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Mayor and Council Appoint New Ethics Commission; Approve Annexation and Sidewalk Safety Initiative
8/23/2011
On Tuesday night, Hagerstown’s Mayor and City Council began their regular session meeting by appointing a new five-member City Ethics Commission. The appointees have staggered terms and members include: Brett Wilson, Kathleen O’Connell, Reverend G. Stanley Steele, Marc David, and Kristin Aleshire. The establishment of the commission was a celebrated achievement for the presiding Mayor and City Council in their efforts to reinforce the importance of high integrity and transparency in all City operations. In addition to appointing the commission, Mayor and Council adopted legislation to amend the City’s ethics code to conform with recently adopted requirements of the state of Maryland.
Mayor and Council also recognized several achievements throughout the community on Tuesday night. Hagerstown’s own “Schmankerl Stube Bavarian Restaurant” was recently inducted into the “McCormick and Co. Stars of the Industry Maryland Hall of Honor.” On Tuesday evening, Mayor Robert Bruchey presented the owner of the Schmankerl Stube, Charles Sekula, with a certificate of achievement in recognition of his prestigious honor. Sekula is also a founding board member of the Augustoberfest Charitable Foundation. Augustoberfest, the annual celebration of Hagerstown’s German Heritage, is scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday, August 27th and 28th in City Center.
Mayor and Council also recognized the winners of the Hagerstown Beautification Committee’s Highlight Hagerstown Awards 2011. Winners and details will be released in a subsequent release.
In economic development news, Mayor and Council approved the resolution for the annexation of the former Food Lion owned by Stone Soup, LLC and Eddie’s Tires Inc. Annexation of the two businesses will become effective in 45 days. At a public hearing for the annexation back in July, Bob Toft, managing member of Stone Soup, LLC expressed his enthusiasm for the annexation, “We’re very excited about being a part of the City and all that the City has to offer. We’ve had a positive experience with the City since our first conversation.” Stone Soup, LLC petitioned to be a part of the City in an effort to expedite their permit process and has proposed a redevelopment of the site for medical offices. As an adjacent property to the former Food Lion, Eddie’s Tire Service, Inc. has petitioned to be annexed to facilitate the annexation of the Food Lion property into the City of Hagerstown.
Also on Tuesday evening, Mayor and Council approved a resolution authorizing the City of Hagerstown to issue and sell $5,980,000 in public facilities bonds to support water and wastewater capital projects and infrastructure improvements. The bonds will be utilized to upgrade the City’s water distribution system, wastewater collection system and other utility infrastructure. The adoption of this resolution reflects the City’s commitment to providing reliable utility service through efficient and progressive operations. Rather than putting the burden on the taxpayer through the City’s general property tax, the bonds will be paid over time by customers of the City’s water and wastewater system.
Mayor and Council also approved a contract for the instillation of sidewalks in neighborhoods serving schools within the City limits. The contract in the amount of $195,884 was funded by the state of Maryland’s Safe Routes to School Program. The project includes sidewalk improvements on Connecticut Avenue to serve Western Heights Middle School, Oak Hill Avenue to serve St. Maria Goretti High School and Northern Middle School, and Jackson Avenue, Division Avenue and Monroe Avenue to serve Pangborn Elementary School. The project reflects the Mayor and Council’s desire to continue to find innovative ways to enhance safety initiatives for children and pedestrians throughout the community.
The next Mayor and Council meeting is a work session scheduled for September 13, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.
