The first time you get a ticket at a parking meter in downtown Chapel Hill, there may be a surprise waiting for you instead.

The town has implemented a Courtesy Ticket program. Under the program, once per calendar year, if you receive a citation for a parking meter violation, your citation will be dismissed.

The Parking Services Division will begin issuing Courtesy Parking Tickets on July 1. The Town Council implemented this change in order to the positive experience for customers or visitors to downtown Chapel Hill.

Youth Council takes applications

The Town of Chapel Hill's Youth Council will accept applications through July 31 from high school students.

Applicants must reside within the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school district, but they may attend public, private, home school or charter school. The council meets on Mondays at Hargraves Center, 216 N. Roberson St.

The purpose of the youth council is to familiarize and involve its members with the various departments of town government, the Town Council and mayor's office.

Applications and information are available online at townhall.townofchapelhill.org/parks_&_rec/youth_council/ or by contacting Liz Mason Carter at 968-2841 or lcarter@townofchapelhill.org.

CORRECTION

In the Names & Notes column on page A7 of the June 28 Chapel Hill News, Alexander Brynildsen was listed with the wrong school. He is a rising senior at Woods Charter School and runs on that school's new cross country team.