Tuesday, February 13, 2024 | Issue 29

Town Hall will be closed on Monday, February 19th, in observance of Presidents' Day.

Please note that household trash and recyclables collection WILL NOT be affected, as this is not a holiday that Trash tech observes.

Trash Tech provides Charlestown residents with trash and recyclable collection every Wednesday. To ensure proper pickup, please read the following requirements.

• Place your bins at your curb on Tuesday evening, or before 6am on Wednesday. Residents without bins at the curb before trucks arrive will not be serviced until the following week.

• Bin color is important. Bins provided by Trash Tech with dark-colored lids (blue or black) are for trash, and light-colored lids (yellow or orange) are for recyclables. Mixing these bins up may cause missed collection by Trash Tech.

• Recyclables must be contained within bins. Large boxes that are unable to be broken down must be taken to the Cecil County Landfill by residents, or collection must be scheduled for Town Maintenance Staff to collect.

• Bulk trash items must be separate from household trash. The Town Maintenance Staff collects bulk items on the last Wednesday of each month, but these items must be separated from household trash to avoid missed collection by Trash Tech.

• Trash and recyclables cannot be mixed. Contaminated recyclables will not be collected. Here's a link to Cecil County's recycling guidelines: Click Here.

If your trash or recyclables are not collected by 4:00pm on Wednesday, please notify Town Hall no later than 12:00pm on Thursday to get on the list for collection on Friday.

Historic District Commission Member

Vacancies: One (1)

Term: Three (3) Years

Seeking a candidate that is interested in the history of Charlestown and its Historic Preservation. Duties of this volunteer position includes attending monthly meetings to review and approve zoning/building permit requests, sharing the responsibility of revising the Historic District ordinance, and helping to create a Historic Preservation Plan that implements a shared vision for the Historic District.

Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm.

If you are interested in joining the Board, please contact Bryan Lightner, Town Administrator, at 410-287-6173, ext. 2, or via email at blightner@charlestownmd.org.

Three (3) Commissioner Seats are up for Election

The Charlestown Board of Supervisors of Elections will hold the 2024 Municipal Election on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 7:00AM to 7:00PM at the Town Hall Building, 241 Market Street, Charlestown.

• Eligibility to Vote: In order to be eligible to vote, you must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and be a town resident for one (1) month prior to the election.

• Absentee Ballot Request: To request an absentee ballot, please complete this form and submit to Town Hall by Monday, March 4th at 4:00pm. If you need the absentee ballot mailed to you, please submit by Friday, February 16th.

• 2024 Candidates: We have four (4) candidates for Commissioner this year: Jacqueline Akers, Renee Capano, Thomas Costanzi, and Loucretia Wood. We asked each to submit a brief biography and photograph so that you can make an informed decision on Election Day. View biographies via the button below.

• Candidates' Forum: The Candidates' Forum has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 21st at 6:00pm. It will be held at the Charlestown Fire Hall, 307 Market Street, and via Zoom. We strongly encourage residents to attend, as it is an opportunity to meet and get to know the candidates. If you are unable to attend, or would like to submit questions for the candidates anonymously, please click here. The Zoom video will be posted to our website the next day for later viewing.

• Election Results: After polls close at 7:00pm, you will have the opportunity to watch the ballot count live via Zoom (link available via button below). Results will be posted to our website, Facebook page, Historic Charlestown app, and sent via email after they are finalized.

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!
• A winter theme would work best. For example, snowflakes, snowmen, deer, stars, trees, wreaths, etc.
• A photo of your decorated house at night must be submitted by Friday, February 23, 2024. 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.

Presidents' Day Brunch featuring Teddy Roosevelt

Sunday, February 18th at 12:00pm

The Wellwood Banquet Pavilion

523 Water Street, Charlestown

To benefit Colonial Charlestown Inc.

Enjoy renowned character interpreter, Bill Rose, share insights into the exuberant life of our 26th President.

$50 per person, open seating.

Includes: One Mimosa, Tossed Spring Salad with Orange Vinegrette or House-Made Ranch Dressing, Fresh Fruit, Breakfast Pastries, Eggs, Bacon and Sausage, Homefries, and Pancakes. Along with Wellwood's Famous Fried Chicken (one of Teddy Roosevelt's Favorite dishes), Honey Baked Virginia Ham, Macaroni & Cheese, Fresh Vegetables, and Dessert. Beverages: Coffee, Juice, Iced Tea, Soda.

Doors open at 12:00 PM, Brunch is served at 12:15 PM, and Entertainment is at 1:00 PM.

Purchase Tickets Online at https://Colonial_Charlestown.eventbrite.com, or purchase at Town Hall with a check made payable to Colonial Charlestown.

The following meetings will be held at the Charlestown Fire Hall, 307 Market Street, and via Zoom.

Trinity Woods Communities

Thursday, February 15th at 6pm

Cool Springs Community

Thursday, February 22nd at 6pm

These meetings, hosted by the Town Commissioners, will be an excellent opportunity to discuss issues that may be of interest to your community, such as speeding and stormwater management, as well as to learn about the Town's future plans.

If you are unable to attend in person, we encourage you to join via Zoom. You may also submit questions anonymously by clicking here. The Zoom video links will be posted to our website the next day for later viewing.

2024 Candidates' Forum

Rescheduled to Wednesday, February 21st at 6pm Charlestown Fire Hall, 307 Market St, and via Zoom

Please join us for an opportunity to meet and get to know the Candidates for Commissioner, and to hear their visions for helping to make the Town a better place.

If you would like to submit questions ahead or anonymously, please click here. The deadline to submit is Tuesday, February 20th at 4:00pm.

Hosted by Colonial Charlestown.

Sip hot chocolate and tour the Tory House, also known as the 107 House.

Hor d'ouevres provided by Market Street Café.

Parking lot on Cecil Street.

Brief History of the Tory House:

Built circa 1750. The original deed for the property describes a building, which was somehow destroyed. Around 1810, the foundation was reused for the present structure, which still contains the tavern kitchen in the basement. Rumored, but not true, is that the property was sold in 1802 by the state of Maryland, which may have confiscated it from a Tory during the Revolutionary War, thus it's name "Tory House." It has been restored through the efforts of Colonial Charlestown, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

This event is hosted by the Sons of the American Legion, Cecil Squadron #15.

Registration opens at 11:30am. Approximate 1:00pm splash time. Food and beverages available on-site for purchase.

No outside vendors, please.

For full details, please visit the Sons of the American Legion's website 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: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 (Due to Election Day on March 5th)

Planning & Zoning Commission

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

• Next Meeting: March 7, 2024

Town Commissioners

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

• Next Legislative Meeting: March 12, 2024
• Next Working Meeting: February 27, 2024

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: February 28, 2024

Yard Waste Collection

Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.

No need to notify Town Hall.

Next Collection: February 26, 2024

Household Trash & Recyclables Collection

Every Wednesday, starting at 6am.

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

Contact Town Hall regarding problems with collections.