Text Box: BUDGET (FROM PAGE 3) Text Box: expected to produce $63,000, compared to last year's estimate of $53,000. In addition, the council voted to retain the existing personal property tax rate of $0.80 per $100, which brought in over $9,000 as of April 26th. Another major source of revenue, as in previous years, is an estimated $18,000 interest on the town's $632,318 capital surplus, or 2.85%. However, this estimate may be low, since money market yields are currently about 5%. There was no debate over any of the budget items by councilmembers. With the mayor's concurrence, they voted to increase funding for three of the items included in her May 15th budget proposal, which had been distributed to all town residents. Money for street paving, originally set by the mayor at $150,000, was increased to $200,000. For electricity expenditures, the council approved $6,000 instead of $2,000. And the mayor's original proposal for snow plowing was increased to $5,000 from $3,500. Only one budget item -- $20,000 to construct an entrance to the town, which is the same amount budgeted (but unspent) last year -- elicited a reaction from a town resident not on the council. According to Mayor Beers, Diana Hudson Taylor had commented that she did not think the entrance should be included in the budget before the streets are resurfaced. "We can always put off doing it until the streets are done," the mayor told the council, which approved the expenditure. Except for a reporter for The Echo, no town residents attended either the budget hearing or the special council meeting that followed Text Box: TOWN COUNCIL NOTES June 11 The town has made a request to the office of County Councilmember Roger Berliner that a speed camera to be placed at the Princeton Ave. crosswalk across MacArthur Blvd. to capture images of motorists not stopping for pedestrians who are attempting the use the crosswalk. It was pointed out that while some cars will stop for pedestrians, other more impatient drivers will pass the stopped cars by driving in the shoulder. The council debated the feasibility of a barrier placed in the shoulder to prevent this from happening… Councilmember Eve Arber, at the behest of several town residents, brought up the issue of residents blocking town streets in order to hold block parties. The council agreed to review the ordinances in order to see what provisions are already in place for such events and then decide on a procedure… Councilmember Steve Matney reported that EBA Engineering is able to install speed bumps in the town. He is still waiting for another call back before the town moves forward on street repair. Mayor Beers requested that the existing potholes be repaired before the season for asphalt passes… Town Councilmember Long has appointments with two landscape architects to discuss plans for the town’s two parks. Councilmember Eve Arber brought to the town’s attention that the Maryland Municipal League offers grants for the building of parks. She noted that in 2007 the League donated $5 million for the construction of 64 parks. She and Councilmember Long were going to further investigate if they could get plans from the landscape architects before the grant deadline date. The council decided on the design for the new town sign. It is going to be solid white plastic, approximately one-half inch thick, with a semi-gloss finish and raised lettering. The sign will require no painting and only cleaning as maintenance. There is to be a grooved border on the sign. Councilmember Arber was unsure when the sign would be completed and delivered. --Kathleen Kotcher

 

next town council meeting

 

Monday,  July 9—8:00 p.m.

Glen Echo Town Hall

Contact the clerk-treasurer to add an item to the agenda
Text Box: PROPERTIES AVAILABLE 12 Wellesley Circle (rent furnished) $2,600.00/mo.