Woodsboro News-Briefs

(3/2023) Allowable Grass Height to Be Cut

Due to frequent complaints from residents related to adjoining property owners not cutting their lawns, town staff has recommend a change to the town code reducing the allowed height of lawns from 18 inches to 9 or 12 inches.

Burgess Barnes noted that even 12 inches was in his mind "still too high," but would defer to the input from the public on what the height should be.

A public meeting on changing the town code on allowable grass height will be held April 8. Residents will be afforded time to provide input to the Town Council.

Commissioner Dana Crum raised the possibility that since the public meeting will also include input on the proposed Chicken Ordinance, the Town might explore updating the town code relative to unlicensed cars within town limits.

Burgess Barnes said that the current code does not allow any unlicensed cars within the town limits unless they are in a garage.

Commissioner Jesse Case asked if the code could be updated to allow owners of classic cars to simply put a cloth cover on them, instead of having to put them in a garage. Noting that there are a lot of classic car owners in town.

The Council agreed to hold off on updating the Town ordinance related to unlicensed cars until everyone could get up to speed on its current requirements.

T-Mobile Requests Reduction In Antenna Fees

Citing its recent merger with Sprint, T-Mobile has requested the Town reduce the fees it charges the company for leasing space on the Town’s water tower for cell phone repeater antennas from $2,648/month to $1,951/month.

Barnes suggested the Town call T-Mobile’s bluff and reject the request. "What are they going to do? Go out and build their own cell tower? They are getting a great deal right now, and the $700/month loss we would take by accepting their requested reduction would be felt by the town."

During the public comment period, Rachel Dzik raised concerns over the health effects from ‘telephone related radiation’ that was harming children, and suggested that before the town approved an extension to the T-Mobile antennae contract, the Town require T-Mobile pay for a physical for every resident within the town, and that if anyone developed any illness during the length of the contract, that T-Mobile be required to pay for all their medical expenses. Barnes thanked Dzik for her suggestion.

Work To Begin On Park Improvement

Commissioner Crum told her fellow councilmen that the Town has been approved for a Project Open Space State Grant for the construction of a new pavilion in Memorial Park. Work on the new pavilion is expected to begin in May. Through the POS funding, the Town will pay for 25 percent of the costs.

Crum also noted that work will soon begin on removing all the park’s current playground equipment and footing, making way for new equipment and footing. Barnes praised Commissioner Dana Crum for her excellent job of negotiating the town’s project funding needs.

In addition, Memorial Park is now home to three new flagpoles. One will fly the US Flag, the second, the Maryland State Flag, and last but not least, the third will proudly fly the Town’s flag.

"I look forward to seeing the Town’s flag flying in the park," said Barnes.

Town Hall Update

In his monthly update on the new Town Hall, Barnes informed the Town Council that the latest site plan had to be returned to the site planner, as the current plan had no ‘green space’ in front of the building for a sign to be placed by the Town.

The sign, Barnes said, would be used to notify residents of upcoming events and meetings.

Once the plans are updated, Barnes said he hopes that the Planning and Zoning commission will do a preliminary approval, at which time the Town Council can be briefed in detail on the proposed design.

Town To Explore Renewal Of Waste Water Treatment Plant Support Service Contract

Barnes informed the Council that the current Waste Water Treatment Plant support service contractor that tests the town’s water daily has increased his yearly fee from $60,000/year to $75,000/year.

This is the first increase in 14 years, Barnes said, recommending that the town council approve the updated contract with that amount when the current contract expires in June.

"Frankly I think we are getting a great deal, and we are not going to find anyone more supportive, or cheaper," said Barnes. Commissioner Cutshall concurred. "We have someone who currently knows our systems inside and out, and I for one am not interested in bringing in someone new, with all the problems that would bring, to save a few nickels."

The Council took Barnes and Cutshall’s recommendation under advisement and will revisit the issue closer to the expiration date of the current contract.

Town To Renew CDs At Higher Rate

Until recently, the town had 10 financial ‘instruments’ with Woodsboro bank totaling $2,021,949, with most earning only .05% interest. That is no longer the case, Barnes told the Council.

Town staff told the Council that in January that the Town renewed CDs the town held with Woodsboro Bank at the prevailing rate of 2.25% interest. At that rate, the CDs totaling $869,000 will yield the town about an additional $1,000 per month in additional income.

"$1,000/month may seem like a small amount to some, but for a small community like Woodsboro, it’s a lot," said Burgess Barnes.

In addition, the town staff has consolidated multiple accounts that it held with the bank, making it easier for the staff to track inflows and outflows from those accounts. The consolidated accounts will also be earning at an increased interest rate.