July August 2010.Indd
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Vol. 18, No. 4 July - August, 2010 2009 Planning Commission Report Town Council to Consider Rate The Town of Denton with a building code inspector who review population of approximately 4,000 plans, approve permits, and conduct Increases for Water and Sewer residents is home to the county on-site inspections. Additionally, In 2009 the Denton Utility allowing the continuance of seat of Caroline County, Maryland. the Town has a part time property Commission undertook an extensive providing clean, safe water; Denton has an elected board of fi ve maintenance inspector to evaluate study of the water and sewer rate • higher electric and fuel Council members, an appointed existing structures and parcels, and structure of the Town. Included costs; board of six Planning Commission to investigate complaints of alleged in the study were administrative • increased cost of chemicals members (fi ve regular and one violations. and operational costs as well used to treat the water to alternate), four Board of Appeals The Town Council, at the as comparisons to comparable keep it safe; members (three regular and one behest of the planning staff and communities in the area. The result • maintaining aging alternate), and fi ve members on the recommended by the Planning was a recommendation by the infrastructure including Historic and Architectural Review Commission, created one Utility Commission to the Town pipes, pumps, and treatment Commission. alternate position on the Planning Council for rate increases that took systems; This Annual Report is compiled Commission. The vacancy was effect July 1, 2009. • along with the revenue by the Planning Commission to fi lled by an individual who was very Why is another rate increase shortfall from fewer new provide data on current building active in community affairs. necessary? A signifi cant factor connections. trends as well as a historical The planning staff took over supporting the decision to increase The table on page 2 shows the perspective. A combination of the responsibility of water and rates in FY10 was the long-term rate structure that would be required charts and graphs are included to aid sewer allocations. It revisited the outlook for the fund balances. Prior to support the capital projects and in understanding the development water and sewer allocation process to the increase, the combined water begin to rebuild cash reserves in and building activity within the to insure adherence to the codes and sewer operation were projected the out-years. Essentially the Town municipal limits. References to and policies. It was determined to be out of balance sometime is working towards a $200 per projects that have been reviewed that certain allocations had lapsed. during fi scal year 2012, but restoring year administrative fee to provide and approved by the Planning The process will be communicated the fi nancial health also required water and sewer capacity to Town Commission are also included. to all applicants to ensure their subsequent rate increases in FY11, customers. That fee will produce The Town hired a full-time understanding of the requirements FY12, and FY13. 27% of the $1,200,000 real fi xed planner in 2008 to manage the for necessary approvals. The FY09 Audited Financial costs of operating water and sewer newly created offi ce of Planning Denton undertook its fi rst ever Statement refl ected the assets and facilities, and puts both the water and Codes, which succeeded the Critical Area growth allocation liabilities for the Water and Sewer and sewer operations back on a offi ce of Housing and Community associated with the Denton Planning Funds in which the Water Fund sustainable fi nancial projection. Development wherein the planning Commission approval of a 41-lot had no cash and about half of the A public hearing is scheduled and code enforcement activities subdivision in 2008. The Critical unrestricted net assets of the Sewer Continue to next page previously took place. Area Commission approved the Fund were made up of debt from The Town of Denton adopted growth allocation in 2009, which the Water Fund. Index the International Building Code changed the designation for nearly The Utility Commission went 2006, International Residential Code 10-acres from Limited Developed back to the study, updated the year 2006, International Mechanical Area (LDA) to Intensely Developed end fi gures and recently advised the Town Calendar.............2 Code 2006, and the International Area (IDA). The subdivision Council that a suffi cient water and Calendar of Events.......3 Property Maintenance Code approval and growth allocation sewer rate increase was necessary to Police Department........4 2006 editions in 2008 and will be were consistent with the currently cover the cost to continue providing Planning & Codes........6 adopting the 2009 editions in 2010 adopted Comprehensive Plan. these services. The Water and Sewer Public Works................8 as mandated by the State. Planning Staff created a new Funds are required by law to be self The Department of Planning Offi cial Zoning Map to replace the suffi cient. Main Street.................10 and Codes issues all permits for one approved in May 1999 (Map Rate increases are never Update on Ordinances and properties within the Town of 1). The Town Council adopted the popular, but several reasons Resolutions.................23 Denton’s incorporated limits. Denton revised Offi cial Zoning Map (Map impacted the decision: has one full time and one part-time Continue to page 7 • higher operational costs Page 2 Water Bills Mailed July 1 Utility Bills will be mailed located to the right of the front door be sure to forward the bills to the Town Calendar around July 1, 2010 and are on the outside of the Town Offi ce tenants immediately upon receiving due to be paid by July 25, 2010. building. them to ensure prompt payment and Town Council Meeting Interest at the rate of 1% is added Water that is turned off for to avoid shut off issues. In the past 7 p.m. at Police Department on July 25, 2010. non-payment will be assessed a several tenants have stated that they Past due notices (red cards) service charge in order to have the do not receive the bill until the day July 12 will be mailed on July 27, water turned back on. The water it is due or when late notices have 2010 for any account that has turn-on service charge is $50.00 if been sent. August 2 an overdue balance; this is the turned back on before 3:30 p.m. and Failure to receive the bill does FINAL REMINDER prior to $100.00 for after hours, this fee is not relieve the responsibility of the Planning Commission having the water service shut subject to change. payment that is due. If a citizen is Meeting 6 p.m. at Police off. It is the property owner’s unable to make their payment by the Department Payments can be made responsibility to ensure that due date, please contact the Finance during regular offi ce hours, payments are made in a timely Department at 410-479-2050 prior Monday through Friday, 8:30 manner. to July 25, 2010. July 27 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or after hours Landlords and property Water service will be shut off August 31 by placing the payment in an managers who have arrangements for non-payment. envelope in the night deposit box for the tenants to pay the bills, please Historic Review Meeting Water Rates from page 1 6 p.m. at Denton Town for July 12, 2010 at the Denton Police Dept. during the Town Council’s regular monthly meeting at 7:00 PM, Offi ce at which time the Council will accept public comments on the ordinances proposing the water and sewer rate increases. Consideration for adoption of the water and sewer rate increase Ordinance’s will follow the public July 21 hearing. Recommended April 2010 August 18 WATER FY10 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 Connection Charge $ 4,000.00 $ 4,000.00 $ 4,000.00 $4,000.00 Consumption Rate PRICE per Utility Commission Meeting 1000 gallons $ 2.50 $ 3.25 $ 3.35 $ 3.45 7p.m. at Wastewater Quarterly Administrative Rate $ 10.35 $ 23.00 $ 24.00 $ 25.00 Treatment Plant on Legion Sewer Connection Charge $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $5,000.00 Road Consumption Rate PRICE per 1000 gallon $ 5.66 $ 6.04 $ 6.41 $ 6.41 Quarterly Administrative Rate $ 9.00 $ 23.00 $ 24.00 $ 25.00 July 8 August 12 Town of Denton 410-479-2050 Town Holidays 2011 Utility Billing Schedule The Town Offi ce will be closed Months of Service Billing Date Due Date 1% Interest Added Shut Off Date on the following days: July - September 09/30/2010 10/25/2010 10/25/2010 11/05/2010 July 5 October- December 12/30/2010 01/25/2011 01/25/2011 02/07/2011 August 23 January- March 03/31/2011 04/25/2011 04/25/2011 05/05/2011 April - June 06/30/2011 07/25/2011 07/25/2011 08/05/2011 Trash Pickup Collection day will be on every Tuesday, unless otherwise SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER High Water Bills? ISSUE DEADLINE... noted in the Times Record. Check your Trash must be outside for Please submit your articles of faucets and toilets pickup by 6 a.m. interest to the Denton Town for leaks! Offi ce via email: lorendorf@ Web Page Address: dentonmaryland.com or www.dentonmaryland.com fax: 410-479-3534 Denton Public Works by August24, 2010. 410-479-2050 Thank you. Page 3 Calendar of Events July 7,14,21,28 - Downtown Denton’s Farmers’ tunes. Free! Contact: Dean Danielson at (410) Life in Denton.