Communications

The Communications Division helps administer the town's role in the emergency notification system OC Alerts. The system is a partnership of the governments in Orange County and of Orange Water and Sewer Authority. Hillsborough water customers should sign up to receive alerts from the Town of Hillsborough when they select preferences for notifications. OWASA provides water service to the Carrboro and Chapel Hill community.

OC Alerts can contact individuals and businesses through a number of methods. Community members will receive a message through the voice or text communication methods of their choosing. The system is only used to deliver emergency information. Contact information is protected and will not be used for any other purpose.

See the document below for how to stay informed by the town in an emergency:

Communications staff members write and distribute news releases for the town administration, boards, and all departments and divisions.

Community members and media can subscribe to distribution lists to have various types of releases delivered by email.

The division manages and maintains the town website, which serves as a community member's guide to Hillsborough's government and services. Additionally, the front page of this website includes news alerts and links to recent news releases. The Ready Hillsborough page includes information on what to do in case of severe weather or a disaster.

The Communications Division oversees the town's social media sites and policies. It provides direct oversight of the town's Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Nextdoor, X and YouTube sites. Please read our social media policies and disclaimers.

Town of Hillsborough

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Police Department

Stormwater and Environmental Services Division

Printed materials of various types are created by the division for the town's departments. The division also publishes Talk of the Town, a newsletter mailed to residents and businesses through the town's utility bill.

The Communications Division leads community engagement efforts, including Government 101 and a community liaisons program.

Government 101

The multi-week course aims to help community members increase their knowledge of town government, as well as their interest and ability in influencing and participating in town decisions. For more information, see the Government 101 page.

Community liaisons

Want to help keep the community informed? Consider serving as a community liaison. Community liaisons share town information with their neighbors and Hillsborough contacts. They also inform the Communications Division about topics requiring more information. Contact Senior Communications Specialist Cheryl Sadgrove with any questions or to become involved.

The division has won the following awards:

Award of Excellence: Graphic Design: Art (Population 0-120,000) ― for refreshed town branding, including style guide and standardized materials.

• Presented by: City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) in 2022
• Work performed by: Administrative Services Department, Communications Division, Planning and Economic Development Division

First-place Excellence in Communications Award: Branding/Logo ― for refreshed town branding, including style guide and standardized materials.

• Presented by: North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) in 2022
• Work performed by: Administrative Services Department, Communications Division, Planning and Economic Development Division

Silver Circle Award in Video: Education/Training (Population 0-60,000) ― for animation of winter weather operations

• Presented by: City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) in 2019
• Work performed by: Communications Division and Public Works Division

First-place Excellence in Communications Award: Promotional Video ― for employee recruitment video

• Presented by: North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) in 2019

First-place Excellence in Communications Award: TV, Video & Streaming: Public Service Announcement ― for animation of winter weather operations

• Presented by: North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) in 2019
• Work performed by: Communications Division and Public Works Division

First-place Excellence in Communications Award: Marketing Tools: Writing ― for a January 2017 open letter to the Hillsborough community

• Presented by: North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) in 2018
• Work performed by: Hillsborough Board of Commissioners and Communications Division

First-place Excellence in Communications Award: Service Delivery ― for the comprehensive communications strategy for the Churton Street Access Improvements Project

• Presented by: North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) in 2018
• Work performed by: Communications Division, Planning and Economic Development Division, and Public Space and Sustainability Division

Second-place Excellence in Communications Award: Marketing Tools: Writing ― for the 2017 State of the Town news release

• Presented by: North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) in 2018

First-place Excellence in Communications Award: Communications Technology: Electronic Newsletter ― for the town's community newsletter

• Presented by: North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) in 2017

First-place Excellence in Communications Award: Printed Publications: External Newsletters ― for the town's community newsletter

• Presented by: North Carolina City & County Communicators (NC3C) in 2017