[{"_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",6207518,"mediaKeyId","3754606-f73188c0ee19f0956a4697543a31a37e","parentId",3754606,"title","Hampstead raises rental-housing license fee to $100 for two-year term","audioSeconds",20,"startMs",4295000,"endMs",4315000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754606-f73188c0ee19f0956a4697543a31a37e&start=4295&end=4315","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754606-f73188c0ee19f0956a4697543a31a37e/thumbnail_4295000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6207518/Hampstead/Carroll-County/Maryland/Hampstead-raises-rental-housing-license-fee-to-100-for-two-year-term","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207518-fc48f66a1a8def918e96324ad0742716/orig.mp4?Expires=1775622840&Signature=cZenDBzwuIDRZR8y3ayoxZYh-pmRUs3FsyZAuP9OIsuwL9rtn4W0M8Hryn64M9Xm9hXtpNkm92qjskR~QTKCTc7k4usoPcE-eVEbds9EYtiZliD83uRZ6IF2ZVLWOYvCLfhaqvREdEzyp2S9J2r2afqdkybIptwyAt5YfHuNWxrwH~EF8B24RVeAXmgQtp8QJyA87nPRQvjDSkEiwpypcWocQ-eyL2FEcS88u58ykbNWryBEpbf5qfeFw0YDqCmsJuTLObcv~4~b4ZqNQ5nrywk9PNmnWnTh9K6C7HuikPYBxFFMTiYClG0~oIDfPdPQDNHvGduC0~F2I3MdIXAmuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hampstead, MD","date","2025-06-05T21:15:46Z","article","The Hampstead Mayor and Council adopted Resolution 2025-03 to raise the rental-housing license fee to $100 for a two-year license, up from $75 per two-year period.

At the meeting staff explained the adjustment reflects the town's observation that rental units impose a greater demand on municipal services than owner-occupied properties. A speaker noted, \"The rental units have typically been more of a demand on our services than owner occupied, so we're trying to reflect a little bit of that cost.\", and staff clarified the new fee equates to $50 per year for a two-year license.

Why this matters: The change updates fee recovery for code enforcement and licensing work associated with rental properties; it does not create a new licensing program but raises the price of the existing two-year license.

Decision: Council approved the resolution by voice vote; the council did not record a roll call for this resolution. Staff will update the rental-license application and fee schedule to reflect the new amount.

Ending: The fee change takes effect with the updated fee schedule and staff will report license receipts to council as part of routine administrative reporting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hampstead Town Council Meeting 6-10-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Mayor and Council adopted a resolution to increase the rental-housing license fee from $75 to $100 for a two-year license, citing higher service demand from rental units.","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},6207523,"Residents press Hampstead on Roberts Field dam work; county, Fish and Wildlife to join July town hall",95,2261000,2356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754606-f73188c0ee19f0956a4697543a31a37e&start=2261&end=2356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754606-f73188c0ee19f0956a4697543a31a37e/thumbnail_2261000.jpg","/articles/6207523/Hampstead/Carroll-County/Maryland/Residents-press-Hampstead-on-Roberts-Field-dam-work-county-Fish-and-Wildlife-to-join-July-town-hall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207523-3ef4e11e5c0325b85ab93dc49236a50b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775622840&Signature=kl7OCiiiJ5JmyN~fCymVuNeVyie7WTCF1S5rwAni4aD0uZ0RZTL982mdrqSAlZ59yPqioMVOFuoQ8k021N4zsVWIAEcSbd0c5osWkiHAS1cV6TKHG9EUoMZF2y8dGBe8V8OWZl6moViNLGMBHUfwKvFrynIjY69tKxS~3j5hOG3okrkxtGMZASGlckvtzyIrSJZ~H9cg-kXTJqWBrL5qytIpZDrFs1r2AZUDrKr460~Wyk4YLJbQb7twhnZzKwkaDR8TzhP-jdwLLyNCfO4FTukfr1tVJ6bwCGWcmVKJOIzZbjLMIVltayRUilrIshixHF4G2mRsNo~tmU8SCOBzfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents told the Mayor and Council they are concerned about planned changes to the Roberts Field stormwater facility and the effect on wildlife and neighborhood access. The council and staff responded that the project responds to regulatory dam-safety requirements and that county and federal partners will participate in community outreach.

During public comment a resident described the pond as \"a pillar of our community\" and asked whether the new plans would preserve fish and wildlife. Jim (town staff) responded: \"We're gonna have to move basically, you'll see on the plan. We gotta move the pond back. It's gonna be deeper. It's gonna have fish and all and we're gonna basically, you know, take the wildlife, put it in a new pond.\" He said funding partners include Carroll County resource-management programs, and that the state's MDE has designated the existing earthen dam a higher-hazard structure that requires remediation.

Why this matters: The project involves a locally valued recreation area and three earthen dams; residents want clarity about wildlife, fishing access and schedule, while regulatory agencies require safety upgrades.

Key meeting details:
- Town hall scheduling: Staff proposed three possible dates for a public meeting at town hall (July 9, July 16 and July 22) and said the county would attend. Staff said they would widely publicize the chosen date via social media, the town website and posted signage.
- Agency involvement: Jim and other staff listed Fish and Wildlife, Carroll County Bureau of Land Resources, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as participants in the project. Staff said Fish and Wildlife had signed off and that county resource-management programs supply some of the stormwater-management funding.
- Project approach: Staff described moving and deepening the pond, capturing and relocating fish and wildlife where necessary, and scheduling some work for cooler months (staff said fish removal was shifted to fall to protect fish). Staff emphasized they would show engineers'prepared site plans and schematics at the upcoming town hall; handouts and schematic drawings were available on the back table at the meeting.

Public outreach and next steps: Staff said they would hang signs at the pond, post on social media, and distribute meeting notices; at least one resident and a homeowners association representative urged targeted door-hanger outreach to adjacent properties as well.

Ending: Staff urged residents to attend the July town hall for detailed renderings and for county staff to answer technical questions; no formal council action on the Roberts Field work was taken at the meeting.","Residents raised concerns about wildlife, fishing and pond changes at Roberts Field during public comment. Town staff said the project is driven by MDE dam-safety designations, county and federal agencies are involved, and the town will schedule a July town hall with county staff to present plans.",{"_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},6207528,"Hampstead advances PFAS treatment: $19.5M Board of Public Works request, intent-to-award letters issued",70,1965000,2035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754606-f73188c0ee19f0956a4697543a31a37e&start=1965&end=2035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754606-f73188c0ee19f0956a4697543a31a37e/thumbnail_1965000.jpg","/articles/6207528/Hampstead/Carroll-County/Maryland/Hampstead-advances-PFAS-treatment-195M-Board-of-Public-Works-request-intent-to-award-letters-issued","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207528-1d453fdf30c17724c50c8b13f6a8ae9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775622840&Signature=CsWuhN~KAltd1Ai1ORePSEj5s9RE6BLekcKJ1d9kZyBnwT7D5uZChq5b9IP2rKSm4-R6OQW12uUC14kc5adDw3gKYHSbvvhYCvRlBvcdC5aJIx~OBB6R6EfSPDIUip9D0qXQD~NAx6qyc6bWtPczVtZMAUJNBGFFoAETumBOmpaCnN47ZzPP7Zyq0koBwJOu09ngwryDjr7XNAwk87-k0~t-LFkBHuQMXzh8q4~dc0QPpvcl7HaoETqIqfw7qMLX4uKDnc2f~dwyUr~yq5gbkMtPzUHRSW-cZ49XQTfrGpExRZXo4xqL~uF4hxicBLRwhVnnf~M4G7b10AI6mQm~ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town of Hampstead staff told the Mayor and Council that the town is advancing a multi-contract water-treatment and centralization project to address PFAS and that $19.5 million in state and EPA funding was scheduled for Board of Public Works consideration the day after the council meeting.

Jim (town staff) said the town applied earlier in the year for an additional $8,150,000 to help finance the project and that, to move the pipeline portion forward, staff had issued intent-to-award letters to a construction contractor and an inspection firm. \"Once we have Board of Public Works approval tomorrow, along with signed contracts with both firms and all paperwork done, we'll issue notices to proceed,\" Jim said.

Why this matters: The project is the town's principal capital undertaking and will involve multiple contracts, bonding, and state approvals. Officials said Hampstead is farther along toward construction than most Maryland municipalities facing similar PFAS compliance work.

Project funding and contracts
- Board of Public Works funding request: $19,500,000 (staff reported the amount is tied to EPA and MDE funding streams).
- Additional financing request: $8,150,000 (application submitted in January; preliminary notice expected later in the month, as described by staff).
- Contracts: The town has six contracts in the overall program; council previously approved three. Outstanding procurements include two construction contracts for water treatment plants and one construction-inspection contract. Staff reported they had received bids for the inspection services and expected to forward a recommendation to council next month.
- Bonding and engineering: The town bonded $3,000,000 for engineering work; the mayor and staff also referenced a $3,000,000 PFAS engineering bond with a 20-year term and earlier water-line bonds with longer schedules.

Regulatory and schedule notes: Staff emphasized ongoing MDE approvals as gating items. Jim said the pipeline section to be installed runs along Shiloh Road from the Panther intersection to the bypass underpass and that the town hopes to complete that section before local schools reopen in the fall. He also said the town hoped to begin construction in July if approvals and contracts are finalized.

Town officials framed Hampstead as advanced in the statewide schedule for PFAS work: \"The more I hear and talk to other people, we are well ahead of the game,\" Jim said, noting other municipalities remain largely in planning stages.

Decisions and next steps: Staff said they had sent intent-to-award letters and would issue notices to proceed after Board of Public Works approval and contract execution. Council did not vote on contract awards at the meeting; the hearing and the council's budget adoption were the formal actions recorded.

Ending: Town staff said they would return to council next month with recommendations on inspector selection and asked residents to monitor the town website for updates on construction timing and road impacts.","Town staff told the council the town seeks $19.5 million in state/EPA funding for a PFAS centralization and water-treatment project, has issued intent-to-award letters for pipeline construction and inspection services, and expects to begin some construction this summer pending MDE and BPW approvals.",{"_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},6207533,"Hampstead adopts FY2026 budget, keeps property tax rate unchanged and approves 8% water rate increase",3361,886000,4247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754606-f73188c0ee19f0956a4697543a31a37e&start=886&end=4247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754606-f73188c0ee19f0956a4697543a31a37e/thumbnail_886000.jpg","/articles/6207533/Hampstead/Carroll-County/Maryland/Hampstead-adopts-FY2026-budget-keeps-property-tax-rate-unchanged-and-approves-8-water-rate-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207533-6fe7e8915b533fcf85fff7359bf685b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775622840&Signature=TwTd9a60D2LbvuPNQ2KaljIuqzOF1iBX3GG8pHorpn8q69tB3Bl7g6G1NE3xmkeSGlFci0Kbku6UY2qcFH3Psq4cU2EQG0BEhhgviYhLiVsfozjuojlQaXoxQSsIzyfCzlp0St59oqAlVbLesUW1iJeHaXGF9loens~XE8LPtgKP7tsTPhuU-c-qj4Yu47diy3aCSylts6z0YrRBJHRDU5yDqdWXwplqP3CqoUCnZzv0CQJ-~lR2ehg27djLWnKsPan~IQKvbtkbJoMV8378ZT4rkM1J5lHdhGVXxTIPBBQz210U~ATlaQUY7oZlKpyyXeSZQepqV6mlQocJsk8rzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hampstead Mayor and Council on Tuesday adopted the town's fiscal 2026 budget and the annual tax levy while approving an 8% increase in water rates.

The council approved Ordinance 556 (levy of taxes for FY2026) and Ordinance 557 (the FY2026 annual budget) by roll call votes after a public hearing. Council members Barrett, Painter, Thomas, Anglesby and Zollner each voted in favor during roll calls recorded for the budget ordinances. The council also approved Resolution 2025-02, which raises water rates by 8%, and adopted Resolution 2025-03 to establish a revised rental housing license fee.

Mayor (Town of Hampstead) opened the public hearing by saying, \"it being June and we have to adopt the budget tonight,\" and outlined the council's long-term planning approach, including a focus on capital improvements and resilience.

Why this matters: The budget funds ongoing capital projects — most significantly the town's PFAS water treatment and centralization program — and covers operating costs that include a modest across-the-board 2% salary increase for employees, rising health-insurance costs and several long-term debt service schedules.

Key elements of the FY2026 budget as described at the hearing:
- Property tax revenue: $1,728,000 (the mayor said this figure represents the largest piece of the local budget). The property tax rate remains $0.22 per $100 of assessed value, unchanged from the prior year. The mayor noted the previous townwide rate increases were in 2016 and prior to that in 2002.
- Personal property taxes: budgeted at $85,000 at a stated rate of 55' (as presented at the hearing); the mayor attributed part of the increase to the arrival of Penguin Random House.
- Amusement tax: projected at $60,000 at a 7% rate, attributed largely to Oakmont Green activity.
- Highway user funds (state transportation trust share): projected at $443,000 next year.
- Program Open Space (park grants): $109,000 budgeted for park improvements.
- Employees: 25 full-time and one part-time employee in the payroll, with a 2% general salary increase budgeted.
- Major operating contracts and costs called out: trash/waste removal with Hughes at $423,000 (year 3 of 5, 1.9% increase), and rising stormwater-management costs that the mayor said have grown from roughly $40,000-$50,000 in prior years to about $150,000 currently.
- Benefits and insurance: the mayor said health-insurance costs rose about 30% last year and another 17% this year, contributing to budgetary pressure.

The council voted to adopt the budget and levy in a roll call. Councilman Barrett, Council member Painter, Council member Thomas, Council member Anglesby and Council member Zollner recorded yes votes on the levy; the same group recorded yes votes on the annual budget adoption.

Water rates and PFAS project funding: The council approved the 8% water rate increase via Resolution 2025-02, which the mayor and staff tied directly to ongoing PFAS treatment work and related bond and grant financing. Jim (town staff) reported that the town expects Board of Public Works consideration of $19,500,000 in funding connected to the water-treatment project and that the town has applied for an additional $8,150,000 to finance the project. The mayor and staff repeatedly described the PFAS project as a multi-contract program that will increase both capital and operating costs and said future rate increases at similar levels should be expected as the project proceeds.

Decisions versus direction: The council's votes constituted formal action to adopt the FY2026 budget and levy and to approve the water-rate resolution. Staff reported administrative actions taken to advance projects (for example, intent-to-award letters for pipeline construction and inspection services), which the council did not need to ratify at the meeting.

What to watch next: Town staff said Board of Public Works consideration of the $19.5 million funding request was scheduled for the following day. Staff also said they hoped to begin construction work this summer, subject to contract execution and state approvals.

Ending note: Council members and staff framed the budget decisions as part of a 20-year planning horizon focused on maintaining town services and complying with evolving state and federal regulatory requirements.","The Hampstead Mayor and Council adopted the town's fiscal 2026 budget and tax levy, keeping the property tax rate at $0.22 while approving an 8% water rate increase to help fund mandated PFAS treatment and related projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hampstead raises rental-housing license fee to $100 for two-year term

Residents press Hampstead on Roberts Field dam work; county, Fish and Wildlife to join July town hall

Hampstead advances PFAS treatment: $19.5M Board of Public Works request, intent-to-award letters issued

Hampstead adopts FY2026 budget, keeps property tax rate unchanged and approves 8% water rate increase