[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6613443,"mediaKeyId","2870139-86cf38a630556e3f668ddb4eacc0ad7a","parentId",2870139,"title","Votes at a glance: Centerville council approves emergency-callback policy and routine proclamations","audioSeconds",169,"startMs",6356000,"endMs",6525000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2870139-86cf38a630556e3f668ddb4eacc0ad7a&start=6356&end=6525","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2870139-86cf38a630556e3f668ddb4eacc0ad7a/thumbnail_6356000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6613443/Centreville/Queen-Annes-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Centerville-council-approves-emergency-callback-policy-and-routine-proclamations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613443-9998ae4ef92814323314e398a6ce1220/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199929&Signature=lrxUG-sxDsm2mx0VI-felKUhpavEw1M2wAg4Y-Ngnj2ElpShdIkOhu-FSwsetkEvBRKYETJo6k76O2TsZDfVyeDffutUiYINc5WS4eq-20N1e0mD-H3qDj7J1JwVUTpbvhFeI6-VED0HDMTQRg30SVtHjtnSFpMmYhMjVlJsEilrGJwquwM8uWXEHhXpvNplCkOrCczS-Us-7TZOY8HBpzJpoRhDR8bUQcnzCHKhBe5bybaHHkxIbS0goaC4aoyR1Kl6vLrKefNHB6hWGTFWx4Nbho44d0fFzENr568ZCwrbeMbJ6b-Ej46HZXp2fG621Kob8AaYMSjwhsMQSve74w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Centreville, MD","date","2025-04-04T00:15:55.003Z","article","Centerville Town Council took a series of procedural and non-controversial votes on April 3, 2025.

- Resolution 4-2025 (On-call emergency callback policy): Council approved the resolution to reinstate or update the town's on-call emergency callback policy. The item passed on a recorded roll-call with all council members voting in favor. Council member Jim A. Beauchamp and others expressed appreciation for re-examining the lapsed policy.

- Referral of monument-sign text amendment (Ordinance 04-2025): The council introduced a text amendment request from a property owner seeking a larger monument sign for a business park and referred the draft to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation. Council discussion emphasized care on sign size and compatibility with existing commercial signs; the referral passed on a motion with all in favor.

- Proclamations: The council approved proclamations for Arbor Day and for Celebrate Trails Day by unanimous voice vote.

- Minutes and administrative items: The council approved minutes from prior meetings, read closed-session compliance statements and accepted a closed session report that no formal actions were taken in the private session.

Roll calls and formal recorded votes were used for the resolution; other routine items were approved by voice vote or motion. Several items (including the monument-sign text amendment) will return after Planning Commission review or further council action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Centreville Town Council Meeting and Budget Work Session | 04/03/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 3 meeting the Centerville Town Council approved a town resolution on on-call emergency callback and adopted ceremonial proclamations; the council also referred a sign-code text amendment to the planning commission.","taxTitle","Centreville, Queen Anne's County, Maryland","taxId",59355,"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},6613446,"Council raises alarm over school-bus driving; police to step up enforcement and explore route changes",364,1896000,2260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2870139-86cf38a630556e3f668ddb4eacc0ad7a&start=1896&end=2260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2870139-86cf38a630556e3f668ddb4eacc0ad7a/thumbnail_1896000.jpg","/articles/6613446/Centreville/Queen-Annes-County/Maryland/Council-raises-alarm-over-school-bus-driving-police-to-step-up-enforcement-and-explore-route-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613446-9a139f31ff734d14119f4becd2a6cc89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199929&Signature=o~Q1ozpk-KvQchTsNbhiqXVpWcOgmhHiiCxQUiuXM6PhDQehKWo24rfyoWni5XzQyj9A0VsHpWMMYZgITNxk-kJgNv8d-4n~B6gRjZqGAM6MUK2DChY8~ViW5uuEfWD9eymslQj9siM~kn9mz8ymigVUq7tlEq7gwRV10MOaQ7MbSQgiWB15i8XO263Oq3VK5psC5dbKYnp5531w4kafmnkePuGdaCoNoAhOXND-86sGyZmkc5O06xXn3xDuUg27uzaTOF6vr7zBDGno4PmRXFCsQMpjCVj5~C1574UrZRJXCj9~~~BG2OxPFWYAxm5e0uWekEg0E~wSGJI-sXyupg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Centerville council members and residents raised safety concerns on April 3 about school buses repeatedly running stop signs and speeding in residential areas near Kennard Elementary and other schools. Council President Ashley H. Kiser and other members said videos from residents show buses driving in ways that endanger children and pedestrians. \"If anyone wants to see a video of a bus almost mowing over a child on a bike, I'm happy to send that to you,\" Kiser said.

Chief Rob Hobbs told the council that the town has limited enforcement capacity during short school drop-off and pick-up periods but said officers will be deployed for education and enforcement when warranted. \"Citations, unfortunately, seem to be the only possible solution to this,\" Hobbs said, noting that temporary enforcement produces short-term compliance but that behavior often returns once enforcement ceases.

The council and police described several complementary approaches under consideration: targeted enforcement at problem intersections, temporary deployment of portable speed-trailer signs, and better coordination with county transportation staff and school-district bus operators. Police said they had met with county bus-operator supervisors and that some operators suggested earlier routing patterns that could reduce conflict points; council members said the school-district staff present at an earlier meeting were reluctant to reinstate those routes.

Council members also discussed non-enforcement steps town departments could take, such as repainting curbs, adding signage or adjusting on-street parking to reduce congestion at school drop-off areas. Public-safety officials warned these measures are limited by existing right-of-way widths and the physical constraints of the neighborhood streets.

Residents reported multiple calls to the school district about specific drivers; a council member said the district sometimes arranged for drivers to call the complainant rather than the district taking direct follow-up, which residents found unsatisfactory. Council members asked that town staff pursue a meeting with county transportation officials and the board of education leadership to seek operational fixes before the start of the next school year.

Next steps: the police chief said officers will continue to patrol at key times, deploy speed trailers in problem approaches and issue citations for flagrant violations; the town will seek renewed coordination with the county transportation office and bus supervisors to evaluate possible route changes.

No formal policy change was adopted at the meeting; the council said it will press for practical steps and stronger county cooperation to reduce near-term risks to children walking and biking to school.","Council members and residents described repeated bus drivers running stop signs and speeding near schools; police said citations and temporary deployments of speed trailers will be used while the town pursues meetings with county transportation officials.",{"_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},6613451,"Resident urges council to delay trailer-parking ordinance; council agrees to clean up draft",3814,560000,4374000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2870139-86cf38a630556e3f668ddb4eacc0ad7a&start=560&end=4374","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2870139-86cf38a630556e3f668ddb4eacc0ad7a/thumbnail_560000.jpg","/articles/6613451/Centreville/Queen-Annes-County/Maryland/Resident-urges-council-to-delay-trailer-parking-ordinance-council-agrees-to-clean-up-draft","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613451-2fbb64a92fe9d0ef5317a3ad6ad38a66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199929&Signature=MBjsHXCa8PO-bMVt6hhphSY4kF4qh90~Op92g~IIg36OI3hU0IH2yrWgqwWOFcRQUGyZepLVnzt7KNexJsYV2rR5rag9suhLekoaknpBAVZiN~GUovV0cFHubqDSpyQJzZUokiIUEtd99NdU13ixBJmnX5zPhcqkOWb7C6rVB2YGSz3vdVR3nnlWls43dlGEnhtFSs-eYi8mkjFf3wEyx2pjpTDz~p~e4xJ-47lJDn33qveSyZDnAQsS5bebL609IMpZu89hBTB8B8D-bZd0A6d4A4ApjMNwvme2taCoyLxOe0BdfgIeNvhCxS6guPRxVgpgpXE416ip-PJ1WoTTAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the citizen-comment period at the April 3 meeting, resident Tim McCloskey urged the Centerville Town Council to delay a vote on ordinance O1-2025, which revises rules on parking trailers and similar vehicles. McCloskey told the council the updated draft did not reflect the changes the public and council discussed during the prior meeting and said the revision could unintentionally penalize homeowners living in subdivisions with homeowners' associations (HOAs).

\"Don't pass an ordinance based on this false information,\" McCloskey told council members. He asked the council to \"push tonight's consideration off until you get the facts straight, until you allow the public to see a copy of the ordinance, including all the language mentioned during your last meeting, and hold your debate in public.\"

Council members responded that the most recent draft needed additional cleanup before further action. Council President Ashley H. Kiser said she had not participated in any off-record discussions since the last meeting and recommended revisiting the ordinance at a future meeting. \"I think we should not move on what we have presented here tonight. We need to do some additional cleanup based on what we had spoken about at our last meeting,\" Kiser said.

Later in the meeting the council formally discussed Ordinance 1-20-25 again. Council members agreed to table the item for further revision and to work with the town attorney on a transparent approach that starts with the version presented at the public hearing and then addresses amendments individually. A council member confirmed the item will be revisited at the April 17 meeting and can be tabled for up to 60 days for additional edits and public clarity.

The central concerns raised by McCloskey and others during previous comments include whether HOA rules apply to town-owned streets, whether attached boat trailers should be allowed on town streets seasonally, and removal of a concealment requirement (fencing or landscaping). McCloskey said the HOA restrictions apply only to privately owned property and warned that the revised ordinance as drafted could force homeowners to pay private storage fees.

What happens next: The council directed staff to prepare a cleaned-up draft that reflects the prior public discussion, to post the revised text for public review and to continue the matter at a future meeting. No formal ordinance vote was taken on April 3.","A resident asked the Centerville Town Council to delay consideration of ordinance O1-2025 (trailer/vehicle parking) until the text matches the public discussion; council members said they will \"clean up\" the draft and table the item up to 60 days.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613455,"Centerville council adopts balanced budget, keeps tax rate and drops 5% cost transfer",993,159000,1152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2870139-86cf38a630556e3f668ddb4eacc0ad7a&start=159&end=1152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2870139-86cf38a630556e3f668ddb4eacc0ad7a/thumbnail_159000.jpg","/articles/6613455/Centreville/Queen-Annes-County/Maryland/Centerville-council-adopts-balanced-budget-keeps-tax-rate-and-drops-5-cost-transfer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613455-c698209a508a56f290e67a58d685fc32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199929&Signature=iD1GjBmQXtiPuCgoR2bSJn5Ea1YyRHJsmoOCnHCRmCUqGhxaiHhxrAoT5MjiQRgqvi-VaXlKN47OQEWdSS9kMWfdt3PSisjIJ-c375kB6NYy-ZtCcx3et0H~gobtlJrvnrb3G-n6vMiD2-z~OV72BxZkLrjF3E2LVYBNiPvOD6uNDYmkyLWeft2GZFNGbslYhFYYLVpmCCMlVsRxYAtVvzJymjaBYI-FEmN-e5~AWMBCz47AGmjbrISIXNfB7vfF3o3TH5ymt26mrvzYUedn0RVCQraq~AFV1zABMyVgm~0C4JlHFgi~GH75P0yHjiE2WrLZ~vGWIWmPOYtS-FQ1yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Centerville Town Council approved the town's fiscal-year budget on April 3, 2025, voting to remove a 5% cost-allocation transfer and to cut $2,119 from contract services, while keeping the current property-tax stance and the public-utility tax unchanged.

The vote came after a final review of insurance adjustments, a corrected five-year capital sheet and a revised operating summary. Town Manager Carolyn Brinkley said the general fund shows a surplus of about $117,000 after the latest changes and that the enterprise fund has a small positive position. \"The general fund is in the positive, a hundred and 17,000, all inclusive of all changes,\" Brinkley said during the session.

Council members debated several budget details including health-insurance increases, a final Cigna prescription rebate credited to the town's cost-share calculations, and the town's remaining cash and debt position. Finance figures presented at the session showed roughly $7.6 million in combined cash between the general and enterprise funds, with about $2.6 million in general-fund cash and $4.9 million in the enterprise fund; total outstanding debt was presented at about $9.6 million.

Council members weighed whether to lower the property-tax rate; several members said they were not comfortable reducing rates given capital needs such as a wastewater treatment plant. \"I don't feel like we're in a position to lower the property taxes,\" Council member Daniel B. Worth said during discussion. He and other council members cited remaining capital shortfalls and uncertainty about funding for a planned wastewater treatment plant.

On the final motion to approve the budget with two technical changes'cutting $2,119 from a contract-services line and reducing the cost-transfer from 5% to 0%'a council member moved and a second was called; the motion passed on a voice vote (ayes). The council president confirmed staff will present the finalized documents at the upcoming budget hearing.

The council also discussed the town's public-utility tax and agreed to keep the current charge on the town's four utility companies at the established $13 per $100 of assessed value (as described during the session). Council members additionally directed staff to bring final copies of the budget, with the agreed changes, to the public budget hearing.

What happens next: staff will publish the final budget packet and the council plans to present the adjusted budget at the formal public hearing; the finance office will also proceed with the accounting entries for the removed allocation and the $2,119 contract-services reduction.

Votes and formal action: The council approved the budget motion as presented on April 3, 2025, with the changes described above.","Town council approved the fiscal-year budget after trimming $2,119 from contract services and reducing a proposed 5% cost-allocation transfer for enterprise charges to 0%, while keeping current tax and utility rates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Centerville council approves emergency-callback policy and routine proclamations

Council raises alarm over school-bus driving; police to step up enforcement and explore route changes

Resident urges council to delay trailer-parking ordinance; council agrees to clean up draft

Centerville council adopts balanced budget, keeps tax rate and drops 5% cost transfer