Havre de Grace council approves reappointment, resolutions and event permits; adopts budget amendment on first reading

Havre de Grace — The City Council on Tuesday approved a string of administrative items including an ethics-commission reappointment, two calendar resolutions, a budget amendment on first reading and several special-event permits.

The council reappointed William (Bill) Watson to the Havre de Grace Ethics Commission by voice vote after Watson asked that his letter of intent be read into the record. The vote for reappointment carried 6-0.

Council action at a glance: The council introduced and immediately voted to adopt two calendar resolutions (one establishing active‑service criteria for credit to qualifying members of the Susquehanna Hose Company, Havre de Grace Ambulance Corps and the police department; another approving a temporary license agreement to replace a driveway apron on South Union Avenue). Both calendar resolutions were approved without recorded opposition.

Budget action: On first reading the council voted 6-0 to adopt Ordinance 1172, a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment reallocating funds (the ordinance will have a public hearing at the council’s Feb. 3 meeting before final adoption). Finance director Abdul reported fund balances and year‑to‑date variances for general, water/sewer and marina funds during the meeting; no new tax or fee changes were announced that night.

Events and municipal permits: The council approved a set of special-event permits, including the Independence Day parade and two concerts scheduled for July 5, 2025 (Hudgins Park and Concord Point Park), and the Arts, Wine, Jazz & Soul Festival on Aug. 9. Administration noted the total cost of Independence Day events at approximately $51,604. The council also approved AutumnFest (Oct. 4, 2025) and granted a waiver on the city trash-service requirement for that event.

Temporary dwelling permit: Council approved a request allowing residents at 801 Tidings Road to temporarily reside in a mobile camper on their property while renovations are made, for a six‑month period subject to renewal. The motion carried 6-0. City staff noted the property would remain responsible for water/sewer charges and that the trailer hookup must meet code requirements.

Other actions: The council introduced and advanced a license-agreement resolution to allow driveway apron replacement along South Union Avenue; the measure passed. The roll-call record for the budget ordinance showed unanimous support.

Why it matters: The votes keep municipal business moving — staffing panels, event scheduling and short-term residential accommodations — while the council has postponed the more contentious zoning matter tied to group housing at Mount Zion.

Ending: The council closed the meeting after routine director reports and called a public hearing on Ordinance 1172 for Monday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. before the next regularly scheduled council meeting.