Chesapeake Beach moves forward on projects

New consulting attorney to start this month

Friday, April 3, 2009

After lengthy discussions by citizens and council members on the proposed ordinance that would remove the prohibition against locating residential off-street parking within the front setback area of a home or structure and the street, the council agreed to table it to allow for further understanding before voting.

Several council members questioned town attorney Eric Blitz, who suggested the change, to explain the reasoning and any ramifications of amending the town's zoning code. Citizens stood up and spoke against the ordinance, being especially concerned on the impact the change will have with cars parked on smaller nonconforming lots that have large structures on them.

Town applies for stimulus money

The town has applied for stimulus money for a new well and the water tower in Chesapeake Village, Town Engineer Paul Woodburn said in the meeting. However, Mayor Bruce Wahl said he was told by the Maryland Department of Engineering that the grant applications exceed the available funds 30-1. The project meets all the requirements, it's all approved and out to bid, he said.

"We've done all we could. If any stimulus money comes, that's great. If not we'll fund it as we'll normally do," Wahl said.

Wahl said in an e-mail Wednesday, "We were unsuccessful with the water tower and well. We were successful with money for a couple of sewer projects, but these are low interest (1 percent) loans rather than grants."

New town attorney announced

The town announced that its attorney Eric Blitz will be moving to California and he has resigned his position. Blitz, who signed on to consult for the town while he was an intern, was presented with a plaque for his years of service to the town.

Wahl introduced Attorney Elissa Levan, who has been with the Maryland Attorney General's Office for a little more than a year, and will replace Blitz as the attorney consultant for the town. Levan, who will be rejoining the law firm of Funk & Bolton and consulting for the town beginning April 22, said she missed working as a municipality lawyer.

"Sometimes you just know what you're meant to do," she said, adding she has worked with municipalities before and looks forward to her new position.

Resolution secures lower electric rate

The council voted to approve a resolution that allows the town to participate in a co-op contract to purchase electricity at a set price. The co-op enables municipalities to "secure a lower rate," Wahl said. The town locked into the contract three years ago and it expires in June. It was pointed out that last year the contract saved the town an average of 6 percent per kilowatt hour. The resolution does not require the town to accept the contract, it just allows the town to enter into the program if it chooses to, Blitz explained.

Public works updates projects

Superintendent of Public Works Wilson Cochran told the council that the department is replacing drainages in the Chesapeake Beach Water Park to be in compliance with new laws and has also had Stinnett Avenue repaved. As asked by Wahl at early council meetings, the town has acquired three spare pumps for pump stations and two more are on order, Cochran said.

"The other three all have dry prime pumps so they are not as critical," he said.

Woodburn addressed the dredge soils site behind Kellams field, saying it is at capacity and they are in the final approval phase of a relocation site.

The Cox Road forced main project is nearly complete with the lines needed to be tied into some homes, he said.

"We tested it with no problems," Woodburn said.