East Prince Frederick Elevated Storage Tank Project
The Maryland Board of Public Works on Oct. 1 approved a grant and loan funding of $2,918,000—a $350,000 Water Supply Financial Assistance Program grant and a $2,568,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund loan—to Calvert County will help fund the construction of a 750,000 gallon elevated water storage tank necessary to meet peak demand and fire flow requirements for the East Prince Frederick Town Center. The project will provide increased capacity within the Prince Frederick Water System and will aid in achieving compliance with the state-mandated arsenic requirements.
The Board is composed of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.
Board of County Commissioners Seeks Applicants to Fill Board of Education Seat
The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy for the First Election District representative on the Calvert County Board of Education.
Joseph R. Chenelly, the current First Election District representative on the Board of Education, announced his resignation effective Nov. 1. By state law, the BOCC appoints members to fill any board of education vacancy for the remainder of the term until a successor is elected and qualified.
Individuals interested in applying must submit an application no later than midnight, Nov. 17, 2014. Organizations may also submit individuals for consideration. The application is available online at http://www.co.cal.md.us/BOEapplication.
Those interested in applying for appointment must b e registered to vote in Calvert County and residents of the First Election District for a minimum of two years before the beginning of the appointed term.
License Your Pets at Discounted Price Nov. 3-9
Pet owners in Calvert County who need to license their dogs and cats can take advantage of Calvert County Animal Control’s sixth annual Amnesty Week scheduled for Nov. 3-9 and get their pets licensed at a discount.
The reduced fee for spayed and neutered pets is $3 each. The fee for non-spayed and non-neutered pets is $10. The regular prices are $7 and $20, respectively.
Bring cash or a check, along with a copy of the pet’s current rabies certification and proof of spay or neuter if applicable, to one of the following locations:
-- North Beach Volunteer Fire Department: Nov. 3, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
-- Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department: Nov. 5, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
-- Solomons Volunteer Fire Department: Nov. 6, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
-- Calvert County Sheriff’s Office: Nov. 3, 5, 6 and 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Nov. 8-9, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information call Calvert County Animal Control at 410-535-1600, ext. 2526. Pet licenses are required for dogs and cats only.
Funding Approved for Prince Frederick Town Center Redevelopment Project
The county Department of Community Planning and Building has been working on a redevelopment concept for Prince Frederick's Armory Square (the former Calvert Middle School site and former Armory Building), as well as adjoining properties. On Oct. 7 we approved funding for the next step of the process.
The $47,500 budget adjustment will support three initiatives for town center redevelopment:
-- Advertising to recruit developers on national level;
-- A consultant to conduct developer outreach and review submittals, and;
-- An economic impact study to ensure project viability
The goal is for the county to work with a master developer in transforming the site into a mixed-use project including opportunities for public, commercial, retail and residential uses. This vision grew out of the Prince Frederick Town Center "charrette" process conducted for six days in June 2013 to elicit citizen input on developing the former Calvert Middle School site and surrounding areas.
The Prince Frederick Town Center website ( http://www.co.cal.md.us/index.aspx?nid=613 ) has complete information, including the charrette report. Tom Barnett, director of the Department of Community Planning and Building, also hosts a video overview of the project ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qU8fWwV85w ) and other department initiatives.
Applications Now Accepted for the Calvert County Purchase and Retirement Fund Program
The application period is now open for the county's Purchase and Retirement Fund program. Through the program, Transferable Development Rights are purchased, retired and permanently removed from the market to protect farmland from development.
Applications are accepted from the owners of Agricultural Preservation Districts and ranked by an established formula. The purchase price approved by the BOCC is $3,750 per Transferable Development Right.
The application deadline is Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. Applications are available online at http://www.co.cal.md.us/DocumentCenter/View/7054. Completed applications should be sent to Community Planning and Building, Attention-Veronica Cristo, 150 Main St., Prince Frederick, MD 20639 or emailed to cristova@co.cal.md.us.
The Fiscal Year 2015 county budget includes $1.25 million for the Purchase and Retirement Fund. More than $500,000 of the total comes from the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, with $200,000 from agricultural transfer taxes dedicated to land preservation. Remaining funds come from the prior year land preservation fund balance; none are taken from the county's General Fund.
The Purchase and Retirement Fund program is part of Calvert County's longstanding effort to preserve agricultural land. The county has preserved more than 28,000 acres of productive farms and forests over the past 30 years.
To learn more, contact Rural Planner Veronica Cristo at 410-535-1600, ext. 2489, or via email cristova@co.cal.md.us.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
The Calvert County Department of Public Works, Division of Solid Waste, will host a household hazardous waste collection day Saturday, Nov. 15, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Appeal Landfill at 401 Sweetwater Road in Lusby.
Collection is limited to Calvert County residents only and proof of residency is required. Waste from commercial businesses is prohibited.
For more information, call 410-326-0210 or visit the Calvert County website ( http://www.co.cal.md.us/index.aspx?NID=348 ) for a full listing of materials accepted.