LEGISLATION
There are two (2) pieces of legislation for introduction tonight. Ordinance # 2026-02 amends the Town’s FY 26 municipal operating budget AND Ordinance #2026-03 amends the present Town FY 27 municipal operating budget. Both measures address the increase in the overall surplus in town funds.
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS/COMMITTEES APPOINTMENTS
There is the re-appointment of Erika Moore Lecates to another three (3) term as a member of the Town’s Board of Zoning Appeals
FINANCE
Along with the amending budget ordinances, the other financial news is that the Town is still waiting to hear back from the State’s DHCD regarding approval on our TOWN MANAGER/CIRCUIT RIDER GRANT application submitted several months ago. On the positive side, both our partnering Towns, WILLARDS, and finally SHARPTOWN have committed to providing a cash contribution, as required by the State and PITTSVILLE to assist with the local share funding for the program. Also, the Town has received final inspection on the WTP Phase IV Upgrade project with over $500,000 in state loan funds being recommended for release to PITTSVILLE. These funds will reimburse the Town for all the local share monies the Town had to upfront while the project was in progress. As a reminder, though the MDE funds are initially considered a loan to the Town, fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds after ten (10) years will be “loan forgiveness” and thus an actual grant to the Town. Thus, the WTP Upgrade project was funded by 87.5% of grant funds!
The Town has received a letter from the Maryland Department of Transportation/MDOT that all “highway user fees” distributed to municipalities will be reduced from the present 20% of allotment to the original 15.6% due to the state law mandating the increase expiring. For PITTSVILLE, it will be a loss of about $33,500. I would expect this formula not to be changed in the coming future.
In the presently adopted Fee Resolution, there was added a $25 late fee for failure to pay the utility bill when due. The Town Commissioners, at that time wanted staff to review and provide a policy to implement so the late fee was not assigned to the July 2026 bills, but will be assessed on the soon to be outgoing Oct utility bills WHICH ARE DUE 31 Oct 26!. During the past quarter there were 120 accounts late out of a total 630 billed, a delinquency rate of 19%. By the time of shut offs, that number was reduced to 28 or 4.5%.
The recommended proposed “DISCONNECT POLICY” will be the following:
- Utility bills will be sent quarterly with payment due within a normal thirty (30) day period.
- If payment NOT RECEIVED within the normal thirty (30) day period, the late fee will be assessed on the fifteenth (15) day after the original due date. This amounts to a total of forty-five (45) days to pay the bill. Final notices of termination of services to those accounts still in delinquency will be sent with payment due by the end of the “grace period month”! This basically allows an additional fifteen (15) days to pay the bill.
- If payment still not received thirty (30) days after due date, then cutoff notices will be sent to those remaining unpaid accounts with termination of services within fifteen (15) of notice.
Appropriate notices will be mailed, posted on the town’s web page, with final termination of services hand delivered to the delinquent account property with NO EXCEPTIONS!
PLANNING/ZONING
There was no monthly meeting of the Planning/Zoning Commission this month due to a lack of a quorum. However, for those who did attend, we conducted a work session. Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 14 Oct 26 commencing at 6:00 pm in Town Hall. Building permits to date are fifteen (15) with permit fees collected at $5,884.43. We have six (6) developer escrow accounts still opened with a total of $10,573.00 invested. Once a project is cleared, whatever is remaining in the escrow accounts will be returned to the appropriate developer. There is also a Board of Zoning Appeals scheduled for Thursday 24 Sep to hear a request for a variance for an oversized accessory structure from Ashley Wilson of Casher Wells Road to accommodate the storage of hay and equipment for the horses on her property previously approved by the BOZA.
PITTSVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
The PEDC next monthly meeting will be on 23 Sep 26 commencing at 5:30 pm in Town Hall.
PUBLIC WORKS
Dale is here to give his monthly report.
TOWN ENGINEER
Rob is here to give his report.
PERSONNEL
Our Town Treasurer, ANA KETTERMAN, recently completed her tenth (10th) year of service with the Town on 16 Sep!
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
COLUMBUS DAY is October 12 and is a federal, state, town holiday so Town Offices will be closed.
Bulk Trask pick up day is Thursday 19 Nov 26 and notices will be posted for the public. Since THANSGIVING Day always falls on a Thursday, our normal pick up day, trash collection will be on the following Saturday 28 Nov 26 with appropriate notification being made.
With the new water meters being installed this year, the Town is conducting a new water/sewer billing rate structure study for implementation once all meters are installed. I expect this to be in place by Jan 28!
The Town Commissioners have received an invitation from WICOMICO COUNTY to attend the annual Legislative Breakfast to be held on Friday, 16 Oct 26 commencing at 8:30 am at the CIVIC CENTER. Please let Judy know by 9 Oct if you plan to attend!