Garrett Park reviews January finances, thanks maintenance crew for storm response, and approves 2026 election calendar

Town Manager Barb Matthews opened the management report at the Feb. 9 meeting by thanking Maintenance Supervisor George Miller and the maintenance crew for extensive storm response after Winter Storm "Fern," noting staff cleared the equivalent of eight city blocks of sidewalks, cleared 15 ramps/aprons, ensured fire hydrant access, and opened storm drain inlets. Matthews proposed procedural improvements — marking asphalt curbs, designating snow emergency routes/no‑parking zones, one‑side parking on certain streets during storms, and a better resident communication mechanism — to reduce property damage and focus plow work.

Matthews then presented financial highlights for January. She said $269,524.93 in real property tax revenue posted in January (collected in December), bringing year‑to‑date real property tax revenue to $674,811. January local income tax receipts totaled $20,452.60, with year‑to‑date receipts of $368,342 compared with $231,481 for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The Town posted $18,529.65 in investment earnings for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2025 (year‑to‑date investment revenues $67,983). A $3,300 right‑of‑way restoration cash bond was released in January. Residents donated $2,620 for a holiday gift for Ecology Services staff. Overtime costs totaled $7,118 as of Jan. 31, 2026, exceeding the $7,000 budgeted amount; Matthews said the next payroll will be processed and the shortfall will be covered from the Contingency Account.

Matthews updated the council that Royal Plus completed mold remediation and associated repairs at Penn Place following a 2025 water leak and that the final invoice is expected to be within the $30,000 allocation. She also said the Town provided a draft lease to Garrett Park Swimming Pool Association President Donna Callejon on Jan. 27 and expects a redlined draft within two weeks.

On administrative items the council approved the proposed 2026 Town Election calendar as presented. The election is scheduled for May 4, 2026; the nominating meeting is set for March 18, 2026; and the deadline for candidate petitions is March 25, 2026. Mayor Keller also said he will arrange coverage during an upcoming absence; Councilmember Gerilee Bennett agreed to serve as acting mayor for the April Town Council meeting.

The meeting concluded with a series of brief town updates — an update on the Strathmore View development and the need for a mixed‑use pathway to Grosvenor Metro and Garrett Park Elementary School, Parks Advisory Committee meeting notices, a Cambria ballfield renovation update and anticipated bid package timing, budget‑consistent pricing for a B&O water tank foundation wall repair, and Archives Committee outreach and intern recruitment.