Friday, March 8, 2024 | Issue 30

The Results Are In!

Congratulations, Jackie Akers, Renee Capano & Tom Costanzi!

Here's the FINAL vote count, in order of votes:

Tom Costanzi - 127

Renee Capano - 123

Jackie Akers - 107

Lou Wood - 72

Please join us at the next Town Commissioners' meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 6:00 PM for the swearing-in of our newly elected and re-elected officials. The meeting will be at Town Hall, 241 Market Street, Charlestown, and via Zoom. The meeting agenda will be disbursed closer to the meeting date.

Want to watch the video coverage of the election results? Click Here.

It's that time again!

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday, March 9th!

The 2024 boating season starts on March 15th and goes until November 14th.

If you rented a slip at the Town Pier in 2023, please check your mailbox for the renewal packets that were mailed out in February. If you no longer wish to rent a slip, please contact Town Hall as soon as possible to let us know.

If you would like to rent a Town Pier slip, please contact Town Hall to add your name to the waiting list.

Charlestown also has a public boat ramp, located at the intersection of Market & Water Streets, that can be used for $10 per day via the honor box or the ParkMobile app, or an annual permit stickers can be purchased, residents for $25, non-residents for $75.

For full boating details, click here for Town Pier information, or click here for Boat Ramp information.

Historic District Commission Member

Vacancies: One (1)

Term: Three (3) Years

Seeking a candidate that is interested in the history of Charlestown and its Historic Preservation. Duties of this volunteer position includes 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.

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

During the February 13th Town Commissioners' meeting, the Commissioners discussed changing job titles for Town Staff to better align with job functions.

After evaluating current job titles and roles, the Commissioners felt that the title of Maintenance Supervisor should be changed to Director of Public Works. This decision was made as the maintenance department has necessarily become more involved with the planning of the Town's water, sewer, and stormwater management systems. Changing the job title better reflects the scope of Bobby Straiton's responsibilities and increased workload.

Additionally, the Commissioners changed the title of the Office Manager to Assistant Town Administrator. Mary Culver is primarily responsible for utility billing and communication, but she also assists the Town Administrator with various tasks, such as purchasing, contracts, employee training, and insurance. The Commissioners recognized Mary's contribution and felt that the title of Assistant Town Administrator more accurately reflects her role in the Town's administration.

The Commissioners voted unanimously to change the job titles of Bobby and Mary, to help ensure the job titles reflect their current responsibilities. The changes should also help the public better understand the roles and responsibilities of Town Staff.

The following meetings will be held at the Charlestown Fire Hall, 307 Market Street, and via Zoom.

The Town Commissioners are currently hosting listening sessions with residents from various neighborhoods around Town. The purpose of these meetings is to address any concerns they may have and help answer questions about their neighborhood. The meetings are being led by the residents themselves, and the Commissioners are actively listening to their feedback and suggestions. The main objective is to ensure that every resident is heard and valued, and to establish a better relationship with Town government in the process.

The next meetings will be held on the dates below:

Historic District & Charlestown Manor - #1-4

Thursday, March 21st at 6 PM

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87481602388?pwd=ezoTRxaYzFKBauBiRstbjGBSnnSwJp.1

Meeting ID: 874 8160 2388, Passcode: 522718, Phone: 301-715-8592

Holloway Beach, Carpenter's Point & Route 7 - #1-5

Thursday, March 28th at 6 PM

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83372502170?pwd=6wJYNkZ53bir3VW1zm0iC1dZfTekTo.1

Meeting ID: 833 7250 2170, Passcode: 584233, Phone: 301-715-8592

Scott Gardens - #2-1

Thursday, April 25th at 6 PM

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81697200305?pwd=SfKN1PGl9mhT3YrKb2oaJbC7HMEUwX.1

Meeting ID: 816 9720 0305, Passcode: 804729, Phone: 301-715-8592

Trinity Woods & Trinity Woods Preserve - #2-2

Thursday, May 16th at 6 PM

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86904508468?pwd=NrRssGL023E5KD1HSXbfwzL885aNYE.1

Meeting ID: 869 0450 8468, Passcode: 338400, Phone: 301-715-8592

Cool Springs - #2-3

Thursday, May 30th at 6 PM

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81147785468?pwd=icmWmO7TYCVJh69KDB4bp7OxdADYRx.1

Meeting ID: 811 4778 5468, Passcode: 613048, Phone: 301-715-8592

Historic District & Charlestown Manor - #2-4

Wednesday, June 5th at 6 PM

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86276644381?pwd=0tN5J7JTD8V4nBUSb4b1LNFyaEuPcx.1

Meeting ID: 862 7664 4381, Passcode: 615780, Phone: 301-715-8592

Holloway Beach, Carpenter's Point & Route 7 - #2-5

Thursday, June 13th at 6 PM

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88658758568?pwd=HePO6M29yl4oLMTZzMn4M1wcWYKolR.1

Meeting ID: 886 5875 8568, Passcode: 772977, Phone: 301-715-8592

If you are unable to attend in person, we encourage you to join via Zoom. You may also submit questions anonymously by clicking here. The Zoom video recordings will be posted to our website the next day for later viewing.

Route 7 Clean-Up

Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 9 AM

Please consider volunteering to help clean up litter along Route 7, from the creek at 875 W Old Philadelphia Rd, back to the Charlestown Baptist Church, which is a little over a half-mile.

We'll meet at the Charlestown Baptist Church at 9 AM. A Town truck will follow behind, picking up trash bags, as we make progress down the highway. We will provide vests, trash bags, and grabbers.

Comprehensive Plan Kick-Off Meeting

Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 6 PM

Charlestown Fire Hall, 307 Market Street

Our volunteer board members will be meeting to begin the visioning process for Charlestown's update of its Comprehensive Plan. This meeting will help to chart the course for how Charlestown will look 20 years from now.

They will be exploring topics such as land use/zoning, water resources, growth, historic preservation, and environmental stewardship, to name a few.

We encourage you to join us in-person, but a Zoom link is also available below.

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88050917060?pwd=vbRJQxut1pAK1PMqghaz0istjRLRZv.1

Meeting ID: 880 5091 7060, Passcode: 394273, Phone: 301-715-8592

To review more information about our Comprehensive Plan, please click here.

River Sweep Community Clean-Up Day

Saturday, April 20, 2024, starting at 9 AM

Cool Springs Playground & Foot Log Park

Please help us partner with the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway as we clean up trash at the Cool Springs playground, and remove invasive plants at Foot Log Park.

For Cool Springs, volunteers are requested to meet at the common area on Cool Springs Rd, between Pagosa St & Colorado Ct (Playground Area).

Trash bags will be provided by the Town, but please bring your own gloves.

Saturday, March 30th is Take a Walk in the Park Day!

Why not take a walk in one of our beautiful parks? Rain or shine, our scenic parks are breathtaking!

If you want to see beautiful hill-like views of the Elk Neck Peninsula and the North East River, visit the Stone Wharf or Foot Log Park. The Stone Wharf is a designated "free fishing" zone, so no fishing license is required, and Foot Log Park is a cozy little spot for peace and tranquility, known more for its natural beauty.

Looking for something more exciting for the kids? They will surely enjoy the playgrounds at Fairgreen Park, in Trinity Woods or Cool Springs, or the Athletic Complex, which offers a ball field, a skatepark, and basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts.

For more information on all our parks, please visit our website at https://www.charlestownmd.org/around-town/town-parks-public-facilities/.

The Cecil County Central Landfill, located at 758 E. Old Philadelphia Rd, Elkton, will be hosting its a Household Hazardous Waste Day on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Please see the flyer below for guidelines.

Click the image to view larger.

Can't see the flyer? Click Here

Are you a job seeker or employer looking to participate in a job fair?

Susquehanna Workforce Network will be hosting a series of job fairs this year in Harford and Cecil counties, in-person and virtual. Details can be found at their website here: https://www.swnetwork.org/job-fair/

Attention all local bands and musicians! We are excited to announce that we're currently seeking talented performers for our upcoming Music in the Park Concert Series, which will be held at Avalon Park this Spring and Summer.

Our concerts have always been a huge hit with our residents, drawing large crowds and creating a lively, festive atmosphere. We're looking for musicians who can help us continue this tradition of quality entertainment that our community has come to love.

If you're interested in performing, please don't hesitate to contact us at Town Hall by sending an email to staff@charlestownmd.org. Be sure to include your information, including details about your music and your availability.

We can't wait to hear from you and see what you have to offer!

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: April 2, 2024

Planning & Zoning Commission

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

• Next Meeting: April 4, 2024

Town Commissioners

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

• Next Legislative Meeting: March 12, 2024
• Next Working Meeting: March 26, 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: March 27, 2024

Yard Waste Collection

Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.

No need to notify Town Hall.

Next Collection: March 11 & 25, 2024

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.