Denton Town News A bi-monthly newsletter published by the Denton Town Council Vol. 15, No. 1 & 2 January - April 2007 Free Homestead Credit 2006 Year in Review To help homeowners deal with determined by local governments) There’s something about the sewer work, curb, gutter and large assessment increases state law for purposes of local taxation. In start of the New Year that naturally sidewalk work in segments as established the Homestead Property Tax other words, the homeowner pays inspires people to reflect on the past needed as well as construction Credit program many years ago. The no property tax on the market and to look forward to the future. to improve drainage. Also Homestead Credit limits the increase value increase which is above Although we are always working included will be road surfacing, in taxable assessments each year to a the limit. on new projects to better serve the intersection improvements at fixed percentage. Every county and The tax credit will be granted citizens of Denton, we too take a Second and Market streets and tree municipality in Maryland is required if the following conditions are met breath every once in a while and make replacements downtown. to limit taxable assessment increases during the previous tax year: a checklist of the accomplishments The design phase for the to 10% or less each year. • The property was not we have made and the things we still Fifth Street project from Market The Homestead Credit applies transferred to new ownership. need to address. to Legion Road began in the fall. only to the principal residence of the • There was no change in Here are some of the issues The project will include water line property owner and is based on the the zoning classification requested tackled during the past year: repairs, curb, gutter and sidewalk total market value for the dwelling by the homeowner resulting in an • Road improvements – The work as well as construction to and land associated with the dwelling. increase value of the property. Department of Public Works has resolve drainage issues. Street Technically, the Homestead Credit • A substantial change been busy addressing problem trees will also be included in the does not limit the market value of did not occur in the use of the areas as well as developing better project. The completed project the property as determined by the property. methods to anticipate future needs will feature curbs with uniform Department of Assessments and • The previous assessment and maintain our roads in a more width to help alleviate traffic and Taxation. It is actually a credit calculated was not clearly erroneous. efficient manner. safety issues. on any assessment increase exceeding A further condition is that This year major improvements Also completed was a GIS 10% (or the lower cap enacted by the the dwelling must be the owner's to Market Street was a key focal (geographic information systems) local governments) from one year to principal residence and the owner point. Phase I was completed in project that will enable Public the next. The credit is calculated based must have lived in it for at least the spring and Phase II will be Works to better evaluate, plan on the 10% limit for purposes of the six months of the year, including completed in spring 2007. Phase II and maintain the roads throughout State property tax, and 10% or less (as continued on page 27 will include water line replacement, continued on page 26 Downtown Denton Main Street Needs You The Main Street Program local merchants Volunteers will meet with business immediately. We are always looking is currently developing their The Promotion Committee and property owners in Denton. for fresh and innovative ideas. working committees to revitalize of 9 to 13 volunteers will work on Another goal of the ERC will be Call Linda Red fern Socks, Main the downtown area. We are now image development through business to determine the strengths and Street Manager for any additional looking for volunteers for the & community events, drawing the weaknesses of the downtown area information and to become part of the Design, Promotions, and Economic community to the downtown area. and to bring businesses back. The Main Street Program. 410-479-4315 Restructuring Committees. The The volunteers will work to make committee will ensure that every or email: linda@downtowndenton. requirements for volunteers include the community feel good about the building and lot is utilized in the best energy, motivation, and the interest downtown area, which will also way possible. Ideal candidates for the continued on page 31 to create improvements in the Denton attract new retailers. Special events ERC will be developers, marketing downtown area. The committees will both retail and community based professionals, realtors, teachers, meet monthly in Denton beginning will encourage shopping and create mathematicians, and writers. Index sometime January/February of a meeting place for the community. There are many reasons to be Town Calendar.............2 2007. Community members who are part of the Main Street program. Calendar of Events.......3 The Design Committee of 5 to involved in civic organizations, The downtown area should be 8 volunteers will work to improve marketing professionals, teachers, community designed. We prefer Police Department........4 the downtown’s physical appearance, tourism professionals, musicians, to use our own community than to Police Press Release.....5 which includes buildings, sidewalks, artists, event and/or party planners, bring in outside professionals. Your streetlights, signage, window displays, reporters, writers, internet gurus, and efforts in revitalizing the downtown Housing .......................6 parking, and more. Examples of people who just want to have fun district will build value in your Economic Dev..............7 ideal volunteers for this committee creating something new, would be residential properties, encourage Town Minutes..............8 would be architects, artists, realtors, ideal candidates for this committee. higher standards in schools, and marketing major students and anyone The Economic Restructuring create great businesses, equaling Update on Ordinances and who would be a strong motivator for Committee of 5 to 10 volunteers a better quality of life. Anyone Resolutions................32 planning these types of projects, The will work to find out what consumers interested in becoming part of committee members will have an want and like in downtown Denton this exciting program by serving opportunity to work and meet with through market studies and surveys. on a committee should contact us Page 2 Page 2 Year in Review from pg 1 and 138 in 2006. The Department into. The Department is planning attributes this increase to officers fundraising activities in 2007 to Town Calendar Denton. The 12-week project initiated investigations while raise money to support the K-9 included modifying and updating conducting foot and bike patrols Program. the town’s GIS file to make it on the CSAFE area. It should also All meetings are held in the more compatible with updated be noted that these statistics are • Responsible Growth Planning Denton Town Office Conference software that will enable Public for all crime within the Town and – Growth doesn’t happen Room at 13 North Third Street, Works to create maps and reports CSAFE neighborhood. overnight. This year Denton has to efficiently and effectively Additional proactive taken additional steps to plan for unless otherwise noted. fix and maintain the town’s programs to effectively address responsible, smart growth. Did roadways. Public Works also crime and crime prevention you know that the average new now has comprehensive data on include: development project takes at least Town Council Meeting at 7 current road conditions and other 1-½ years from proposal to actual p.m. factors that impact the highway • Hiring a criminal investigator construction? We know growth system including utility locations, – Although patrol officers still is an important issue throughout sidewalks and curbs, gutters and investigate less serious crimes the Eastern Shore and Maryland Monday, March 5 drainage issues. or cases that can be easily closed for that matter. In Denton we are Monday, April 2 with little interruption to patrol committed to creating diverse • Police Department fights crime needs, Denton now has its own housing options that will enable head on – Over the past year the criminal investigator. This service us to grow responsibly and stay Planning Commission Denton Police Department has was previously provided by allied true to our heritage. Meeting at 6 p.m. developed new tactics and created agencies outside the department. We know that realistically programs to make Denton a safe, The advantage of this new position most young residents leave to enjoyable place to live and work. is that one dedicated person can learn a trade or gain a college Tuesday, March 27 The Department has noticed a concentrate on serious and complex education. When it comes time to significant reduction in “quality crimes while keeping the patrol raise a family many of them want Tuesday, April 24 of life” incidents and crimes force freed up to continue with to come back where they grew up. between 2005 and 2006. These patrol needs and calls for service. There is something special here – Historic Review Meeting at types of incidents include, but are In addition, a criminal investigator you know it and we know it. With not limited to, noise complaints, can be trained in special fields that in mind we need to anticipate 6 p.m. loitering or trespass complaints, and techniques that can be very those coming back home as well open-air drug violations, etc. beneficial to the Department. as those finding a new home. Statistically, the Department • New K-9 Patrol – Over the In 2006 Housing and Wednesday, March 21 has recorded less than a 1% increase past year the Department has Community Development issued Wednesday, April 18 in total calls for service over the implemented various strategies nine new commercial building past two years with 2,278 calls for to drive drug dealers from Denton permits and 137 new residential service (CFS) between January streets.