[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6709533,"mediaKeyId","5402514-5a9d834c6a6155909ab81abe3e5b5b83","parentId",5402514,"title","Rising Sun approves three property annexations along Mount Street and Route 1 corridor","audioSeconds",790,"startMs",178000,"endMs",968000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5402514-5a9d834c6a6155909ab81abe3e5b5b83&start=178&end=968","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5402514-5a9d834c6a6155909ab81abe3e5b5b83/thumbnail_178000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6709533/Rising-Sun/Cecil-County/Maryland/Rising-Sun-approves-three-property-annexations-along-Mount-Street-and-Route-1-corridor","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709533-06f7a3d6d912da4b5d3826639852819b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775188389&Signature=R3FDClx10~bp3uvKCI0UYn7hj2tme10SSGHgx38jqAM-ve0yT4qgQeMOD5Xsi8BFhPowHuf4Iq6Znjj2hPnpxdm6xMm6KeayoC0V53AX1ErdjxOoCGv2xi929jlUiwvOvPUzYrauQadkFMBa34PAcwuGTloQ0CUh~5Sjt9gC3XB~Vqih10vuRA~Z9IxqL5bq6xNSsIXgFAD0AdcyET4uJ3bKnkXl84y7ie7QLltoRcLz1Hp029ipFllkD-6kvgOEiER3FJEGVFrPzcwAeuwWRDKobhgsvm2cg1iP5alKda5FK4AX1BZAeoFVbOSvPSJLW9pKyJvtTEErs9eIoHm4fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rising Sun, MD","date","2025-07-16T03:18:37Z","article","The mayor and commissioners of the Town of Rising Sun voted July 15 to accept three annexation resolutions that start the town's 90-day review process for properties at 35 North Hills Drive, 551 Joseph Bates (also referred to in materials as Joseph Biggs) Memorial Highway and 523 Mount Street.

Town staff presented each annexation in turn and said accepting the resolution begins the statutory review that includes preparing an annexation plan and sending it to the Maryland Department of Planning and Cecil County for comment. County and state review letters included no objections, the administrator said, though the county made a clerical error on at least one letter by referencing the wrong street number.

Under the proposed terms, 35 North Hills Drive would be annexed as approximately 6.866 acres and be assigned the town zoning designation “rural business,” which staff said was intentionally aligned with the county's existing business-general (BG) standard to avoid density conflicts. Staff noted that when a town annexation would lead to substantially higher intensity or density than county zoning allows, the county may place a five-year moratorium on development; that was not proposed here.

551 Joseph Bates Memorial Highway was presented as a property needed to provide access for the Knutsen land-development project and is sited near the Rising Sun Volunteer Fire Company and Pierce Road. Staff said the town did not request any waiver from the county because proposed town zoning matched the county's restrictions.

523 Mount Street is adjacent to the 35 North Hills parcel and includes area across Mount Street that is already inside town limits; staff said that existing right-of-way and a 50-foot easement across Route 1 make the annexations contiguous. The state and county review letters for all three properties expressed no substantive objections. Staff noted the Maryland Department of Planning initially missed the town's “rural business” label in one review and subsequently corrected that point.

No members of the public spoke on the three items during the public hearing segments. After each presentation the council moved, seconded and voted; minutes show each annexation resolution passed by recorded voice vote with unanimous support from the elected body present.

The votes begin the town's statutory annexation timelines; staff said the process includes preparing a formal annexation plan and providing state/county agencies 30 days to comment before the town completes its local review and any related agreements.

The approvals formally begin the town’s process of bringing the parcels into town limits, setting the zoning designation, and allowing for future review of development plans and utility connections.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 15, 2025 - Rising Sun, MD - Public Hearing & Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Town of Rising Sun voted to accept annexation resolutions for 35 North Hills Drive, 551 Joseph Bates/Biggs Memorial Highway and 523 Mount Street, starting the statutory review period and assigning zoning designations. The measures passed unanimously.","taxTitle","Rising Sun, Cecil County, Maryland","taxId",79361,"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},6709521,"Rising Sun backs $900,000+ Community Legacy grant for Jane's United Methodist Church renovation; pledges 25% match",400,1693000,2093000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5402514-5a9d834c6a6155909ab81abe3e5b5b83&start=1693&end=2093","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5402514-5a9d834c6a6155909ab81abe3e5b5b83/thumbnail_1693000.jpg","/articles/6709521/Rising-Sun/Cecil-County/Maryland/Rising-Sun-backs-900000-Community-Legacy-grant-for-Janes-United-Methodist-Church-renovation-pledges-25-match","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709521-c62ee3a8ee6c40f67e3073359099012f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775188389&Signature=VQlroU5OHSQKNSw3QtgGEe27t6c4lHeZ4dujjDcWM1ZCdB~HSZ6~ms3-fJK1GC6gpS5VVziVcVBS1iiEc8CpkhcMljt4i~pEtVylqxTxXUFFiDgldN3RiWSYJ8Z3iN6Mr2CUidO4LS-TxqXQaCh90ajHE4FL6Q0vb7bZ7F0xAQrBCAFYdag0cAynq9VnXdoTOKpI3l4o7mWmfSkRs7TVdGCOrdsrFEsUFGkSoN8xW9tjpBxh027dOias84lGziH2o2i~ZuCedcwEnIMROEK0gv6Z9zTYgayf-swC5BA3MN0SNpQ2PMRDxJZ62nk4JjYt38iTqcvFIjYdywaDtsrS8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Rising Sun voted July 15 to submit an application to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Community Legacy Program seeking more than $900,000 to rehabilitate the former Jane's United Methodist Church into a cultural venue and community performance space.

Town staff described the building purchase as part of a broader downtown revitalization strategy. Officials said the town envisions renovating the interior to create a stage and screening area for performances and movie nights, and adding a new exterior deck area that could host spectators during parades and civic events. Staff said the town is in talks with a local performing-arts studio that could become a year-round tenant providing classes, shows and an events calendar to draw 100–150 people to downtown programming.

To improve the application’s competitiveness, the council pledged a 25% local match of $231,337 drawn from residual federal funds the town received for economic development (the presentation said funds were not generated by a tax increase). The resolution was approved unanimously.

Staff said the town will not know whether it received the award for approximately eight to nine months. If awarded, funds would be used for interior rehabilitation, a stage and community-facing exterior improvements; staff will return with program details and project timelines for council consideration if the award is made.","The town approved a grant application to the Maryland DHCD Community Legacy Program seeking roughly $900,000 to rehabilitate the former Jane's United Methodist Church into a cultural venue, pledging a 25 percent local match of $231,337 from federal residual funds; award decision expected in 8–9 months.",{"_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},6709525,"Rising Sun pledges $50,000 match for $50,000 state façade-improvement grant",222,1453000,1675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5402514-5a9d834c6a6155909ab81abe3e5b5b83&start=1453&end=1675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5402514-5a9d834c6a6155909ab81abe3e5b5b83/thumbnail_1453000.jpg","/articles/6709525/Rising-Sun/Cecil-County/Maryland/Rising-Sun-pledges-50000-match-for-50000-state-façade-improvement-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709525-ade6f0c4d8df0dae610fe40d0402a722/orig.mp4?Expires=1775188389&Signature=iTgMcQgm1X8vHa5yvYhuCb~aJyPlKUz486cDEFALZIkBjyt1OmFbQEyR1z2FIfAVFr3OJFJwFbUwVbaX5ikSwI7m1IEqGE1q0QRZfbZsp9H8JfgjyL80i-ara5vAE-VS6~kAbMUoCLe5aa51-TA~l8koTjps2qkcAXVoGj~7CZXG8vZkjvd1hgYCuHW6Z1pPVoYmpTbAGiC5b6-XDnsgFOZCnEjPKUyOURLHa4IUqYa7aYO2ji~qFLj1y3MLyja~KHhOPaLO10jgjSEJVrtzklJ8YW9q9X8O5hNCweRmq81MIxon8MMGEjQCt5t0y9xt2zlJOeCGPXl3CJlB9KRKNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Rising Sun voted July 15 to authorize a façade improvement program application to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and to pledge a $50,000 local match if the $50,000 State grant is awarded.

Town staff described the program as targeted to small, locally owned businesses rather than national chains; the intent is to provide low-interest loans or partial grant forgiveness to help entrepreneurs improve building fronts and make downtown more attractive. If awarded and matched by the town, the combined $100,000 is intended to create a revolving fund the town can apply to in future grant cycles.

Staff said this would be the town’s second time receiving this type of grant and that the local match helps the application’s competitiveness. The council moved, seconded and approved Resolution 2025-14 unanimously; the resolution becomes effective immediately, staff said.

The program design, eligibility rules and application process will be developed if the state award is made. Staff emphasized the town’s goal is to prioritize small local entrepreneurs and not national chain locations.","The town approved a resolution to apply for a $50,000 Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development façade-improvement grant and pledged a $50,000 local match to create a $100,000 revolving fund to aid small local businesses.",{"_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},6709530,"Rising Sun accepts West Nottingham Academy annexation resolution; academy leaders urge partnership",476,2124000,2600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5402514-5a9d834c6a6155909ab81abe3e5b5b83&start=2124&end=2600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5402514-5a9d834c6a6155909ab81abe3e5b5b83/thumbnail_2124000.jpg","/articles/6709530/Rising-Sun/Cecil-County/Maryland/Rising-Sun-accepts-West-Nottingham-Academy-annexation-resolution-academy-leaders-urge-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709530-0df58db3b760ed07ae658b179f57d293/orig.mp4?Expires=1775188389&Signature=jwYiNd~njgWWlnJZMJhGyeyxaWoB7jjmj3Sk5MUhNaihS7VLtWWI72HmNkn4~6Ys3RAUF9Q2NCnsTfq~pPxMkRQpvMYvnC0XfhPFq47CJ~PkeK~9XzVI1ahrHKX~5mtAy8v30LKYnb8wLLmGQHXinxP9fME-SxnLcm5hxZy2eu9sOTDx15mHb3d0T1GiJCi4tTssBDtj0tJj5nnPIePjFyvuEm7KimigXW7BJ26CDlRXJ46GGUmXMSqPcv~9B~sxCdEk7iq14jVpdIdac~2g7CiScP3CnsZ93BKSNx7daSYwpGp317tFH79qhRD0WEhtsyDTUox-I5wSs6UiIJxqOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Rising Sun voted July 15 to accept a resolution that begins the annexation process for multiple parcels belonging to West Nottingham Academy and the state highway right-of-way that would link the academy to town utilities.

Calvin, the presenting administrator, said the request covers five individual tax parcels that make up the academy and would include State Highway rights-of-way down to Jacob Tome Highway; the town would annex the right-of-way corridor to provide a route for future water and sewer infrastructure. He said the town has discussed the request with the academy for several years and that staff consider the application ready to proceed.

John Guffey, president of West Nottingham Academy, addressed the commissioners and described the academy’s desire to strengthen ties with Rising Sun and to expand the campus. “We value our relationship with Rising Sun a great deal,” Guffey said. He said the school needs access to municipal water and sewer to address water-quality limitations and to position the school for future growth.

Two trustees and long-time supporters also spoke in favor. Jim Schonem, a trustee, described plans for expanded arts and athletic programming and said he sees partnership opportunities for Rising Sun residents to access the academy’s programs. Another trustee who identified himself as a descendant of families long involved with the academy said the annexation would help secure the institution’s future and broaden community benefits.

Commissioners voiced broad support and moved to accept the resolution; the motion, second and recorded voice votes carried. Staff emphasized that accepting the resolution starts the clock on the statutory review process and does not itself authorize construction or immediate connection to town utilities.

Calvin said future steps would include preparing the formal annexation plan, sending it to state and county agencies for their comment and negotiating any annexation agreements or utility-extension arrangements required before infrastructure work could proceed.","The town accepted a resolution to start annexation of five West Nottingham Academy parcels and the connecting state highway corridor, drawing remarks from academy leaders about growth plans and community ties. The council approved the resolution unanimously.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6709516,"Votes at a glance: Rising Sun council actions, July 15, 2025",1450,1640000,3090000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5402514-5a9d834c6a6155909ab81abe3e5b5b83&start=1640&end=3090","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5402514-5a9d834c6a6155909ab81abe3e5b5b83/thumbnail_1640000.jpg","/articles/6709516/Rising-Sun/Cecil-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Rising-Sun-council-actions-July-15-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709516-20dc447a0083f2b4257e19eed2b45845/orig.mp4?Expires=1775188389&Signature=Cj5mEO4i5THuwWhVFqn3kE4NU0RHZhJ2X838vcr7IgV-VdvXUrCI-BhMgo4hOEdStMKMqh0HF7bC4B2k7ZcTlp55-5sRnzgHdn6EP-NanYk7VtzyZpUhLqOm~TmFe-X5oYwI7J4n9X83VhxNCpBrtOVqVan~5ab9gXc1NXLidYnINuNqlKR11scm6U4WWwvDQC3ZqU8HpqapbPf3EMQ8OTvM3zanfQHZKPJJGmiv5-SEfqbIYSBGEmvzstTEEQmlbKb2FlvFzAq~ZyCJ2SYeXaTfvUz3MbDurGPN4lma9KhpdnjCiP4k3vosYU02psziQDaJNxt3zSm~FkvYXif4kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Rising Sun Mayor and Commissioners recorded the following formal actions July 15, 2025:

- Resolution 2025-5A (35 North Hills Drive annexation): Approved, voice vote unanimous.
- Resolution 2025-6A (551 Joseph Bates/Biggs Memorial Highway annexation): Approved, voice vote unanimous.
- Resolution 2025-10A (523 Mount Street annexation): Approved, voice vote unanimous.
- Resolution 2025-16A (West Nottingham Academy annexation acceptance): Approved, voice vote unanimous.
- Resolution 2025-14 (DHCD façade-improvement grant application and $50,000 local match): Approved, unanimous; effective immediately.
- Resolution 2025-15 (DHCD Community Legacy Program application and 25% local match of $231,337 for Jane's United Methodist Church project): Approved, unanimous.
- Resolution 2025-13 (Circuit Rider Program reaffirmation; included in consent agenda): Approved as part of consent agenda.
- Consent agenda (general consent items including Resolution 2025-13): Approved (recorded in meeting as a majority vote; minutes reflect approval with multiple ayes and at least one recorded dissent during roll call discussion).

Where recorded, staff said votes were by voice and reflected unanimous support for the listed annexations and grant-authorizing resolutions. The consent agenda vote carried with a majority; one commissioner was recorded as opposing during the roll-call discussion, according to the public minutes.","Summary of final votes and outcomes from the Town of Rising Sun meeting on July 15, 2025, including annexations, grant-authorizing resolutions and consent-agenda actions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rising Sun approves three property annexations along Mount Street and Route 1 corridor

Rising Sun backs $900,000+ Community Legacy grant for Jane's United Methodist Church renovation; pledges 25% match

Rising Sun pledges $50,000 match for $50,000 state façade-improvement grant

Rising Sun accepts West Nottingham Academy annexation resolution; academy leaders urge partnership

Votes at a glance: Rising Sun council actions, July 15, 2025