Funkstown delegation asks Washington County for sidewalks, park funding and help with $3 million sewer upgrade; mayor to retire

Funkstown officials used a visit to the Washington County commissioners to press for support on several local projects, asking county staff to advance a planned sidewalk, revisit traffic-calming options on a busy residential street, consider extra hotel/motel funding for community events and help advocate for state support on a major sewer upgrade.

The delegation said the sidewalk along Edgewood Drive — from the Hagerstown city line to the Funkstown line — is in the county capital improvements plan but not scheduled for several years. “The sidewalk for Edgewood Drive to the city line is actually in the CIP plan and it’s about four years out. It’s about 1,000 feet,” Speaker 5 said, noting that the county’s plan currently places the project farther down the schedule.

Rich (Speaker 4), who requested the sidewalk and raised safety concerns on Stafford Avenue, urged the county to consider physical traffic calming measures. “We’ve got a lot of young families on Stafford Avenue now with kids…that scares me that some kids gonna get hurt there,” Rich said, suggesting speed bumps or additional stop signs at Chestnut to reduce speeds and improve sight lines. County staff said the traffic committee will re-evaluate current conditions.

Funkstown representatives also asked for more flexibility or a one-time increase in hotel/motel funding to support the town’s 250th celebration and associated fireworks. “Anything would be helpful because, as you know, fireworks have doubled. Events aren’t cheap to put on anymore,” the town mayor (Speaker 3) said, requesting consideration of an additional $5,000 in hotel/motel (POS) allocations. Speaker 5 said budget and finance staff will review whether the distribution can be reevaluated and that the director of grants management will follow up on possible one-time support.

On infrastructure, the mayor described a sewer treatment plant upgrade estimated “about a $3,000,000 project” and asked commissioners to support the town’s requests to delegates in Annapolis to help offset costs. “Funkstown will fund a portion of that, but…we’re a more lower income community,” the mayor said, asking for advocacy and assistance in obtaining state support.

Speakers also discussed park amenities and facilities the county has helped develop. The mayor and other town officials thanked county staff for help with Jerusalem Park’s picnic tables, a future boat ramp and wet bathroom facilities, and mentioned plans for a pavilion rental program and a dry hydrant to assist fire departments. The delegation described a recently purchased farm and plans to restore the barn for rentals and community events, noting the property hosts an annual reenactment in mid-July.

The mayor also announced his planned retirement and an upcoming municipal election on May 4. “This meeting must be my last opportunity to meet with you as mayor. I’m gonna retire this year,” the mayor said, and asked for continued cooperation during the transition.

The session ended after a motion to adjourn and a verbal “Aye” vote.

Next steps: county budget and grants staff will follow up about potential one-time event funding and the traffic committee will re-assess conditions on Stafford Avenue; the Funkstown mayor’s retirement triggers the town’s upcoming election cycle.