May 2018

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Board of County Commissioners members are, from left, Pat Nutter, Mike Hart, President Evan Slaughenhoupt Jr., Steven Voter Registration R. Weems and Vice President Tom Hejl Deadline Nears

Governor Hogan Designates Calvert Marine Museum the State's Official Paleontology Center

Calvert County residents who are eligible to vote are reminded that the deadline to register to vote, change party affiliation or make an address or name change for the 2018 primary election is Tuesday, June 5. Visit online to learn more.

Residents Offered Free Mulch

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) announces that Governor Larry Hogan signed a bill designating the Calvert Marine Museum as the State Paleontology Collections and Research Center. The legislation establishes the museum, located in Solomons, as the official repository of Maryland's rich and diverse fossil finds and collections.

"We are thrilled that our state legislature and our governor recognize the Calvert Marine Museum is not just the jewel in Calvert County's crown," said Board President Evan Slaughenhoupt. "It truly is a distinguished flagship museum for The Calvert County Department the state and a renowned tourist destination." of Public Works Solid Waste "Being named Maryland's paleontology center is a singular Division offers free mulch to honor," said Calvert Marine Museum Director Sherrod Sturrock. "The designation recognizes the excellent work in paleontology Calvert County businesses and that staff at the museum have done over the years." residents. Mulch is available for

The Calvert Marine Museum allows visitors to explore how the pickup Monday through Friday at prehistoric past, natural environments and maritime heritage the Appeal Landfill located at come to life and tell a unique story of the . The 401 Sweetwater Road in Lusby. museum's staff has been collecting and preserving fossils from across the state for more than 40 years. To learn more about the Assistance may be available if designation or for museum information visit online. advance notice is provided.

Billboard Sparks Controversy Mulch is only available to Learn About Calvert County's Sign Regulations Calvert County businesses and residents and proof of business Calvert County has been in the news in recent weeks because of location or residency is required. a provocative billboard that was situated on private property along Route 4 in Huntingtown. It is the season of politics this The recycled, untreated mulch is election year and it is important for citizens to remember that a product of tree debris collected Calvert County Government cannot regulate sign content based on the Supreme Court case decision Reed v. Town of Gilbert from recent storms. The county (2015). Calvert County Government can, however, regulate the is not liable for any damage to size and location of signs. plants that may occur from use The BOCC adopted updated sign regulations Jan. 31, 2018, to of the mulch. There is no mulch Section 6-8 of the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance and county limit per resident and mulch is staff started enforcement of the regulations in late February. Upon finding a sign violation, county planning and zoning available while supplies last. enforcement staff visits the location to advise what is, and what Learn more. is not, permissible under the new regulations. Staff also provides a zoning inspection report which includes a correction date (30 days from date of issuance) along with an online link to the new regulations to review the changes made to the regulations. After the correction date, county personnel continue to monitor the signs and work to bring a site into compliance. Additionally, calls Farmers Markets are are being made to sign owners who place multiple yard signs in Full Swing within county and state rights-of-way.

Citizens are encouraged to review the updated sign regulations online. For additional information, call the Department of Planning & Zoning at 410-535-2348, or email [email protected].

State Highway Announces Phase Two of Route 2/4 Widening Eating fresh and eating local is made easy with an abundance The State Highway Administration recently awarded the contract of fresh food from Calvert for the construction surrounding Phase 2 (of 6) of the widening of MD Route 2/4 in Prince Frederick. Contractors have mobilized at County's farmers, agri- a staging area at the former Calvert Middle School location. The work began April 24, 2018 and is expected to be completed July businesses and watermen. 30, 2019. Calvert County's five weekly Phase 1 - MD 2/4 and MD 231 intersection improvements, farmers markets return with including the widening of MD 2/4 from south of Commerce Lane early harvests ready for sale on to south of Old Field Lane, is completed and was opened to traffic in summer of 2009. the following schedule:

Phase 2 - MD 2/4 and MD 231 intersection improvements, including the widening of MD 2/4 from Fox Run Boulevard to Calvert County Farmers south of Commerce Lane, is currently underway. Market Association

The public can view the /4 improvement Markets: schedule for Prince Frederick on the Calvert County Government - Tuesdays in Prince Frederick website homepage. in the CalvertHealth Medical Center parking lot, 3-7 p.m., Business Appreciation Week Recap May 8-Nov. 20 - Saturdays in Barstow at the Calvert County Fairgrounds on Route 231, 7:30 a.m.-noon, May 5-Nov. 17 - Sundays in Solomons at the Solomons Visitor Center, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., June 3-Sept. 9

Private/Municipal Market: Tuesdays at Spider Hall 3915 Hallowing Pt. Road For the 13th year in a row, the Board of County Commissioners May 15 - Oct. 30, 4-7 p.m. and the Calvert County Department of Economic Development dedicated the first full week of May to the celebration of our local - Fridays in North Beach economy during Business Appreciation Week. between 5th and 7th streets and The week kicked off with a panel discussion for entrepreneurs, Bay Avenue, 6-9 p.m., May 4- "Filling Your Entrepreneurial Toolbox," co-hosted by the Calvert Oct. 5 County Minority Business Alliance. On Tuesday, ambassador teams consisting of county commissioners, staff and resource partners fanned out across Calvert County and visited 15 Visit online to learn more businesses to discuss their concerns, challenges and recent successes. Key trends noted were workforce shortages, a tight about Calvert County's Farmer's housing market and difficulties with public transportation. An Markets and our many roadside evening event in St. Leonard included a ribbon cutting for the beautifully appointed and recently opened event facility, The farm stands. Barn at Pleasant Acres . Two networking events on *Markets listed above are MDA Wednesday and Thursday, co-hosted with the Chamber of approved markets. Commerce, had great attendance and helped bring the business community together for camaraderie and celebration.

Visit online for a full recap, including photos and highlights of business visits.

Thanks for reading Calvert Currents. We want to hear from you. Click the feedback link to send us your questions or story ideas. It is time for the annual Calvert Sincerely, You Are Beautiful Volunteer Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr., President Awards - the celebrated event Tom Hejl, Vice President that recognizes residents for Mike Hart their significant volunteer Pat Nutter contributions to Calvert County Steven R. Weems and its citizens and their work to Calvert County Board of County Commissioners change the community for the better.

Nominated volunteers might be a firefighter at a local fire and rescue station; someone who We want to hear from staffs a non-profit organization; you. Click here to email your feedback. or the person who generously gives time to school programs, museums, hospice, parks, homeless shelters and other service-based agencies.

Nomination forms are available online at www.co.cal.md.us/cyab or by calling the Calvert County Department of Communications and Media Relations (CMR) at 410-535-2003. CMR will accept 15 nominations.