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Fairmont Heights council advances community garden plan after $30,000 Chesapeake Bay Trust grant; fencing, water and MOU still pending
Summary
Council and staff said the town received a $30,000 Chesapeake Bay Trust grant to support a proposed community garden at a site tied to the Net‑0 housing project; council discussed fence costs, water permits and asked the attorney to review the MOU with HIP.
Mayor Stewart and town staff updated residents on a community garden project supported by a $30,000 grant and asked the council to approve next steps while legal and logistical questions are resolved.
Town manager Romy said the town received a Chesapeake Bay Trust award of $30,000 for green‑team projects and that “we can use 10% of the $30,000, which is $3,000,” to support related work. Romy and Councilmember Waiters described an MOU between the town and HIP for a garden on a lot referenced in the meeting materials and encouraged residents to attend a plant/flower swap scheduled for April 26.
Why it matters: Council members framed the garden as an accessible, educational neighborhood resource tied to the Net‑0 housing site and climate‑preparedness outreach. Staff said the garden will include raised beds and space for elderly and disabled gardeners and that some produce will be shared with residents in need.
Details and outstanding issues: Code enforcement and council members raised two operational questions the town must resolve before beginning planting. Code officer Pinkney said he issued citations at a nearby property and identified general town ordinance language governing junkyards and license suspension; council asked the attorney to confirm the town’s enforcement authority. On utilities, Romy told the council he spoke with public works and WSSC about obtaining a permit to draw water from a nearby fire hydrant for garden use, but said he would confirm the process and cost before the pre‑work session.
The council discussed fencing options to prevent dumping and secure the site. Romy said estimates for a full perimeter fence ranged from about $1,800 to $3,200; staff noted that $3,000 of the Chesapeake Bay Trust grant is flexible for related projects but may not fully cover the fence. Councilmember Waiters and staff agreed to explore temporary rental fencing as a lower‑cost option and to bring written quotes and attorney recommendations to the next pre‑work session.
Next steps: Town manager Romy and staff will send the draft MOU and the ordinance excerpt to the town attorney for review, collect fence and water‑permit cost estimates, and present findings at the pre‑work session. The council also encouraged residents to register for garden plots once the town finalizes the registration plan and plot assignments.
Attribution: Council and staff comments in this article come from statements made during the town meeting by Town manager Romy, Councilmember Waiters and code enforcement officer Pinkney.
