August 2007

By FRANK M. JOHNSON, Mayor of Mt. Airy
As published Aug. 1, 2007
       
1. Mandatory Water Limitations. In mid-July, the town adopted a tiered system for water limitations based on recommendations by the Water and Sewer Commission. Limitations will be based on a continued lack of rain, balanced against the town's average daily water use, and imposed to protect our water source.

Limitations under this policy will be shared by residents and businesses, and will include limits on use and occupancy permits for new building permits applied for after mandatory water use limits are in place.

The Town issued the initial tier of limitations on Tuesday, July 24, prohibiting broadcast sprinklers (whether built in or portable) for watering lawns, gardening or for recreational purposes. These limitations will expire on Sept. 15 unless extended or changed. The limits and policy upon which they are based will be discussed at the next council meeting.

2. Newsletter. The next newsletter is scheduled for September. There are a few advertising opportunities left at $400 per business card sized ad. Please let the town know if your business is interested in advertising by calling Town Hall at 301/829-1424 or emailing us at mtairy2@comcast.net or frankmjohnson@verizon.net.

The newsletter is published five times a year. One version is distributed in the Messenger and another in the Gazette, and they are also available at the library and Town Hall. Costs for the newsletter are provided entirely by the advertisers.

3. Growth Task Force Survey. The town's community survey - asking for your preferences for future growth and development, basic town services and community goals, will be coming soon. The survey is being finalized by the Growth and Development Task Force after many months of work and a great deal of town input.

We hope everyone will take the time to respond to the survey, which we plan to use in updating the Master Plan as well as in considering town policies in the near future.

4. Downtown Parking Study. Volunteers and members of the Downtown Parking Workgroup will be participating in a formal study over the next few weeks. This study will focus on the town's parking areas, and will involve collecting data on the use of each public parking space throughout town.

The study will take several weeks. During this time, those traveling through downtown may notice several people taking notes on clipboards in parking lots.

Once the study is complete, the data will then be analyzed by the town's parking and traffic consultant. We expect that several short-term management recommendations may be offered as well as long term ideas to address future parking needs.

5. Water Conservation Workshop. Many thanks to those who participated in the workshop on Saturday, July 21. More citizens than expected came out, and all rain barrels were given away. In addition, nearly all of the faucet aerators for bathrooms and kitchens, as well as shower faucets and timers, were also spoken for.

The town will consider replenishing these items and offer them to residents for a limited time in an effort to further encourage conservation. If this expense is approved, the town will need to keep records of addresses using the items so that we can monitor the reduction in water use.

The town will also be considering ways to create incentives for the installation of low water use appliances, such as dual-flush and efficient toilets as well as front loading clothes washers.

6. Energy efficient choices. The Town is considering signing the Climate Protection Agreement that many local governments are endorsing, in an effort to establish energy efficiency and better environmental choices as a policy. In making such cost-effective choices, we would join many municipalities in our area and Carroll and Frederick Counties.

Global warming, high energy costs and environmental protection are all - in addition to water conservation - common sense concerns that all of us share. We hope to do our part here in Mt. Airy, and encourage others to take part as well.

7. Community Forum. The next Community Forum is on Thursday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.