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Boonsboro council approves minutes, $100 school donation; discusses park access and personnel in executive session
Summary
The council approved prior meeting minutes and the treasurer’s report, donated $100 to the Boonsboro High School 'We the People' team, acknowledged new police staffing and vehicle expenses, decided to leave Shafer Park pathway access as-is for now, and moved into executive session on personnel and real property.
The Boonsboro Mayor and Council dealt with routine governance items and community matters on Jan. 13, approving minutes and financial reports, authorizing a small school donation and taking administrative steps on personnel and property.
Council Member Marilee Kerns moved, with Council Member Terri Hollingshead seconding, to approve the Dec. 9, 2024 regular meeting minutes; Assistant Mayor Tony Nally abstained and the motion carried. Council Member Eric Kitchen moved, seconded by Council Member Ray Hanson, to approve the December 2024 Treasurer’s Report; that motion carried.
The council approved a $100 donation to the Boonsboro High School "We the People" team to help cover expenses for the national competition in Washington, D.C. (motion by Assistant Mayor Tony Nally, second by Council Member Ray Hanson; motion carried). The minutes show $800 remained in the fiscal-year donation line item prior to this allocation.
Chief Dave Rizer reported 98 calls for service and congratulated Officer Billy Gilbert on graduating from the Police Academy; Gilbert has chosen to remain with Boonsboro. Rizer told the council two vehicles are being decaled at a cost of $500 per vehicle. A college student, Micah Stine, inquired about completing a mandatory 120-hour internship through the Police Department beginning in May 2025; the council was asked to consider providing a paid internship.
On the Shafer Park pond access issue, Mayor Howard Long and Council Member Marilee Kerns relayed a resident’s concerns about not being permitted to drive on the paved pathway to reach the pond in a wheelchair. Public Works Superintendent Greg Huntsberry said the path was built as a pedestrian walkway with thin pavement unsuited to regular vehicle traffic; the pond has an ADA-accessible dock managed by the Department of Natural Resources. Council discussed options including signage and staff-assisted gate access and decided to leave the pathway as currently configured for now.
At 8:53 p.m. the council moved into executive session "as provided under General Provisions Article §3-305 (b)(1), subsection (i) and (3)" to discuss personnel matters and the acquisition of real property; the executive session ended at 9:21 p.m., and the regular meeting was adjourned.
