Today, we recognize Mylina Russell with the Public Works Department.
As an Administrative Assistant, she is often the first point of contact for residents, serving as the friendly voice on the phone when community members call Public Works. She helps answer questions, routes concerns to the appropriate departments, and ensures residents are connected to the resources they need.
In addition to supporting residents, Russell assists with departmental purchasing, maintains records, and provides day-to-day administrative support to Public Works crews, helping keep operations running smoothly behind the scenes.
Her role plays an important part in connecting the community with essential services and supporting the work that keeps Zebulon moving forward.
“One piece of advice I would give to women interested in public service is to keep a thick skin and a soft heart. Public service can often be a thankless job. Not everyone sees or understands the amount of work it takes behind the scenes to get things done, but be encouraged that the work you do matters more than you may realize.”
Gill Street Park is temporarily closed as of today, Monday, March 30, 2026, as the Town continues coordination with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) during ongoing environmental evaluation of the site.
The Town of Zebulon is moving forward with Phase 1 planning for Gill Street Park, following the adoption of the site-specific master plan in November 2025.
Here’s what to know:
• Environmental testing began in early 2024 as part of park planning
• DEQ conducted additional investigation from January 2025 through January 2026
• Testing evaluated soil, groundwater, landfill gas, soil gas, and air
• No impacts to drinking water or indoor air have been identified to date
• DEQ’s investigation includes the park and surrounding properties, with no concerns related to indoor air or vapor intrusion in homes identified
• According to DEQ, potential exposure is associated with contact with soil, such as digging or ingestion
Out of an abundance of caution, access to the park has been restricted to limit contact with impacted areas while evaluation continues.
📬 Property Notifications:
DEQ will be notifying impacted properties via direct and electronic mail.
📅 Community Meeting:
The Town will host a community meeting with DEQ on Tuesday, April 21 at Mt. Zion Holiness Church at 6 p.m. to discuss the environmental findings, including soil contamination, answer questions, and provide updates to residents.
❓ Have questions?
Submit them here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/TownOfZebulon/GillStreetAreaLeadContaminationQuestionCard
https://publicinput.com/gillstreetupdates.
For health-related questions, residents are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider or Wake County Public Health at 919-856-7416 or healthandsafety@wake.gov.
The Town remains committed to transparency and will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
#Zebulon #GillStreetPark #CommunityUpdate #PublicSafety #TownofZebulon
Throughout the month of March, the Town of Zebulon is highlighting the women who serve our community across departments as part of Women’s History Month.
Today, we recognize Hazel Merrick with the Parks and Recreation Department.
Merrick serves as a Parks and Facilities Worker and has been with the Town of Zebulon for one year and three months. In her role, she is responsible for helping keep Town parks clean, safe, and welcoming for the community. She ensures grounds are free of trash and debris, maintains clean and sanitary bathrooms and facilities, and helps create an environment where residents and visitors can enjoy their time outdoors.
Her work plays an important role in maintaining the quality and appearance of Zebulon’s parks, supporting spaces where families, friends, and neighbors gather.
“I am a people person and enjoy meeting different people. Zebulon is the Town of Friendly people and that is what I love about it.”
March is Social Work Month, and in Zebulon, the amazing impact that social workers make is felt every day through the work of the Zebulon Police Department’s CARE Unit.
The CARE Unit, which stands for Community Advocacy and Resource Enhancement, was created by Detective Sergeant Burke after she saw a growing number of Zebulon children being impacted by crime and trauma. As a New Blue fellow, she researched police social work programs and received a microgrant to form the initial Unit. Since the Unit's inception, the number of referrals to the program has increased and the Town hired a full time social worker last fall to lead the Unit.
When officers respond to a call and recognize that a child is a victim, witness or offender of a traumatic event or crime, the officer makes a referral to the CARE Unit. From there, the team follows up to offer help, whether that is connecting families to counseling, helping meet basic needs like food or diapers, or simply being there after a difficult situation.
While officers are limited to responding to the initial crisis, the CARE Unit is able to stay connected with families to make sure families are able to access the resources they need and are not navigating those challenges alone.
That work is led by a dedicated team:
• Emily Edwards, LCSW, MSW, Lead Police Social Worker
• Abigail (Abby) Bateski, BSW, MSW Intern, NC State University
• Josefa Gonzalez-Parral, MSW Intern, NC Central University
Learn more about how this program, and the people behind it, are making a difference in Zebulon, https://www.townofzebulon.org/o/policedepartment/page/the-care-unit
#SocialWorkMonth #ZebulonNC #CommunitySupport #ZebulonPolice #StrongerTogether
Throughout the month of March, the Town of Zebulon is highlighting the women who serve our community across departments as part of Women’s History Month.
Today, we recognize Mary Duffy with the Public Works Department.
Duffy serves as Administrative/Contracts Manager and has been with the Town of Zebulon for seven years. In her role, she oversees the Public Works administrative team, manages the department’s safety program, and supports the Town’s solid waste services. She also plays a key role in project coordination, as well as budget and finance efforts, helping ensure operations run efficiently and effectively.
Her work reflects a strong commitment to both service and support, helping teams stay organized, informed, and prepared to meet the needs of a growing community.
“Don’t be afraid to step into the spaces where you’d be the only person like you – that may be where you’re needed most.”
Congratulations to Zebulon Commissioner Amber Davis on her appointment to two National League of Cities (NLC) councils for 2026.
Davis will serve on the Small Cities Council and the Council on Youth, Education and Families, representing Zebulon alongside local leaders from communities across the country.
These appointments connect Zebulon to a national network of municipalities working on issues that matter to growing communities, including infrastructure, economic development and long-term planning, as well as support for youth, education and families.
As one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing communities, it is important that Zebulon has a seat at the table in conversations that help shape the future of towns like ours.
We are proud to see Zebulon represented at the national level.
For more information on NLC’s member councils, visit nlc.org/member-councils.
Watch tonight’s live Town of Zebulon Board of Commissioners meeting using the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec9JRH5-dZI
Stay informed and engaged with what’s happening in our community.
Raleigh Water will be conducting sewer system repairs on W. Gannon Avenue on Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
During this time, the eastbound lane of Gannon Avenue will be detoured. Drivers traveling eastbound will be directed to Rotary Drive, then left onto Sycamore Street, left onto N. Church Street, and right back onto Gannon Avenue.
Wakefield Street will also be closed between W. Sycamore Street and W. Gannon Avenue.
The westbound lane of Gannon Avenue will remain open, and no water or sewer service interruptions are expected.
Please use caution in the area, follow posted detours, and allow extra travel time.
Town of Zebulon, North Carolina
The Town of Zebulon, North Carolina, is seeking qualified law firms to provide comprehensive municipal legal services, including advising the governing board, Town Manager, and departments. Services include governance support, contract review, land use and zoning guidance, employment matters, public records compliance, litigation, and economic development. Firms must demonstrate experience in North Carolina municipal law and similar communities. Proposals should include firm qualifications, assigned attorneys, references, and fee structure. The selected firm will be appointed as Town Attorney for an initial three-year term.
Proposals due April 23, 2026.
See Full RFQ for details, https://www.townofzebulon.org/page/rfq-legal.
Throughout the month of March, the Town of Zebulon is highlighting the women who serve our community across departments as part of Women’s History Month.
Today, we recognize J’Kyra Brown with the Parks and Recreation Department.
J’Kyra serves as the Athletics Coordinator for Zebulon Parks and Recreation. She has been with the Town of Zebulon for just over a year and brings eight years of experience in public service.
In her role, J’Kyra creates opportunities for the community through sports. She helps organize and manage youth and community athletic programs, including scheduling games and coordinating staff. Her work supports young athletes as they build skills, grow their confidence, and stay active right here in Zebulon.
“My advice to women who are interested in public service would be to think about what you have been given and pour it back into a person, thing or community.
If you get the opportunity to make a difference then take it. You’ll be amazed at how much it comes back to you!”
Thank you, J’Kyra, for your dedication to our community and for making a lasting impact through recreation and youth athletics.
#WomensHistoryMonth #TownOfZebulon #ZebulonParksAndRec #MarchMadness #WomenInPublicService #ZebulonNC
The conversation has aired on East Wake TV and is now available on the Town’s YouTube channel.
It’s a longer episode, but we encourage you to take a few minutes to watch and learn more about the planning process in Zebulon, including how projects move forward, what rezoning really means, and how residents can stay informed and involved.
Check it out today via the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rduoSRiFs4
#TownofZebulon #ZebulonNow #ZebulonNC #EasternWake
Today, we recognize Officer Abate with the Zebulon Police Department.
Officer Abate is a Senior K-9 Handler and has served the Town of Zebulon for five years. She is the first female K-9 handler in the department’s history.
“It’s an honor to serve the Town of Zebulon alongside my K9 partner, working every day to keep our community safe,” said Abate. “To me, being a female K9 handler simply means doing the job with the same commitment and teamwork as anyone in the role. It’s about the bond with my dog and serving the community together.”
In her role, Officer Abate works alongside her K9 partner to locate suspects, track missing persons, and detect illegal substances or evidence. Assigned to special operations, she focuses on proactive enforcement, including traffic stops aimed at combating criminal activity and using her K9 for narcotics detection.
She also responds to drug complaints, assists in locating and building cases involving illegal substances, and provides K9 support to fellow officers and neighboring agencies when needed. Her work supports patrol operations and helps resolve situations more safely and efficiently, requiring constant training, trust, and teamwork.
#WomensHistoryMonth #TownofZebulon #ZebulonNC #TownofFriendlyPeople #WomenofZebulon
Parks Maintenance Worker (Part-Time)
The Town of Zebulon is looking for a dedicated individual to join our team as a Parks Maintenance Worker. This is a part-time position that plays a vital role in keeping our community spaces beautiful and safe for everyone to enjoy.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working outdoors and is looking for a consistent weekend schedule. The starting pay is $15.00 per hour.
You can find the full job description and application instructions on our website here.
Weather Update
Due to the Level 4 (Moderate) risk for severe weather today, Town Hall and the Zebulon Community Center will close at 11 a.m.
All Town of Zebulon Parks and Recreation programs are canceled today.
Town staff will continue monitoring weather conditions and will share updates if needed.
Please continue to monitor the Town of Zebulon’s official social media channels and the National Weather Service for important weather updates and alerts.
Weather Update
Due to the Level 4 (Moderate) risk for severe weather today, the Zebulon Community Center will close at 1 p.m.
All Town of Zebulon Parks and Recreation programs scheduled after 1 p.m. are canceled.
Town staff will continue monitoring weather conditions and will share updates if needed.
Please continue to monitor the Town of Zebulon’s official social media channels and the National Weather Service for important weather updates and alerts.
