[{"_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",6240698,"mediaKeyId","3318867-3c548c3eabbc967f11c273d1e100a304","parentId",3318867,"title","Hampstead introduces higher rental-license fee, proposes prorating and stiffer late penalties","audioSeconds",119,"startMs",2303000,"endMs",2422000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3318867-3c548c3eabbc967f11c273d1e100a304&start=2303&end=2422","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3318867-3c548c3eabbc967f11c273d1e100a304/thumbnail_2303000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6240698/Hampstead/Carroll-County/Maryland/Hampstead-introduces-higher-rental-license-fee-proposes-prorating-and-stiffer-late-penalties","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240698-f4ae83b5d5c7e481aac5ad231513ef0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775590481&Signature=BB5QxazAhw4t99s2bb3qApjj~Kdm7R2NmzxaGJbUNMoidAMJDGwf~sr4tN5KQFCKnR~sq74PJzqULcZuQiEdFbsACYL8vE0i6aTymHdiMpwK58hiuoxkhCf-7aCE674Mujuu3dTbdG8UIBfLGkz6oJC0xF6byGHVZeJhn1QNrrBOExvIaGycPYzENCTTTC69iXQU4OA1mU6xcb9g4ATYmcl8iG7D3aG-BUgREss4OMCQbRBdQ52fw9nHgVIvJwCLTdPrl5GIb-e7mRiBLkkMcP9mbWIafYOtqs3oGnhyEROT4dRiTmVyedzII~vdMat~BVRN8yWXGUjQGxrykhbkCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hampstead, MD","date","2025-05-15T16:23:40.307Z","article","HAMPSTEAD, Md. — The Hampstead Town Council on May 20 introduced a resolution to increase fees for rental housing licenses and to change how the town prorates and enforces those licenses.

The introduced measure would raise the two‑year rental housing license fee from $75 to $100. Town staff described a proposed prorating schedule in six‑month increments so a newly rented property would pay a reduced fee if licensed partway through the two‑year term; staff described the incremental drops as moving from $100 down in stages to $75, then $50 and $25 as the license term elapses.

Town staff also explained the proposed late‑payment penalties: if a license application is more than 30 days past the due date the fee amount doubles to $200; continued noncompliance can be pursued under the town code with municipal citation fines of $100 per day. During the discussion there was a brief clarification about whether the daily fines begin on day 30 or day 60; staff confirmed the code provision and said they would apply the town's enforcement timeline accordingly.

Council members were told staff will cross‑reference assessment records and property addresses to identify rentals missing licenses and update the town's list. Christina Swisher was named during the meeting as the staff member who will review assessments and property records to ensure the town has a complete inventory of rental housing.

The resolution (2025‑03) was introduced and moved for consideration; introduction is an initial step and not final adoption. Council members who supported the introduction said the change is intended to improve timely compliance and better align fees with the town's costs for inspection and follow‑up.

Town staff said they will return with final language and enforcement dates when the resolution is advanced for final adoption at a subsequent meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hampstead Town Council Meeting 5-14-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council introduced a resolution to raise the two-year rental housing license from $75 to $100, add six‑month prorating, and impose increased late fees and daily municipal fines for noncompliance; staff will cross‑reference property assessments to identify unlicensed rentals.","taxTitle","Hampstead, Carroll County, Maryland","taxId",71659,"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},6240702,"Hampstead to restore Roberts Field stormwater pond after state labels it a 'significant hazard dam'",76,514000,590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3318867-3c548c3eabbc967f11c273d1e100a304&start=514&end=590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3318867-3c548c3eabbc967f11c273d1e100a304/thumbnail_514000.jpg","/articles/6240702/Hampstead/Carroll-County/Maryland/Hampstead-to-restore-Roberts-Field-stormwater-pond-after-state-labels-it-a-significant-hazard-dam","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240702-de2e66a87d7864db686450573e558190/orig.mp4?Expires=1775590481&Signature=TX27EnU~4JwBN2FTFr4ofxAqjS9oyM-DgGEwdIImxNbAP-ZndAuV6G1Au-hTp-wry7mN8JhTPkR6hi5uzekRY6bAp2eHa2e1GtVDRYw9xXaVYuxVO50Y66UsNvSECwTA2Is~o~r2Cz4rwjSieP2I-LOxcmkTSKQMtUzBE8larexCma3F5gM0kEDMQ6rU4pqc91JCo3XJ~OL7QqsIHXhs03K8ePcltpddTQe2XnWN-nH5Vl4WLwBtN1XCrh~iEbx~Yn8gwOTwTsLSQoB6Cv2DYYIId4tqTtUg3aEUtKbBEi2EHehiB0bNBaFpAhc4QIUxL-GdWq9qwX2-tNDYfcYGPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAMPSTEAD, Md. — Hampstead officials told the Town Council on May 20 that the Roberts Field stormwater management pond will undergo a major restoration because the Maryland Department of the Environment has classified the pond as a \"significant hazard dam.\"

Town staff said that classification means the town must monitor the dam during extreme weather events, follow an emergency action plan and meet other regulatory requirements; if the embankment were to fail, homes and people downstream could be affected. The project is the first of four stormwater work items planned in the Roberts Field development over the next several years.

\"First, the Roberts Field Pond is currently classified as a significant hazard dam by the Maryland Department of the Environment. That means if the embankment were to fail, homes and people would be at risk of being impacted,\" a town manager said during the meeting.

Town staff said the pond also receives a high volume of stormwater runoff that does not meet current design standards for water‑quality protection, and that downstream waterways have been designated as impaired for certain pollutants. Because of those design and water‑quality issues, the town said it is required by the EPA and MDE to restore surface waters and bring the facility into compliance.

Carroll County's Bureau of Research Management will oversee the restoration, the town said. Officials said they are discussing a public town hall with the county to explain the scope of work and anticipated impacts to residents; staff said they hope to schedule that meeting soon. Construction is slated to start in the fall, and the town said it will provide additional information as design and permitting progress.

The town noted there are regulatory fees and potential fines associated with significant hazard dams if monitoring and maintenance requirements are not met. Town staff emphasized outreach and a forthcoming public meeting to inform residents about the project timeline and what to expect during construction.","Town staff said the Roberts Field pond is classified as a significant hazard dam and must be restored to meet MDE and EPA water quality and safety requirements; construction is slated for fall and the county will oversee the project.",{"_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},6240707,"Hampstead council approves engineering amendments as state moves to encumber full PFAS grant",1850,310000,2160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3318867-3c548c3eabbc967f11c273d1e100a304&start=310&end=2160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3318867-3c548c3eabbc967f11c273d1e100a304/thumbnail_310000.jpg","/articles/6240707/Hampstead/Carroll-County/Maryland/Hampstead-council-approves-engineering-amendments-as-state-moves-to-encumber-full-PFAS-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240707-845b7389ff5f691898bcc939cb4385d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775590481&Signature=ODql3hQgodPdzhlSrM5zZC~SDlEAefkUVOCmQ~r3vKkfvkLyKN5DAdD-T6LmsO0HG5ZDv1QYO8O6iP8kBgI2MMFvws1OBqucXbSg-VsonGNz9cg1hjXsTSrWX73YItVJvslT0H2-KpHP0jHU4biMV1Raw2R4EegiGngtEBx35J2qc3VKbq6bom0w0qi2lcEPhwytqkydiQje1YFYy8VJOQBuAb-w1MiXQodKVGGnHbvEnpoU59bhq8RfbzVEkbFeI-IjNoDVDKcuqpWIP2DVMqbcwseNJiDAmtXJ-qlJrg7vRegy20bknZsQXxU-OB8qZe7fGaK4B7YsIUKJTQRVaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HAMPSTEAD, Md. — The Hampstead Town Council on May 20 approved amendments to engineering contracts and received updated timelines from state agencies on a centralized water and PFAS treatment project that will reshape the town's water system.

The council approved a $807,995 amendment to GMB Engineering's agreement and a $956,927 amendment to HDR's agreement for additional design services and construction‑phase support related to pipelines and treatment facilities. Town staff said those approvals were covered largely by a $1.5 million bond set aside for the work, with the town expecting to make up any shortfall from anticipated award money from PFAS manufacturer settlements or other sources.

Town staff also told the council that the Maryland Department of the Environment will delay taking the grant agreement to the Board of Public Works until June 11 so the state can request that the town be encumbered for the entire $18,900,000 EPA grant rather than the smaller financing amount the town had earlier expected. Town staff said MDE had previously planned to request $4.3 million to finance portion of pipeline work but will instead seek full encumbrance to cover treatment plant construction as well.

The change in the Board of Public Works schedule does not, town staff said, prevent the town from beginning pipeline construction: \"I think it will still allow us to start the actual construction of the pipelines in early July,\" a town manager said during the meeting. The planning and zoning commission is expected to act on the final site plan later this month, and building permit applications will be submitted to Carroll County next week.

Town staff said the two contract amendments add up to roughly $1.76 million and cover additional engineering review and construction‑phase services, including expenses tied to moving a proposed treatment plant location on Upper Beckleysville. Jason Laidle of GMB Engineering said the contract language includes allowance for initial reviews plus additional submittal reviews: \"The reviews that we have in for submittals are for the initial reviews plus free submittals. So we have a quantity in there to include both.\" The council voted to approve both amendments.

Council members heard an update on the town's separate class action claim against PFAS manufacturers 3M and DuPont. Town staff said Napoli Skolnick, the town's attorney on the case, reported the town's claim is now listed in the payment distribution system and that the firm expects to notify the town of an estimated compensation amount in the coming days.

Timeline and funding posture: town staff said a bid opening for project construction is planned for mid‑July and council approval of construction contracts could follow in August. Staff told the council $1.5 million of bond proceeds have been set aside to cover expected engineering amendments; the combined amendments slightly exceed that amount and staff said the gap would be covered either with settlement award money from manufacturers or out of pocket.

The council's approvals were introductory and implementation steps for the broader centralization project, which town staff said will replace and modernize much of Hampstead's water infrastructure while addressing PFAS contamination. Several members asked for clarity on review counts and submittal processes; GMB's Laidle confirmed the contract language contemplates multiple reviews.

The council also heard that MDE informed the town the agency expects to issue a final funding notification in October and a mid‑June update on EPA allocations. Those dates will affect the town's capital schedule and final financing plan.

For now, the council has authorized the engineering amendments and is proceeding with permitting and bid preparations. Town staff said they will bring contract awards and any updated budget implications back to the council before final construction contracts are signed.","The Hampstead Town Council approved amendments to engineering contracts and heard that the Maryland Department of the Environment will seek to encumber the town's full $18.9 million EPA grant for a centralized water treatment project designed to address PFAS contamination; bid opening is planned for mid-July.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hampstead introduces higher rental-license fee, proposes prorating and stiffer late penalties

Hampstead to restore Roberts Field stormwater pond after state labels it a 'significant hazard dam'

Hampstead council approves engineering amendments as state moves to encumber full PFAS grant