Monday, August 7, 2023 | Issue 24

Here's how you can pay:

• Online via our PayCenter with your debit or credit card.
• In-Person at Town Hall during office hours (listed above) with cash, check or money order.

Important dates to remember:

• August 8th - Penalties applied for non-payment and past due/shut-off notices mailed.
• August 15th - Door hangers placed at residences that are at risk for shut-off.
• August 22nd - Shut-offs completed, if no payment received, and $50 Shut-Off fee assessed.

If your water is shut off, the following options are available to have service returned:

• Pay your balance in full;
• Set up a payment plan for the full balance and pay in equal monthly installments within 12 months;
• OR provide proof of application for Low Income Household Water Assistance with the State of Maryland Department of Human Services.

Note: Accounts that have an outstanding balance of one quarter or more are at risk for shut-off, unless there is an established payment plan and it is in good standing. If you need assistance and would like to set up a payment plan, contact Mary Culver at mculver@charlestownmd.org. Please don't wait.

As previously mentioned, mosquito spraying in Charlestown is conducted by Cecil County every two (2) weeks. The next date is Thursday, August 10th (early morning, between Midnight and 3am).

Effective immediately, please contact Trash Tech directly at 302-832-8000 if there are any issues with trash or recyclables collection, or if you need a replacement can.

Starting in September, Bulk Trash Collection will go back to one collection day and will occur on the last Wednesday of every month. Collections will be made between 8:00am and 3:00pm.

As always, please contact Town Hall at 410-287-6173, ext. 5, or via email at staff@charlestownmd.org, by 4:00pm the day before to schedule your pickup.

Town Hall now has an Emergency-Only phone line, which will be used during times of natural disaster and/or when internet service is not available. The number is 410-220-3904.

Please be aware that this phone line will not be answered at any time, other than during the aforementioned times, and does not have a voicemail box. For after-hours water system emergencies only, such as leaks, please contact Robert Straiton, Maintenance Supervisor, at 443-553-2087.

August 7th is National Purple Heart Day, a day to honor the brave men and women who were wounded or lost their lives whilst serving our country.

Originally called the Badge of Military Merit, the Purple Heart is the oldest military award and was established by George Washington on August 7, 1782. Before being awarded as a medal in 1932, the award was a purple cloth badge that read, "merit," and was only awarded to three soldiers during the Revolutionary War for unusually heroic acts.

Today, the medal is awarded to those that have been injured or killed in the line of duty. The exact number of recipients is unknown, but is estimated at over 2,000,000. Since 2014, August 7th has been recognized as the official day of recognition for the Purple Heart Award.

As a residential community, the Town encourages all residents to protect our loved ones and neighbors by making sure our dogs are properly restrained, vaccinated, and licensed.

Ordinance #23, which was enacted by the Town Commissioners on May 12, 1970, states:

No person shall permit his dog to be at large or not under restraint in Charlestown. A dog will be deemed to be "at large" when not on the property of its owner and not under the control of a responsible person. A dog is "under restraint" if it is controlled by a leash, or under the control of an owner or other responsible person and obedient to the person's commands, or within a vehicle or within the property limits of its owner or keeper. Any person violating this ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not more than $25.00 or sentenced to not more than 30 days confinement or both.

To lodge a complaint about a loose animal, please contact Cecil County Animal Control at 410-441-2040, or for more information regarding animal control, vaccination clinics or licensing, contact A Buddy for Life, Inc, via email at info@ab4l.org. To purchase a dog license, please visit https://www.ccgov.org/government/animal-services/dog-licensing.

Pet Waste

In Charlestown, it's required by law to clean up after your pet.

Pet waste is a threat to the health of our residents and our environment, since it transmits disease and degrades the appearance of our Town. When we do not clean up after our pets, the waste is washed away and contaminates our storm drain system. This system reaches nearby creeks, which ultimately drain into the Chesapeake Bay.

We love our pets, so let's be more considerate of our neighbors and help keep our Town clean.

Although we follow a single stream recycling system, there are some things that must go into the garbage and cannot be recycled.

Did you know that food-stained cardboard, Styrofoam, plastic grocery bags and disposable diapers, for example, are not recyclable?

Please carefully review the Cecil County Single Stream Recycling flyer for more information. (Click the image to enlarge.)

Attention Homeowners and Contractors: Call 811 Before You Dig!

It is required by law that Miss Utility be called before digging more than 6" on any property is started.

The purpose of Miss Utility is to inform the Town, County, Delmarva Power, Comcast, and Schagrin Gas Company that utility lines need to be located and marked, or declared clear of conflict, to prevent death or injury to individuals, property damage to private and public property, and the loss of services provided to the general public.

For more information, go to mddpa.org, or contact the MD Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority at 410-782-2102.

Can't see the images above? Click here and here.

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: September 5, 2023

Planning & Zoning Commission

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

• Next Meeting: September 7, 2023

Town Commissioners

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

• Next Legislative Meeting: August 8, 2023
• Next Working Meeting: August 22, 2023

Bulk Trash Collection

Schedule for August:

South of Route 7 - Last Tuesday of the Month

North of Route 7 - Last Wednesday of the Month

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

Next Collection: August 29 & 30, 2023

** Schedule changing in September to last Wednesday of the month for all sections of Town.

Yard Waste Collection

Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.

No need to notify Town Hall.

Next Collection: August 14, 2023

Household Trash & Recyclables Collection

Every Wednesday, starting at 6am.

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