INSIDE: FALL CONFERENCE Program | Registration | Hotel
JULY AUGUST 2015
MML BOARD ELECTION RESULTS
SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES SAVE MONEY & THE ENVIRONMENT
The Maryland Municipal League REPRESENTING MARYLAND'S CITIES AND TOWNS
CONTENTS JULY/AUGUST 2015 ON THE COVER... The Choptank River Lighthouse, on the waterfront in Cambridge, Maryland, is a replica of the replacement Choptank River Lighthouse that once guided ships of all sizes along the Choptank River. Plan to spend time enjoying Cambridge's beautiful waterfront and charming downtown during MML's Fall conference October 26-28. Conference registration information is in this issue on pages 6-11. Cover photo by Jill Jasuta
4 New Officers Elected at MML Business Meeting 4
MML Fall Conference Program, Registration, Hotel 6 13 13 Fun Facts About Cambridge 12 Moving to a More Solar Maryland 15
Meetings & Upcoming Events 18
Vol. 46 | No. 1 | July /August 2015 Municipal Maryland THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION of MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
Scott A. Hancock Publisher Karen A. Bohlen Editor-in-Chief Paula Chase Hyman Contributing Editor Thomas C. Reynolds Contributing Editor Sharon P. Easton Circulation Municipal Maryland (USPS 331-980), a publication for and about Maryland's cities and towns, is published nine times a year (monthly November through April and combined May/June, July/ August and September/October issues) by the Maryland Municipal League, 1212 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. The Maryland Municipal League is a non-profit, non-partisan association of Maryland's cities and towns. Information in Municipal Maryland does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Maryland Municipal League. Postmaster: Send address changes to Municipal Maryland, 1212 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 Second-class postage paid at Annapolis, Maryland 21401 For advertising rates contact: Whitfield Whylie, Allegra Print & Imaging, 103 Gibralter Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 Telephone: 410-267-1200, Fax: 410-267-1992, [email protected] Subscription rate: $40/year
Telephone: 410-268-5514 Toll-Free: 800-492-7121 Fax: 410-268-7004 Web: www.mdmunicipal.org Email: [email protected]
Municipal Maryland | July/August 2015 | 3 2015 2016 NEW OFFICERS ELECTED AT MML BUSINESS MEETING
MEMBERS OF MML’S 2015-16 BOARD OF DIRECTORS pictured above are (front) Lou Ann Crook, President-Elect Tracy Farrish Gant, President Spencer Schlosnagle, Immediate Past President Bruce Wahl, and Laura Mitchell; (2nd row) Pamla Bennett, Suzanne Ludlow, Elissa Levan, Donna Crary, and Bridget Donnell Newton; (3rd row) Charlie Hinnant, Mike Bennett, Kevin Utz, Bunky Luffman, Howard Long, and Ryan Spiegel; (4th row) Mike Bowell, Jake Romanell, Wilson Cochran, Randy McClement, and Bruce Williams; (5th row) Maxine Phifer, Dan Colmer, and Perry Jones, (6th row) Emmett Jordan and Ian Shaw.
4 | July/August 2015 | Municipal Maryland he most important agenda item during MML’s Immediate Past President business meeting at the annual convention is the Bruce A. Wahl, Mayor, Chesapeake Beach T election of a new president and Board of Directors. This year 89 cities and towns cast ballots. Friendsville Mayor City & Town Administrators Department Spencer R. Schlosnagle will serve as the Maryland Municipal Suzanne R. Ludlow, Manager, Takoma Park League President for 2015-2016. Edmonston Mayor Tracy Farrish Gant was victorious in her bid for President-Elect. Code Enforcement & Zoning Officials Association Pamla Bennett, Code Enforcement Officer, New Carrollton The election results shown below are from the Business Meeting held on June 30. Successful candidates are shown Maryland Municipal Attorneys Association in bold. We thank Electec for providing voting machines Elissa Levan, Municipal Attorney, Bowie, Chesapeake Beach, for municipal officials to use as they cast ballots during the Glenarden and Westminster Ocean City convention. Maryland Municipal Clerks Association Lou Ann Crook, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Laurel
PRESIDENT Municipal Parks & Recreation Association Spencer R. Schlosnagle, Mayor, Friendsville Greg A. Varda, Assistant Director of Recreation Programs, Greenbelt
PRESIDENT-ELECT Municipal Police Executives Association Tracy Farrish Gant, Mayor, Edmonston Charles H. Hinnant, Police Chief, Cumberland
Maryland Municipal Public Works Association District Vice Presidents Bernard “Wilson” Cochran, Director of Public Works, New Carrollton 1: Laura Mitchell, Council Vice President, Salisbury 2: John "Mike" Bowell, Commissioner, Queenstown National League of Cities Board Member 3: Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake, Mayor, Baltimore Michael A. Sesma, Councilman, Gaithersburg (ex officio) 4: Michael Benton, Councilmember, North Beach 5: Ryan Spiegel, Council Vice President, Gaithersburg 6: Lawrence “Jake” Romanell, Councilman, New Market Proven Value 7: Daniel A. Colmer, Mayor, Barton Through Best-in-Class Codification Services 8: Howard W. Long, Assistant Mayor, Boonsboro 9: Maxine Phifer, Council President, Glenarden 10: James L. Eberhardt, Mayor, Perryville 11: Ian Shaw, Mayor, Sykesville Members-at-Large (10 seats): Michael E. Bennett, Mayor, Aberdeen...... 61 Toll Free: 855.GEN.CODE Randy A. McClement, Mayor, Frederick...... 58 www.generalcode.com Bruce R. Williams, Mayor, Takoma Park...... 58 Bridget Donnell Newton, Mayor, Rockville...... 55 Kevin R. Utz, Mayor, Westminster...... 54 Donna L. Crary, President Pro Tem, Laurel...... 50 Emmett V. Jordan, Mayor, Greenbelt...... 49 Perry L. Jones, Mayor, Union Bridge...... 47 Thomas “Bunky” Luffman, Jr., Commissioner, Delmar..... 44 Isaac C. Trouth, III, Mayor Pro Tem, Bowie...... 42 Nicole Alt Myers, Councilmember, Cumberland...... 38 Kristin B. Aleshire, Councilmember, Hagerstown...... 36 Diane A. Foster, Mayor Pro Tem, Taneytown...... 35 Marnitta King, Mayor, Capitol Heights...... 32
Municipal Maryland | July/August 2015 | 5 MML FALL CONFERENCE 2015
October 26-28, 2015 Hyatt Regency Resort • Cambridge, MD
This October, the Maryland Municipal League will return to the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort in Cambridge, Maryland for MML’s annual fall conference. This conference is an opportunity for city and town officials to gather, attend workshops, exchange information, and renew acquaintances. It is also the event where the membership discusses and adopts the League’s legislative agenda as recommended by the MML Legislative Committee.
Conference Workshops and Special Sessions As a follow-up to the Large City and Small Town Forums held during the 2015 annual convention in Ocean City, time has This year, attendees will have the opportunity to attend been set aside in the conference schedule to allow elected several workshops, three of which are Academy for and appointed officials from Maryland’s municipalities to Excellence in Local Governance core classes. The Academy meet and discuss issues pertinent to both large and small core classes at this year’s conference are Structure of cities and towns. Municipal Government, Open Meetings, and Municipal Budgeting. The fall conference is also the venue for several other groups to meet. The MML Board of Directors, Chapter Additional workshop topics will cover a wide variety of issues Presidents and District Vice Presidents, and Maryland impacting every city or town regardless of size or location, Mayors Association will meet on Monday, October 26. including dealing with blighted properties, identifying and The MML Legislative/Resolutions Committee will meet on administering federal and state grants, maximizing open Monday to conduct on-site conference planning activities. space, enhancing environmental awareness in your city or There will also be a meeting for graduates of the Academy town, and another fun-filled, interactive lobbying 101 session. for Excellence in Local Governance on Monday afternoon to A full description of all workshops, including designated discuss topics of particular interest to Academy graduates. Academy elective sessions, will be listed on MML’s website Please refer to the preliminary agenda on page 9 for the prior to the conference. specific times of these meetings.
6 | July/August 2015 | Municipal Maryland Public Safety Bonus Workshop The following registration packages are available: As a follow-up to the conference, MML will offer a bonus workshop on Wednesday, October 28 at the (1) Full registration package, which includes all workshops Cambridge Public Safety Building. This workshop will and conference materials, welcome reception on Monday cover various aspects of community policing, public night, Tuesday and Wednesday morning breakfasts, all safety training, and dealing with drug issues in our refreshment breaks, and one Tuesday lunch ticket. communities. There is an extra fee for this workshop, which includes lunch. Tickets may be purchased (2) One-day (Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday) registration using the conference registration form on page 11. package includes all conference materials, workshops and welcome reception on Monday evening or conference materials, workshops, breakfast, buffet lunch and all breaks on Tuesday or conference materials, workshops and Registration Procedures breakfast on Wednesday morning. (Wednesday one-day registration does not include the bonus workshop.) Choose one of these convenient ways to register: Tuesday night Halloween party reception and dinner tickets On-line at www.mdmunicipal.org must be purchased separately using the registration form and are in addition to all registration packages. Halloween Complete the registration form (on page 11) and mail it with party attendees are encouraged to come in costume to payment to MML, 1212 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 the party on Tuesday night! Registrants who would like to purchase additional Tuesday lunch tickets for a spouse/ companion may do so by using the registration form.
Save $ There is no registration fee for a spouse/companion Use MML On-Line to attend the conference, but the spouse/companion Conference Registration registration is restricted to persons who are not municipal or public officials, are not affiliated with any exhibitor, Save $50 on your registration fee by registering and would have no professional reason to attend the online. To access the on-line registration please go conference. Because meal guarantees are submitted to the to and enter your login and www.mdmunicipal.org hotel prior to the event, no meal tickets can be sold at the password. If you do not remember your login please conference. select the “find an existing account” option at the bottom of the screen. You will receive the early registration discount if you register by Friday, October 2 (postmark). Registration fees If you do not have a login and password you can still and meal tickets will increase in price on October 3, 2015. use the on-line registration. Simply click on the option Pre-registration closes on October 16, 2015. After that date, to “create a new account” at the bottom of the screen you must register on-site. and follow the prompts to be added to the MML database. Deadlines
If you have any questions during the registration Hotel Reservations: process, please contact MML at 410/268-5514 or September 27 (5:00 p.m.) [email protected]. Discounted Pre-Registration Deadline: Please note that in order to protect your personal and credit card information, MML will October 2 not accept registrations by fax. Pre-Registration Deadline: October 16
First Time Attendee Discount Registration Changes/Cancellations (for refunds): If you are a Maryland municipal official (elected or staff), October 21 who has never been to MML’s fall conference, you are eligible for a special $50 discount. This discount is only available to those registering online. To verify eligibility Registration Cancellations/Changes and to receive the discount code, you must contact MML staff prior to completing online registration. All registration cancellations and changes must be made in Contact Paula Chase Hyman, Director, Member Relations writing. No telephone cancellations will be accepted. The ([email protected]), or Trish Westervelt, Conference cancellation fee is $75; the cancellation deadline is October Registrar ([email protected]), or call 410-268-5514. 21. After October 21, 2015, no money will be refunded.
Municipal Maryland | July/August 2015 | 7 Family Activities
Although there are no specific activities for spouses or companions, the City of Cambridge and surrounding areas have many opportunities for shopping and browsing. More information about Cambridge area activities and the hotel can be found by visiting the following websites: http://chesapeakebay.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html http://www.choosecambridge.com/ http://www.docogonet.com/ http://visitdorchester.org/ http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Blackwater/
The Hyatt Hotel has extended MML’s reduced conference rate of $124/night (single or double occupancy) to include Saturday and Sunday nights, October 24 and 25, 2015. The Hyatt has family activities planned throughout the entire weekend.
Spouses/companions of registered attendees are welcome to attend the Monday evening reception. However, to attend the Tuesday lunch and/or dinner, spouses or companions must purchase meal tickets separately in advance.
Mark your calendar now and join your fellow municipal officials in Cambridge this fall! The MML fall conference is one of the most important events of the year…make your The Fall Conference is the next step reservations today! towards receiving the MML Banner City/Town designation for your municipality! MENU SELECTIONS MONDAY Monday Afternoon Refreshment Break: Bagel chips with sun-dried tomato hummus, crisp vegetables with spinach dip, sliced and whole fresh fruit, dried fruits and nuts, bottled juices, smoothies.
TUESDAY Tuesday Morning Plated Breakfast: Orange juice, scrambled eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes, coffee, tea. Tuesday Lunch: Caesar salad, beef pot roast, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, carrot cake with caramel sauce. Tuesday Afternoon Refreshment Break: Freshly baked chocolate chip and walnut raisin cookies, Haagen-Dazs ice cream bars. Tuesday Dinner: Roasted tomato bisque with rosemary cream, herb crusted chicken breast, lemon & charred pepper orzo, seasonal vegetables, chocolate raspberry truffle torte.
WEDNESDAY Wednesday Morning Continental Breakfast: Orange juice, muffins and Danishes, preserves, coffee, tea
DISABILITIES, SPECIAL NEEDS AND DIETARY REQUIREMENTS If you have special needs — including dietary requirements (see above for menus) — please attach a separate sheet to MML’s registration form describing any necessary accommodations.
8 | July/August 2015 | Municipal Maryland 2015 MML FALL CONFERENCE PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2015 ACADEMY FOR EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL 9:00 – 10:30 MML Board of Directors Meeting GOVERNANCE 10:00 – 4:30 Registration 10:45 – 11:45 Maryland Mayors Association Meeting The Academy for Excellence in Local 11:00 – 11:30 Refreshment Break Governance is a voluntary certificate 12:00 – 12:30 Chapter Presidents and DVPs Meeting training program designed to help local government officials, especially newly 12:30 – 1:00 MML Legislative and Resolutions elected officials, meet the challenges Committee Meeting of their roles. Municipal participants 1:00 – 2:00 Orientation for Municipal Officials are required to successfully complete (OMO) nine core and five electives to earn 1:15 – 2:15 Academy Graduate Forum certification from the University of 1:30 – 6:30 Tabletops Open Maryland. 2:00 – 3:00 Refreshment Break 2:30 – 4:30 Structure of Municipal Government The Academy is designed as a two-year program; however, participants (Academy Core Class) may complete the requirements sooner than expected, or may use an additional third year to complete program requirements. Payment of a 2:15 – 3:00 Promoting Environmental Awareness in one-time $250 registration fee is required to participate in the Academy. your Municipality Those who are new to the Academy can register on-site at MML’s Fall 3:30 – 5:00 Hot Button Legal Issues (Federal, State & Conference at the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance booth, Local) where current Academy Fellows can also obtain updated transcript 5:30 – 6:30 Welcome Reception / Tabletops Open information. Dinner on your own Three core and several elective Academy topics are included among TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2015 MML’s 2015 fall conference workshop choices. Please note that only 8:00 – 3:30 Registration the Academy core topics are recurring topics with specific and required content. The Academy extends elective credit to classes held at the 8:30 – 12:00 Table Top Exhibits Open convention, fall conference and other training venues that meet Academy 9:00 – 10:00 Opening General Session & Breakfast elective criteria. Topics given an Academy elective designation change 10:00 – 11:00 Refreshment Break/Visit Table Tops each year and are designed for all conference registrants, including those 10:30 – 11:45 Lobbying 101 – Interactive Workshop who are Academy graduates. Please refer to the Preliminary Program on 10:30 – 11:30 Large City Forum this page to see which workshops have the Academy designation. 10:30 – 11:30 Small Town Forum 11:45 – 1:00 Luncheon The Maryland Municipal League is a founding member of the Academy. 1:30 – 2:30 Business Meeting/Adoption of MML The program is administered by the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy. If you need additional information or a copy of your Legislative Agenda transcript, please contact Aisha Washington, Academy Registrar, at 2:00 – 3:00 Refreshment Break 301/314-2641 or [email protected]. 2:45 – 4:45 Open Meetings – (Academy Core Class) 2:45 – 4:45 Identifying, Securing, and Administering Federal and State Grants 6:00 – 9:00 Halloween Party (Costumes Encouraged) Reception & Dinner WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2015 8:30 – 10:30 Continental Breakfast 9:00 – 11:00 Municipal Budgeting – (Academy Core Class) 9:00 – 11:00 Dealing with Blighted & Foreclosed Properties BONUS WORKSHOP - Cambridge Public Safety Building (Separate Registration Required – See Registration Form) Academy for Excellence in Local Governance Sessions 12:00 – 1:00 Lunch Academy Core 1:00 – 4:30 Bonus Workshop – “Walking the Beat – Academy Electives will be noted on the MML The Future of Community Policing” website once they are confirmed.
Municipal Maryland | July/August 2015 | 9 2015 MML FALL CONFERENCE HOTEL INFORMATION
Cambridge Hyatt Resort
MML’s fall conference will be held October 26-28, 2015 at the beautifully appointed Hyatt Resort in Cambridge, Maryland. Guestroom amenities include in-room coffee and tea, in-room safe, daily newspaper (upon request at check-in), in-room high speed internet, 2 bottles of water per room per night, local and 800 calls, and plenty of complimentary self-parking.
Special reduced room rates for MML conference attendees on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, October 25-27, are listed below. These special rates may also be available on Friday and Saturday evenings, October 23 and 24 based on availability at the resort.
$124/night - single or double occupancy. $10/night/room – resort fee* *The resort fee includes the intra resort shuttle, golf baggage storage, access to the 24-hour fitness center, indoor pool, and use of the “Captain’s Parlor” game room. The Hyatt will also extend a 25% discount off regular greens fees at its golf course on October 26-28, 2015. Tee time reservations prior to arrival are encouraged. Room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes of 13.5% per room per night. You must specify that you are reserving rooms for the Maryland Municipal League fall conference to obtain these rates. Check-in is 4:00 p.m. Check-out is 11:00 a.m. On-site self-parking is available at no additional charge. To be exempt from the state tax, you must provide a state tax exemption certificate and pay with a check or credit card from the tax-exempt entity. All attendees must pay the local occupancy tax.
Reservations may be made by calling 888-421-1442. All reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card. Cancellation policy: 72 hours prior to arrival The deadline for hotel reservations is 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2015. After this date reservations will be accepted based on availability and MML’s discounted rates may not apply. The hotel is located at 100 Heron Boulevard, Cambridge, MD 21613. Reservations may be made by calling 888-421-1442 or by visiting https://resweb.passkey.com/go/MML2015FallConference. For additional hotel information, visit the hotel website at: http://chesapeakebay.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotelsindex.jsp.
10 | July/August 2015 | Municipal Maryland MML FALL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM OCTOBER 26-28, 2015 Please print or type; use a separate form for each person.
Name ______Nickname ______
Spouse or Companion (if attending) ______
Title ______
Municipality/Agency/Company______q First time MML conference attendee Municipal officials who are first time conference attendees are entitled to a $50 discount ONLINE ONLY. Call MML for details, Mailing Address ______410-268-5514.
City ______State ______Zip ______Phone ______
E-mail ______Save $50 on registration fees by registering on-line at www.mdmunicipal.org/fallconference Postmark by Oct. 2 Oct. 3-16 Amount 3-DAY REGISTRATION PACKAGE Includes 3 day registration for entire conference, all workshops (except Wed. bonus workshop), two breakfasts, all refreshment breaks, Monday night welcome reception & Tuesday lunch. Municipal Official $420 $460 ______Other Registrant $465 $505 ______
1-DAY REGISTRATION Municipal Official – Choose One: ____ Monday (includes workshops, break & welcome reception) $300 $325 ______Tuesday (includes breakfast, workshops, break & lunch) $350 $380 ______Wednesday (includes breakfast & workshop) $150 $175 ______
Other Registrant – Choose One: ____ Monday (includes workshops, break & welcome reception) $330 $360 ______Tuesday (includes breakfast, workshops, break & lunch) $385 $420 ______Wednesday (includes breakfast & workshop) $180 $220 ______
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON BONUS WORKSHOP "Walking the Beat - the Future of Community Policing" October 28, 2015 - Cambridge Public Safety Building, Cambridge, MD $35 $35 ______TUESDAY HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY & DINNER Number of tickets _____ $40 $42 ______ADDITIONAL TUESDAY LUNCH TICKET(S) Number of tickets _____ $34 $36 ______
TOTAL: ______
Method of Payment: q Check enclosed payable to Maryland Municipal League q AmEx/MasterCard/VISA/Discover
Card Number ______– – – Expiration Date______3 digit code Print Name as it Appears on Card______
Card Holder’s Signature______Phone (______)______Return to: Maryland Municipal League, 1212 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 Changes & cancellation deadline (for refunds) October 21, 2015. Cancellation fee $75.00. After October 21, 2015 no money will be refunded. Municipal Maryland | July/August 2015 | 11 12 July/August |July/August 2015 | Municipal Maryland 13 FUN
FACTS ABOUT CAMBRIDGE FACTS ABOUT 5 2 4 3 1 Underground Railroad—isa fewmilessouthofCambridge. abolitionist, andoneoftheprimary conductorsofthe The birthplaceofHarrietTubman —formerslave, Presidential yachtPotomac. Wharf Park,istheaftfunnelofformer Delano Roosevelt,alsolocatedatLong A memorialhonoringPresidentFranklin Wharf ParkonHighStreetinCambridge. 1918, arehonoredwithamonumentatLong actions intheMeuse-Argonneoffensive Distinguished ServiceCrossforvalortheir Infantry Division,andwhoreceivedthe served duringWorldWarIintheU.S.29th Five soldiersfromDorchesterCountywho River andlivedtherewithherhusbandFrankfrom1913-15. beauty thatshebuiltahomeonthebanksofChoptank the WildWestShow.Shewassocaptivatedbycity’s Annie OakleyvisitedCambridgein1913whiletouringwith Cambridge whereherparentsoperatedaclothingstore. Bea Arthur,starofMaudeandTheGoldenGirls,grewupin
CAMBRIDGE 13 FUN
13 FUN FACTS ABOUT 13 FUN CAMBRIDGE
FACTS ABOUT FACTS ABOUT antique store. The PhillipsPackingbuildingisnowan 13 FUN 10 12 13 6 11 9 Reverend EzekielStanley. Between1867and1962,the in July1966.Theschoolwasnamedhonor ofthe a blackcommunity.Itceasedoperationsas aschool Maryland schoolstobeorganizedandmaintained by present locationonRoute16.Itisoneofthe oldest American schoolhousethatwasmovedin1867 toits The 19thcenturyStanleyInstituteisaone-room African- born inCambridge1816. Stephen AllenBenson,secondPresidentofLiberiafrom1856-1864,was James Michener’snovel Cambridge wastheinspirationforfictionaltown,Patamoke,in district inthestate. and commercialbuildingsisthelargestcontiguous The extensiveHistoricDistrictofover700residential Senator JohnF.KennedyrodeinaCambridgeparadepriortothe1960Presidentialelection. Emerson Harrington(1916-20). Henry Lloyd(1885-88),PhillipsLeeGoldsborough(1912-16),and Goldsborough (1819),ThomasHollidayHicks(1858-62), Cambridge washometofiveMarylandGovernors:Charles CAMBRIDGEbeginning of theCivilRightsMovement. like backin theyearsbetween CivilWarandthe The schoolservesas a reminderofwhatschoolswere is nowlistedintheNational RegisterofHistoricPlaces. attended thisschool,also knownasRockSchool,which youth intheAfrican-American communityofChristRock 8 7 along sceniccountryroads. County andBlackwaterWildlifeRefuge,endingwitha13.1milerun in theChoptankRiver,bicyclinga56-milecoursethroughDorchester athletes fromaroundtheworldcompetebyswimminga1.2mileloop Each JuneCambridgeisthesiteofIronMantriathlon,where Phillips. nearly everyGIduringWWIIateaKrationproducedby Cambridge andhad10,000employeesatitspeak– Phillips Packingwasamajorcanningbusinessin Chesapeake.
Municipal Maryland |
July/August 2015 July/August |
13 Strengthening Maryland’s Public Sector
university of baltimore SCHAEFER CENTER FORPUBLIC POLICY Maryland’s preeminent applied research and policy analysis center offering:
RESEARCH AND CONSULTING Survey Research Program Evaluation Performance Measurement Staffing Studies Policy Analysis Data Collection http://scpp.ubalt.edu LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT The Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program is a nationally accredited program for current and future leaders in the public sector. The program is open to state, city and county employees including those who do not have a college degree. Custom training programs are also available. http://MarylandCPM.ubalt.edu movingmoving toto aa moremore SOLARSOLAR MARYLANDMARYLAND
By Charlotte Taylor
Municipalities and their residents are embracing a greener way of life in Maryland, as they increasingly adopt solar technologies to save both money and the environment.
The solar energy movement in Maryland transformed from what was once a quirky homeowner hobby to a major consumer trend in 2010, when former Governor Martin O’Malley signed RPS— Solar Energy (SB 277) into state law. According to the law, 20 percent of Maryland’s electricity must be generated from renewable sources by 2022— at least 2 percent of which must be electricity from solar technologies.
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has supported the state’s energy goals by offering grants, loans, rebates and tax incentives for green technologies. In 2007, renewable energy sources accounted for less than 6 percent of the state’s generated energy, according to MEA. By comparison, Maryland’s renewable energy made up 8.2 percent of all energy sources in 2013, according to the MEA.
Municipalities in Maryland are taking advantage of the advances in solar technologies by working with manufacturers to help offset the cost of building solar arrays. A solar array is a group of solar panels that capture and transform sunlight into some other form of energy. University Park, in Prince George’s County, was the first municipality to install a solar array and utilizes the energy to help power its town hall, public works building, and an elementary school. Nearby Bladensburg sought and obtained grant funding to help support its investment in solar energy, with panels installed to help power its town hall.
The Town of Poolesville partnered with UGI Corporation of Pennsylvania (UGI) to finance its solar array and with Standard Solar to build the technology, which opened for operation in June 2014. Poolesville offered UGI a 20-year, low- cost lease on the land and agreed to purchase the energy produced by the array. In exchange, UGI financed the $2.7 million, 4,000-panel solar array, making Poolesville the first municipality in Montgomery County to adopt solar energy.
The electricity produced by the array helps to support the energy demands of Poolesville’s water and sewage treatment facility. Town officials estimated that the solar array would save the Town as much as $30,000 in energy costs in the first year. “Poolesville is proud to be moving forward on the front of renewable energy,” said Jim Brown, President of the Poolesville Town Commission. “Our solar array is not only a source of energy independence, but it also speaks to our commitment to environmental sustainability and to providing opportunities to educate our next generation on the importance of renewable energy sources.”
Municipal Maryland | July/August 2015 | 15 Since it went online in 2014, the Poolesville array has The Town of Emmitsburg also turned to solar energy as helped to prevent more than two million pounds of a greener solution to energy demands several years ago. carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, After a competitive bidding process, the town decided according to Standard Solar’s website metrics. that Standard Solar would build the array, which is operated by UGI Utilities, Inc. Other municipalities in Maryland are also investing in the benefits of solar energy use. Centreville partnered Emmitsburg entered into a contract with UGI, committing with SolarCity to build two solar arrays, totaling 4,172 to purchase energy from the company until the solar panels and built on five acres of farmland. The contract’s 20-year mark. The array is expected to power array began contributing to the town’s energy needs in approximately 80 percent of the town’s energy needs November 2013, and supports the sewer and waste water and reduce the town’s carbon footprint by an equivalent facility, the spray irrigation facility, water towers, street of 700 cars a day. lights, and public works buildings. Emmitsburg is also adopting sustainability measures The alternate energy source is expected to save throughout the town, most notably working towards a Centreville taxpayers more than $1.2 million over the Sustainable Maryland certification, a program created life span of the arrays, according to George Sigler, vice by the University of Maryland. The certification program president of the Centreville town council. “Solar energy helps communities establish and implement a renewable has actually been around since the 1860s. We have just energy plan suited for their municipalities. taken the easy way out with our energy resources— oil is easy. But there’s a finite supply of oil, and we need to be The costs of these solar installations are becoming prepared when it runs out,” said Sigler. “To anyone who increasingly affordable, as solar energy companies has interest in the move to solar energy: move forward reduce manufacturing costs for the panels and towns and with alacrity, as quickly as possible. There is no downside. companies work together to finance the arrays. It saves taxpayers’ money and it saves the environment as well.” “The installed costs of solar systems have dropped by nearly 70 percent in the past seven years,” said Tony In some cases, the use of these new technologies can be Clifford, CEO of Standard Solar. “While the industry obstructed by regulatory policies. For example, Rock Hall expects the cost of solar systems to continue to drop, made the leap to solar energy after the town revised a cost reductions will not be as dramatic as in years past.” net-metering law in 2012. Before the law modification, a solar panel in Rock Hall would have had to attach directly In many of the municipalities, solar companies work with to the structure receiving the power. The town’s law each other to build and manage the arrays, and pay in full change allows solar electricity to go into the power grid, to install the arrays. The towns lease land for the arrays where it is metered and allotted for the facilities’ energy and commit to purchasing the energy for a specified consumption. amount of time.
Rock Hall then green-lighted the solar array project, in The MEA is also working to make the leap to renewable which Standard Solar installed 5,300 solar panels at the energies more affordable through incentives for Rock Hall Waste Water Treatment Plant. As with other businesses and local governments throughout the state, towns in Maryland, Rock Hall provides land to a solar but the time before certain incentives expire is dwindling. energy company, which funds the building of the solar “Municipalities considering solar should realize that array and leases the land for a low cost from the town. the 30 percent federal investment tax credit (ITC) for solar is scheduled to expire at the end of 2016,” said Once the solar array is completed, the town purchases Clifford. “Since the ITC is a major factor in the attractive this “clean” energy from the solar company. Washington economics of solar systems, municipalities should Gas Energy Systems operates Rock Hall’s solar array investigate solar in the next several months in order to be and sells the generated electricity to the town. The array sure their projects can be completed before the end of means more than clean energy for the town— it also 2016.” ■ means significant energy cost savings. The technology supports nearly 75 percent of the electrical needs for the town’s wastewater treatment plant, water treatment plant and pumping station, Rock Hall Town Hall, Rock Charlotte Taylor is a recent graduate of the University Hall Elementary School, and the Kent County Board of of Maryland, College Park, with a bachelor’s degree in Education Building. Communication. She researched and wrote this article as an intern for Van Eperen & Company, a Rockville-based strategic communications firm that works closely with the Maryland Municipal League and is proud to be an MML Strategic Partner.
16 | July/August 2015 | Municipal Maryland Your Watering Headaches End Today! EarthPlanter Self-Watering Planters Customer Results and Reviews ✓ Average Watering Interval; once every 3 weeks ✓ Labor, Equipment and Fuel Savings; $1- $2,000 per month, including the elimination of weekend overtime to keep planters watered ✓ Return on Investment; containers paid for themselves in one summer ✓ Plant Growth; bigger, more vibrant growth versus traditional pots ✓ 5 STAR Customer Rated
EarthPlanter.com Toll Free: 1.877.815.9276 Email: [email protected]
Municipal Maryland | July/August 2015 | 17 events & UPCOMING meetings MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE • 410-268-5514 JULY 2015 ANNUAL CONVENTION 1 Board of Directors, Ocean City June 26 - 29, 2016 Ocean City Convention Center 1 Convention Planning Committee, Ocean City June 25-28, 2017 Ocean City Convention Center 16 Cecil-Harford Chapter, Rising Sun 27 Washington Chapter, Williamsport FALL CONFERENCE
events October 26-28, 2015 Cambridge AUGUST 2015 October 12-15, 2016 Solomons
meetings 26 Allegany/Garrett Chapter, Accident 26 Communications Committee, Annapolis 26 Executive Committee, Annapolis NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES • 202-626-3105 27 Frederick Chapter, Middletown ANNUAL CONGRESS OF CITIES & EXPOSITION November 4-7, 2015 Nashville, Tennesse SEPTEMBER 2015 November 16-19, 2016 Pittsburgh, Pensylvania 2 Legislative Committee, Annapolis CONGRESSIONAL CITIES CONFERENCE 2 Southern Maryland Chapter, Leonardtown March 5-9, 2016 Washington, DC 12 Board of Directors, Oakland 16 Legislative Committee, Annapolis March 11-17, 2017 Washington, DC 17 Carroll Chapter, Union Bridge 17 Montgomery Chapter, Gaithersburg 17 Prince George’s Chapter INTERNATIONAL CITY/COUNTY MANAGEMENT 17 Municipal Clerks Department, Forest Heights ASSOCIATION • 202-962-3540 23 Communications Committee, Annapolis ANNUAL CONVENTION 26 Convention Planning Committee, Annapolis September 27-30, 2015 Seattle, Washington 28 Washington Chapter September 25-28, 2016 Kansas City, Missouri 30 Municipal Parks and Recreation Dept., Laurel
Website of the Month Maryland.gov Social Media Hub
Are multiple social media platforms challenging your ability to keep up with all the latest Maryland government news? Having trouble sorting through your Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest feeds on the many topics and events circulating through the State's policy landscape? The Maryland. gov Social Media Hub has your problem solved: www.maryland.gov/pages/social_hub.aspx 203 Maple Avenue ♦ Chestertown, MD 21620 ♦ 4108100428
18 | July/August 2015 | Municipal Maryland
203 Maple Avenue ♦ Chestertown, MD 21620 ♦ 4108100428 JULY 2015 1 Board of Directors, Ocean City 1 Convention Planning Committee, Ocean City 16 Cecil-Harford Chapter, Rising Sun 27 Washington Chapter, Williamsport
AUGUST 2015 26 Allegany/Garrett Chapter, Accident 26 Communications Committee, Annapolis 26 Executive Committee, Annapolis 27 Frederick Chapter, Middletown
SEPTEMBER 2015 2 Legislative Committee, Annapolis 2 Southern Maryland Chapter, Leonardtown 12 Board of Directors, Oakland 16 Legislative Committee, Annapolis 17 Carroll Chapter, Union Bridge 17 Montgomery Chapter, Gaithersburg 17 Prince George’s Chapter Leading the Way 17 Municipal Clerks Department, Forest Heights 23 Communications Committee, Annapolis 26 Convention Planning Committee, Annapolis in Financial Expertise and Personal Service in 28 Washington Chapter 30 Municipal Parks and Recreation Dept., Laurel accounting, auditing and tax compliance
Lindsey + Associates is a certified public accounting and financial consulting firm.
We have decades of experience in helping state and local governments meet
their accounting and auditing requirements.
Helping you achieve more. accounting, auditing and tax compliance
Lindsey + Associates 410-825-1994 | www.acpafirm.com
“like” us on Facebook, Lindsey + Associates, LLC The Maryland Municipal League
REPRESENTING MARYLAND'S CITIES AND TOWNS
Chesapeake Employers’ Strategic Business Unit (SBU) team is focused on providing a “high touch professional level” of customer service to Maryland’s municipalities and counties. It is Get to our local and expert SBU workers’ comp insurance professionals like Caitlin Davies, SBU Marketing Associate and Mitesh Vyas, SBU Underwriting Supervisor who truly make the difference for know our customers. Take advantage of all the benefits of insuring with Chesapeake Employers: l Strong relationships with both agent-represented and direct municipal customers across Maryland l Competitive prices l Premium discounts for eligible safe policyholders l Local safety and claims services l Convenient, easy, fast and secure online services l Dependable and responsive customer service Maryland’s Leading Provider of Workers’ Comp Coverage for Municipalities