October 2008

By FRANK M. JOHNSON, mayor, Town of Mt. Airy
As published Oct. 15, 2008

1. Budget Challenges. We are all familiar with the efforts of the federal government to address the lending and fiscal concerns affecting the economy. For perhaps similar reasons, governments are also facing difficulties. The governor is in the process of working on a series of proposed reductions to the current state budget of about $250 million, and projections now indicate that there will be up to $1 billion less revenues available than expected for the next fiscal year, Fiscal Year 2010.

These difficulties will impact counties and municipalities, and will likely impact Mt. Airy as well. In particular, it appears that Fiscal Year 2010 will be a difficult year. Staff and departments are already working to identify expenses that can be reduced, and investments that can be identified for postponement until better budgets in a few years.


2. Fire Safety Measures. Several citizens, including a few children, have asked about blue reflectors they’ve noticed in the roads at night. Those reflectors have been installed over the last few months in order to provide a better identifying mark for all water hydrants. In addition, water hydrants themselves have all been marked with reflective tape.

These two measures, while relatively inexpensive, may very well save necessary minutes when there is need to locate a fire hydrant. We thank the Fire Company for coming forward to suggest these measures.


3. Downtown is Rebuilding. Anyone who’s traveled downtown recently knows that at least one of the buildings burned last year is close to completion and will soon have businesses open inside – the Bohn Building. In addition, the empty space beside Town Hall has also been filled with a new building, connected to the replacement of the Bohn Building.

Businesses and restaurants will be opening over the next several weeks in these buildings and we hope everyone will enjoy them. Please be sure to use the municipal parking lot between Park Avenue and Center Street for parking.


4. Design Guidelines for Development. Working with the Planning Commission, the Growth and Development Task Force is holding a number of meetings at which members are considering design guides, especially for new development. The intent is to ensure that new development, especially commercial development, continues to reflect what we like about Mt. Airy.

Guidelines can help ensure that the character and perspective that Mt. Airy reflects isn’t taken away when new development is approved. When the Growth and Development Task Force is completed working with the leader of the process, the recommendations will be presented to the Planning Commission for consideration (and after that the Town Council as well).


5. October 15 Board of Education Candidate Forum. On October 15, the town will have a candidate forum in which both the Carroll County and Frederick County Board of Education candidates have all been invited. The mayor and council president will host the forum, which will be located at the Volunteer Fire Company’s Activities Building, at the Carnival Grounds on Route 27 and Twin Arch Road, across from the shopping center there.

The format will involve questions presented to each candidate. Chris Everich, also our Planning Commission chair, will again serve as moderator. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. for anyone interested in meeting the candidates. Questions will start at 7 p.m. for Frederick County questions, followed at 8 p.m. for Carroll residents. All are invited!


6. Commission Vacancies. Several vacancies have been filled by citizens but there are still a few positions available for anyone who may be interested, including a few remaining on the Water and Sewer Commission, Economic Development Commission, Beautification Commission and Sanitation and Recycling Commission. Please send an email to me at frankmjohnson@verizon.net or to Town Hall at mtairy2@comcast.net, or call Town Hall at (301) 829-1424 if you are interested.