Friday, February 21, 2025 | Issue 38

 

Town of Charlestown

241 Market Street

Post Office Box 154

Charlestown, Maryland

21914


(P) 410-287-6173

Staff@CharlestownMD.org


Hours of Operation:

M-F - 8:30am-4:30pm

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Good Day, Charlestown!

In Today's Current:


Town News & Updates

  • Notice of Temporary Road Closures - February 22nd
  • REMINDER: Shut-Offs for Non-Payment
  • Volunteer Opportunity
  • 2025 MML Student Scholarship
  • Summer 2025 Russell Brinsfield Agro-Ecology Internship Program


Town Meetings & Events

  • Annual Ice Splash - February 22nd



 

Town News & Updates

 

Notice of Temporary Road Closures

Saturday, February 22nd

During the estimated timeframe of 11 AM to 2 PM, the following streets will be closed and only accessible to local traffic:


  • 100-block of Caroline Street
  • 100-block of Frederick Street
  • 100-block of Market Street
  • 100-block of Conestoga Street
  • 500-block of Water Street


The closures are to accommodate for the Annual Ice Splash at Veteran's Park and The Wellwood Restaurant.

REMINDER: Shut-Offs for Non-Payment

On Tuesday, February 25th, shut-offs for non-payment will take place. Please note that a $50 Shut-Off fee will be charged and must be paid along with the remaining balance to have service restored.


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If you're uncertain about your account status, you can now check it anytime through our new online payment portal. Just visit EdmundsGovPay.com/Charlestown and enter your account number and pin in the "Utility Account" section located at the bottom.


For details on utility billing rates, procedures, payment options, and payment plans, please visit our website at CharlestownMD.org/utility-bills-rates-payment-plans.

Volunteer Opportunity

Board of Appeals

Vacancies: One (1)

Term: Three (3) Years


Seeking a candidate that is interested in the Town's zoning ordinance and willing to share the responsibility of hearing and deciding all administrative appeals, variances, and special exceptions, as provided for in the ordinance.


Meetings are held as needed.


The Town Commissioners may appoint, by a majority vote, a candidate who is willing to serve in this capacity.


If you are interested in joining one of the boards, please contact Bryan Lightner, Town Administrator at blightner@charlestownmd.org.

2025 MML Student Scholarship

Attention Current High School Seniors of Cecil & Harford Counties:


We are thrilled to share that the Maryland Municipal League (MML) is offering a $500 scholarship for students in Cecil and Harford Counties who are planning to pursue higher education. To apply, please submit your application by May 1, 2025, to Aberdeen City Council President Adam Hiob at 60 N. Parke Street, Aberdeen, MD 21001. Applications can also be sent electronically via email to ahiob@aberdeenmd.gov.


Don't miss this opportunity to secure financial support for your college journey!

Summer 2025 Russell Brinsfield Agro-Ecology Internship Program

The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc. (Hughes Center) and the Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI) are seeking law and undergraduate student applicants interested in careers in agriculture, environmental conservation, forestry, and/or policy for the 2025 Russell Brinsfield Agro-Ecology Summer Internship program. Multiple students will be selected for this six-week internship, which includes a competitive salary and the opportunity to interact with leaders from the agricultural and environmental communities, as well as state agencies. The internship will begin with an orientation session at Wye Research Center, and the interns will attend periodic meetings at Wye. The remainder of the time, the interns will work virtually or attend meetings offsite.


The internship will introduce you to a number of complex natural resource issues, including but not limited to, Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts, agricultural practices, and local food production. During the course of the internship, you will meet diverse stakeholders and engage in the complex interaction between the agricultural and the environmental conservation and policy communities. You will be introduced to legislators and staff at state agencies as you work to resolve challenges. The internship is funded by organizations seeking to build leaders who are able to appreciate all sides of complex issues and develop solutions that consider environmental, economic, and industry needs as well as the needs of policymakers.


Interns will:


  • Work with Hughes Center and ALEI’s staff on research projects related to current agriculture, environmental, and forestry issues; 
  • Participate in the multidisciplinary activities of the Hughes Center;
  • Attend regional leadership meetings for agriculture and natural resources;
  • Have the opportunity to engage with researchers, state officials and agencies, environmental, and agricultural leaders;
  • Support ALEI’s staff in the creation and administration of legal education resources and programs;
  • Support Hughes Center and ALEI staff in developing proposals for future projects; and
  • Enhance their research, communication, public speaking, and time management skills.


Interns must: 



  • Be a licensed driver with their own reliable transportation; and
  • Be able to attend regional events throughout the summer. Some weekend or evening hours may be required. 


Compensation: Interns will be paid $19.91 an hour for a 40-hour work week.


To Apply: Send your resume, cover letter, and at least one academic and professional letter of recommendation and reference. 


Deadline to Apply: February 28, 2025


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About the Hughes Center:

Founded in 1999, the Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology’s mission is to provide leadership to promote environmentally sound and economically viable agriculture and forestry as Maryland’s preferred land use through research, outreach and collaboration. The Russell Brinsfield Internship Program is named for the Center’s founding executive director, Dr. Russell Brinsfield. 

Learn more about the Hughes Center at: go.umd.edu/HughesCenter 


About the Agriculture Law Education Initiative: 

ALEI provides legal education and resources to Maryland’s farm community to explain agricultural law as it evolves to keep pace with the changing realities of farmers and the agricultural industry in the 21st century. An important part of this education is the network of natural resource protection laws that intersect with agriculture, helping to strengthen both farming and environmental quality.

Learn more about ALEI at: umaglaw.org


For more information, including a video presentation of former interns’ work, visit:

https://agnr.umd.edu/research/research-and-education-centers-locations/harry-r-hughes-center-agro-ecology/russell/

 

Town Meetings & Events

 

Annual Ice Splash

Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 1:00pm

The Wellwood Restaurant & Veteran's Park, Charlestown

This event is hosted by the Sons of the American Legion, Cecil Squadron #15. Registration opens at 11:30am, with an approximate splash time at 1:00pm. Food and beverages will be available on-site for purchase at the Wellwood Restaurant.


A map of the event and parking locations can be found below. The Wellwood Restaurant will have a shuttle running to and from all parking locations to the event drop-off location at Market and Calvert Streets approximately every 10-15 minutes.


During the estimated timeframe of 11 AM to 2 PM, the following streets will be closed and only accessible to local traffic:


  • 100-block of Caroline Street
  • 100-block of Frederick Street
  • 100-block of Market Street
  • 100-block of Conestoga Street
  • 500-block of Water Street


Please visit alpost15.com/ice-splash for full event details, including registration and waiver forms.


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The funds raised at the 2025 Ice Splash event will be raised in entirety for children and youth programs in Cecil County. Where this event was solely for Cecil County Special Olympics for over 15 years, the Ice Splash committee decided several years ago that it would be a great idea to share these donations amongst other youth organizations within Cecil Couny.

Can't see the map? Click Here.

 

Important Information

 

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

View Our Calendar
More Town Meeting Information

Meeting Dates


Historic District Commission

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

  • Next Meeting: March 5, 2025


Planning & Zoning Commission

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

  • Next Meeting: March 6, 2025


Town Commissioners

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

  • Next Legislative Session: March 11, 2025
  • Next Work Session: February 25, 2025

Bulk Trash Collection

Place items separate from regular household trash & recyclables any day during the week. Limited to four (4) large items per collection. No need to contact Town Hall unless your items are out longer than 48 hours. Limit of one collection per month per household.

Yard Waste Collection

Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.

No need to notify Town Hall.

Next Collection: February 24, 2025

Household Trash & Recyclables Collection

Every Wednesday, starting at 6am. Check our website for holiday notices.

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

Contact Town Hall regarding problems with collections.