is 7 p.m. Thank you everybody for
joining us. Today is Monday, July 13th,
2026. Um it is our mayor and town
council meeting, the only one of this
month. Thank you for joining us. Let's
please stand for the pledge followed by
a brief moment of silence. I pledge
allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic
for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
>> That moment of silence, please.
Okay, thank you.
>> [clears throat]
>> Okay, first order of business as always
is public comment. Is anyone here signed
up?
>> Uh, we have one signed up for public
comment, Mr. Chris Bushman.
>> Thank you, Mr. Bushman. Now, see, I
didn't see you behind Lieutenant
Sneak.
>> I really did. [laughter]
>> Welcome.
>> Good evening. Chris Bushman, 532
Oklahoma Avenue.
>> Here I am again. As has been noted
before, it seems like every other time
>> and it has been a little while, but
there's also something has occurred in
the meantime. So, I I wanted to
reiterate my usual thing, which is my
appreciation. I mean, I thanked you guys
before, but you know, you can't do it
enough. I mean, it's kind of like
telling a veteran, you know, didn't I
thank you last year? No, I appreciate it
all the time.
>> And what has occurred in the meantime is
this storm that we had.
>> Yeah. So whether it's winter storm fern
or this nightmare that we just all went
through, um it's a time to appreciate um
you know, perhaps from my my own
perspective of knowing what it's like to
be in charge during a storm response
like that or to be in charge the way you
are or the way you are to to deal with
that because as I've noted before, it's
the kind of thing where I don't think
people really appreciate exactly what
kind of level of stress that brings to
the people that are responsible for
dealing with that response.
You know, there's probably trees in your
yard and everybody else's yard. Your
power is probably out like everybody
else's, but do you get to deal with that
and only that? No. You got a whole town
to deal with and that makes a big
difference. And so that that's that's
the reason I wanted to come here again
and thank all of you for what you do
because you know whether it's the chief
and the lieutenant or Derek and and
Jeremy certainly the people who aren't
as visible but are critically important
the carries and the Sarah's and the
Barbs. I mean you know it makes it all
happen. And so while we're all sitting
there dealing with our own little thing
you guys are at work you guys are at
work. Everybody's at work and that's
what I used to do all across the state
and it was some of the most impactful
work. It was also some of the most
stressful work to be dealing with all of
that. So that's my message for tonight
is another big thank you on the heels of
this our own little town mini disaster
whatever heck it was.
>> Yeah. It can be as small as it wants to
be. That that was uh it doesn't need to
be any bigger.
>> No.
>> Yeah. Thank you so much.
>> That was enough.
>> Thank you all. Thanks for your time and
for your comments.
>> Um, and I appreciate you coming and and mentioning that. I know that um
it kind of took the wind out of a lot of
people's sales um in their own homes and uh also required immediate action
and and reaction by a lot of people and
a lot of coordination. Um, and uh, I I'm
here to say I'm proud of everybody for
the job that they did for our Department
of Public Works, for our public safety
crew, um, and for staff here in in the
townhouse. I know there's, um, always
room for growth and improvement, and
you'd like to think you're ready for
just about anything, even though in the
recesses of our minds, something could
happen that we're not prepared for. Um,
you can only practice so many things,
but no matter what, we learn from every
experience and every emergency, and
there's certainly room for growth and
improvement in this one. And uh, and
we're going to do that.
Okay. Uh, no further comments from the
public at this time. We will move on to
our first item of business, which is the
consent agenda, which in this case this
evening, it's inclusive of the minutes
from last meeting um, and the
proclamation of Parks and Recreation
Month. I'm going to go ahead and read
that proclamation and bust up somebody's
bets for this short agenda's meeting
time. Here we go. [clears throat]
The parks and recreation month rec uh
proclamation reads as follows. Whereas
parks and recreation is an integral part
of communities throughout the country,
including in the town of Sykesville. And
whereas parks and recreation promote
health and wellness by improving the
physical and mental well-being of
residents and visitors throughout access
to parks, trails, recreation facilities,
and community programs. And whereas
parks and recreation encourage time
spent in nature, which has been shown to
improve cognitive performance, reduce
stress, and support overall mental
health and well-being. And whereas parks
and recreation encourage active
lifestyles by providing opportunities
for walking, hiking, sports, playground
activities, splash pads, community
events, and countless other recreational
experiences for people of all ages. And
whereas park and recreation programs
foster childhood development through
youth activities, environmental ed,
community events, and opportunities for
lifelong living and healthy lifelong
learning and healthy living. And whereas
parks and recreation contribute to the
economic vitality of our community by
enhancing quality of life, supporting
local businesses and tourism, increasing
property values, and making Sykesville
an attractive place to live, work, and
visit. And whereas parks and recreation
are fundamental to environmental
stewardship by preserving natural
resources, expanding tree canopy,
protecting wildlife habitat, and
encouraging sustainable community
practices. And whereas parks and
recreation provide resilient public
spaces that strengthen communities by
offering places of recreation,
gathering, wellness, and connection
during both everyday life and times of
need. And whereas the town of
Sykesville,
town of Sykesville's parks, trails, and
playgrounds, open spaces, and community
programming provide opportunities for
residents and visitors to connect with
nature, build relationships, and
celebrate our unique community spirit.
And whereas the United States House of
Representatives and the National
Recreation and Park Association
recognize July and as Parks and
Recreation Month, celebrating the
essential role parks and recreation
professionals, volunteers, and [snorts]
advocates play in building healthy,
vibrant communities. And finally,
whereas the town of Sykesville
recognizes the tremendous benefits
provided by its parks, public spaces,
volunteers, community partners, and
recreation programs that enrich the
lives of residents and visitors alike.
Now therefore, be it proclaimed by the
mayor and town council of the town of
Sykesville that the month of July 2026
is Parks and Recreation Month in the
town of Sykesville and all residents and
visitors are encouraged to celebrate by
enjoying our parks, participating in
recreational activities, supporting
community events, and recognizing the
dedicated staff, volunteers, and
organizations that help make Sykesville
a vibrant and welcoming community.
Uh presuming there is absolutely no need
for debate and it is part of our um uh
agenda, our consent agenda, I will ask
for a motion for approval.
>> So moved.
and a second. Got it. All
right. So the motion is made by
Councilwoman Brandon Smith and seconded
by Councilwoman Alex. I'm going to do it
so close to being perfect. Pick it.
Have to pause still. I don't know why
that is. Uh without need for further
debate or questions, um is there a vote
on the motion on the table? Please say
I.
>> I.
>> Any oppose? Any abstain?
>> I was out of town and therefore I cannot
comment, but I do support the
proclamation.
>> Very good.
>> So I'll abstain that way. Solve the
problem.
>> Excellent. Okay. Thank you so much. And
that brings us to next item on our
agenda
is oh goodness is to touch the right
buttons. That brings us to
uh the next item of new business which
is our uh public works and capital
purchase. Um I'm going to turn that over
to Joe and tell him how excited I am to
hear all about it.
>> Thank you, Mayor.
>> Welcome. Uh so uh this is something that
uh is actually in our capital
improvement plan. It's basically the
replacement of one of our zeroturn
mowers. Um we' originally budgeted
$15,000 for that purchase. However, we
did investigate uh different electric
options uh for for that potential
replacement. We do not have any electric
uh zeroturn mowers in our fleet at this
point. Um so we did look through uh
several different options. Um and at
least at the time of our uh setting up
the the budget uh those options were a
little uh a little more u not quite as
cost effective as just going with a
traditional gas powered mower. Uh
however, since our the adoption of our
budget, we have uh been able to find uh
deals with different vendors to bring
the cost uh down on an electric option
uh to a much more reasonable level. Um
and we did investigate several different
models of those. Uh we had a dealer
actually bring in several different
models and our our our fellows uh test
drove several of them and we did make
the determination uh with the staff
report in front of you of at least one
particular model. Uh one of the reasons
we picked this particular brand was
because uh they had been in the uh the
zeroturn mower business for longer than
some of the others. Uh I am happy to
report at least hopefully happy to
report uh that since the the writing of
the staff uh report uh that particular
model uh there was a different model
that was was basically right in the the
same line as this particular one at
least from a cost perspective. Um and
the manufacturer of that actually
dropped the price significantly like
$5,000 less. So because they were
relatively the same from a operation
standpoint, we went with the one that
had a little bit more uh history. uh but
now that uh basically a steel uh version
um uh came back at $5,000 less than the
mean grain that's in the staff report
there. So most of the uh the cost
analysis is is relatively the same. So
again it's just the payback period is
actually going to be a lot less if we
end up going with the uh with the steel
model instead of the the mean and green
as shown in the staff report. Um so we
are actually asking for additional
funding to be allocated to the capital
purchase. However, instead of $10,000
we're only asking for an additional
five. Um, and like I said, that does
reduce the payback period. You know, we
are estimating around a seven-year
payback period. Uh, that's down to four
years now, if we go with this, uh, new
model. So, um, again, it's our first
kind of foray into the, uh, the electric
realm from a from a mower standpoint,
but again, uh, our maintenance team did
have a chance to test drive all three of
these different models, uh, and were
happy with any of the ones that we ended
up picking. Um, I actually think they
actually preferred the steel just
because again it's a brand that they've
heard of and they used equipment from
before. Um, but again, like I said, the
reason the recommendation was originally
for Mean Green was just because they had
a little more experience on the electric
version. Um, so again, staff is
recommending uh the additional
allocation of $5,000 towards this
capital purchase. Um, it's just the
model is slightly different than what's
in the staff report. So I'm available
for any comments or questions if anybody
has any. So, uh, given that now it's
steel, I one of my things with it was,
uh, if you were to work on this mo or
need repairs on this mower, is there
somebody local that can actually do it
or are we going to have to
>> Yeah, it's not Yeah, it's not
immediately local. I think the closest
um, uh, distributor is in Sever. Um, so
it's, you know, 30 minutes away, 30, 45
minutes away, give or take. Okay.
>> Uh, for Mean Green, it's up in Hanover,
I think, is the closest. So, it's it's
even further away.
>> Right. Okay. Um, and then the second
thing I had was uh
>> it's mostly just worried about like
summer and temperatures and batteries. I
mean, h I mean, how much does a battery
for this thing cost?
>> Like a replacement battery?
>> Yeah.
>> Oh, yeah. It's going to be I mean, it's
almost like buying a new mower. Um, so
it's anywhere between $6 and $10,000 to
replace the the replace the batteries.
>> And what's I mean, what's the life like
on the batteries? And then if we run it
during the middle of the summer and does
that degrade the the performance?
>> It doesn't. Again, at least from from
what we've seen, the batteries don't
need to be replaced. Again, they they
will last as long as the mower lasts.
>> The battery life on the specs is 6 to
9,000 hours.
>> Yeah.
>> So, that's specs. I work in
>> understood. You asked about battery life
and I'm just
>> Yeah. But, I mean, that's that's that's
perfect operating conditions. So, I
mean, we've going to you're going to
have days where that mower's out there
at 100 100° heat. Once it starts
dissipating all that amperage through
it, it's going to that battery is going
to be 120 130°. Like, it's not going to
sit at a cool 72 and have perfect
operating conditions. So, I'm just a
little hesitant on the on that thing.
>> Fair.
>> Yeah. I [clears throat] mean, I could
say this, too. I mean, the at least the
battery estimate is, you know, it's
going to run at least eight plus hours a
day. You know, we don't mow grass 8
hours a day. That's just not something
that these mowers that any mower that we
use typically does. So again, you're
talking about, you know, somewhere
between two and four probably on average
per day for this mower. So even on 100
degree days, typically we're mowing
earlier in the in the morning. Okay.
>> And trying to get that out of the way so
that we're not doing it in the heat of
the day.
>> Okay.
>> Just some something to keep in mind as
well.
>> I'm also happy to hear that it was still
instead of
>> being I didn't I hadn't heard of that
before, so I was trying to do some
research on it. It is a brand that's
been at say municipal league meetings.
So again anytime we go to conferences
they always have a dealer there. So it
is it is at least a brand that we're we
were somewhat familiar with. But again I
think um going with the the the more
well-known uh brand is probably a better option especially considering now
it's cheaper.
>> Yeah.
>> Is there is there warranty hel
>> uh you know uh I didn't look at the
warranty for steel. Um, I did know what
it was for me and green, but I'll make
sure that before we make any purchase
that there is some sort of warranty
option for at least 3 years.
>> Thanks.
>> So, are these batteries that we put on a
pull out and put on a charger or is it
are you plugging in?
>> You're plugging in the mower. It's it's
very similar to an electric vehicle.
>> Okay. So,
>> um, and just for the public
satification, Joe, uh, the payback
period as you're referring to it, we're
speaking of what we're saving on an
annual basis. That's correct. on lack of
uh need for maintenance that the
combustible motor engine requires um and
the lack of um need for fuel fueling,
refueling.
>> Correct.
>> Um and so we're looking at saving
somewhere between 12 and $1,300 a year
in just those two items. Um and then
we're talking about the difference
between the combustible [snorts] and the
gas uh and the and the electric
versions. Um making up that difference
in in about five, you said four years
now with the
>> four years with the reduced price.
That's
>> going on. Perfect. I was happy with the
6.
>> Do you know the model number of this
still?
>> Oh,
it is the RZA 760.
>> 760.
>> Yeah, that's the 60inch deck.
>> Okay.
>> I'm pleased about it very very very very
much and um I've been beating the drum
for about 6 years now. So, um I'm
thrilled about this purchase that we're
about to make or hopefully about to
make.
>> So, just an FYI, I one one of the things
I wanted to know was the battery
chemistry. So, it's actually not a
lithium ion battery. battery. It's a
lithium iron phosphate battery, which is
actually way safer and way better. So,
>> glad glad we could help you out, though.
[snorts]
>> No, it's actually I'm glad you looked
into that.
>> No, that's it's it's a much safer
battery. It doesn't have the the part
where if it does,
>> well, if you put the accident put a
screwdriver through it, it won't catch
on fire anybody.
>> Well, it won't catch on fire [laughter]
>> like in the car.
>> Not like a cake, you know.
>> Yeah.
They're going to start you uh producing
sodium batteries in in well they are
producing them but they're not allowed
to buy them here in in uh good old USA
yet. So hopefully soon. Um it's going to
reduce hopefully yeah it'll be reducing
the cost of EVs and everything that uses
them and they're safer as you just
mentioned councilman. Uh any need for
further questions for staff?
So, we're looking for a motion um to
approve the increase of the public works
capital line item by $5,000 to
accommodate the purchase of this new
electric zot motor.
>> So, moved.
>> Thank you, Councilman.
>> Second.
>> Thank you, Councilman. So, the motion is
made uh by Councilman Dyer and seconded
by Councilman Keenan. Any need for
further debate or any debate, I should
say. Okay. All in favor of the motion to
approve the increase the public or works
capital line item by $5,000 to
accommodate the purchase of the new
electric ze
engine. I'm sorry, mo mower. Mower. I
haven't eaten yet. It's my fault.
>> Uh please say I.
>> I. Any opposed? Okay, great. Motion
approves uh unanimously.
And that brings us back
to our next item on the agenda, which is
um our announcements and reports. And I
will begin with those announcements and
state that the next meeting is Monday,
August 10th, 2026.
And also note that we have volunteer
opportunities available on the historic
district commission, the planning
commission, parks and recreation
commission, and as crossing guard and on
the police auxiliary. So, [snorts] if
anyone here or in the space of listening
at this time or playback is interested
in any of those volunteer opportunities,
please email townsville.net.
All right. Um, for more information and
that moves us to our staff updates, Mr.
Casantine.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Uh, just quick
updates. I just want to uh echo the
public comments and the statements from
uh the mayor earlier and just say you
know thank you to our police department
uh public works department, our uh you
know regular tree contractor uh OW for
all the work over the weekend. Uh
obviously, you know, town staff, but
also uh you know, the merchants uh you
know, they were hit pretty hard with uh
with being out of power for a few days
and seeing them come together was uh
inspiring to some of also our residents
and and you know, all that they had to
go through while, you know, everybody
was working to get uh power and
everything back on. Um you know, we
always like to look at these situations
from a standpoint of, you know, how did we respond to it from a from a
municipal standpoint? Um, and it's a
good opportunity for us to evaluate our
emergency operation procedures and, you
know, hope to establish, you know, a
continuity of operations plan. So,
that's something that I know we've been
working on and and we'll continue to
update. Um, but again, just wanted to
say thank you to everybody that was
involved in in the uh the response on
July 4th. Um, again, it's always nice to
see the community come together.
>> Thank you, Joe.
>> That's all I have.
>> I appreciate that. Fantastic. That's
because you must have bet um 23 minutes.
So, let's see. Uh, next [laughter] item
is on the staff report list is uh that
from our treasurer. Please, Jen. Thank
you.
>> So, I'm here to present in June of 2026.
Um, this is a preliminary. We still have
revenue coming in. So, we have we're at
the mercy of the state. So, we have
still um income tax revenue and highway
user revenue that's still due to come
in. Um, the balance sheet. If you look
at the balance sheet, guess one of the
biggest things to note is um the ARPA.
We still have ARPA funds um which we
still have some retention that is still
due and more of the um expenses.
>> We have 299,000
and which should be um just spent by
December 31st and we should be totally
fine. Um the only other thing to mention
is um if you look at which is different
from FY25 to FY26 is um our miss
miscellaneous general receipts.
>> You'll notice it's extremely high
compared to any other years past and
most of it's attributed the couple
things. One that our staff is super
healthy. um we have $13,000
given back to us from our light our
health insurance compared to FY2 um five
and then also unlike any other year we
had $35,000 in dividend reimbursements
from our workman's comp
and then the only other real large
expense was um our investment into the
Libs Grill into the building we um
contributed the what we um promised them
um so we contributed the the remainder
amount we promised them towards the you
know our asset down there and it's
coming along beautiful I think
>> I believe so too
>> and then the only other question I have
was someone from council
regarding what um on the
when on the payments [clears throat]
um it says Comcast splashpad pump and
what that actually is it's our internet
for our cameras that are down there and
um the phone that if anything happens
that they can make a phone call out. Um,
the reason why we have it listed like
that is because that's how it's listed
on Comcast. Plus,
uh, Gate House and Comcast, the
addresses are like a couple numbers
apart. So, that's how they decided to
decipher between the two.
>> We're so fortunate for their
nomenclature system. It's fantastic.
>> Yeah. Yes. Once I was told this was
Comcast nomenclature, I went, "Oh, well,
no wonder it's screwed up."
>> Absolutely.
you can imagine BGES is a much better
>> so and I guess the biggest thing that um
is great about FY26 is um with us still
ex getting revenue in if you look at the
bottom line [snorts] it's it's we're at
a $65,000
profit that is we're going to still have
expenses but it's definitely going to
increase as we get the highway user
revenues and um income tax revenue.
>> Right on.
>> Thank you. Any other questions for the
treasur?
>> Oh, and uh I set up I'm sorry. Set up
the audit for uh auditing starting the
end of August.
>> How's that possible? That's already on
the
>> horizon.
>> Yeah.
>> Thank you. [clears throat] Good luck
with
>> that.
[laughter]
I'm sure I'm sure it will go well. It
always does.
>> Gobs of fun though.
>> Oh, I like her.
>> Yeah,
>> she's nice, but it's still gobs of fun
to do it on. It's better than where I've
been. So, I'm blessed.
>> Um, that brings us to our public safety
report, which this evening we're uh
happy and lucky to have two separate
updates coming our way. Uh, but we'll
start with Chief.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank.
>> All right. Thank you.
>> Good evening, everyone.
>> Good evening.
>> And thank you, Chris and Mayor, for your
comments regarding the uh our handling
of the storm. Uh thankfully I did not
have to come out because I had Sergeant
Kirtner here and his squad. But I will
tell you that it was a very long day for
him. As you know, we had a parade that
morning. Sergeant Kirtner was out early
for and he remained working well into
the evening. I believe he worked a 16-
hour day that day to ensure that his
squad members had uh back up and support
while they dealt with the various
issues. So, thank you for this comment.
Appreciate it.
>> Thank you. And uh thanks for that job
well done. I uh had the pleasure of
speaking with the sergeant a couple
times that day uh both at the parade
>> and then after that. And um I know
earlier in the day he was uh encouraging
the kiddos to stay hydrated down at the
um the skate park and telling them that
you know just because you're young
doesn't mean you can't get like
overheated. Um, and then all hell broke
loose and and and it's just crazy how
gears are shifted so quickly from that
kind of thing to that kind of thing. So,
yeah. So, I I appreciate him and and and
his crew at that at his his crew that
day.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay, we're going to talk about the
public safety report. It's a big one.
Uh, covers a little over a month as you
can see from June 1st to July 5th. A lot
of events, 15 over 1500 total events.
Uh, just a few of the highlights. um
that I'm sure you all will appreciate. A
lot of community policing events, 32, a
lot of foot patrols, 80, which is good
to see the officers out and about,
walking in in downtown as well as the
neighborhoods.
>> Yes.
>> Uh 811 patrol checks, which is a lot.
100 traffic enforcement initiatives and
again over 1,500 total events during
that period. In addition, there was a
lot of reports written. You can always
tell when it's summertime when you see a
lot of the reports containing juveniles.
There was uh one, two, three, four, at
least four reports involving uh
dealing with juveniles in various matters. So
>> helmets I know are some of those.
>> Yes.
>> Yeah.
>> And you know, I'm glad you mentioned
that cuz in my daily patrols throughout
the town, I've noticed a lot more kids
wearing helmets.
>> I have too.
>> Yeah. As they fly fly by my house on
[laughter] avenue. I think we're getting
the message out.
>> Absolutely. The same children I've been
noticing not wearing them are now
[clears throat] wearing them. So, keep
up the good work.
>> Excellent. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Uh I will entertain any questions you
may have about any of the 22 incident
reports written during this time frame
if you [clears throat] have any.
>> I do not.
>> I'll go and it's not actually about a
report. It's something that in light of
what happened. Uh, I just want to be
sure that you're keeping the emergency
plan up to date in that people move on,
phone numbers get changed, URLs become
inactive, that you're constantly
updating it. Have you had a chance to do
so this year?
>> It's funny you mentioned that,
Councilman Dyer.
A little birdie's told me you may ask me
about that. [laughter] I did bring it
with me.
>> Excellent.
>> We have updated it and we we we've
started updating it. Let me put it to
you that way. uh because I want to get
new books out to the two council persons
who may not have one. Um we've started
with the updating of a lot of the names
and positions and titles and
information. Uh we're also updating the
business directory we have. We've had
several changes as you all know here in
town. Um, my plan for that and I
mentioned to Joe is I actually want to
set up a separate private group within
our NIXLE which is our mass notification
system
>> for all of the businesses particularly
the downtown businesses.
>> Excellent idea.
>> So that we would be able to send out one
message to all of the business owners uh
to alert them to anything that may be
going on here in town. I think that
would be a good usage of that system. I
think it's being underused right now. U
but I that's that's the plan at this
point and that would be incorporated
into our emergency operations plan as
well. So
>> thank you very much. I you know I'm just
happy to hear and I think the citizens
should know your guys are on it makes
they can sleep safe at night as I do
knowing you're working on it
continually.
These things by nature have to be
updated because people move on. Phone
numbers change. You've got it under
control. I'm very pleased. Thank you,
>> Chief. You know, it's really
interesting. Um,
that's something I would have liked to
have taken credit for is thinking this
would be great for that. Nixel would be
great for that, but of course it wasn't
my idea. Um,
>> you can take credit if you want.
>> I mean, it's too late. It's too late.
Um, but I'm wondering,
this will be my idea only if it's a good
one. I'm wondering if we could do the
same, if we could create a um a contact
list of those most vulnerable
individuals throughout town um who don't
have the ability to go and get ice, as
an example to preserve their
refrigerator and freezers in in a time
of of 3 days of an outage. Um those
resources were available, right?
>> Sure. to the public um by way of
[clears throat] people in Elders,
restaurants and stuff in Eldersburg that
were being so kind and um and community
oriented, but not knowing who needed it
and those that needed it, not having a
way to get it. Just as an example, um I
wonder if I know after the power's out
so long our are uh we don't have way to
charge our phones,
>> right?
>> Um and I know that not everybody has a
phone.
>> Sure. Um, but if we could at least maybe
keep track somehow of give an
opportunity to the public to add their
list, their name and address to uh a a
catalog of sorts that that would be used
for uh wellness checks.
>> Sure.
>> Um in communities uh in times like we
had last week.
>> Yeah, I see where you're going with
that. I think it's a good idea, but I
think um the main thing is to get the
word out to more people to sign up for
Nixel. So, if everybody signed up for
it,
>> we could then get more more information
out to more people.
>> Agreed.
>> And I we probably could have utilized
the Nixl system during this recent
event.
>> Um, you know, just to give people
general information or resources, things
of that nature.
>> We have to do a drive or something like,
you know, just like a a voter uh
registration drive happens in public
places. Maybe we need to give people the
opportunity to
>> to get their names on that list.
>> Okay. Farmers aren't. Yeah, I like that.
>> We've pushed it out many times through
Facebook for those that don't have
internet.
>> Continue try to get the word out through
Facebook and or other other means
>> and the newsletter. We haven't we
haven't uh printed that one yet. Maybe
we make that.
>> Did I include that this time, Carrie?
I'm not sure if I did. I usually
>> We usually do.
>> Yeah. [clears throat]
>> Maybe if we attach it to the idea that
we're speaking of as a result of
improving our response.
>> This is a great idea. I love it.
>> Okay. The problem though is and that's
the point about in printed form very
people who need to know it most
>> I know
>> are those less likely to be on the
therefore it needs to be in print
>> where we can say okay there's this thing
>> and I will rem my new renew my offer if
you get some senior citizen who goes I
don't understand all this stuff and you
young kids hey I happen to know a guy
who's a septtogenarian who'd love to
come AND TALK ABOUT IT [laughter]
I WILL COME drive educate these people
Yeah. No, it's it's it's it's a worthy
offer and it's it's something that I
think is would be incredibly beneficial.
Um,
you know, how we [laughter] get the word
out that your services are available is
like
>> I'm actually dismayed how often I've
said to people, you know,
>> yeah, I'm your age, but I this stuff
will do. I don't want to mess I'm more
than willing to talk. I don't want to
mess with it.
>> Y,
>> you know, we've got to get clear to
them. I made this comment before. Go
fast. And you know if you if you drove
your horseless carriage through town in
1903, someone would come out and stare
at it. I'm pretty confident if someone
were to ride a horse through town now,
>> one of your patrolman would pull them
over and go, "Stop this." Technology
changes. You got to learn to adapt. And
if they have they want to if they want
to do it and don't know how, you know
how to get them. Call me. So Carrie, um
I I know that our uh average age here in
Sykesville is like 42. Um that said, all
we I'm just worried about maybe 15
people, you know. So maybe we put in the
newsletter,
Councilman Dyer, you put a little blurb
in there
>> if you're if you're serious about this.
>> I am serious about this. If you
remember, I had a class here and the
turnout was disappointing in that we had
a lot We had fewer people than I was
hoping for,
>> right?
>> On cyber security. And you know, those
who were here thought, I never thought
of that. Never thought of that. Well,
I'm trying to get more people.
>> Yeah.
>> Senior citizens are more vulnerable
because they don't have the depth of
that looks like a scam. That looks
>> absolutely
>> And same idea. This is complicated. No,
it's not. Once you get into it, it's
not. [clears throat]
So yeah, I think we tie everything to,
you know, this is the digital way world
that we are in as far as communicating
these types of things for the for from a
service perspective.
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> It's got to be done, but I'm more than
willing to help you make it happen.
>> Yeah. Maybe hook up hook up with Carrie
and she wants everybody's article by
Friday last week. So
>> So have time on your
>> I didn't know I was late.
>> Right on. Okay.
>> Sorry.
>> Back to you. Oh, sorry.
>> No. So, Chief, I know we ran uh into
officers on first also checking
um but was surprised by the number.
How many calls did you all receive um in
man that day? Do you know?
>> I honestly didn't didn't track that. I I
can get that.
>> We were told somewhere around 45 just in
like the first half hour.
>> It was It was 47
>> within the first 45 minutes.
>> 45 minutes. Yeah. So,
>> just so I mean I know we're talking
scope or whatever, but the just that
volume and I think at that point you
then
>> had all of your officers out at the
office on the on the street helping and
>> um you know to your point there there
were some news people downtown and you
know one of my favorite lines was
someone out in front of Beck saying you
know that's just how Sesville does it
talking about how everyone came
together. there. I know we had, you
know, neighbors and people on first
pulling branches out of the road so that
we could, you know, people could get
down and
>> Sure.
>> Um, you know, while it was still
raining, [clears throat] right?
>> Yeah.
>> Checking on each other and
>> so yeah, the town I think really came
together.
>> That's what a good good community does
in a crisis.
>> Absolutely.
>> I do have one last question for both of
you. Um, this kind of proved that things
could get serious. Uh, have you guys
thought about extending the um emergency
plan to cover continuity operations?
Often often called coupe. What if the
building suddenly has no roof? What if
the police station and this building no
longer have a roof? Doesn't have to be a
complex plan. We're talking like a page.
>> That's in our plan.
>> That is in our plan. But okay, but I
well maybe I need to go back and
refresh, but I just want to be sure it's
current and up to date because if we
lose both buildings or all three
>> I mean a lot of times coup plans go
we'll go from A to B. Well, if A and B
are gone, where do you go?
>> It ought to be someplace nearby.
>> Mhm.
>> That's not in the line of if a tornado
ever does touch down.
>> I think I think your house is the
designated third spot. [laughter]
>> I was going to say the mayor's house.
She's got the car. I expected that to be
said before that was said, but I knew
that one was coming. Yeah, there's room.
>> Yeah, but there we need power.
>> Well, yeah. And I was last. [laughter]
» Oh, you were. That's right. That's
right.
>> That was a bizarre though thing, right?
Cuz I thought other people in Raincliff
were all set and you weren't. No, it was
all of
>> Yeah, all of Raincliff was Monday
afternoon.
>> It's crazy.
>> As long as it's covered, I'm happy.
>> It is in there. It's a good plan. Um, it
requires updating updating on on a
continual basis. And one thing we
haven't done in a while, and Joe's been
on me about this, is a drill or an
exercise. So, uh, I haven't I'm not
ignoring you, sir. Uh, we we do need to
do that. If you recall, some of you were
here back when we did it shortly after
the plan. I think it was 2018 or 2019.
>> Um, but it is time to do another one.
And the more that you do that, the more
comfortable we all get with each of our
roles and responsibilities. And practice
makes perfect, right? So yeah,
>> I feel like that was Joe's first weekend
here with us.
>> It was I didn't know everybody's name in
the [laughter] room. Yeah, it was good.
>> You learned mine pretty fast.
>> I remember.
>> Thank you, Chief.
>> One last thing. I just want to make
everybody aware. We got two very
important uh events coming up. Um the
first is our 17th annual uh national
night out. It'll be at the Sexville
Freedom Fire Department. I hope
everybody can stop by. I missed it last
year because I was away, but I will be
there this year from 6:00 to 9:00.
>> What day?
>> August 4th, I'm sorry. Yep. August 4th
from 6:00 to 9 at the Sexville Freedom
District Fire Department. And the second
is our junior CSI Academy. Again, the
17th year, coincidentally enough.
>> How about it?
>> Uh will be September 20, let's say, 26th
from 9:30 to 2:00 p.m. And I have
Corporal Barrett helping me this year in
the absence of Sergeant Lacy. And she is
I know she's up to the challenge and
will do a wonderful job. So, two very
longunning programs that I'm proud to
say we're we're going to continue.
>> Thank you. I'm glad to hear that, too.
>> Of course. [snorts] Any questions for
me?
>> Do I?
>> In interest of time, I'll have
Lieutenant Queen come up and do his
review of the Psycholog.
>> How's your web space?
>> Hey, fully healed.
>> All right. Fantastic. Welcome,
Lieutenant
>> Hyperoli. There you go.
>> Yeah. Not not super glue. So, um, the
last time I talked with y'all was
October of last year. So, I'm only going
to cover this year for the first, um,
for the first six months. Um, and as you
can see, I don't know if this is in your
little iPads or if it's not, but um, um,
just some atmospherics on kind of where
we're at, where we're going. So, last
year we ended up losing about three
auxiliary officers, but hired two. So
we're at eight auxiliary officers to
date with still one crossing guard.
Doug's doing amazing as always. So
appreciate hiring him.
>> So grateful for them.
>> Yep. Yep. Um folks in the past have
asked about tenure. Right now the
average tenure is still four years. So
that's going to change a little bit.
It's going to go up uh at the end of the
year because Trent is the one that's
dragging the numbers down because he's
only been here one year. Um [laughter]
but we'll get to that in a minute. So
we'll start off with patrols. Um
significant increase this year in the
amount of patrols with even with the
same manpower uh similar manpower than
last year. Last year we had about 43
hours five patrols in this same period.
This year we're up to 28 160 plus hours.
So um message was loud and clear last
year. Uh we're continuing to do it. Uh
we have a very um eager and robust team
that wants to continue to be out and and
patrol. So uh that includes um
patrolling
uh as a team as well as solar patrol. We
I don't know if you all remember we
implemented that process about a year
ago, rigorous process of training and
things like that and tenure and safety
and protocols on with the the chief and
the team. So that has increased our
numbers as well cuz the team would come
out and want to do have time to do
patrol. So they come out patrol. So
which is good.
>> Um with that I do want to um we'll talk
more about uh some accommodations or um
in a minute. But training, we'll move
over to training real quick. It's kind
of been stagnant since last time. Um
only reason why is most of our folks are
experienced. So a lot of it's just our
or so knowledge enhancing kind of more u
more higher I call it higherend higher
caliber. We use police one same online
tool that u the sworn officers use. So
it's been great uh for for our team.
Additionally we've only had one APO come
in that really needed brand new
training. So uh APO Abby. So she's come
in and so she's taken up most of our
training hours this this um last 6
months.
>> Okay. meetings uh trend has gone up a
little bit from a meetings perspective.
Um we've been doing a lot of support for
grants um just some consultation working
with our grant coordinator so Michael
and so supporting him and just making
sure we get the best information into in
stats into those grants.
>> Sergeant Schlle.
>> Yes, Sergeant Schles. Yep. Um, also we
have started meeting with the
Westminster PD. Um, they are looking to
grow their and stand up really revamp
their auxiliary unit.
>> So, um, we've had a couple meetings with
them uh, directly uh, which has been
interesting. So, it's been good. Uh,
it's a moving in a positive direction
both ways. A lot of knowledge transfer.
We're we're looking to kind of partner
with them, have them kind of shadow us
and vice versa uh in the coming months,
which will be uh which will be
beneficial for both both teams.
>> Of course,
>> admin, it's down from last year, but
it's nothing significant. Uh it's just
normal business dayto-day running the
unit. I've been able to delegate a lot
of it's just a welloiled machine, so
admin's kind of down, which is good. Um
crossing guard detail. So Doug being dug
the hours are consistent 32 and a half
hours but that also includes some of the
work that the sworn and the auxiliary
officers have supported. So uh during
that last portion of June
>> okay
>> um or the school year. So
>> sure
>> uh ride alongs again uh increased
because we have a new officer
requirement for them to be part of the
unit during probation is to do ride
alongs get to know the officers. So, um,
again, that nothing staggering, but
it's, you know, that's above the normal
cuz typically we may do one or two ride
alongs a year. So, as our veterans, um,
like to be in their own vehicles and out
and about supporting. So,
>> sure.
>> Uh, special events. So, hours increased
by about 115% compared to last year this
time. Um, lots of support for all the
events. Um, so doing really well. what's
not on here and kind of what's kind of
under the fabric. So, we've had roughly
four uh or f five in the last month or
sorry, last 6 months uh accommodations
for above and beyond. Um mainly four of
them were weather related. So, or three
of them weather related and then one was
for a parking the new farmers market
layout. So above and beyond coming up
being creative, coming up with ideas,
supporting, spending the night during
the snow event, the big snow event, um
things like that. So um a lot of good
work there. And then we have two
officers planning to go to the academy.
So I need more volunteers.
>> It's your fault you keep doing this.
>> So [laughter] uh Yep. Yep. Which is
good. Uh so we're looking forward to
sending them off [clears throat]
uh in a positive way uh in about a month
and a half, two months hopefully. Uh two
months. Yeah. Um and very excited about
it.
>> Awesome.
>> So that is the report for uh 1 January
to 30 June. Any issues, concerns,
questions?
>> Not from me. Anyone? My left or my
right?
>> Just thank you for all the work that
your team It's very amazing.
>> Cool.
>> Just to give an example, let me just
reiterate what you said about how their
support is so important to us is just
this past Friday, there was a big
funeral in town. I don't know if you any
of you noticed there was a firefighter
uh laid to rest and the viewing was at
Hate Funeral Home and unfortunately that
day was just myself working. Barber was
off and we had one officer working and
they needed two people to man the post
and that would have required us to
abandon the station for two hours which
I thought was unacceptable. So, uh, lo
and behold, uh, Corporal Ian Ward
happened to be here that day to patrol.
I said, "Guess what, Ian? You're now
going to be on this post and help with
this the the closure of the roads." And
he did did a great job. So, that was
just just a great great timing on his
part. and without him being there, our
station would have been closed for 2
hours while myself and Corporal Barrett
stood on a roadside checkpoint to to
block traffic. So that's just one of the
many examples where they they're very
beneficial to us. So thank you.
>> And thank thanks chief for that and
that's why we started looking at how do
we kind of think outside the box from a
patrol perspective and went with the
solo patrol concept with a lot of left
and right bounds for checking in and
safety and things like that. So without
that program, Ian would have not showed
up.
>> So he's like, "Hey, I got some hours. I need some time. I want some time. I'm
going to come down." So happened to be
this event that's going on. And uh so
yeah, um great work by uh Corporal Ward
on that one.
>> Yeah, good good people under under you,
sir. I appreciate you.
>> Um so that brings us uh to the I believe
the end of our meeting. Is that right,
you guys?
>> Council agenda. Oh, of course. Council
and uh liaison uh reports. Uh anything
from my far left here?
>> Uh let's see. There's going to be a
board of zoning appeals, but that's kind
of limited. Um but it's something very
important and they do a magnificent job.
I'm using that as an opportunity to
thank them for their hard work.
>> Fantastic.
>> So, you know, I get to listen to these
experts who are devoted to our town.
It's wonderful. Um let's see what else.
We had to extend the uh contract with
Comcast a little bit while we're trying
to negotiate a new contract and the town
was gracious enough to authorize that as
one of the many. Other than that, that's
all I have.
>> Thank you.
>> Uh planning commission met uh for a June
July meeting. Uh and we the only uh
order of business was the approval of
the final plan for and I'm going to
forget the name of it.
>> Enclave
>> at Parkside.
>> Okay. And that's the uh the small uh
>> 45 town home addition to Park 7.
>> Awesome. Thank you, sir.
>> Uh so HDC Met um does have I I don't
know how many openings are on the
>> There's at least three.
>> At least three. So we need people in the
historic district commission. And
>> I was mouthing off too loud and for too
long. That's what happened. Went from a
full house to
[snorts]
>> and they're I think you know input would
be great and support. I know they're
trying to um figure out their role in
both um length of art displays in town
and guidance or enforcement of like
paint colors on
>> historic buildings. And so, um, you
know, Joe and, um, and staff have really
tried to help provide some guidance on things, but [clears throat] I know
eventually if if it continues at some
point, something will come before
council from their request in that. But,
um, you know, there's a a kind of a
robust discussion going on right now of
it [snorts] within the historic
district. Is it the historic district
commission's
le ability to have oversight and that
would come to council to ask and get
permission for
>> of you know art installation
installations or art on historic
buildings and how you know
>> what the what the oversight there is or
>> temporary versus permanent kind of art
installations. And then a discussion
around people looking to paint historic
buildings and historic colors and is it
their role to provide guidance and if so
what would that guidance be or is it
their role to enforce the use of certain
paint colors and so there's kind of
that's that's the discussion going on
right now in that space.
>> So just so everyone's aware of where
things are.
>> I think the discussion is ongoing to try
to figure out exactly what that would
look like. It's not correct. They don't
want to create like a a very specific
color wheel that everybody has to use.
It's just a matter of how do we avoid
the potential of neon green getting painted on a building somewhere.
>> If it's Yeah. And what what's the same
way you keep a tree from being cut down?
[snorts]
>> I mean, I would literally tie myself to
a building if somebody wanted to paint
it neon green. That's all I'm saying.
>> Sounds like a challenge. [laughter]
I'm not going to get in the middle of
that one, but um yeah, I mean if people
are interested in the discussion
obviously it's in the in the minutes and
things like that and um but just the
council knows those are kind of ongoing
discussions and I think trying to
understand
um their role in that in a historic
>> I think I I I think it's a uh Thank you
for that. Yeah. Um, I'm not so sure it's
their lack of understanding what their
role is. It's their desire for their
ability to have control over certain
things that are not not bestowed upon
them within the current guidelines.
>> Correct.
>> That they want.
So,
I don't know if I've paraphrased that
well or or what have you, but like I I
do believe they understand their role as
commissioners of the historic district.
I think they they would prefer to have
more control over those two items that
you mentioned. Um, and so the the
conversation continues.
>> Yeah. Okay. Thank you, Alex. The next
Spark meeting is Thursday, July 23rd at
7 p.m. And the next Sexual Cinema event
is Saturday, August 8th, and they'll be
showing Dog Man, which I never even knew
was a movie until [laughter]
the movie starts around
sunset at Cooper Park. Uh, but come
early for premov activities. Fun.
>> It is quite unusual.
[laughter]
» My grandkids
[laughter]
Curiosity Pete.
>> Okay.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Appreciate you.
How about you, Councilman?
>> Yep. Um DSC uh for the events in the
last month. We had our Junth 2026. It
was our most successful celebration to
date. Attendance um nearly double from
the last year. And we had new additions
with complimentary food, children's
activities, and giveaways and expanded
cultural and historic programming for
all ages. I think it went very well that
day. Weather was perfect. Worked out
really well. Um, as everybody knows, the
farmers market continues to attract
strong crowds. Attendance data from the
police so far estimates between 500 and
700 people on Main Street each market
day. Um, which is at least 25 times the
normal foot traffic on a Sunday on Main
Street. Uh, let Freedom Ring Parade uh
went off well. Unfortunately, I wasn't
able to attend. Um, but the theme was
back to our roots and had antique
tractors, vintage farm equipment,
Sykesville's ar agricultural heritage.
Um, despite the heat wave, uh, there was
apparently a very good crowd.
>> There was, and I squirted most of them.
[laughter and snorts]
>> Uh, projects and programs. Um, the
design committee has released a
collection of 10 commemorative note
cards celebrating the Gamza recognition
and featuring Main Street artwork by
local artist Tom Canwell. Cards are
available at the post office, the DSSE
office, and the farmers market. A light
installation that is going to go between
the DSSE building and Pasco Distilling
has been rescheduled for the week of
July 20th due to the storms and heat
wave. Um, that's another placemaking
initiative that's just representative of
the partnership between the town and our
Main Street program. And then the I've
not had a chance to visit this yet, but
the popup thrift shop at 7611 Main
Street has apparently been a very
overwhelming success with a lot of
community engagement and visitor
interest.
>> I I thank you for that report. And I
just had one question for Joe. Just is
not nothing DSC related. Um but when it
was when somebody mentioned the um the
uh newsletter ear I pulled up the last
one and I noticed there's a section on
there about sports equipment in town
parks and asking people not to leave
them. What What is the protocol with
regard to that? Cuz I actually noticed
that yesterday in the park by Great Way.
There's at least
>> two soccer goals. That's the usual spot
where there's there's several there's
several pieces of equipment. Uh you
typically if it's uh if it's something
that our public works folks can can move
out of the way and still know around
then you know if it's not causing any
problems then then we we do leave it. Um
however if we do start getting
complaints about it then we usually post
the actual piece of equipment itself. If
it's in a public area like that where
you don't know it's a like whose house
it actually belongs to uh we'll post it
and then uh if it if it doesn't leave I
think we usually give it 10 days or so.
Um we'll we'll just take it away. Okay.
Thanks.
>> Thank you so much. Um any other comments
or uh items for the good of the order?
Going once, going twice. Right. So we're
looking for a motion to adjourn. Thank
you, council.
>> Close. Motion to go in. Motion.
>> Yeah. Close session.
>> Yes.
>> So at this point, [laughter]
we don't need a motion. I'm going to
call for recess.
All right. [laughter]
cuz the mayor's awake now. Okay. So,
>> did something change on the agenda?
>> No. No, it didn't. It did change from it
not having one to having in my mind, not
on paper. [laughter]
>> Okay.
>> Um, just like coming. Um, I'll give a 5m
minute recess here now so we can clear
the gallery for our close session.