wed., October 2, 2024. Fifteen of the eighteen POAs were represented. Included in this news brief are actions taken and information shared at that meeting as well as other pertinent community announcements.

Finance

Census Update: The 2024 census numbers, POA reports of developed and undeveloped lots and used for 2025 assessment calculations, show an uptick of lots “not in good standing” within the POAs. This of course, causes an increase in assessments for all other lots when some lot owners are not paying their share to their POAs.

October 10, 7 pm Finance Forum: Open to all POA board members, treasurers, etc. Join for a roundtable discussion on property lien process, revocation of e-stickers and other methods available to aid POAs in the collection of assessments on properties not in good standing. This forum will be at the Carolina Trace Volunteer Fire Department. RSVP by October 7 to either the CTA treasurer ([email protected]) or the CTA secretary ([email protected]).

Security & Safety Committee (S&S)

Security-Specific Email Reminder: To help improve communications regarding security issues in the community, the committee now has a specific email address for those concerns: [email protected]

E-sticker Sales Extended: Hours are now M-F, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2-6 p.m. Credit or debit cards only.

South Gate Barrier/Lift Gate Update: Cement work was completed. The next step is bollard installation that should protect the gate arm housing from vehicle damage. Thanks for your patience while the upgrades to this access point are made.

Gate Sentry (GS) Registration Nearing 70% of CT Households: Registration in the Gate Sentry system continues to grow but use is in the low 60%. CTA thanks those who are using it and not calling the gatehouse for a paper pass. Residents who experience frustration with the paper pass system are reminded that your regular guests are entered into Gate Sentry just once and that’s it. If you need help setting up Gate Sentry, contact [email protected].

Flow Plate News: The US distributor has advised Security and Safety of an issue with the spring mechanism in the plates and has halted distribution. As a result, the flow plate concept at exit gates is off the table for now. The Board declined to consider spike strip options to deter wrong-way use of the exits.

Trace Lake & Dam Committee (TLDC)

Lake Lowering in 2025: TLDC asked the Board to submit a formal request to CTCC for a February partial (2 – 3 Feet) lake lowering (i.e., not nearly as low as this past year) to allow for work on seawalls damaged during TS Debby. The Board agreed to send the request to CTCC for its consideration.

Traceway Roads and Maintenance (TRAM)

Culvert Work to Begin Later This Month: The Board approved funding to repair the “waterfall” culvert that runs under Traceway at its intersection with Country Club Drive. The Board was advised that CTCC will repair its portion of the culvert at the same time. In order to further save on contractor mobilization fees, the Board also approved similar work on three additional culverts that were originally planned for repair in early 2025 to coincide with the “waterfall” culvert. In 2025, TRAM will be reviewing other culvert work on CTA property as well as reaching out to POAs to see if cost-sharing the contractor’s mobilization fee is a possibility.

But Wait, There’s More!

Utilities:

Internet Update: An engineer from Ting Internet toured Carolina Trace in early September to evaluate the potential for offering service here and to look for entry point options. Ting’s management will then review the analysis and advise further.

Carolina Trace Volunteer Fire Department:

Chief Wilkins reports that our fire station will likely experience an increase in calls for critical care medical assistance when CTVFD receives special certification for this on October 7. CTVFD is the first fire station in Lee County to qualify.

Help first responders and others coming to your community in two ways:

Where’s Your Green Sign? If you don’t have a green number sign identifying your property, consider supporting the CTVFD by purchasing one through them. Order form and details at this link.

Keep Roads Clear for Emergency Vehicles: All roads in CT are narrow and contractors parking in the street/blocking access can delay the arrival of first responders. Please be mindful of this as minutes count for some emergency calls.

Community Calendar – Open to All CT Residents:

October 10, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – POA Treasurer’s Forum, Carolina Trace Fire Department. (Open to POA treasurers, board members, etc.) RSVP to CTA treasurer ([email protected]) or CTA secretary ([email protected]) by October 7.

Housekeeping

The approved September 4, 2024 CTA Board Meeting Minutes have been uploaded to the website -

https://www.carolinatrace.org/file/document/3210774961/wGZzdxSIm2ZfzaEq.pdf

Read and learn for yourself; don’t fall victim to third-party “interpretations” as to what CTA is or is not doing. Your POA’s CTA Director is your closest source of accurate information. Questions should always be directed to your POA Board.

2025 Nominations Now Due: The Nominations report will be submitted at the November 6 CTA Board meeting. The Nominations Committee, responsible for recruiting and presenting candidates for the 2025 slate of officers for the CTA Board is comprised of: Elaine Bednarcik (Woodfield POA), Tom Boerger (Villages at Trace POA), and Maureen Travis (North Shore POA). All officers serve at the pleasure of the Board for a one-year term.

All positions are open (president, vice president, secretary and treasurer). An officer election with one candidate is a selection not an election. CTA is also looking for committee chairs and members for the standing committees. Please consider volunteering to help your community by serving alongside the CTA Board.

CTA and POA volunteers are all residents of Carolina Trace, who pay the same assessments in addition to saving property owner funds by volunteering. There are plenty of opportunities for one-time or ongoing service to your community, either through your POA or the CTA.

The ongoing lack of volunteers – both worker bees and qualified Subject Matter Experts – continues to strain the small but hard-working group of volunteers overseeing the CTA infrastructure. Contact the CTA secretary at [email protected] for more information.

Message Center Slides – If you miss an announcement while driving through the gates, you can read them at the CTA website at www.carolinatrace.org

Thanks for reading to the end!

Effective 9/13/2024, E-stickers can be purchased at the gatehouse during the following days/times: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. AND 2 - 6 p.m. Form of payment accepted is debit/credit card only.

CTA News! September 4, 2024

The CTA Board of Directors met on Wed., September 4, 2024. Seventeen of the eighteen POAs were represented. Included in this news brief are actions taken and information shared at that meeting as well as other pertinent community announcements.

Board Actions

2025 Budget, Long-Range Plan Finalized: By unanimous vote, The Board approved the 2025 budget, Long Range Plan, and 2026 and 2027 “aspirational budgets” in addition to the final approval for assessment ratio changes (from 6:1 to 4:1, improved to unimproved lots, for the Operational Expenses portion of the CTA budget). CTA thanks the POAs who took time during their Board meetings to review the documents and provide thoughtful feedback during a very busy budget season.
2023 Balance Sheet and Financial Protocols: Finance volunteers devoted hundreds of hours of their time researching CTA assets and creating the balance sheet and depreciation schedule effective 12/31/2023. The Board approved the Balance Sheet content and voted to adopt specific financial protocols. Both documents are needed for CTA to obtain a verified audit. The financial protocols will provide auditors with a blueprint of CTA’s checks and balances in addition to aiding future CTA volunteer committee chairs and Board members.

Security & Safety Committee (S&S)

Security-Specific Email Now Active: To help improve communications regarding security issues in the community, the committee now has a specific email for those concerns: [email protected]
Security Staff Update: SPA has appointed a new supervisor (Lt. Brandy) to oversee CT gatehouse operations and the sales of e-stickers and vendor passes, which continue M-F, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
North Gate Timing Tweaked: S&S has decreased the release time on the North Gate entrance gate in an effort to deter tailgating and allow faster entry for residents through that gate. Please wait for the barrier arm to fully drop behind the car in front of you before approaching the sticker reader.
South Gate to Receive Barrier/Lift Gate: The Board approved the purchase of a barrier/lift gate to be installed at the South Gate entrance. This will speed up the ingress of CT residents who use this gate. The “swing gates” on both North and South Gates are in place for redundancy; in the event one style of gate is damaged or has mechanical failure, S&S can use the other and reduce the down time on ingress/egress until repairs can be made.
Gate Maintenance Contract Approved: The Board approved investment in a quarterly preventive maintenance inspection on all gates as a way of getting ahead of common failures. S&S thanks the Board for investing in professional service for our gates.
Gate Misuse Discussions: The ongoing misuse of the exit lanes (trespassing vehicles entering into CT via these lanes) has the S&S committee researching the possibility of flow plate installation at the exits (example at this link: https://startsafety.com/heavy-duty-car-flow-plates-fp-02). The Board will consider this concept in greater detail once they receive a full plan (weight limits, asphalt prep, durability, etc.).
Gate Sentry Registration Nearing 70% of CT Households: Use of the Gate Sentry system continues to grow and CTA thanks those who are using it. However, too many residents who are registered in Gate Sentry, still call the Gate Staff to prepare paper hangtag passes for their guests. Guests entering with a pass issued by the resident directly through Gate Sentry typically spend only 10 seconds checking-in at the gatehouse because the staff can quickly find the pass on a tablet they carry to the vehicle. Guests whose passes were phoned-in must wait anywhere from 20-45 seconds while staff first searches for an electronic pass on their Gate Sentry tablet, and when not found, they must go inside the gatehouse to search whether a paper hangtag was created and filed in a manual filing system. Do your guests a favor and only use Gate Sentry.
“Code Red” Alert Sign Up: Lee County’s Office of Emergency Management operates an alert system for county weather and other concerns affecting residents. Sign up for these free alerts at https://leecountync.gov/departments/emergency_management/index.php

Trace Lake & Dam Committee (TLDC)

Community questions or concerns about Lake Trace or the country club’s management of the lake should be directed only to Bill Huggins, chair of the committee, at this email address: [email protected]. Bill is CTA’s sole liaison with the country club regarding Lake Trace and the dam.
Lake Level: As reported to the POAs on 8/26/24, CTCC completed all work and closed the dam valves. A few good rains should restore the lake level.
Watercraft Usage on Lake Trace: The Board approved an updated Lake Trace Watercraft Policy which will be sent to CTCC for consideration. Once the policy is approved by Escalante Golf (owners of CTCC), the policy will be distributed to the POAs and posted on the CTA website.

Traceway Roads and Maintenance (TRAM)

Eyes/Ears Needed: CT residents are asked to report any issues regarding the condition of Traceway (such as potholes, cracked/crumbling asphalt, etc.) to the TRAM committee at [email protected]. Thanks!
Culvert Repair Work Pending: The culvert near the waterfall at Arnold Pond which runs under Traceway at its intersection with Country Club Drive, is badly eroded. TRAM has submitted a proposal for this work to be done as soon as the contractor can come on site. TRAM will be reviewing other culvert work on CTA property as well as reaching out to POAs to see if cost sharing the contractor’s mobilization fee is a possibility to help save money for individual POAs and CTA. Voting for the proposal has passed the first step with the CTA Board, and POA Boards are asked to review the details and provide further guidance to their CTA delegate with regard to the October vote on the work and the timeline.

Utilities:

We All Need More Fiber! Further investigation has shown that the fiber installation along NC-87 was for dark (unlit) fiber to be used by Ft. Liberty and not Ripple Fiber, an Internet service provider. CT Utilities volunteer Jeff Wennberg spoke to Ting Internet, since Ting has been installing fiber throughout Sanford. Jeff has provided a map of CT to Ting for consideration of bringing their services into CT. This is preliminary and more information will follow as it becomes available.
CWS infrastructure issues (main breaks, sewer issues): Continue to report these to the 800# on your invoice and also to CT utilities volunteer Jeff Wennberg, [email protected] CTA continues to press CWS to improve its communications with residents. CTA needs this information to support any comments to state regulators that CWS is not fulfilling its commitment to proactively improve the infrastructure here.

Community Calendar – Open to All CT Residents:

September 6-7, 2024 – NC Parks on the Air. CERT ham operators plan to activate at the state historical site, House in the Horseshoe (288 Alston House Rd., Sanford).
September 17, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – September CERT Training: Triage skills practice and team bag inventory review. CERT questions can be answered by Penny Turner at [email protected]

Housekeeping

The approved August 7, 2024 CTA Board Meeting Minutes have been uploaded to the website -

https://www.carolinatrace.org/file/document/3210774961/EPKxkcgaWTtfZQk1.pdf

Volunteers Welcomed!

2025 Nominations: The Nominations Committee, responsible for recruiting and presenting candidates for CTA officers and committee chairs for 2025 at the November Board meeting are: Elaine Bednarcik (Woodfield POA), Tom Boerger (Villages at Trace POA), and Maureen Travis (North Shore POA). All officers serve at the pleasure of the Board for a one-year term. All positions are open (president, vice president, secretary and treasurer). CTA is also looking for committee chairs for the standing committees. Please consider volunteering to help your community by serving alongside the CTA Board.

Message Center Slides – If you miss an announcement while driving through the gates, you can read them at the CTA website at www.carolinatrace.org

CTA News! August 8, 2024

The CTA Board of Directors meeting was held Wed., August 8, 2024. All eighteen POAs were represented at the meeting. Included in this news brief are actions taken and information shared at that meeting as well as other pertinent community announcements.

Board Actions

2025 Budget, Long Range Plan: The Board approved the 2025 budget draft and Long Range Plan. Additional budget and funding changes passed include a change to the assessment ratios (improved to unimproved lots) from 6:1 to 4:1, as well as a three-year, aspirational budget which will aid everyone involved with planning. Board members will provide all of this information to their POA Boards and come back for the final voting at the September meeting.
Change in Meeting Start Time for Future Board meetings: The Board agreed to change its meeting start time to 6:30 p.m. The day and location (Wednesdays at CTCC if possible) remain the same.
CTA Welcomed These New Board Members This Month: Cheryl Eagle (Laurel Thicket POA), Jeff Sheldon (North Shore POA) and Ben Perez (Woodmere-Trentwood POA).
2025 Nominations Committee Set: The Nominations Committee, responsible for recruiting and presenting candidates for CTA officers and committee chairs for 2025 are: Elaine Bednarcik (Woodfield POA), Tom Boerger (Villages at Trace POA), and Maureen Travis (North Shore POA). All officers serve for a one-year term so all positions are open (president, vice president, secretary and treasurer). CTA is also looking for committee chairs for Security & Safety (usually is the Vice President) and Traceway Roads and Maintenance. TLDC appoints a chair from within. Please consider volunteering to help your community by serving alongside of the CTA Board.

Finance

Census Numbers Are Now Due: CTA’s Census forms are due back to CTA by September 1. It’s important for both CTA and all POAs to account for each and every lot on the master plan for this community. Questions about the census can be sent to census committee member Cheryl Crist ([email protected]).
Finance Procedures/Protocols: The Treasurer presented finance protocol documents for the Board to review and discuss further in September. Having these policies and procedures in place will provide auditors with a blueprint of CTA’s checks and balances in addition to aiding future CTA volunteers.

Security & Safety Committee (S&S)

Security-Specific Email Now Active: To help improve communications with regard to security issues in the community, the committee now has a specific email for those concerns: [email protected]
Gate Misuse Discussions: S&S presented possible solutions to tailgating (sally port gate systems) and misuse of the exit lanes (flow plate installation). The Board has asked for additional information to further consider solutions and their impact on the community. The committee will consider a policy for Board review that would allow for the fining of residents and the reporting of non-residents to LCSO.
Gate Sentry (GS)Registration Nearing 70% of CT Households: Use of the Gate Sentry system continues to grow and CTA thanks those who are using it. Many POs, registered in Gate Sentry, still call the Gate Staff causing delays. Please use the GS system.
CERT Training is August 20: See information under “community calendar.”
“Code Red” Alert Sign Up: Lee County’s Office of Emergency Management operates an alert system for county weather and other concerns affecting residents. Sign up for these free alerts at https://leecountync.gov/departments/emergency_management/index.php

Trace Lake & Dam Committee (TLDC)

Community questions or concerns about Lake Trace or the country club’s management of the lake should be directed only to Bill Huggins, chair of the committee, at this email address: [email protected]. Bill is CTA’s sole liaison with the country club regarding Lake Trace and the dam.
TLDC Meets with SOLitude: Two TLDC members (Lee Amcher and Alan Mizrahi) toured the various bodies of water found in Trace (Carr Creek, Stonegate Pond and Lake Trace) with SOLitude Lake Management, Escalante Golf’s contractor for lake health. They noted improved hydrilla control in Lake Trace, but the Stonegate Pond needs to be treated so it will not spread further. TLDC will get a bid for treatment.
Lake Lowering: Even though the dam valve was opened as advertised on July 29, the heavy rains caused by tropical storm Debby will surely cause the valve to stay open for the foreseeable future. TLDC will keep in touch with CTCC management and advise once an update is provided.
Lake Lowering Requests for 2025: Property owners and POAs who are interested in having Lake Trace lowered in early 2025 for dock or seawall work need to complete a form to request lake lowering. The form must be provided to the TLDC by August 31. The form is available at: https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/Lake-Trace-Recreation TLDC will review all requests that are submitted and will make a recommendation to the CTA Board of Directors to approve or deny the request. Any request approved by CTA will be submitted to country club which is the final authority on whether or when Lake Trace will be lowered.

Traceway Roads and Maintenance (TRAM)

Bradford Pear Bounty Program, Phase II: The final phase of the NC Bradford Pear Bounty Program will occur when cooler temperatures arrive this fall. The remaining trees to be planted are red bud and magnolia, both native to North Carolina.
Traceway Work: Many dead hanging branches and fallen tree limbs have beenremoved from Traceway. Crack sealing for Traceway is planned for this fall. Updates will be provided once dates are set.
Eyes/Ears Needed: CT residents are asked to report any issues regarding the condition of Traceway (such as potholes, cracked/crumbling asphalt, etc.) to the TRAM committee at [email protected]. Thanks!
Traceway Traffic Calming Study: The Board will review some of the short-term solutions found at pages 19-20 of the study in the coming months. The community will be updated as this process continues.

Utilities:

Ripple Fiber is Coming to Sanford: Ripple Fiber, the Matthews, NC-based high speed internet provider, has been building infrastructure along side of NC-87 and their workers were in front of CT a few weeks ago. Jeff Wennberg will inquire as to whether they could provide an alternative to current providers serving CT.
CWS infrastructure issues (main breaks, sewer issues): Continue to report these to the 800# on your invoice and also to CT utilities volunteer Jeff Wennberg, [email protected] CTA continues to press CWS to improve its communications with residents. CTA needs this information to support any comments to state regulators that CWS is not fulfilling its commitment to proactively improve the infrastructure here.

Community Calendar – Open to All CT Residents:

August 20, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – August CERT Training: Will include a briefing by Lee County Emergency Management in the EOC about Emergency Management’s capabilities. The Lee County EOC is located in the courthouse on the Courtland Drive side down the stairs under the blue awning (204 Courtland Drive, Sanford). Interested parties should contact Penny Turner first ([email protected]) for directions and access into the EOC. The training will likely run for 1 ½ - 2 hours.

Housekeeping

The July 3, 2024 CTA Board Meeting Minutes have been uploaded to the website:

https://www.carolinatrace.org/file/document/3210774961/IKEY7jGTW4IeoZgM.pdf

Volunteers Welcomed! CTA and POA volunteers are all residents of Carolina Trace, who pay the same assessments in addition to saving property owner funds by volunteering. There are plenty of opportunities for one-time or ongoing service to your community, either through your POA or the CTA.The ongoing lack of volunteers – both worker bees and qualified Subject Matter Experts – continues to put a strain the small but hard working group of volunteers overseeing the CTA infrastructure. Contact the CTA secretary at [email protected] for more information.
Message Center Slides – If you miss an announcement while driving through the gates, you can read them at the CTA website at www.carolinatrace.org

CTA Jul 8 Zoom Mtg Follow-up Details

POA Members -

As promised, the following is a link to the TRAM page on the CTA website and on that page, is a link to a google drive that includes the following files:

* TRAM overview of HDR's Traffic Calming Report

* The 109-page HDR Traffic Calming Report

* The mp4 video of the Jul 8 Town Hall (you do not need Zoom to view the video)

https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/CTA-TRAM-Info

Thanks to all who participated in the town hall and apologizies go out to those who could not get access on the 8th due to technical issues on our end. Zoom was a way to get something quickly scheduled with the engineer from HDR and allow for community voices to gather, but please know it is not the preferred method of gaining community input.

The conversation on this important topic is ongoing; please continue to direct comments and questions to your POA's CTA director.

CTA News! July 6, 2024

The CTA Board of Directors met in person on Wed., July 3. Included in this news brief are actions taken and information shared at that meeting as well as other pertinent community announcements.

Board Actions
Traceway Traffic Calming Update:
The Board voted to halt implementation of any traffic calming measures on Traceway until further study and community outreach through the POAs can be conducted. As reported to the POAs on July 3, CTA will host a virtual town hall with a representative from HDR Engineering of Raleigh, who will answer questions about the study.

The Board recognizes this as one of the many steps for Traceway issues that impact every type of user of that road. Access link to the Zoom town hall (the quickest way to get a group together, sadly) can be found in the calendar entry on the CTA website: https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/CTA-Calendar/event/CTA-Town-Hall-Traceway-Traffic-Study-Review-385 Instructions are included for those who wish to dial into the meeting by telephone for audio-only participation. CTA understands not everyone is familiar with using the Zoom app (free at www.zoom.us) so POA leadership may want to offer to host watch parties so many can participate with questions.

2025 Budget, Long Range Plan: The Board completed the enabling vote on the draft documents and this month, POA boards should be reviewing the CTA budget and long range plan in order to prepare your CTA director to provide your POA’s input for the August 7 Board meeting budget work. Just three POAs provided 2025 budget input for the July meeting (thanks to Hidden Lake, Woodmere-Trentwood and North Shore POAs). The final budget will be sent back to the POAs after the August 7 meeting, with a final vote occurring at the September CTA meeting. Instead of complaining on social media, provide real input to your POA’s delegate to CTA. To be clear, the 18 POAs collectively own, control and manage CTA; not the other way around.

Change in Monthly Meeting Day for Board meetings: In June, the Board voted to return to in-person meetings, which necessitated a change of our meeting days to the first Wednesday of each month.

Finance

2023 Taxes, Balance Sheet Work: The treasurer is pleased to report that the 2023 taxes have been completed. The good news is that CTA did not owe taxes. This year, additional research was needed in 2024 due to missing 2023 gate traffic logs. A process for these counts has been put back in place. The Balance Sheet work for CTA continues with research for documentation of CTA’s assets. The treasurer appreciates all of the hard work and hundreds of hours of volunteer time that it is taking to get CTA’s financial records in good order to comply with the bylaws.

It’s Census Time! CTA’s Census requests have been sent to POA treasurers and these forms are requested to be back to CTA by September 1. It’s important for both CTA and all POAs to account for each and every lot on the master plan for this community. Questions about the census can be sent to the CTA treasurer ([email protected]) for forwarding to the census committee volunteers.

Security & Safety Committee (S&S)

Solutions for Misuse of Gates Being Explored: S&S is researching solutions to an increasingly common issue of visitors and residents who have decided to branch out from tailgating and instead come in when an open exit gate presents itself. The Board will be considering S&S proposals.

Carolina Trace Residents Boat Registration: All boat owners (fishing, kayak, pontoon, etc.) in Carolina Trace should fill out a registration form that allows boat owners to stay informed about Lake Trace updates. This information has also been helpful in tracking down owners when boats become loose from their moorings and float away. This information is not shared with licensing authorities or any other parties. Details and the form are on the CTA website: https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/Lake-Trace-Recreation

Gate Sentry Registration Nearing 70% of CT Households: Use of the Gate Sentry system continues to grow and CTA thanks those who are using it.

Gatehouse employees report that some residents who have signed up for Gate Sentry are still calling the gatehouse for visitor passes. That is complicating the process and wasting the time of our paid security contractors. If you forget to enter guest information into Gate Sentry, you can open the app or the website and enter your guest and the Gate Sentry log at the gatehouse will be updated in real time, and in less time than it would have taken to call the gatehouse and speak with a gatehouse employee.

Trace Lake & Dam Committee (TLDC)

TLDC Inquires About CTCC Lake Lowering Announcement: On June 17, Carolina Trace Country Club (“CTCC”) General Manager Ryan Naab advised the TLDC of the

Following, as reported by TLDC Chair Bill Huggins:

As has previously been stated, the completion of the work on the dam project requires lowering of Lake Trace. Being well aware of the recreational use of the lake during the summer, there were discussions about waiting until after Labor Day to do this work. However, in order for the earthen dam to be protected it is essential that there be mature grass ground cover on the dam. Considering that the hurricane season in North Carolina runs into November, there were concerns that heavy rain from a hurricane might cause the completion of the project to be delayed. If the work gets pushed out too far, it would be too late in the year to have certainty that the seeds which will be planted will be able to germinate and grow to provide the required ground cover. This left us with the conclusion that lowering the lake at the end of July is the safest option to ensure the safe completion of the dam project. As has been stated, CTCC will make every effort to ensure the work is completed in a timely fashion and that lake refilled as soon as possible.

TLDC thanks the CTCC GM for providing this explanation of what was a difficult but necessary decision to ensure the dam is properly maintained.

Hydrilla Watch! Warm temperatures and sunshine mean we’re back to our hydrilla watch. Please report the locations of hydrilla sightings to Bill Huggins at the above email address.

Lake Lowering Requests for 2025: Property owners and POAs that are interested in having Lake Trace lake lowered in early 2025 for dock or seawall work need to complete a form to request lake lowering. The form must be provided to the TLDC by August 31. The form is available at: https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/Lake-Trace-Recreation TLDC will review all requests that are submitted and will make a recommendation to the CTA Board of Directors to approve or deny the request. Any request approved by CTA will be submitted to country club which is the final authority on when or whether Lake Trace will be lowered.

Utilities:

CWS infrastructure issues (main breaks, sewer issues): Continue to report these to the 800# on your invoice and also to CT utilities volunteer Jeff Wennberg, [email protected] CTA continues to press CWS to improve its communications with residents. CTA needs this information to support any comments to state regulators that CWS is not fulfilling its commitment to proactively improve the infrastructure here.

Carolina Trace VFD Updates:

New Fire Chief Named: At its June meeting, the Fire Department’s Board of Directors named Robbie Wilkins as Chief. For non-emergency issues or questions, reach Chief Wilkins at (919) 499-5811 or [email protected]

Community Calendar – Open to All CT Residents:

July 8, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – Traceway Study Town Hall (via Zoom): This is open to all residents. The link and dial-in numbers for the meeting and additional information is at the CTA calendar on the website: https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/CTA-Calendar/event/CTA-Town-Hall-Traceway-Traffic-Study-Review-385

Housekeeping

The June 4, 2024 CTA Board Meeting Minutes have been uploaded to the website:

https://www.carolinatrace.org/file/document/3210774961/RgBro2biddORMN1A.pdf

Community Communications Improvement (Jeff Wennberg, Chair): Tired of slow to non-existent internet service? Join this ad hoc to research options available or potentially available to CT.

Volunteers Welcomed! CTA and POA volunteers are all residents of Carolina Trace, who pay the same assessments in addition to saving property owner funds by volunteering. There are plenty of opportunities for one-time or ongoing service to your community, either through your POA or the CTA.

The ongoing lack of volunteers – both worker bees and qualified Subject Matter Experts – continues to put a strain the small but hard working group of volunteers overseeing the CTA infrastructure. Contact the CTA secretary at [email protected] for more information.

Message Center Slides – If you miss an announcement while driving through the gates, you can read them at the CTA website at www.carolinatrace.org

**** CTA Hosting a Special Town Hall Zoom meeting for the Traceway traffic study on Monday, July 8 at 7 pm. Andrew Ritter, HDR Engineering, Inc. will be on the call to present their study and answer questions from the community. I will also send this to POA secretaries, social and communications directors.

Please help us get the word out into the community since a lot of residents tell us they do not get CTA information. I'll add this to the CTA calendar on the website and it'll include the Zoom link.

Zoom info below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81912376487?pwd=5MO9HjnxZ2XKjLKYxFietHU54web5V.1
Meeting ID: 819 1237 6487
Passcode: 861690
********************************************************************************************

CTA News! June 5, 2024

The CTA Board of Directors met on Tues., June 4. Included in this news brief are actions taken and information shared at that meeting as well as other pertinent community announcements.

Busy Time for the Volunteers on the Board

CTA Executive Committee and Board Member Updates: CTA’s Board of Directors voted to approve President Joe Zanga’s appointment of Jody Jackett, Golf North POA, as CTA’s vice president. Jody will be filling the seat vacated by now-president Joe Zanga until the end of this term (December 2024).

Two POAs have had a change of director, and CTA welcomes Lee Amcher, Golf West POA, and Alan Mizrahi, South Landing POA to the Board. The CTA president will appoint a nominations committee to recruit candidates for the slate of CTA officers for 2025. Please consider whether or not you can serve your community if approached this fall. Once the nominating committee members have been named, we’ll share that information.

It’s Budget Time! These next few months the CTA board will be busy with budgeting for 2025. In addition to the 2025 operating budget, CTA’s Long Range Planning ad hoc committee completed their report and submitted it to the Board to review, so it will also be going to the POA Boards for review this month. CTA’s Board is comprised of one Director from each POA. The CTA officers do not have a vote on the CTA Board. POA Board members are asked to submit questions about these two items (operating budget and Long Range Plan) to their CTA Director for response at the July 2 meeting. The final budget will be voted on at the September CTA meeting.

Security & Safety Committee (S&S)

Update to Automated Visitor Pass System – Approximately 60 % of CT resident property owners and renters have signed up to use the new Gate Sentry system. Please use Gate Sentry to help ease the community entry process for your guests. Your guests do not need a smart phone in order for you to use Gate Sentry. Gate passes appear on the tablets used by the gatehouse staff when your visitor checks in. You can also access your Gate Sentry account using a web browser on your computer or tablet. If you did not receive information on this, please contact project manager Jody Jackett ([email protected]). Basic questions are also addressed on the CTA website at https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/Gate-Sentry-Guest-Pass-System

E-sticker Sales – Now available daily, 7 am-1 pm, credit or debit only; no cash or checks. You may want to check if the gatehouse staff is busy because early morning is traditionally a busy time at the gatehouse, when many contractors enter the community. S&S appreciates your continued patience and respect of the gatehouse staff, recognizing that SPA is a contractor enforcing policies put into place by CTA.

Carolina Trace Resident Boat Owners News: All boat owners (fishing, kayak, pontoon, etc.) in Carolina Trace should fill out a registration form that allows boat owners to stay informed about Lake Trace updates. This information has also been helpful in tracking down owners when boats become loose from their moorings and float away. Details and the form are on the CTA website: https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/Lake-Trace-Recreation

If you’re a boat owner and experience trouble on the lake, call the Gatehouse and they will dispatch a CT lake safety volunteer: (919) 499-2339.

Security & Safety Volunteers Needed! CTA is looking for additional volunteers for this community, from administrative help to various types of simple labor. Please ask your community members to consider whether or not they might have a few hours to help out. Residents can contact S&S chair Jody Jackett at [email protected].

Traceway Roads & Maintenance (TRAM)

How Can You Help TRAM? CTA is looking for POA residents with certain skill sets to help TRAM as consultants for proposal review, planning and maintenance. Please ask your community members to consider volunteering if they have experience with civil engineering, road construction, pavement, drainage, culverts, etc. TRAM would like support in vetting contractors and their proposals. Residents can contact TRAM chair Shawn Draper at [email protected].

Trace Lake & Dam Committee (TLDC)

Hydrilla Watch! Warm temperatures and sunshine mean we’re back to our hydrilla watch. Please report the locations of hydrilla sightings to Bill Huggins at the above email address.

Utilities:

Carolina Trace Country Club Update:

Club Closed June 10: due to road work on Country Club Drive, the club will be closed all day on June 10 and will reopen on June 11.

Carolina Trace VFD Updates:

Junior Firefighter Program: The junior program is for 16-17-year-olds and gives them real world experience in fire and emergency services. Juniors can take the same classes as the other firefighters, and they can even receive certifications that can give them a head start on a possible career. For more information, please contact interim Chief Robbie Wilkins at (919) 499-5811.

Community Calendar – Open to All CT Residents:

June 8, 2024, 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Woodfield POA Community Garage Sale (rain date June 15) at the Woodfield pool (2144A Detroit Blvd.)

Housekeeping

Thanks! Community volunteers planned and presented a Memorial Day observation attended by CT residents on May 31. Please thank your friends, neighbors, and club staff members when you see them:

David Bateman, Eagles Nest POA – flag ceremony
Frank Brown, Woodmere-Trentwood POA – flag ceremony
April Fleming, CTCC – program creation
Bill Gross, Golf East POA – National Anthem
Walt & Inge Hersman, North Shore POA – memorial wreath presentation
Andy Krey, North Shore POA – planning task force, Emcee
Ryan Naab, CTCC - speaker
George Orlovsky, Woodmere-Trentwood POA – planning task force, memorial wreath presentation
Jeff Sheldon, North Shore POA – community publicity
David Smoak, North Shore POA – planning task force, audio tech and event logistics
Diana Stepanik, Villages at Trace POA – planning task force
CTCC grounds crew – set up and tear down

The May 4, 2024 CTA Board Meeting Minutes have been uploaded to the website:

https://www.carolinatrace.org/file/document/3210774961/Xzar1Hs3iaHF6Faj.pdf

Community Communications Improvement (Jeff Wennberg, Chair): Tired of slow to non-existent internet service? Join this ad hoc to research options available or potentially available to CT.

Message Center Slides – If you miss an announcement while driving through the gates, you can read them at the CTA website at www.carolinatrace.org

In Case You Missed It…

CTA 2023 Annual Report: CTA’s bylaws call for the distribution of its annual report each spring. The 2023 Report has been finalized and uploaded to the CTA website: https://www.carolinatrace.org/file/document/2060225876/UJNhdJQRPYETOlCP.pdf

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CTA News! May 8, 2024

The CTA Board of Directors met on Tues., May 7. Included in this news brief are actions taken and information shared at that meeting as well as other pertinent community announcements.

Security & Safety Committee (S&S)

Update to Automated Visitor Pass System – Approximately 51 % of CT resident property owners have signed up to use the new Gate Sentry system. There has been positive feedback from visitors, guests, etc., citing, for example, the need to show a license only once for subsequent arrivals. Residents using the system say

much the same and especially appreciate the notice they receive when someone checks in at the Gate House. If you did not receive information on this, please contact project manager Jody Jackett ([email protected]). Questions are also addressed on the CTA website at https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/Gate-Sentry-Guest-Pass-System

E-sticker Sales – In response to POA requests, S&S will be adding weekend hours to the e-sticker sales times. Right now, e-stickers are available M-F, 7 am-1 pm, credit or debit only; no cash or checks. When weekend sales open, the update will be posted on the media centers. S&S appreciates your patience during this time.

Gate Work – In April, S&S replaced the visitor gate switch at Gate House with a more reliable model, and corrected the original faulty installation of, and apparent recent damage to, the South Entry gate. S&S replaced intentionally damaged North Entry gate (driver’s insurance paid). The opening/closing time of each gate on North entrance will be adjusted. If you notice issues or damage to the gate(s), email Security & Safety chair Joe Zanga, [email protected]

Carolina Trace Residents Boat Registration - All boat owners (fishing, kayak, pontoon, etc.) in Carolina Trace should fill out a registration form that allows boat owners to stay informed about Lake Trace updates. This information has also been helpful in tracking down owners when boats become loose from their moorings and float away. Details and the form are on the CTA website: https://www.carolinatrace.org/p/Lake-Trace-Recreation

Traceway Roads & Maintenance (TRAM)

Signpost Maintenance Completed: 40 posts were installed along Traceway and the entrance way. Thanks to volunteers who worked on this project.

Traffic Calming Study: Speed data has been collected, traffic observed, and report in progress. More to follow!

Traceway Tree Project: Additional trees will be replaced this fall when they are available from the nursery. The new trees that were planted earlier this year are doing well and are being cared for by CTA’s landscaping contractor.

Trace Lake & Dam Committee (TLDC)

Hydrilla Watch! Warm temperatures and sunshine mean we’re back to our hydrilla watch. Please report the locations of hydrilla sightings to Bill Huggins at the above email address.

Ducks Unlimited Wood Duck Nest Program: Three POAs (Hidden Lake, Woodfield and Sedgemoor) and six lakefront property owners have contacted TLDC about having Duck Nests on their property.

Housekeeping:

CTA Executive Committee Update: In accordance with CTA bylaws, CTA vice president Joe Zanga assumed the role of president of CTA following the mid-April resignation of Kate Woods. The Board will consider appointment of a new vice president at the June meeting to fill out the remainder of the 2024 term. The nominated individual approved by the Board will serve as co-chair of the Security and Safety Committee with Joe. Email Joe Zanga ([email protected]) for more information.

But Wait, There’s More!

Utilities:

CWS Survey: many CT customers have gotten the one-question CWS survey in their emails. If you did not get it and would like to let them know if you would refer friends or colleagues to CWS, please click this link to provide them with your thoughts: https://survey.uperix.com/?l=en&cid=n24c04&i=bc0f65b17a&v

Carolina Trace VFD Updates:

Fire Chief Job Opening: The search is on for the next Fire Chief. For a job description, please contact interim Chief Robbie Wilkins at (919) 499-5811 or [email protected]

Website Updated: CTVFD website has been updated with resources beneficial to our local community. Please visit it at https://www.carolinatracevfd.org/

Community Calendar – Open to All CT Residents:

May 21, time TBD - CERT Boat Transportation Exercise:

We will “rescue” injured victims and transport them across the lake to a Medical Treatment Area (CTCC’s marina). For more information, contact Charles Holder, CTA Lake Safety Coordinator, [email protected]

May 23, 6 pm, May 24, 6 pm or May 25, 9 am - Stop the Bleed Courses:
May is “Stop the Bleed” month. Anyone interested in learning how to stop bleeding in a person who has sustained a traumatic injury should attend one of these courses. There different days/times are being offered but you only have to attend one. Classes are limited to 20 people. All classes will be at the Carolina Trace Fire Department training room. The signup link for the course is: https://doodle.com/meeting/participate/id/b4Yz8j2d. For questions, contact Penny Turner at [email protected].

Housekeeping

The April 2, 2024 CTA Board Meeting Minutes have been uploaded to the website: https://www.carolinatrace.org/file/document/3210774961/pWUc7EHQWBW4IFiR.pdf

Community Communications Improvement (Jeff Wennberg, Chair): Tired of slow to non-existent internet service? Join this ad hoc to research options available or potentially available to CT.

Message Center Slides – Did you know? If you miss an announcement while driving through the gates, you can read them at the CTA website at www.carolinatrace.org

Thanks for reading to the end!

Community Hotline: Call 919.499.2722 OR the Gatehouse line, option 2. The hotline will provide the status of roads, gates, and utilities.

Questions or Concerns? Your POA's CTA Director can help, and is in the best position to point you in the direction of the correct volunteer if they can’t. Remember that CTA exists to keep the infrastructure common to all 18 POAs in good condition (Traceway North and South, gatehouse, gates, and landscaping of non-POA common areas). CTA budget and policies are set by delegates from each of the 18 POAs. Each POA is responsible for its own infrastructure, amenities, regulations, and lot assessments.

CTA News! April 12, 2024

On Tuesday, April 16, the Carolina Trace community will begin using Gate Sentry as part of our advanced community security measures. If your POA provided your email to the project manager as requested, you should have received an email containing your unique access code and instructions for setting up your account (which is accessible via a website or via an app for your smartphone). Printed letters with the same code and instructions are being sent via USPS to every property owner as well and should be received in the next day or so.

If you have questions or need further assistance, please contact CTA's project manager for this system, Jody Jackett at [email protected].

Please direct any issues to Jody Jackett as outlined above. Please note the CT gatehouse staff does not have additional information, nor can they help you with setting up an account. Also note that the current gate pass system will still be in effect while this program is being rolled out.

CTA News! April 3, 2024

The CTA Board of Directors met on Tues., April 2. Included in this news brief are actions taken and information shared at that meeting as well as other pertinent community announcements.

Security & Safety Committee (S&S)

Automated Visitor Pass System Rollout this Month –
April is the month! Property owners should be on the lookout for communication from Gate Sentry as outlined below to aid in setting up your accounts. This system will offer multiple options for requesting visitor passes. The approximate timeline is:

April 3 – email communication to property owners
April 5-8 (approximate) – letters mailed to all property owners via USPS, providing instructions necessary to set up your online accounts
April 16 – gatehouse staff training on new system

Questions should be directed to project manager Jody Jackett. ([email protected]).

E-sticker Sales – As reported in March, S&S has restored special hours at the gatehouse during which e-stickers are available for purchase by residents: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Credit or debit only; no cash or checks.

Gates – Volunteers continue to work with contractors when gate issues arise. S&S has been interviewing multiple gate contractors and soliciting recommendations to overcome inherent problems with the back entrances as they were designed. The gatehouse staff is unable to fix gate issues or dispatch repair people. If you notice issues or damage to the gate(s), email Security & Safety chair Joe Zanga, [email protected].

Traceway Roads & Maintenance (TRAM)

Bridge Work Completed – The work on the two bridges near the gatehouse has been completed. TRAM appreciates the patience of the community during this process.

Traceway Road Work Update – In March, “crusher run” was applied and roadside drainage was worked on, providing for better driver safety on Traceway. The community is reminded, however, that the maximum safe speed on all of Traceway is 25 mph.

Thanks to CERT Volunteers – Thanks to our community volunteers who directed traffic during March’s Traceway roadwork.

Trace Lake & Dam Committee (TLDC)

Community questions or concerns about Lake Trace or the country club’s management of the lake should be directed only to Bill Huggins , chair of the committee, at this email address: [email protected]. Bill is CTA’s sole liaison with the country club regarding Lake Trace and the dam.

Hydrilla Watch! Warm temperatures and sunshine mean we’re back to our hydrilla watch. Please report the locations of hydrilla sightings to Bill at the above email address.

TLDC members met with a representative of the NC State Aquatic Plant Management program to discuss the bathymetric study and vegetation (including hydrilla) in the lake. These findings will be shared with CTCC.

Bathymetric Study: As reported last month, the report (compiled from the mapping of the lake last fall) is now available for your review at this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QDqzcB_Rn800XmgzrnrKFfJa1uapGW1U/view?usp=sharing

Duck, Duck (Not Goose): TLDC was approached by the Lee County Ducks Unlimited group to discuss the possibility of the group installing, at no cost to CTA or POAs, wood duck nests on land owned by CTA and possibly POAs or their waterfront property owners, around Lake Trace or POA ponds. Details on the nests are in this link: https://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-research-science/build-a-wood-duck-box

A letter from TLDC outlining this program in greater detail has been sent to POA leadership for their distribution to property owners.

Housekeeping:

Board Considers Outside Support: With the significant decline in volunteers willing to devote the substantial amount of time it takes to manage a community of this size, the Board heard very high-level presentations from two companies that assist other planned communities in the local area. For CTA, that could mean centralized and consistent maintenance of the infrastructure under CTA control (e.g., Traceway North and South, culverts and other drainage systems, bridges, gatehouse, and gate systems), with the CTA Board continuing to manage overall budgeting and expenditures. This would have no impact on how each POA decides to manage its own infrastructure and amenities. The CTA Board voted to have Board members and the CTA committee chairs put together a list of specific functions that would benefit from outside management before any further action is taken on this idea.

CTA Executive Committee Update: Kate Woods will continue in her role as CTA president for 2024; time sensitive issues/requests should be communicated to the CTA secretary ([email protected]) for distribution to the proper stakeholder.

Utilities:

CWS infrastructure issues (main breaks, sewer issues) - should be reported to the 800# on your invoice and also to CT utilities volunteer Jeff Wennberg, [email protected] CTA continues to press CWS to improve its communications with residents.

Carolina Trace Country Club Updates:

Thanks to all - CTCC extends its thanks to CTA, specifically those on the Security & Safety Committee, as well as the community for its work and welcoming of the club’s hosting of the Second Annual Will Lowery Junior Championship last month.

The club’s new general manager will be introduced the second week of April.

Carolina Trace VFD Updates:

Thanks and best wishes to Chief Meyers - After 20 years serving our community, Chief Meyers departs to head up a fire department in Guilford County, NC. CTA offers its thanks and best wishes to Chief Meyers, and extends a community welcome to interim Chief Robbie Wilkins, who is a Captain at the Spout Springs Fire Department.

Help with Smoke Detectors: CTVFD provides battery operated smoke detectors for homes that do not have them, as well as assisting in changing the batteries in smoke detectors if needed.

Community Calendar – Open to All CT Residents:

April 16 at 6 PM at the Carolina Trace Fire Department: Baptists on Mission Disaster Response – learn about the vast disaster relief capabilities of the Baptists on Mission after a disaster and during recovery.
April 19, 20, 26 & 27 at the Emergency Services Training Center: CERT Basic Course – a 21-hour course over 2 weekends (Friday night & Saturday) to teach people the basics of disaster preparedness and response. CERT is about neighbors helping neighbors and doing the most good for the most people in disaster situations.

Ad Hoc and Special Committees Need You! – CTA is looking for individuals to help with the following committees:

Community Communications Improvement (Jeff Wennberg, Chair): Tired of slow to non-existent internet service? Join this ad hoc to research options available or potentially available to CT.

Memorial Day Observation (May 27) – Volunteers Needed! – Last month’s request yielded three volunteers! There will be a logistics meeting this month and we need additional helpers, specifically:

Flag bearers (current or former military folks, we’re looking at YOU)
Logistics (setting up/breaking down some chairs, etc.)

This is a short (approximately 30 minute) program hosted at CTCC’s flag circle early on the morning of Memorial Day. Those interested in helping can email [email protected] for more information.

Housekeeping

The March 5, 2024 CTA Board Meeting Minutes have been uploaded to the website:

https://www.carolinatrace.org/file/document/3210774961/1ZeIJGwGqC1r3dXQ.pdf