Friday, December 15, 2023 | Issue 28

Town Hall will be closed or closing early on the following days:

• Friday, December 22nd - Closing at Noon
• Monday, December 25th - Closed for Christmas
• Friday, December 29th - Closing at Noon
• Monday, January 1st - Closed for New Years

Please note that household trash and recyclables collection will be affected by Christmas and New Years, and therefore, collection during these weeks will be on Thursday.

For water emergencies, please contact Bobby Straiton, Maintenance Supervisor, at 443-553-2087.

Effective January 2, 2024, the operating hours for Town Hall will change to 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

If you have a request or matter that can't be accommodated during these hours, please contact Town Hall to schedule an appointment.

We are excited to announce the launch of our new and improved online credit card processing system, designed to simplify your payment experience.

We are committed to providing you with the best possible payment solutions. This upgrade will offer a secure, efficient, and convenient payment system.

Trash Tech provides Charlestown residents with trash and recyclable collection every Wednesday. To ensure proper pickup, please read the following requirements.

• Place your bins at your curb on Tuesday evening, or before 6am on Wednesday. Residents without bins at the curb before trucks arrive will not be serviced until the following week.
• Bin color is important. Bins provided by Trash Tech with dark-colored lids (blue or black) are for trash, and light-colored lids (yellow or orange) are for recyclables. Mixing these bins up may cause missed collection by Trash Tech.
• Recyclables must be contained within bins. Large boxes that are unable to be broken down must be taken to the Cecil County Landfill by residents, or collection must be scheduled for Town Maintenance Staff to collect.
• Bulk trash items must be separate from household trash. The Town Maintenance Staff collects bulk items on the last Wednesday of each month, but these items must be separated from household trash to avoid missed collection by Trash Tech.
• Trash and recyclables cannot be mixed. Contaminated recyclables will not be collected. Here's a link to Cecil County's recycling guidelines: Click Here.

If your trash or recyclables are not collected by end-of-day on Wednesday, please notify Town Hall no later than 12:00pm on Thursday to get on the list for collection on Friday.

Have you downloaded our app yet?

Our app provides quick access to important Town information, and push notifications when Town news and updates are available.

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/az/app/historic-charlestown/id6465395237

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.govoutreach.charlestowntownmd

Full-Time Code Enforcement Officer

Deadline to apply is December 27, 2023 at 5:00pm

Click Here to view full job description on our website.

Historic District Commission Member

Vacancies: Three (3)

Term: Three (3) Years

Seeking candidates that are interested in the history of Charlestown and its Historic Preservation. Duties of these volunteer positions include attending monthly meetings to review and approve zoning/building permit requests, sharing the responsibility of revising the Historic District ordinance, and helping to create a Historic Preservation Plan that implements a shared vision for the Historic District.

Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm.

Board of Supervisors of Elections Member

Vacancies: One (1)

Term: Two (2) Years

Seeking a candidate that is interested in the Town Commissioner Election process, willing to help administer the rules related to registration of voters and the conduct of the elections.

Town Election Day is on the 1st Tuesday in March annually.

The Town Commissioners may appoint, by a majority vote, candidates who are willing to serve in these capacities.

If you are interested in joining one of the above Boards, please contact Bryan Lightner, Town Administrator, at 410-287-6173, ext. 2, or via email at blightner@charlestownmd.org.

RFP 2023-03

The Town of Charlestown is seeking qualified Professional Engineering Consultants to provide ongoing Town Engineer services, including design, permitting, construction management services, plan review, and inspections, for drainage and stormwater management projects, as well as, public drinking water systems management.

• Pre-Bid Meeting – Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 1:30pm via Zoom (link below)
• All questions due by e-mail or letter by Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 5:00pm
• Proposals due – Friday, January 5, 2024 at 4:00pm
• Town Meeting (Decision Made) – Tuesday, January 9, 2024

For all information regarding this RFP, please review the Engineering RFP 2023-03 PDF.

Three (3) Commissioner Seats are up for Election

The Charlestown Board of Supervisors of Elections will hold the 2024 Municipal Election on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 7:00AM to 7:00PM at the Town Hall Building, 241 Market Street, Charlestown.

In order to be eligible to vote, you must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and be a town resident for one (1) month prior to the election.

If you are considering candidacy, there are a few things you need to know:

• QUALIFICATIONS: You must be a resident of Charlestown for at least one (1) year, be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, and be qualified to vote.

• HOW TO APPLY: There are no write-ins on the ballot, so all candidates for Commissioner must apply. If interested, please submit an application, which can be found by clicking here or at Town Hall. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 2, 2024 at 4:00pm.



• WHAT TO EXPECT: Commissioners attend two (2) meetings per month to discuss policy, ordinances, expenditures, and civic progress. They also attend Town and County events. Please ask yourself the following:

1. Why do I want to be a Commissioner?
2. Can I be an effective team member?
3. Am I able to focus on the future and the common good?
4. Can I help create a civic culture of mutual respect?

There will be a Candidates' Forum on Tuesday, February 20th at 6:00pm at the Charlestown Fire Hall, 307 Market Street, and via Zoom. The forum is an opportunity for residents to get to know the candidates.

Ceremony

St. John's United Methodist Church, 240 Market Street

This annual ceremony is hosted by Jeanette Armour and honors veterans that have been laid to rest in the Charlestown Cemetery.

Luncheon

Charlestown Fire Hall, 307 Market Street

The luncheon is hosted by the Town and is for all veterans and their families to enjoy. There will be soups, sweets and refreshments catered by Market Street Café.

We would like to invite all Charlestown residents to participate in a winter lights decorating contest to help us spread holiday cheer throughout Town from December through February.

Every year, the Town participates in Winter Lights, Cecil Nights, which is a program sponsored by the Cecil County Tourism Office to get people outside and visiting our Town. This year we want it to be better than ever by including residents!

Participants will have a chance to win 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes. There's no need to register, but in order to qualify, you must follow the guidelines below.

• Lights must be any of the following colors: white, silver, blue, purple, or pink. Choose one color or a mix.
• Creativity is encouraged, but not a must. Classic is timeless!
• Decorations do not need to be Christmas-themed. A winter theme would work best after the Christmas season. If you decorate for Christmas, choose colors and decorations that can easily be updated or used in January and February. For example, snowflakes, snowmen, deer, stars, trees, wreaths, etc.
• A photo of your decorated house at night must be submitted by Friday, February 23, 2023. Voting will occur the last week of February. Submit to staff@charlestownmd.org.

Prizes: $100 for 1st, $75 for 2nd, $50 for 3rd. Choice of Visa gift card or gift certificate for The Wellwood Restaurant or Market Street Café.

Contact Town Hall with any questions.

Sip hot chocolate and tour the Ice House with Jeanette Armour and Sonny Diamonte. You won't want to miss the opportunity to learn about this piece of Charlestown's rich history.



Hor d'ouevres provided by the Wellwood Restaurant.

Hosted by Colonial Charlestown.

Sip hot chocolate and tour the Tory House, also known as the 107 House.

Hor d'ouevres provided by Market Street Café.

Parking lot on Cecil Street.

This event is hosted by the Sons of the American Legion, Cecil Squadron #15.

Registration opens at 11:30am. Approximate 1:00pm splash time. Food and beverages available on-site for purchase.

Stay tuned for more details.

All meetings held at Town Hall, unless otherwise noted, and via Zoom.

Meeting Dates

Historic District Commission

Held on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm.

• Next Meeting: January 2, 2024

Planning & Zoning Commission

Held on the 1st Thursday following the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm.

• Next Meeting: January 4, 2024

Town Commissioners

Held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm.

• Next Legislative Meeting: January 9, 2024
• Next Working Meeting: January 23, 2024

Bulk Trash Collection

Last Wednesday of the month.

Town Hall must be notified by 4pm the day prior.

Place items separate from regular household trash & recyclables.

Next Collection: December 27, 2023

Yard Waste Collection

Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.

No need to notify Town Hall.

Next Collection: December 26, 2023 (Tuesday)

Household Trash & Recyclables Collection

Every Wednesday, starting at 6am.

Place trash and recyclable bins at your curb the night before.

Contact Town Hall regarding problems with collections.

Collections for the weeks of Christmas and New Years will be on Thursday.