TOWN FY 23 MUNICIPAL OPERATING BUDGET ADOPTED/NEW TRASH REMOVAL FEE ESTABLISHED

The Town Commissioners of Pittsville have adopted the FY23 Municipal Operating Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023 during their regular monthly meeting held on June 27, 2022. A public hearing and Town Commissioners work session (both opened to the public) were held prior to the formal adoption of the budget and accompanying fee rate structure.

There is no increase in the real estate property tax which remains at one of the lowest in the State of Maryland at $.28 per $100 of assessed value and no other increases in town fees for the General Fund, Water Fund or Sewer Fund which all remain the same.

However, the Town Commissioners have approved a new trash removal services fee of $37.50 per quarter which will be included on the regular utility/water/sewer billing beginning this quarter (July 1-September 30, 2022) and due with utility billing of October 1, 2022. With the increase of activity, addition of services, major capital projects being undertaken, the Town Commissioners will be considering the hiring of a full time Town Manager sometime in the future. The adoption of the trash removal services fee will enable the Town to reserve the general fund property tax revenue for that purpose. Prior to this fiscal year, trash removal services were funded by 36% of the real estate property taxes received by the town which was $.10 of the $.28 in place. The trash removal fee will be assessed on each dwelling unit in the Town.

NEW PARKS/RECREATION/COMMUNITY EVENTS COMMITTEE

Also, at the Town meeting held on June 27, 2022, the Town Commissioners approved a proposal from the Town Manager/Circuit Rider to establish a “PARKS/RECREATION/COMMUNITY EVENTS” committee composed of interested citizens and businesses in the Town to assist in the various community activities, events, and projects being considered for our people. This committee has been discussed in earnest by the members of the Sustainable Communities work group, the Pittsville Sustainable Green Team, and the Planning/Zoning Commission during the work on the comprehensive plan and new zoning code.

The Town Commissioners are reaching out to the PITTSVILLE resident citizens for individuals to serve on this new committee to better enhance the quality of life for ALL our people. Anyone interested in becoming a member, please contact the Town Hall at 410-835-8872.

TOWN OF PITTSVILLE

FEE SCHEDULE

Effective July 1, 2022

Water Service billed per quarter

A)  Residential: $ 83.38

B)  Commercial: $ 114.57

C)  Institutional: $ 145.76

D)  Industrial: $ 176.95

Sewer Service billed per quarter

A)  Residential: $ 88.52

B)  Commercial: $ 132.78

C)  Institutional: $ 177.04

D)  Industrial: $ 221.30

Water Availability of Use Fee billed per quarter

A)  Residential; $ 41.69

B)  Commercial: $ 57.29

C)  Institutional: $ 72.88

D)  Industrial: $ 88.48

Sewer Availability of Use Fee billed per quarter

A)  Residential: $ 44.26

B)  Commercial: $ 66.39

C)  Institutional: $ 88.52

C)  Industrial: $ 110.65

Bay Restoration Fee billed per quarter: $15.00

Water Footage: $.68 per foot per year

Water Footage/Agricultural: $.20 per foot per year

Water Development: $.40 per foot per year

Sewer Footage: $. 40 per foot per year

Sewer Developmental: $.40 per foot per year

Water Meter Testing: $25.00

Connection Fees: Water: $1,500.00       Sewer: $1,500.00

Utility Impact Fee: Water: $7,500.00 Sewer: $7,500.00

Fire Suppressant Materials/Inspection: $1,500.00

Sewer Clean out Repair (including parts): $100.00

Water Lid Replacement: $100.00 plus parts

New Water Service Turn On: $25.00

Water Service Turn Off: $25.00

Returned Check Fee: $50.00

Copies of Information w/research: $1.00 per copy

Copies of Public Meeting Tapes: $25.00

Rezoning Application: $500.00

Board of Appeals Applications: $250.00

Business Licenses: $25.00

Yard Sale Permits: $10.00

Building Permits: 1% of total Cost of Construction (except sheds, pools, decks, fences whereby minimum fee is $25.00 or 1% of total construction cost whichever is greater)

Municipal Infraction Fines: $200.00

Real Estate Tax Rate: $.28 per $100 of assessed value

Personal Property Tax Rate: $.90 per $100 of assessed value

Real Estate/Personal Property Tax Interest: 1.5% per month

Site Plan Application:  $250.00 plus initial escrow deposit of $1000.00

Minor Subdivision:      $500.00 plus initial escrow deposit of $1000.00

Major Subdivision:     $1000.00 plus initial escrow deposit of $1500.00

Trash Removal Services Fee:  $37.50 per quarter

Click here to view the budget

ALERT!!!

DEPARTMENT OF CODE ENFORCEMENT

During the Public Comments portion of the recently held Town Commissioners meeting on  June 27, 2022, there was questions regarding the Town’s policy on Municipal Code Enforcement. As the Town Manager responsible for enforcement of the Municipal Code, I wanted to clarify the Town’s Municipal Code Enforcement Policy for all our citizen residents.

First, since as a Town Manager/Circuit Rider I have additional responsibilities in other towns, I am not available every day in Pittsville. Several years ago, I took on the extra duties as the Town Code Enforcement Officer which also involves Planning/Zoning Code matters, Building Permit Applications, Fowl Applications, and Site Plan/Subdivision reviews to assist the Town’s Planning/Zoning Commission in their obligations.

Because of my limited time in Pittsville, I have requested that every town employee, as they perform their regular duties in town, also report to the Town Hall any possible or potential violation within the Town Code so I, as the Code Enforcement Officer, can address it. Thus, every town employee becomes an extension of the Department of Code Enforcement and “if they see something, they are to say something”.

This policy has worked very well during the past few years and the Town has had very few major issues in enforcing the Municipal Code. Every potential violation or citizen complaint is verified by the Code Enforcement Officer before “violation letters” are sent out.

In closing, on behalf of the Town Commissioners, I want to thank all our citizen residents for their cooperation in complying with Municipal Town Code. Should anyone have further questions regarding this policy, I will be more than happy to discuss and further clarify or explain.

REMEMBER!!!

The Town DOES require Building Permits for most construction projects and would be best that individuals contact the Town Hall before commencing any work. Also, one of the biggest code violations is for high grass!  Grass and weeds MORE THAN TWELVE (12) INCHES are considered a Public Nuisance and thus a Municipal Violation subject to a Municipal Infraction and Fine!

Click here to view the Final Zoning Ordinance.

The Town of Pittsville website has moved!

The official town website has moved to pittsvillemd.gov. Please take a moment to update any bookmarks or favorites you may be using to access the site. The town office staff can now be reached by emailing [email protected]. We look forward to serving you!

DRAFT NEW ZONING CODE & ZONING MAP

The Town of Pittsville’s Planning/Zoning Commission held a public information meeting on 3 Feb 22 at the town Hall to present to the public for their input the draft new zoning code & draft zoning map that has been in the process for months.

Before any further consideration of the draft zoning code & draft  zoning map is recommended to the Town Commissioners of Pittsville, the comment period for the public is extended until COB 17 Feb 22. Should anyone who was at the public information meeting held on 3 Feb 22, or could not attend said meeting, if you so desire you can visit the Town Hall during normal business hours to review the draft zoning code & draft zoning map and provide written comments before COB 17 Feb 22.

Should any interested citizens have questions, call Town Hall at 410-835-8872.