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Taneytown council introduces stormwater, speed-camera and annexation measures; adoption set for Monday
Summary
At a March 5 workshop the Taneytown council introduced multiple ordinances and a resolution to begin annexation for 3300 Harney Road; council members discussed cost, wording and next steps and scheduled formal action for the next regular meeting.
The Taneytown Mayor and City Council on March 5 introduced several ordinances and a resolution and set multiple items for action at the regular meeting the following Monday.
Among the items introduced were Ordinance O4‑2025, which would replace the city’s stormwater chapter by adopting the Carroll County stormwater code; Ordinance O5‑2025, a speed‑monitoring system measure; and Resolution 4A‑2025, an annexation resolution for a property at 3300 Harney Road (referred to in materials as the Stobbles addition) to allow connection to the city sewer because of a failing septic system. The council also previewed Ordinance O2‑2025 (building and construction fees) and Ordinance O3‑2025, a fiscal‑year 2025 budget amendment that includes City Hall roof work and a utility‑fund invoice for dewatering work at the wastewater treatment plant.
City staff said the stormwater ordinance is essentially a repeal-and-replace that adopts Carroll County’s stormwater code by reference. Councilman Tholman suggested a wording change to Ordinance O1‑2025 (the water recharge ordinance text), and staff confirmed the revised paragraph will appear in the official ordinance up for approval on Monday. Tholman’s edit clarified that only portions of the groundwater aquifer supporting Taneytown’s system are inadequate for the Maryland Department of the Environment’s water balance test—not the entire aquifer.
On speed cameras, staff said the city would not incur direct equipment costs but would need staff time to review and verify photographs; the law currently requires law-enforcement review, and pending state legislation could permit non-law-enforcement staff to validate images. Staff committed to provide ballpark revenue/fee estimates to council for Monday’s meeting; no estimates were available at the workshop.
Resolution 4A‑2025 would begin annexation of 3300 Harney Road so the property can connect to municipal sewer. Staff said the council is awaiting a final annexation plat from CLSI but that the resolution’s language is set. The annexation also would bring into the city two small slivers of adjoining property (one between 3300 Harney and the Carroll County right of way, and one 25-foot strip between the lot and Sewell Farm) to make the 3,300 Harney parcel contiguous and avoid future right-of-way complications; the owner of the adjacent strip (Roll the Dice LLC) has indicated willingness to annex those strips.
City Manager Jim (city manager) reported capital and utility updates: sewer rehabilitation underground work is complete and paving of disturbed areas is scheduled for the coming week; one outstanding utility invoice for dewatering was paid this fiscal year and is included in the budget amendment; a change order is expected for the Grace United parking lot restoration because the original pavement lacked a proper base. Jim told council that Westview Drive will be the last project funded with ARPA money and that additional valves have been ordered to isolate areas ahead of construction.
The council’s legal adviser said a closed session for Monday is requested to discuss legal strategy and negotiations related to developer responsibilities agreements (referred to in the workshop as DARA or developer rights and responsibilities agreements); the legal adviser clarified that the closed session will focus on the legal framework that could be used, while specific terms would be discussed in public session. No final vote or adoption occurred at the workshop; multiple items were scheduled for formal adoption or further discussion at Monday’s regular meeting.
Other items: Council members asked staff to review the city’s sign ordinance after a farmers market signage dispute, and members discussed coordinating local plans for the national 250th anniversary; staff said there is no firm city program yet but that the city is coordinating with history groups and regional partners.
Next steps: ordinances and resolutions introduced at the workshop are scheduled for action at the council’s regular meeting on Monday; staff will supply additional financial estimates for speed-camera fees and provide final annexation plats and related materials as available.
