(9/2020) Homebuilding in Brookfield to re-commence

Mayor Don Briggs announced that developers Ryan Homes will be returning to work on the Brookfield subdivision. Eleven years ago the development company stopped building after completing the Pembrook Woods development.

Over the years, the mayor stated he has met with Ryan Homes in the effort to coax them to come back and finish the Brookfield subdivision.

"Now," the mayor stated, "it is a reality. In spite of the adversity we are facing, so many positive things are happening. All of this is a tribute to the efforts of our town staff and the whole community."

The mayor said that Ryan Homes has taken note of all the improvements the town has implemented to improve the image of the village, including the revitalized the Town Square and provided connectivity for the town sidewalks, "east, west, north and south," and Ryan Homes that the Brookfield developer "likes all of the things we have done.

Sheriff’s Office contract renewed

The Emmitsburg Town Council approved renewing the town's contract with the county Sheriff's Office for 2021 to continue providing police services to the town. As per the current and renewed contracts, the Sheriff's Office provides two deputies to police the town.

Town Manager Cathy Willets said the total amount of the 2021 contract for county deputies to be able to continue providing police services for the community amounted to $272,614.

The amount of the current 2020 contract was $284,624. Commenting on why the 2021 contract is 4.21 percent, or $12,010, less than the current year's amount, Willets said that the reduction was due to a change of personnel at the Sheriff's Office.

Zoning laws update proposed

The Town Council voted to submit an amendment revising the zoning regulations to the town Planning Commission for further review. The proposed amendment is intended to correct errors, adjust outdated wording and add new requirements.

Town Planner Zach Gulden said, among the revisions proposed, regulations regarding off-street, parking lighting have been added, as well as new line-of-sight rules for intersecting roads and driveways in new developments.

In addition, the Council also voted to submit an amendment to the town subdivision regulations to the town Planning Commission for further review. Town Planner Zach Gulden said the last significant subdivision ordinance update had occurred in 1999.

Among the many recommended changes included in the proposed amendment, one of the more significant changes to be made applies to landscaping, buffer yards and screening that would be applicable to new residential subdivisions of five or more units, and all non-residential developments having greater than ten parking spaces.

Applicable residential developments would be required to plant street trees, while applicable non-residential developments would be required, under certain circumstances, to plant street trees and buffers.

Having cleared the commissioners' review, and following a town Planning Commission review, the amendments will be scheduled for a public hearing (presently set for October 5).

Processing 'wild water' continues

In spite of numerous wastewater collection system improvements over the years, the town's wastewater treatment plant continues to process ‘wild water,’ or storm water that seeps into the collection system through breaks and cracks in the pipes in the collection system. (Wild water is also known as I&I, or inflow and infiltration.)

Willets told the Town Council that the wastewater treatment plant treated 320,000 gallons per day in June, while the town consumed 210,226 gallons per day, "which means that 34.3 percent of the wastewater treated this month was 'wild water'."

On the upside, the plant had no spills of untreated sewage in the month of June (the numbers released by the town manager tend to be those for two months prior to the town meeting), and did not exceed the plant’s design capacity.

Mother Seton classes to be held

The Mother Seton School will re-open, with classes set to begin on September 8. The school will offer in-person attendance and remote learning via Zoom.

In taking precautions against COVID-19 contamination, classes will be dismissed at noon every Friday from September 11 through October 30 for cleaning, as per Center for Disease Control guidelines.

All students, teachers, staff, and site visitors will be required to wear masks. Social distancing will be maintained at the school and on school buses. Hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectant wipes will be available throughout the school. All students, teachers, staff and site visitors will be required to have their temperatures checked before entering buses or the school. For additional information, visit the school website at motherseton.org.