Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frostburg departments report steady permitting, finishing paving; residents press council on ADA access and neighborhood safety
Summary
Department heads reported stable permit activity, progress on paving and parks events, a new ServLine leak-adjustment program, and police activity including a late-night robbery arrest; public commenters asked council to improve ADA accessibility, consider a dog-waste station near the food pantry and address traffic/speed concerns on Linden Street.
Department heads delivered monthly reports at the Frostburg City Mayor and City Council meeting.
Community development staff reported 19 new permit applications in August, including five townhome applications at Pritchard Farms; two single-family use-and-occupancy permits and three commercial permits were issued, among them a new business, Pinnacle Strategies, and a barber shop ownership transfer. Staff said 19 new code-enforcement cases were opened in August and nine have been resolved. The Stabilization Grant program application deadline was extended to Oct. 3 (originally Sept. 12); two formal applications have been received so far. An Edibles Arboretum ribbon cutting was announced for Oct. 10.
Finance staff reported ongoing FY25 year-end reconciliations and audit work with SB & Company; about 27% of real estate tax billings had been collected as of August. The ServLine Leak Adjustment Program began Aug. 1; single-unit residential customers with leak issues are asked to contact ServLine directly, and customers who opt out face a 30-day waiting period if they later reenroll.
Public Works reported a strong summer of events (dog splash, Cruisin' Main Street, beverage festival), demolition approval for the Lions Park concession stand, donated manpower to assist Barton Volunteer Fire Department with a water tap after flooding, and completion of the year's paving contract with contractor Lillard. Staff said some warranty work remains and contractors will return to address cracking near storm drains; landscaping warranty questions (Armstrong Landscaping) will be checked.
Police Chief Costello reported 543 incidents in August (similar to last year), 15 arrests and 97 traffic stops; he highlighted a late-night armed robbery arrest credited to good scene management and interagency coordination and noted recruitment efforts for an academy in Hagerstown and candidate screening via NeoGov.
During open public comment, Mr. McKenzie raised ADA-access concerns for meeting accessibility and housing. Kelly Mears (58 Linden St.) thanked council for city events but urged more inclusive sidewalks and safer walking routes, suggesting the food-pantry site as a candidate location for a dog-waste station and raising speed and safety concerns at the Linden/Kenny's Groceries intersection. Councilors acknowledged the concerns and said staff will follow up on ADA accessibility and locating dog-waste stations where they best serve residents.
Council approved all department reports by voice vote before moving on to hearings and new business.
