Public Meeting on Mid-Shore II Regional Landfill
Traffic & Public Safety Focus Group
Members of the Traffic and Public Safety Focus Group will
participate, as well as resource members from State Agencies.
The meeting will be held Monday May 12, 2008 at 6:00 PM, at
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Wheatley Hall, 300 West
Sunset Avenue, Greensboro, Maryland
This meeting is open to the public. Please contact the
County Commissioners Office at 410.479.0660 with any
questions.
Help Caroline County Update its Comprehensive Plan
Caroline County Department of Planning and Codes Administration
is moving away from creating regional plans and will be creating
a comprehensive plan for the County as a whole. The process of
revisiting the County Comprehensive Plan has started and we
want your opinion. We encourage you to attend the meetings
that interest you the most:
view the online brochure to learn more.
Legislative Bills Introduced: Public Hearings
Scheduled
At their April 15, 2008 meeting, the County Commissioners
introduced four legislative bills and scheduled public hearings,
for Tuesday, May 6, 2008, beginning at 9:30 AM in the County
Commissioners Hearing Room #106, Courthouse, 109 Market Street,
Denton, Maryland.
All interested persons are encouraged to attend. Questions and
comments will be solicited at that time. Written comments
submitted in advance of the hearing should be mailed or
delivered to the County Commissioners Office, Courthouse, 109
Market Street, Room 123, Denton, Maryland 21629. Bills are
posted or available in the Courthouse, public libraries in
Denton, Greensboro and Federalsburg, and in each town. To
receive a bill copy, or for further information, call the
County Commissioners Office at 410-479-0660, or via the
Maryland Relay Service for persons with a hearing or speech
disability at 7-1-1. Persons with a disability needing
reasonable accommodation to attend should notify the County
Commissioners Office by April 30th.
BILL #2008-3, MUNICIPAL REAL PROPERTY TAX DIFFERENTIAL ( 136 KB)
For the purpose of amending Article VII of Chapter 166 of the
Code of Public Local Laws of Caroline County, Maryland to change
the provisions governing the municipal real property tax
differential system; providing for changes in the components of
the formula for determining the municipal tax differentials;
defining certain parameters of the system; fixing the dates for
implementation of the system as amended; providing that this
title be deemed a fair summary of this public local law for
all purposes; and relating generally to the municipal property
tax differential system in Caroline County.
BILL #2008-4, RECREATION AND PARKS - PUBLIC LANDINGS ( 140 KB)
For the purpose of adding a new Chapter 148 - Recreation and
Parks to the Code of Public Local Laws of Caroline County,
Maryland (the "Code") to reflect in the Code the Department of
Recreation and Parks and its management structure; to establish
laws governing public landings in Caroline County, Maryland;
providing that the County Commissioners of Caroline County,
Maryland shall have the authority, by resolution, to adopt rules
and regulations governing parks, recreational areas, and all
other County lands under the supervision of the Caroline County
Department of Recreation and Parks; providing that violations
of this Chapter shall be punishable as civil infractions pursuant
to Chapter 92 of the Code; providing that this title be deemed
a fair summary of this public local law for all purposes; and
relating generally to recreation and parks in Caroline County,
Maryland.
BILL #2008-5, REPEAL OF COUNTY FORTUNE TELLING PROHIBITION ( 113 KB)
For the purpose of deleting Chapter 110 of the Code of Public
Local Laws of Caroline County, Maryland; providing for the
elimination of the prohibition on fortune telling in Caroline
County; providing that this title be deemed a fair summary of
this public local law for all purposes; and relating generally
to fortune telling in Caroline County, Maryland.
BILL #2008-6, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - REMOTE PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS ( 118 KB)
For the purpose of authorizing the remote participation by the
County Commissioners of Caroline County in meetings under
certain circumstances by using electronic communication
technologies or other facilities; providing that this title be
deemed a fair summary of this public local law for all
purposes; and relating generally to the conduct of meetings
by the County Commissioners of Caroline County.
FY 2009 Budget Requests by Department / Agency /
Organization
On Thursday April 3, 2008 a public hearing was held to present
Fiscal Year 2009 budget requests by departments, agencies and
organizations, and to receive public comments and questions on
those requests. A summary of these requests in available here:
FY 2009
Budget Requests. ( 34 KB)
FY 2009 Budget Public Hearing Schedule
The County Commissioners of Caroline County, Maryland, will
hold the following public hearings on the FY 2008-09 Caroline
County Government Budget. A summary sheet listing budget
requests received and current year allocations will be
available on or about April 1st. Call 410-479-0660 for a free
copy; or visit this web page.
The statutory deadline for receipt of budget requests from
the public is April 1st.
Thursday, April 3, 2008 - 7:30 PM - To hear budget
allocation requests from all departments, agencies and
organizations, and to receive public comments and
questions on those requests. Department and agency
leaders will be available beginning at 7 PM to talk
one-on-one with interested citizens.
- Hearing #1 - Non-education-related testimony
- Hearing #2 - Caroline County Board of Education,
Caroline County Public Library, and Chesapeake College
testimony
Location: Caroline County Health and Public Services
Building, 403 South Seventh Street, Denton, MD - First Floor
Conference Room, North Entrance
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - 7:30 PM - To present the proposed
FY 2009 Caroline County Government Budget and the proposed FY
2009 Capital Program and to receive public comments and
questions; to hold the required Constant Yield tax rate public
hearing; and to set the FY 2009 real property tax rate(s),
or announce the date, time and location when they will be set.
Location: Preston Volunteer Fire Company Hall, 3680
Choptank Road, Preston, MD
Persons with a disability needing reasonable accommodation to
attend these public hearings should notify the County
Commissioners Office at least 7 days before the hearing(s)
by calling 410-479-0660 or via the Maryland Relay Service
at 7-1-1.
Traffic Impact Assessment Study Completed for
Mid-Shore Regional Landfill II
O. R. George & Associates, Inc. has completed a study
of traffic access needs and impact assessment for the Maryland
Environmental Service (MES). Now available online, it is
divided into several sections (warning: these are large files):
Notice of Introduction of Legislative Bills & Public
Hearings
Introduced by the County Commissioners of Caroline
County, Maryland, on March 11, 2008:
BILL #2008-1, REPEAL OF COUNTY ETHICS CODE AND ENACTMENT
OF NEW COUNTY ETHICS CODE
FOR THE PURPOSE OF deleting current provisions of Chapter 33
of the Code of Public Local Laws of Caroline County, Maryland,
and amending Chapter 33 of the Code of Public Local Laws of
Caroline County, Maryland, by adding new provisions in
replacement thereof; providing for certain definitions;
providing for the creation of a new and expanded Ethics
Commission and for the duties, powers, and operations thereof;
providing for certain prohibited conduct and interests;
providing for certain restrictions on employment, financial
interests, and affiliations; providing for certain
restrictions on certain activities and conduct; providing for
restrictions on gifts; providing for financial disclosures in
certain circumstances; providing for registration and for
certain restrictions with respect to lobbying activities;
providing or providing for rules and regulations with respect
to all of the foregoing; providing that this title be deemed
a fair summary of this public local law for all purposes;
and relating generally to matters of ethics in County
government in Caroline County, Maryland.
Full Text of Bill #2008-1 ( 277 KB)
BILL #2008-2, SENIOR HOMEOWNERS PROPERTY TAX CREDITS
For the purpose of amending Chapter 166 of the Code of
Public Local Laws of Caroline County, Maryland; providing a
local supplement to the Maryland Homeowners Property Tax Credit
Program; establishing the local eligibility requirements for
the local tax credit; providing that this title be deemed a
fair summary of this public local law for all purposes; and
relating generally to development of a local tax credit program
for eligible senior citizens in Caroline County, Maryland.
Full Text of Bill #2008-2 ( 126 KB)
A public hearing will be held on each of the above bills, in
the order shown, on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, beginning at 9:00
AM in the County Commissioners Hearing Room #106, Courthouse,
109 Market Street, Denton, Maryland. All interested persons are
encouraged to attend. Questions and comments will be solicited
at that time. Written comments submitted in advance of the
hearing should be mailed or delivered to the County
Commissioners Office, Courthouse, 109 Market Street, Room 123,
Denton, Maryland 21629. Bills are posted or available in the
Courthouse, public libraries in Denton, Greensboro and
Federalsburg, and in each town. To receive a bill copy, or for
further information, call the County Commissioners Office at
410-479-0660, or via the Maryland Relay Service for persons
with a hearing or speech disability at 7-1-1. Persons with a
disability needing reasonable accommodation to attend should
notify the County Commissioners Office by March 27th.
County Commissioners Announce Creation of Landfill Traffic
and Public Safety Focus Group
The County Commissioners of Caroline County are forming an
ad hoc focus group regarding public safety and traffic issues
raised by the construction of the Mid-Shore II Regional
Landfill, which is scheduled to open on River Road near
Ridgely in 2011.
The focus group will include relevant County
staff, municipal elected officials and staff from Ridgely,
Greensboro, and Hillsboro, and representatives from the State
Highway Administration and Maryland State Police. The
Commissioners will appoint five members of the general public
to the focus group. Interested individuals must be able to
commit to the evening meeting schedule, once established. The
tentative first meeting date is Wednesday, April 2, in
Greensboro.
Those interested in being appointed must submit
a brief personal and professional biography and a letter
explaining why they are interested in serving. Submissions
must be received by Friday, March 21 and should be sent to:
The County Commissioners of Caroline County, Courthouse,
109 Market Street, Room 123, Denton, MD 21629. Submittals may
also be made via fax to 410.479.4060 or via email to
info@carolinemd.org.
For more information, contact the Commissioners Office at
410.479.0660.
County Commissioners Seek Straw Poll on School Board
Selections
Caroline County's Legislative Delegation has filed a bill
regarding the method of selection for members of the
Board of Education, as requested by the County Commissioners.
To read the full text of the bill,
click here. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click
"First Reading" to open a PDF of the full text.
FY 2007 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report of Caroline County,
Maryland, for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2007, was submitted
as mandated by state and local law. These laws require that
Caroline County annually issue a report of its financial position
and activity, and that this report be audited by an independent
firm of licensed certified public accountants selected by the
County Commissioners.
Caroline County Government’s financial statements have been
audited by
Murphy & Murphy CPA, LLC, Independent Certified Public
Accountants. The goal of the independent audit is to provide
reasonable assurance that the financial statements of Caroline
County Government for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 are
free of material misstatement.
2007 Audit Statement ( 2.93 MB)
Caroline County Housing Improvement Program (CHIP)
This is a program to provide rehabilitation for owner occupied
homes in Caroline County. Homeowners must have lived there a
year, have a clear deed and qualify as low income according to
the HUD guidelines. There is a lien on the house for 5 years.
This is forgiven at 20% a year. Assistance is provided regarding
other programs as the need may arise. This includes the
Accessible Homes for Seniors (over 55) which provides
improvements for handicapped accessibility.
Contact Diane Wojcik, 443-786-0129, for more information.
Stacey L. Weisner Appointed Director of the Department of
Planning and Codes Administration
The County Commissioners of Caroline County are pleased to
announce the appointment of Stacey L. Weisner as the director
of the
Department of Planning and Codes Administration.
"Caroline County is extremely fortunate that it is still in a
position to effectively plan for our future," said County
Commissioner Jeff Ghrist. "The role of our new planning
director will be to bring people together and execute a common
vision for the future. This will require someone who is
unbiased and who has the strength to deal with opposing views
for the common good of the county. Moreover, the director of
planning must have the leadership ability to get things done.
I strongly believe that Ms. Weisner will be that facilitator
and will use the values that are reflected by the residents
in the county, through the County Commissioners, Planning
Commission and department staff, to help guide us through
these pivotal times. I believe our Planning Commission and
staff are among the best anywhere, and I'm looking forward
to an exemplary team effort."
Ms. Weisner brings a background of more than twenty years in
land use planning and development. She has most recently
served as the Superintendent of Planning and Zoning for the
Town of Berlin, Maryland and as a planner with Worcester
County, Maryland. Ms. Weisner also brings extensive private
sector experience, having been employed as a planner for
Architectural Engineering Services, LLC in Salisbury, as
well as other firms. Ms. Weisner's range of experience at
the municipal and county level, as well as the private
sector, will bring a broad and balanced perspective to the
County's planning efforts.
"Ms. Weisner's diverse experience will be a real asset to
Caroline County," said County Commissioner Roger Layton. "The
experience she gained in Berlin will help facilitate further
cooperation between the County and the municipalities. I am
looking forward to working with her."
"I am excited about this opportunity and am looking forward to
using my education and training to assist the County
Commissioners' plan for the future of Caroline County, while
addressing the issues of growth management and sustainability,"
said Weisner. "The County is projected by the Maryland
Department of Planning to continue to experience rapid growth
and it will be a challenge to manage growth responsibly
through land-use planning. The Department's primary
responsibility is to work in the public's interest."
The primary function of the Caroline County Department of
Planning and Codes Administration is the protection of the
public health, safety and welfare through the development and
application of appropriate policies and regulations for land
use, growth management, and public infrastructure and services.
This includes the protection of property values and the general
environment. As director, Ms. Weisner will oversee twelve
employees, and an operating budget of $1,207,855. The
Department also includes the following citizen boards: the
Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, the
Board of Electrical Examiners, the Board of Liquor License
Commissioners, and the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board.
Ms. Weisner is a cum laude graduate of Salisbury University
with a degree in geography and is an active member of the
American Planning Association. She lives in Salisbury with
her husband Mike Weisner. They have five children and two
grandchildren. Ms. Weisner will begin her employment with
Caroline County on August 22.
Information about Midshore Regional Solid Waste Facility
The Midshore Regional Solid Waste Facility in Easton, MD takes
care of the waste disposal needs for Caroline, Kent, Queen
Anne's and Talbot County. As of 2011, operations will move to
a site in Caroline County.
Midshore II will be located at
the Holly Road / River Road site and is currently in the
planning stages. This landfill is scheduled to open for full
operations not later than January 1, 2011.
Visit their
web site to learn more including contact information and
hours of operation, or
read our
brochure about it to learn more ( 582 KB).
FY 2008 Budget Adopted
The Caroline County Commissioners adopted the FY 2008 Budget
at their June 26th meeting. To view it, visit the
Budget
Section of the Finance/Accounting Department.
Presentation on Tax Assessments
At the Commissioners meeting of Tuesday February 27th 2007,
Dana Jarrell, Supervisor of the Caroline County Office of the
Maryland Department of Assessments, gave a presentation which
provided a great deal of information about how taxes were
assessed for the county and state by the
Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation.
You can read the
full
transcript of the presentation here. ( 122 KB)
Five-Year Manufacturer's Real Property Tax Credits
Applications for Five-Year Manufacturer's Real Property Tax
Credits on County Taxes are now being accepted. You may
download
the application form ( 270 KB) fill it out, and return
to
County Commissioners of Caroline County
Courthouse
109 Market Street
Room 123
Denton MD 21629
Contact the Commissioners Office at (410) 479-0660 for further
information.
Choptank Marina Gains 'Clean Marina' Certification
Choptank Marina, operated by the Caroline County
Department of Parks
and Recreation, has been certified as a
Maryland Clean Marina by the
Maryland
Department of Natural Resources.
To earn the Clean Marina designation, Choptank Marina, managed
by George Jamar, voluntarily requested a site visit from DNR
staff and undertook recommendations to improve operations and
reduce risk of pollution.
Staff routinely provides customers with small petroleum
absorbent pads during fueling to catch incidental drips. The
marina also has a more thorough emergency response plan and
staff training in place. They participate in an oyster
restoration program and are replacing their light bulbs with
energy efficient compact fluorescents.
In response to federal legislation, the Maryland Clean Marina
Initiative began in 1998 with the goal to certify at least
25 percent of the marine facilities in Maryland as Clean
Marinas or Partners.
Groundbreaking of the Mid-Shore Business and Technology Park in Ridgely
County Bond Sale
Caroline County is selling $12.475 million in General
Obligation Public Improvement Bonds of 2006, on Tuesday
November 14th. Bids will be received on that date until
11:00 o'clock a.m. (Eastern time). Any financial institutions
interested in this sale need to contact the following web site:
Caroline County, MD GO Public Improvement Bonds of 2006
Groundbreaking for South County Athletic Complex
Pictured: Tom Reilly (Recreation & Parks Advisory
Board) Chip Price (Program Open Space) Milton Nagel (Director
of Administrative Services, Caroline County Schools) John W.
Cole (President, Caroline County Commission) Mario Gangemi
(Roads Board Chairman, Caroline County Commissioner) and
Sue Simmons (Director, Caroline County Recreation & Parks)
Renovations at Colonel Richardson Middle School
Discussing the CRMS Renovation Project are (left to right)
Caroline County Superintendent of Schools Edward Shirley,
Board of Education Vice President Robert E. Ober,
Caroline County Schools Director of Administrative Services
Milton Nagel, Times-Record reporter Clay Owens,
Caroline County Commissioner Mario Gangemi, Board of
Education Member Sandra L. Barry, and Caroline County
Commission President John W. Cole.
New Construction at Colonel Richardson
Middle School (CRMS)
Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Families and Individuals
Even though we do not know when Pandemic Influenza will arrive
in the United States, pandemics in the past have taught us that
we should be prepared. Knowing what Pandemic Influenza is and
what you can do to prepare for it may make the impact on you
and your family less severe.
Please go to the web site listed below to find a copy of a
preparedness checklist developed by the Center for Disease
Control that will help you gather the information and resources
that you may need in case of an influenza pandemic. If you
would rather obtain more pandemic influenza information by
telephone, call the Caroline County Health Department at
(410) 479 8008.
www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html
Contact Information for Caroline County's Legislators
Click
here to view the contact information ( 108 KB).
If you live in Election Districts One
(Marydel/Henderson/Goldsboro) Two (Greensboro) or Three (Denton)
you are in State Legislative District 36; if you live in
Election Districts Four (Preston) Five (Federalsburg) Six
(Hillsboro) Seven (Ridgely) or Eight (American Corner) you are
in State Legislative District 37. But if in doubt, call the
Caroline County Board of Elections at 410-479-8145.
Caroline Commissioners Support Annexation Reform
The County Commissioners of Caroline County strongly support SB536,
a bill currently before the Maryland State Senate, entitled "Annexation
Planning and Procedures Act of 2006", which will allow county
governments and municipalities within their borders to work together
in planning aspects of municipal land annexations.
Click here to view the text. ( 210 KB)
Commissioners Oppose Latest Denton Annexation
In a letter dated February 6, 2006, the County Commissioners
of Caroline County expressed their opposition to new annexations
by the Town of Denton, north of town along Route 313.
You may read the letter ( 106 KB)
here, which was delivered in person by County Commission
President John W. Cole to the Town of Denton at their
Annexation Public Hearing.
Caroline County, Maryland
"The Quintessential Rural Place"
Strategic Thinking for the Future of Caroline County
to the Year of 2025
The Caroline County Commissioners hold as a top priority
the preservation of Caroline County as a "quintessential rural
place on the Eastern Shore of Maryland". Our County is
experiencing a significant rise in its population growth rate.
From now until 2010 the County will experience, arguably, the
most important five-year period since the jurisdiction was
established in 1774. The Caroline County Strategic Planning
Committee for Local Public Finance has issued its final
report which sets out both opportunities and threats
regarding provision of and payment for county and municipal
public services, including education, public safety, health
care, environmental protection, water supply and wastewater
disposal.
Click here to read the
Strategic Plan. ( 826 KB).
Most browsers have support for PDFs built in, but if you need
to install the free plug-in, visit the site for
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®.
ShoreCorps/PALS
ShoreCorps/PALS is an AmeriCorps program at
Salisbury
University which serves youth and adolescents at-risk on
Maryland's Eastern Shore. The partnership includes over twenty
agencies in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset,
Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties.
Visit the
ShoreCorps/PALS web site to learn more.
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