As the Mayor of the Munchkin Village in the County of the Land of OZ, I want to thank all who assisted in the HALLOWEEN EVENT held on the evening of October 31, 2023. My thanks go out to the Good Witch of the North, Glenda (Erika Moore-Lecates), Dorothy (Abigail Lecates), the Scarecrow (Dale Monroe), the Wicked Witch of the West (Kristy Monroe), and the Tin Man (Asher Monroe).

Also, many thanks to Singh Operational Services (SOS) for donating the candy, the Town’s Department of Public Works (Dale Monroe & Terry Forsythe) for decorating the Town Hall grounds, Steve MacDonald for posting on the Town web site & Facebook page, and Town Commission President Sean McHugh, Town Commissioner Bethany Miller, and Chief Bob Harris for visiting during the event.

Joseph A. Mangini, Jr.
Town Manager

***TRAFFIC ALERT***

STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION TO RESURFACE MD 353 (GUMBORO ROAD) IN WICOMICO COUNTY
Motorists Should Expect Traffic Delays During Work Hours

(October 26, 2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will begin a paving project on Thursday, November 2 to improve the ride quality on MD 353 (Gumboro Road) between Main Street and Workman Road in Pittsville. All work should be completed by November 30, weather permitting.

Motorists can expect single-lane closures throughout the duration of the project. Crews will work Mondays through Fridays 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.

The State Highway Administration’s contractor, Allan Myers, Inc. of Dover Delaware, will use arrow boards, cones, and flaggers to safely guide motorists through the work zone. Drivers should expect major traffic impacts with significant delays during work hours.

The State Highway Administration understands that roadwork will inconvenience travelers and asks all motorists to please stay alert and be patient as you pass through the work zone. Hot asphalt may require up to two hours to cool before drivers and pedestrians can safely cross the new road surface.

For a list of all major State Highway Administration projects, visit the project portal or the homepage at roads.maryland.gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to md511.maryland.gov.

• We have advertised for a Class 5 WWTP operator and received one application of interest who we should interview and have a proposal from SOS. We need to move on this soon. Dale has applied for his temporary Class 5 and has done an admirable job of “holding down the fort”. But we really need to address this matter and within a reasonable amount of time.
• Since July 1, the Town has issued 14 building permits with $4,135.06 in building fees collected.
• Bulk Trash pick-up day is November 16, 2023, the Thursday before Thanksgiving! Special notice will be placed on the utility billings to go out at the end of the month, and I will have Steve post on the town web page, Facebook & perhaps we will also post in the post office if they permit us to!
• The PEDC met on September 27, 2023 with several recommendations & requests. Pursuing the old warehouse building property between Main Street & Railroad Avenue and consider areas in town for additional commercial rezoning to accommodate further economic development. Next meeting of the PEDC will be October 25, 2023 at 5:30 pm here at Town Hall.
• The Planning/Zoning Commission met on October 5, 2023 to begin work on the cannabis legislation. Our Town Attorney was present and gave a presentation on the subject to the commission members. Next meeting of the Planning/Zoning Commission will be on November 2, 2023 at 6:00 pm in Town Hall.
• There will be a Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing & meeting to hear a request for a special exception use on October 19, 2023 at 6:00 pm in Town Hall.
• MDOT has provided estimated revenue on the Town’s highway User revenue for the following: in FY24 it will be $135,206.35 and for FY25 it is projected to be $153,684.50
• Municipal Election is November 7, 2023 with 2 town commissioner seats up. We have one member of the Board of Elections who needs to be re-appointed for a six-year term. (Tammy Dorman). Other 2 members will carry over.
• We still plan to pay off one MDE WTP loan by November 1, 2023. The amount is $ 29,158.02. This will save us interest charges and eliminate one loan debt.
• I have confirmed that the “Mayor of the Munchkin Village” will be here on Tuesday HALLOWEEN NIGHT, October 31, 2023 between the hours of 6-8 pm to pass out candy to the children at the Town Hall. After reviewing the park site, the Mayor – after discussion with the “Secret Squirrel Society” – thought it best due to parking and lighting to move the event from the Town Park to the Town Hall. Several businesses have offered to help with candy.
• Discussion has begun with SANTA CLAUS for his appearance hopefully for the first Saturday in December. Still working on what Santa wants to do for the children that day.
• Friday, November 10 2023 town offices will be closed due to the VETERANS DAY holiday, November 11 which this year falls on a Saturday.
• Town offices will also be closed for the THANKSGIVING DAY holidays on Thursday November 23 and Friday, November 24.
• I will be preparing the TMCR reimbursement request for my services for the past quarter to DHCD and also prepare an ad for a full time Town Clerk due to that position now being vacant.
• And I have jury duty for the Month of November so on those days will be out of the office.

The following items were on the agenda for the October 16 meeting:

• Treasurer’s Report
  • General Operating Balance: $196,249.25
  • Utility Operating Balance: $90,029.33
  • MLGIP Fund: $2,334,519.29
• Other Items
  • Tammy Dorman appointed to a six (6) year term as a member of the town’s Board of Elections.
  • Bulk Trash Day is Thursday, November 16, 2023.
  • Municipal Election is Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Voting takes place from 12-7pm at the Pittsville Volunteer Fire Department.
  • “Mayor of Munchkin Village” will be at Town Hall on Halloween Night, October 31, 2023, from 6-8pm to pass out candy to the children.
  • Town Hall will be closed on the following holidays:
    • Veterans Day: Friday, November 10 (since holiday falls on a Saturday this year)
    • Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 23
    • Employee Appreciation Day: Friday, November 24

Should anyone have questions, desire additional information, or want clarification on the above, you are encouraged to contact the Town Manager at 410-835-8872.

Click to view Agenda/Packet

Wicomico County residents will have an opportunity to dispose of hazardous household waste at no charge on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the Newland Park Landfill. The hours for “Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day” are 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The event is open to residents of Wicomico County and participants should bring a valid proof of residence such as a driver’s license. You can view a complete list of all hazardous wastes that are accepted (and those that are not) by clicking the link below.

View complete list

TOWN MANAGER MONTHLY MEETING REPORT [18 Sep 23]

• There is on the agenda tonight 3 ordinances for consideration of adoption. One is for a zoning text amendment, the other 2 are for amendments to the FY23 & FY24 budgets due to new financial numbers being updated & finalized.
• I have resolved the issue with DNR regarding the Joint Use Agreement for the park. DNR has accepted my recommendation to use the JUA originally signed in July, but would like us to change the date to 1 Dec 23 to satisfy the Board of Public Works. This week, I will send DNR the JUA with the signing date of 1 Dec 23. This will enable our present approved application for $287,500 in grant funds to move forward to the BPW.
• The Town is meeting with the County this Wednesday to discuss the “Parsonsburg” issue that is holding up further review of our WWTP Pre-Engineering Study with USDA for the new WWTP. Rob can discuss this further.
• We had a full inspection by MDE on the WWTP this past Thursday. Rob, Dale & I spent most of the day with the inspectors. We will have a full report of their findings within 2 weeks. The last actual inspection by MDE was in 2019.
• We have advertised for a Class 5 WWTP operator and received one application of interest and expect one from SOS. We need to move on this soon. Dale has applied for his temporary Class 5 and has done an admirable job of “holding down the fort”. But we really need to address this matter and within a reasonable amount of time.
• Since July 1, the Town has issued 11 building permits with $3,151.56 in building fees collected. Total value of work being undertaken is $308,854.00.
• Bulk Trash pick-up day is November 16, 2023, the Thursday before Thanksgiving! Special notice will be placed on the utility billings to go out at the end of the month, and I will have Steve post on the town web page, Facebook & perhaps we will also post in the post office if they permit us to!
• There were no meetings the past month of the P/Z Commission (no business to work on) and PEDC (lack of quorum). Next scheduled P/Z Commission meeting is 5 Oct at 6:00 pm & PEDC meeting is 27 Sep at 5:30 pm.
• Municipal Election is November 7, 2023, with 2 town commissioner seats up. Ad will be placed in the paper and on the town web page & Facebook. Nominations for office are required by 4:00 pm October 3, 2023. We have one member of the Board of Elections needed to be appointed or re-appointed for a six-year term. (Tammy Dorman). Other 2 members will carry over.
• We plan to pay off one MDE WTP loan by November 1, 2023. The amount is $ 29,158.02. This will save us interest charges and eliminate one loan debt.
• We have finally received our approved construction permit from MDE for Phase IV of the WTP Upgrade. Rob can discuss this more in his report.
• Our renewal application for the WWTP discharge permit is due by 30 Sep 23. With the passing of Mr. Gordy, I have requested DBF to prepare, complete, and submit to MDE on behalf of the Town.
• I want to thank Erika & Dale for ALL the support they have rendered to our new PITTSVILLE JAMMERS Soccer League. They have spent a lot of time and work assisting Joe White with this very (so far) successful program for our youth.
• I have confirmed that the “Mayor of the Munchkin Village” will be here on Thursday, October 31, 2023, between the hours of 6-8 pm to pass out candy to the children at the park pavilion. Anyone wanting to assist, help, or hinder please let me know.
• Discussion will soon begin with SANTA CLAUS for his attendance to be available also at the park-tentative date & time Saturday, December 2 for a “Christmas in the Park”. This could change depending upon his and his elves availability.
• COLUMBUS DAY is a federal holiday on October 9, 2023, and Town Offices will be closed.

TOWN MEETING SNAPSHOT [18 Sep 23]

The following items were on the agenda for the above meeting:

• Treasurer’s Report
  • General Operating Balance: $91,914.12
  • Utility Operating Balance: $122,561.50
  • MLGIP Fund: $2,313,756.14
• The following Ordinances were APPROVED:
  • 1) Ordinance #2023-02 “An Ordinance to Amend the Town Zoning Code To Add A Special Exception Use to the CBD District”
  • 2) Ordinance #2023-03 “An Ordinance to Amend the FY23 Budget”
  • 3) Ordinance #2023-04 “An Ordinance to Amend the FY24 Budget”

Should anyone have questions, desire additional information, or want clarification on the above, you are encouraged to contact the Town Manager at 410-835-8872.

The Town of Pittsville’s “FY23 Street Improvement Program” has begun. Roadwork will be taking place on the following streets: Parker Street, Church Street (from Main Street to Railroad Avenue), Maple Street (from Main Street to Railroad Avenue), and the entrance apron to the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant located on Poplar Neck Road. This work should take about 4 weeks to complete.

Click to view Agenda/Packet