Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Alley Ownership topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Friendsville council closes Alley #7 after pharmacy objections; tables ownership requests, approves quick-claim deed for fire department parcel
Summary
At a Dec. 2 meeting, the Friendsville Mayor and Town Council voted to close Alley #7 between Friendsville Pharmacy and Maple Street, following objections from the pharmacy’s owners; the council also tabled alley transfer requests and approved a quick-claim deed for a Fire & Rescue parcel.
The Friendsville Mayor and Town Council voted Dec. 2 to close Alley #7 from the corner of Friendsville Pharmacy to Maple Street, approving physical barriers and signage after hearing objections from the pharmacy owners.
Motion #3, moved by Council member Robert Sines and seconded by Council member Edward Kelley, instructs the town to deploy eight delineator posts provided by the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office (subject to availability), block the top of the alley with a cement trash can and four delineator posts accompanied by a "Do Not Enter" sign, and install four delineator posts and a "Do Not Block" sign at the bottom. The motion passed 5–0–1 (five in favor, zero opposed, one abstention).
Jennifer and Terry Uphold of Friendsville Pharmacy told the council they oppose reopening the alley and provided a written letter dated Nov. 27 outlining reasons to keep it closed. Jennifer said surveillance-camera footage reviewed by the Upholds showed no emergency vehicles used the alley during the period in question; she said that fact contributed to her disappointment that the council discussed the alley after she had left the previous meeting. The council acknowledged the Upholds’ concerns.
Garrett County Sheriff Bryson Meyers reported there have been no significant crime incidents recently and recommended surveillance cameras as a helpful tool, saying that pictures of individuals are “extremely helpful.” Meyers also stated that closing the alley would be acceptable and should not cause problems.
Mayor Spencer R. Schlosnagle noted the town park already has cameras and reiterated the value of routine patrols and driving around the park because of intermittent vandalism.
Separately, Terry Spear, representing the Friendsville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, asked the council to transfer ownership of Alley #7 between Walnut Street and Park Street to the Fire Department. Terry Uphold also expressed interest in obtaining ownership of the portion of Alley #7 between Maple Street and the corner of Alley #1. The council tabled the alley-transfer requests pending further investigation and follow-up; no ownership transfer occurred at the meeting.
The council did, however, approve Motion #11 (MacLane/Artice) to stop legal action on a town parcel (Map: 0300 Grid: 0023 Parcel 0080, 0.35 acres) and allow Terry Spear to move forward with a quick-claim deed for that parcel. That motion passed unanimously, 6–0–0.
The council’s actions leave the alley physically closed with temporary delineators and signage while ownership and related requests remain under review. The Upholds’ written objections and the sheriff’s recommendation were part of the discussion recorded at the Dec. 2 meeting. The council did not set a date for further action on alley ownership, and the quick-claim deed process for the separate parcel was authorized to proceed.
