Budget/Finance -
This past year has been a very conservative year for us and Valerie Walls (our Treasurer) working with Councilman Lee Collins has kept a very close eye on the spending. Every time an issue has come up they have always asked the necessary questions to make sure we get the best for our buck that we can. Over the last year we've managed to keep up with the bills but we aren't comfortible without a little bit of reserve in case some big unknown expense comes up that we would need money for.
This is the time of year when we look at our budget and how we're going to manage our money for the next fiscal year starting in July. If we stick with the constant yield tax rate we might be able to keep up with expenses but we still won't be able to put a little in savings. The council has received the first draft of the 2010-2011 budget and will be discussing it at the next (April) workshop meeting.
Water & Sewer -
I hate to say it again this year but there is another Water/ Sewer rate increase and it's possible that there will be more in the future. With rising costs and an aging system it is very difficult to keep up with the repairs and maintenance that is required.
Over the winter we were successful in renegotiating our W/S dept service payments down to an accptable level. We were able to get through this spring without borrowing from the general fund and we hope we can carry this through the next year.
With the help of Artesian we submitted seven grant applications to the Maryland Department of Environment for funding assistance this year. Applications covered collection system infiltration problems, processing plant upgrades, water supply from Artesisan to Town, interconnection of water and sewer systems between both sides of Town and water & sewer service to Bohemia Manor School. In addition to the MDE applications possible funding through USDA is also being investigated.
Canal Day – 6/26/10 -
Again, there will be a 5k run the morning of Canal Day sponsored by the Town. The race will start in the same place as last year. Frank Vari is the Race Coordinator again and has spent a lot of time and energy rounding up sponsors and participants for this year's second annual event. He can use some volunteer help for the morning of June 26th so if you'd like to donate a little time please get in touch with Frank at 410-885-2161 or drop a note or e-mail to the Town. Let's see if we can make this another great event! Any income received from the 5k runs is used to support our recycling program.
Recycling-
We've been recycling metals for a while now, but starting the end of April we'll be collecting all recyclables. We've signed a contract with Junk-Be-Gone to start collecting on the23rd. This will be "single stream" which means that all recyclables can be put in the same container. If you haven't received the information on the program from the Town please call Town Hall at 410-885-5298.
Election Day – 6/07/10-
This year positions of mayor and two Council seats (Ron Francis & Bob Miller) are up for election. Applications to run for office must be submitted to Town Hall no later than 12:00 Noon on May 7, 2010. So far, Ron Francis has signed up for re-election and Frank Vari and Dean Geracimos have submitted an application to run for Council. I have decided to run for re-election also.
The Town election is always on the first Monday of June. If you are registered to vote, mark your calendar now. The poling places are on the north side at the firehouse and on the south side at Town Hall. Come out and cast your vote on June 7th between 1:00 and 7:30 pm.
Please feel free to stop in or call Town Hall any time if you have a question, comment or suggestion that may help us serve the citizens of
Frank Hill, Mayor