[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6380371,"mediaKeyId","2132361-1586133ebed22c127c7bc234137e2b3f","parentId",2132361,"title","Commissioners approve tower lease, solar options, grants and budget amendments; open public hearings on appeals, stormwater and pools","audioSeconds",536,"startMs",4240000,"endMs",4776000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2132361-1586133ebed22c127c7bc234137e2b3f&start=4240&end=4776","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2132361-1586133ebed22c127c7bc234137e2b3f/thumbnail_4240000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6380371/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-tower-lease-solar-options-grants-and-budget-amendments-open-public-hearings-on-appeals-stormwater-and-pools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380371-47aef7e12be23ac27549cce72c15f4e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180847&Signature=XMrF87b9oueRv-nsitUnFpwQBQdXWdHwUb2Wsm33VGIRgg8SVBTEDcC68gcejZoAgnc7Jarkdvi5vwgWejFvkyHak9HSeYRGEoHaDx32eUEchgbJeibWeogKejlXm5wPQQlU5LeP90kX0cy6AcZbpphlUPa2XeBZ~Qd7Lf2HPgejlqesTgi6dNbg2ZH4pCGSJD~vSorn52P1oY9M46tj6ZGu1~oEoVmecYCtrez56HBzgfylftgXQ88KmK19AkstnxZFmnYNUtkiDiFsEkCBgf9kM1uGrIhnoNh1sdjwrOeMTRL9JCLnrdH6upxiAMsoLNMR2ImycTp457r7RgMk9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-01-21T00:38:38.713Z","article","At their May 20, 2014 meeting, the St. Mary’s County Board of County Commissioners approved several administrative actions designed to advance public-safety communications, renewable-energy options at closed landfills, recycling and road-repair funding, and county outreach programs. They also opened public hearings on zoning appeals procedures and stormwater-bonding exemptions and scheduled a hearing on a zoning text amendment for above-ground pools.

Key approvals and outcomes

- Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department tower lease: The board approved and authorized the commission president to sign a lease permitting the county to locate a communications monopole on the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department (Golden Beach Station 22). The tower is part of the county’s multi‑tower upgrade for first-responder radio communications; staff said the overall project will expand the system from six to 13 towers. Motion: Commissioner Morgan; second: Commissioner Jarbo; outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Solar option agreements for landfill sites: The board authorized standard option agreements allowing prospective solar developers to evaluate county landfill properties (including St. Clements and St. Andrews landfill sites) and secure a 12‑month option to perform due diligence and, if successful, enter a right-of-entry and lease for a long-term power purchase/ground-lease arrangement. The draft option couples a fixed minimum fee (presented as $25,000 per site in the memorandum) with a variable revenue share (3% of gross power sales to the utility) and requires adherence to EPA and state guidance protecting landfill caps. Motion: Commissioner Jarbo; second: Commissioner Morgan; outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Maryland electronics collection and recycling interagency agreement (MDE): Commissioners authorized county staff to execute an interagency agreement with the Maryland Department of the Environment to pursue reimbursement for electronics recycling operations in fiscal year 2015. The program allows up to $40,000 in reimbursement; the county’s submission listed a minimum request of $20,000 as required by MDE. Motion: Commissioner Morris; second: Commissioner Jones; outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Governor’s pothole-repair supplemental grant: The board accepted a one-time supplemental state allocation of $268,588 intended for pothole and winter‑damage repairs and authorized a budget amendment to establish spending authority in the county highways project (Project MD 1480). Motion: Commissioner Morgan; second: Commissioner Jarbo; outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Citizens Academy: The board approved a seven-week Citizens Academy (September–October 2014) to introduce residents to county departments and facilities, capped at about 25 participants per class and offered at no charge. Motion: Commissioner Morgan; second: Commissioner Morris; outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Appointment to Transportation Advisory Committee: James Andracy was appointed as the Chamber of Commerce representative with a term to June 30, 2017. Motion: Commissioner Jones; second: Commissioner Morgan; outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration (ADAA) fiscal-year 2015 grants: The commissioners authorized the county executive/commission president to execute FY2015 ADAA grant narratives and related budget documents for multiple prevention and treatment grants that staff reported total approximately $3.77 million (staff noted a modest increase from FY14 driven by prevention funding); a budget amendment was expected to follow to finalize project budgets. Motion: Commissioner Morgan; second: Commissioner Jones; outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Continuum of Care (HUD / Mental Hygiene Administration) grant: The board approved acceptance of Continuum of Care housing funds administered through the Maryland Mental Hygiene Administration for the county’s permanent housing program serving people with chronic mental illness and substance‑use needs. Staff reported no county match requirement. Motion: Commissioner Jones; second: Commissioner Jarbo; outcome: approved (motion carried).

- Scheduling public hearing on zoning text amendment for above‑ground pools: The commissioners directed staff to schedule a public hearing on proposed amendments to the St. Mary’s County comprehensive zoning ordinance to align local zoning with amendments to the Maryland Building Performance Standards/International Residential Code exempting certain above‑ground pools from building-code permit requirements; the draft would continue to require permits for in-ground private pools, maintain setbacks and bar pools in critical-area buffers and disallow pools in front/street-side setbacks. Motion: Commissioner Jones; second: Commissioner Morgan; outcome: approved (motion carried to schedule hearing).

Public hearings held (record open for 10 days)

- Proposed amendments regarding Board of Appeals procedures and fee removal: County counsel presented a proposed zoning text amendment that would remove procedural language from the zoning ordinance that duplicates the Land Use Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, transfer administration of appeals from Land Use & Growth Management to the Office of the County Attorney, and repeal a $390 appeal filing fee. The board opened the hearing, accepted testimony (none present in the room), and left the record open for 10 days for written comments to the Board of County Commissioners (P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, MD 20650).

- Proposed amendment to stormwater management, grading, erosion and sediment control ordinance: Department of Public Works and Transportation staff presented a proposal to exempt quasi‑public entities — including the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission (METCOM), Board of Education, SMECO, Pepco and Soil Conservation District — from the county’s performance-bonding requirement for stormwater and related construction items where those entities already manage bonding in their own project contracts. The board opened the hearing, received no in-room speakers, and left the record open for 10 days.

Staff comments and safeguards

Presenters emphasized environmental safeguards for approved projects: communications and solar approvals require that contractors follow EPA and state guidance to protect landfill caps and that the county and vendors address transmission costs to interconnect with SMECO or other utilities separately in vendor negotiations. Solar option terms described a 12‑month due-diligence period; staff estimated each landfill solar installation could produce power for roughly 200 homes (a staff estimate included in the presentation). For electronics recycling, staff warned that vendors who propose to pay the county may still leave the county with disposal costs for unusable residuals; the county’s current contract includes a revenue-share and has reduced net costs compared with earlier years.

No motions to change county code beyond the hearings were adopted at the meeting; public comment records for the hearings remain open for 10 days as announced.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/20/2014 Commissioners of St. Mary's County","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of County Commissioners on May 20 approved a series of administrative agreements and grants — including a tower lease for a new radio monopole, option agreements for solar on county landfills, state recycling and pothole grants and multiple county grant awards — and opened public hearings on appeals procedures and stormwater-bonding exemptions.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6380376,"Leonardtown to host 'Raiders & Invaders' weekend June 6–8; county, town and businesses promote regional kickoff to Chesapeake campaign",374,1856000,2230000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2132361-1586133ebed22c127c7bc234137e2b3f&start=1856&end=2230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2132361-1586133ebed22c127c7bc234137e2b3f/thumbnail_1856000.jpg","/articles/6380376/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Leonardtown-to-host-Raiders-Invaders-weekend-June-68-county-town-and-businesses-promote-regional-kickoff-to-Chesapeake-campaign","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380376-31c5bbf709c34561c756dca4654a3864/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180847&Signature=ZBUMp~S~I4raTmItz31CWTI~lYGDQD3fABPMhX~UtHjHzsiCKwdi3~mvAgUTvmwHn0SUL--22zrpE~QnYtncZHmoOyxd3is92BBZeK~qHBegLxkf3Ca1v~Nswa20WxA8kb~cosyhGKv~gR9t9yykwR2RkRbsUyaeG2ejh35UbZwV7Qvk3nmFKKud-wGIR7KDEO4iFq6NNdI5zyg2vYRcJyMNfpZa5LVaSbrNgvSxs~YgUjxAJqCs2h0vraFkLxWbzMTAn-g7e~nVQTDFbGx4WUav3CcGieOH2cQ7kaSoKhRwD0gAXZ0OmYi9x0gvFvPFiHfl62Ybwhqko2uaYE-chw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County commissioners were briefed on Raiders & Invaders Weekend, a three-day festival scheduled for June 6–8, 2014, that organizers said will kick off Maryland’s Chesapeake Campaign and combine War of 1812-themed historic programming with family entertainment, concerts and countywide site access on Sunday.

Carolyn Ray, who led the presentation for the event, said the weekend is a collaboration among the town of Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County and numerous local organizations and businesses. She described Friday and Saturday programming concentrated in Leonardtown, followed by countywide activities on Sunday. Ray said the festival will feature re-enactments, historical boats, music on three stages, children’s programming, street theater, waterfront events and a large evening concert that is free to the public.

Event organizers will distribute a limited run of 10,000 \"Little Raiders and Invaders\" passports; passports can be picked up in Leonardtown and will provide free admission to participating historic sites on Sunday and entry to a sweepstakes with a chance to win $1,000. Ray said the passport distribution and sweepstakes are part of an effort to encourage visitors to spend the whole weekend in the county and support local restaurants and shops.

Ray highlighted partnerships across county departments: the libraries have run children’s contests; Recreation and Parks is providing tents and picnic support; Land Use and Growth Management and Public Works are helping with logistics; the county PIO is assisting with marketing. She also described activity at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) and involvement from historical groups, theater performers, the 501st (Star Wars costuming group) and others.

Organizers said the event website, raidersandinvaders.com, contains full schedule and planning information. Ray distributed printed rack cards and a regional visitor guide that connects the festival to a broader War of 1812 regional program scheduled to continue statewide through the summer.

Commissioners asked how local businesses could participate; organizers said small businesses should use the county tourism website (visitstmarysmd.com) and the event site to list activities and promotions. They also described themed offerings from local vendors, including a rum tasting and a special \"Raiders red\" wine blend.

Organizers asked the commissioners to help promote the event; tourism staff created a clickable email signature graphic for county employees to attach to messages and asked commissioners to use it in communications. No action or funding decision was taken; the presentation was informational and promotional in nature.","Organizers described a multi-day historical and entertainment event June 6–8 centered in Leonardtown and countywide activities on Sunday. Organizers emphasized free concerts, historic programming, a child-focused passport program and local-business participation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6380381,"St. Mary’s County proclaims May 2014 Lyme Disease Awareness Month; local survivor urges education and testing",132,1086000,1218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2132361-1586133ebed22c127c7bc234137e2b3f&start=1086&end=1218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2132361-1586133ebed22c127c7bc234137e2b3f/thumbnail_1086000.jpg","/articles/6380381/St-Marys-County/Maryland/St-Marys-County-proclaims-May-2014-Lyme-Disease-Awareness-Month-local-survivor-urges-education-and-testing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380381-6c5b32600de62a3e46b0dc01a91ea0c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180847&Signature=dS8WVB-Jujzx1YKBLH-3YmspilvuvabeVpNCLyFFvH8lCIGCsbPb63T-BUuNq0MgiQGtVQK1yT~DBYEDEcU9t4mi0x8ko29WurreRm8tzrqawQkhVPcIi8ebyVV7FkA69UgMfCdIAF0bSbb4QeIfYO823Q60R8A9fO~LePLsijUu7z0iPDpBO3iZWpsNKkODYgTI2GRRwVy7b7E7QRlTZZr52LEsja4amzPUqnZWa48xBkng587DKaH-B6o1qJ6XbTZQlqD7YShd7siVzoYdWPx-DEfCwwhGpWUQNKY6zPrty8Cp~2ICrCXapTptB886Tu~nX4zac8Hx45T0Gub-MQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County on May 20, 2014, proclaimed May 2014 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month and heard a presentation from a local survivor and program leader urging education, prevention and better access to care.

The proclamation, read during the commissioners’ meeting, noted that Maryland is among the states with high reported rates of Lyme disease and called for residents to practice prevention techniques such as frequent tick checks, the use of repellents and correct tick removal. The board “urge[d] every resident to take time this month to draw attention to this growing health problem and the importance of prevention, early detection, and proper treatment,” the proclamation said.

Marie Noelle Eteri, operations manager at the Northern Senior Activity Center in the county Department of Aging and Human Services, described her personal experience living with chronic Lyme disease and outlined three needs she said are critical for patients: health, healing and hope. She described diagnostic challenges, the variability of symptoms and the financial and social burdens experienced by people with prolonged illness.

\"An early infection is pretty successfully treated, but the problem is if you don't get a diagnosis early and you have more chronic symptoms, and they can be very debilitating,\" Eteri said. She said patients face difficulty finding medical practitioners with experience in chronic Lyme, paying out-of-pocket costs, and sometimes traveling for care.

Eteri also described the variability of symptoms and the impact on daily life, relationships and employment. She recommended education, connecting with support groups, and patience in recovery. \"Be patient. Don't beat yourself up, and please rely on others,\" she said, and said she runs a quarterly support group at the senior center.

K. Laurie Jennings Harris, director of the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging and Human Services, and Melanie Gardner of the St. Mary’s County Health Department joined the presentation and thanked Eteri for bringing attention to the issue. Gardner noted county staff are engaged with the topic and the department remains committed to working with residents and health-care providers on prevention and treatment.

Speakers recommended preventive steps for families and children — mowing grass short, using long clothing and repellents, and thorough tick checks after outdoor activity — and reiterated that not all ticks carry disease. Eteri described proper removal as gripping the tick close to the head and pulling straight out with tweezers to avoid squeezing the tick’s body and increasing infection risk.

The county health department and the senior center provided information about support groups: Calvert Memorial Hospital runs a monthly group the first Monday evening of each month; the Northern Senior Activity Center hosts a quarterly support and information meeting. Eteri said the next meeting at the senior center will meet in July and emphasized that materials and a resource book are available to residents.

The proclamation and presentation were made during the commissioners’ regular meeting. No formal vote on policy or budget followed the proclamation; it was presented as a recognition and educational item.

Community note: local presenters pointed residents to the documentary \"Under Our Skin\" and to national resources; the presenters also cited the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's updated case estimates as a reason for increased awareness and outreach.","The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May 2014 Lyme Disease Awareness Month. A local survivor and program leader described challenges in diagnosis, treatment and access to care and urged prevention measures and community support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve tower lease, solar options, grants and budget amendments; open public hearings on appeals, stormwater and pools

Leonardtown to host 'Raiders & Invaders' weekend June 6–8; county, town and businesses promote regional kickoff to Chesapeake campaign

St. Mary’s County proclaims May 2014 Lyme Disease Awareness Month; local survivor urges education and testing