At a recent Sykesville Town Council meeting, several important matters were discussed and decisions were made. Here’s a summary of the key points addressed:

Richard McCullough Reappointed to Historic District Commission (HDC)
Richard McCullough was reappointed to the HDC for a three-year term, which will expire in March 2027.

Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution NO. 2024-03
The Council deliberated on adopting the Carroll County Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan, developed to reduce the impact of disasters, has been updated by the Carroll County Department of Public Safety. Town Manager Joe Cosentini likened it to the 5-year Town Strategic Plan. Upon approval, the Town becomes eligible for county disaster relief programs. After unanimous approval, the Council adopted the County plan.

Linear Trail Equipment Purchase
The Council approved the purchase of equipment to be installed at the intersection of the Linear Trail and Kalorama. The funds for this purchase stem from a grant awarded in 2023 by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The equipment, which includes a fort and outdoor seating, is expected to arrive in 8-12 weeks and should be ready for use by this summer. The Council sanctioned the purchase of equipment from the Bienenstock proposal, totaling $29,022.28.

Central Avenue Stormwater Project
To address long-standing flooding and erosion issues near the Central Avenue and Springfield Avenue intersection, the Council also approved a stormwater infrastructure project not to exceed $80,000. This project, scheduled for completion by this summer, aims to mitigate the damage caused by stormwater on properties near Springfield Avenue.

Treasurer’s Report and Public Safety Update
Craig Weaver presented the Treasurer’s Report for February 2024, available at this link. Chief Spaulding provided the public safety report, highlighting award recipients at the recent SPD awards banquet.

Closed Session for Warfield Lawsuits
The Council entered a closed session to discuss pending litigation, specifically the Warfield lawsuits, in accordance with Maryland law.

Volunteer Opportunities Available
Various volunteer opportunities are available in Sykesville, including positions on commissions and the Police Auxiliary. For more information on volunteering, email town@sykesville.net.

The full meeting can be viewed on Carroll Media Center’s Facebook page. The agenda and pertinent documents are accessible on the Town website.

The next Sykesville Town Council meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2024, at 7 pm.