Havre de Grace council approves fire funding and multiple ordinances; several budget items, rates introduced

The Havre de Grace Mayor and City Council on Monday adopted a series of ordinances and introduced several budget and rate measures, approving a new method of funding for the Susquehanna Hose Company and enacting changes to subdivision and water/sewer rules.

The council voted 6-0 to set a funding method for the Susquehanna Hose Company at 3.6 cents per $100 of net assessable real property, an amount the council president said will provide about $710,500 annually. Council also adopted ordinances amending the city subdivision regulations to allow administrative waivers for certain relocations of rights-of-way (with an amendment removing the word “utilities”), and updated the water and sewer code to allow enforcement of grease-trap installations.

The measures matter because they affect city services, regulatory enforcement and the municipal budget. The fire funding secures a recurring contribution method for the volunteer department, the subdivision change is intended to streamline administrative action for right-of-way relocations, and the sewer ordinance makes an existing city practice enforceable in code.

Major actions and outcomes

- Ordinance 11-81, method of funding for the Susquehanna Hose Company…