There have been numerous complaints about the service provided by Go Wake Forest, the van replacement for the bus service in Wake Forest, and Tuesday evening, December 17, 20244, the town commissioners approved a new contract with Via.
Brad West, the town’s long range planner, explained the situation and the change Wednesday morning: “We currently have a Go Wake Forest contract with Via, our transit partner, set to 291 weekly driver hours, which equates to 4 vans and 1 spare van. “Driver hours” are just the amount of hours Go Wake Forest drivers are allowed to operate within a week. Even though we have four vehicles in the Go Wake Forest fleet, they only operate all four at once during peak demand times to keep our costs low. During non-peak times, we see between 2 to 3 vans operating.
“However, due to the overwhelming demand and popularity of the service, the Board of Commissioners authorized a contract to increase the number of weekly driver hours to 580, if warranted by demand data, which equates to 8 vans and 2 spare vans. Basically, they authorized to double our capacity and make it more of a permanent service.
“An important note is that the Town and City of Raleigh, our other partner, will be applying for Wake County Transit Tax funds next year to pay for half of this system. Specifically, this is through CAMPO’s Community Funding Area Program (CFAP).
“Also, the Board agreed to keep the Go Wake Forest system fare-free for at least a year.”
The commissioners also, after a long discussion, approved a 6 percent fee on new commercial and residential development to be used for local street maintenance and construction, called the multi-modal transportation fee.
Commissioner Nick Sliwinski proposed having a 6 percent fee “but not imposing it until 2026.” Commissioner Faith Cross then said the fee should be 10 percent “because that’s what we need.”
There was a discussion about what the fee could be used for. Commissioner Ben Clapsaddle said he agreed with Cross. Then Commissioner Adam Wright said the other commissioners should think about who the fee is going to impact. “This fee is to add to the cost for new homeowners,” and he said he thought the fee should be 6 percent.
Sliwinski said the local impact fee would affect commercial projects also. “What if it does become too expensive for a hospital?” Clapsaddle said it will not stop them from coming.
The motion for a 6 percent fee passed 3 to 2, with Cross and Clapsaddle voting no.
The early part of the meeting, after proclamations recognizing retiring Town Clerk Terry Savary and Wake Forest Power Jason Shambley, was taken up by a discussion about the proposed social district.
Jennifer Herbert, the downtown director, had three maps of a possible district, but that was narrowed to one when Sliwinski said he would only vote for the third map, which had a small social district on South White Street for six months which would expand to all 18 businesses with alcohol licenses.
Herbert has estimated it would cost about $30,000 for trash cans and weekend staffing with $500 to $1,500 for signs.
The social district would only be in effect Thursday through Saturday, three days, and from 12 noon to 9 p.m.
After some discussion, Wright said, “I just want to get this thing going.” Herbert will return next month with options for the district. Clapsaddle said he also wanted an opportunity for town residents to voice their opinions.
There were only speakers for the public comment section. Michael Tell complained about the problems with the ride program thus far.
The board was happy to designate the Brewer house at 327 North Main Street as a Wake Forest Local Historic Landmark. The designation’s main benefit is a 50 percent reduction in county and town property taxes because older houses require more upkeep. The house is currently owned by Kelsey A. Kemp and Matthew J. Bruel.
Action on the UDO was removed from the agenda at the beginning of the meeting.
The town will keep its town election filing fees at $50 for the office of mayor and $15 for commissioner seats. In 2025 the town will elect a mayor and two commissioners
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