March 2008

By FRANK M. JOHNSON, Mayor, Town of Mt. Airy
As published March 5, 2008

I again thank the Messenger for including this report.

1. A Nice Place to Live.

In delivering welcome packages to new residents, one of the most consistent messages I receive is how happy they are to be in Mt. Airy. Often, they rave about our community spirit; the small town feel; the welcoming nature of our town. Many new residents are actually returning to Mt. Airy. I received an email recently from someone who said he was thrilled to be back, as he grew up here.

I hope every reader will realize we live in a special place. It has something a lot of places don’t have – it’s a nice place to live. I know we all want to keep it that way!


2. Working Together.

Most would agree that town elected officials set a community’s tone in many ways, and that we contribute to the sense of community best when we’re able to work together effectively. While all of the town’s officials have strong views, it seems to me we have worked together well – through the downtown fire disaster, budgets, new water solutions and growth controls just to name a few key issues.

Different perspectives can be helpful, especially when there’s an underlying premise of mutual respect. And that is good for a community as well.


3. The Budget.

Now for some tough realities! Departments are finalizing expense needs for the next year, and we’re comparing this to expected revenues. As everyone knows, the economy is not booming and probably will not be for a few years.

While the budget proposal does not call for tax increases, the state of the economy will probably translate into a tight budget year, and some choices will have to be made. Priorities, depending on funding availability, include additional support for police services or civil code enforcement, recreation coordination and economic development.


4. The Water and Sewer System.

How to pay for capital improvements to extend the life of our infrastructure is a current debate. The Water and Sewer Commission has proposed to pay for capital costs by significant increases in water and sewer rates. The budget proposal before the council, however, would continue the practice of covering much of the capital costs through water connection fees.

Although the rate of growth was cut to about a third last year, development fees were increased with reference to the five year capital project plan. Over the next 10 to 12 years, at the rate of growth projected that the town would allow, about 400 or so homes are already approved and scheduled to be built.

The question is whether capital improvements to the water and sewer system will be funded from increased development fees on those homes already approved, or from higher water and sewer rates on citizens and businesses.


5. Code and Zoning Enforcement Realities.

Most know the town has taken legal action against Baysavers, Inc. in the Twin Ridge Industrial Park for several alleged zoning, town code and site plan violations. Enforcing the town’s code requires the town to seek a court order, as the town does not have the power on its own to shut businesses down or stop certain alleged activities.

The town must further ensure that alleged violators are given notice and an opportunity to make corrections. Local governments who fail to do that usually lose code enforcement cases. Naturally, courts and judges are also required to be neutral, and don’t always come down on the side of local governments. That simply requires towns and counties to follow processes carefully in enforcing the law.


6. Cable Update.

Comcast and the town have finalized an agreement that will combine the town under the Carroll County franchise, but will be providing all public, educational and governmental channels for both Frederick and Carroll counties to everyone, rather than eliminating the Frederick channels.

To accomplish this, some public channels will be provided as digital rather than the traditional analog channels. There will be no additional cost for basic digital or, if needed, a cable box.

While all of us are quite aware that Comcast did raise rates early this year, unfortunately the town is unable to enforce any specific deadlines. While Comcast completes the infrastructure upgrades necessary to unify the town, the status quo will remain in place. We hope to see the changes within the next four to six weeks, though even that timeframe is not a guarantee.


7. Welcome New and Old Restaurants Downtown!

For the first time since the Sept. 2 fires, Mt. Airy is host to a sit down restaurant downtown – Carter Que Barbeque, at 235 S. Main Street. And we look forward in the next several weeks, hopefully, to the reopening of Olde Town Restaurant at 206 S. Main Street. We welcome everyone to come downtown to shop as well as dine!