Wednesday, November 22, 2023 | Issue 27

Town Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

For water emergencies, please contact Bobby Straiton, Maintenance Supervisor, at 443-553-2087.

We are happy to announce that our upgraded website is now live!

Our upgraded website offers a visually-appealing and user-friendly format. It's not only easier to find all of the important things, but also showcases our beautiful Town, as it deserves.

UPDATE:

We were aware of an issue with Android devices not receiving push notifications from the app, and we are pleased to say that issue has been resolved. If you have an Android device, please update the Historic Charlestown app to the newest version, and then go into the app to allow notifications.

If you haven't already, make sure to download our app from the app store on your mobile device. See the links below for quick access to the app.

Our app provides quick access to important Town information, and push notifications when Town news and updates are available.

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/az/app/historic-charlestown/id6465395237

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.govoutreach.charlestowntownmd

Our Donuts with Santa event on November 19th was a success!

Thank you to all the families that came out to spend some time with Santa! We loved having you there to spread holiday cheer, take photos with Santa, and enjoy refreshments.

Thank you to our Santa, Tom Durange, for making each child feel the love of Santa and the Christmas season! You truly were a joy and we appreciate you.

Thank you to our photographer, Matt Peterson of Machpe Photography, for helping us to capture the joy in each child that visited Santa! All of the families have already received their photos, and they turned out beautifully.

Thank you to The Wellwood Restaurant for donating hot chocolate for all to enjoy!

Last, but not least, thank you to all of the volunteers! You ensured everything ran smoothly and we are grateful for you.

Please join us for a presentation by Susan Hill of the Community Heart & Soul organization. The goal of this meeting is to come together and start a process to identify and honor the unique character of our Town.

We invite all Charlestown residents to attend and participate.

Refreshments will be served at 5:30pm.

If you would like to attend, please register here. Registration is not required, but encouraged.

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to celebrate than to gather together again for our annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Market Square (Bladen & Market Streets).

Before the tree lighting, please join us in front of Fairgreen Park for some hot chocolate and cookies, and to find your child's ornament (made at school) on one of the smaller Christmas trees lined up in front of the park. The Charlestown Elementary School Choir will serenade us with some festive songs, and Colonel Nathaniel Ramsey will read us a Christmas story.

The Town Commissioners of Charlestown wish to invite you to our annual Holiday Open House celebration.

We hope you'll join us in spreading some holiday cheer with Town Commissioners, Town Staff and fellow residents while enjoying an array of hor d'oeuvres, desserts, and refreshments.

This event is free, and parking will be free at The Wellwood Restaurant.

If you plan to attend, please complete the registration form below. Thank you!

Ceremony

St. John's United Methodist Church, 240 Market Street

This annual ceremony is hosted by Jeanette Armour and honors veterans that have been laid to rest in the Charlestown Cemetery.

Luncheon

Charlestown Fire Hall, 307 Market Street

The luncheon is hosted by the Town and is for all veterans and their families to enjoy. There will be soups, sweets and refreshments.

We would like to invite all Charlestown residents to participate in a winter lights decorating contest to help us spread holiday cheer throughout Town from December through February.

Every year, the Town participates in Winter Lights, Cecil Nights, which is a program sponsored by the Cecil County Tourism Office to get people outside and visiting our Town. This year we want it to be better than ever by including residents!

Participants will have a chance to win 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes. There's no need to register, but in order to qualify, you must follow the guidelines below.

• Lights must be any of the following colors: white, silver, blue, purple, or pink. Choose one color or a mix.
• Creativity is encouraged, but not a must. Classic is timeless!
• Decorations do not need to be Christmas-themed. A winter theme would work best after the Christmas season. If you decorate for Christmas, choose colors and decorations that can easily be updated or used in January and February. For example, snowflakes, snowmen, deer, stars, trees, wreaths, etc.
• A photo of your decorated house at night must be submitted by Friday, February 23, 2023. Voting will occur the last week of February. Submit to staff@charlestownmd.org.

Prizes: $100 for 1st, $75 for 2nd, $50 for 3rd. Choice of Visa gift card or gift certificate for The Wellwood Restaurant or Market Street Café.

Contact Town Hall with any questions.

All meetings held at Town Hall, unless otherwise noted, and via Zoom.

Meeting Dates

Historic District Commission

Held on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm.

• Next Meeting: December 5, 2023

Planning & Zoning Commission

Held on the 1st Thursday following the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm.

• Next Meeting: December 7, 2023

Town Commissioners

Held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm.

• Next Legislative Meeting: December 12, 2023
• Next Working Meeting: November 28, 2023

Bulk Trash Collection

Last Wednesday of the month.

Town Hall must be notified by 4pm the day prior.

Place items separate from regular household trash & recyclables.

Next Collection: November 29, 2023

Yard Waste Collection

Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.

No need to notify Town Hall.

Next Collection: November 27, 2023

Household Trash & Recyclables Collection

Every Wednesday, starting at 6am.

Place trash and recyclable bins at your curb the night before.