Thursday, October 26, 2023 | Issue 26

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 18, 2023

Contact: Mike Hunninghake, Director, Sustainable Maryland, 301-405-7956, mikeh75@umd.edu

Town of Charlestown Receives Prestigious Sustainable Maryland Certified Award at Maryland Municipal League Conference, First Cecil County Municipality to Win the Award

College Park, MD (October 18, 2023) – The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that the Town of Charlestown was one of 16 Maryland municipalities honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference this week. This is the Town’s first certification in the program, and Charlestown is the first municipality in Cecil County to receive the Sustainable Maryland certification. The Town was certified at the Bronze level.

Highlights of Charlestown’s accomplishments include:

• The Town Commissioners of the Town of Charlestown approved a Backyard Chicken Ordinance (2009-01) on February 28, 2023. Coops must be constructed in the rear yard only; roosters are not permitted; and for properties less than one-half acre in size, six chickens are the maximum number allowed.

• The Green Team hosted a perennial plant swap on Earth Day, April 22, 2023. Tables with perennials and herbs (not fruit) plants were available to the public to "Swap". A few other vendor tables were situated alongside the plant swap: The Poultry Palette (celebrating the Entire Egg), Master Gardener demonstration from the University of Maryland Extensions, insect education, and geothermal education.

“We’re honored to be the first Town in Cecil County to achieve the Sustainable Maryland certification,” said Renee Capano, President of the Town Commissioners.  “Charlestown is a unique place, with a special history and a natural resource along the North East River, which is very much worthy of protection and improved long-range planning. We look forward to partnering with Sustainable Maryland and the University of Maryland as we look to strengthen the sustainability of our Town.”

According to Mike Hunninghake, Director of the Sustainable Maryland program, “This year’s class of Sustainable Maryland Certified awardees represents a broad cross-section of the state, from rural to urban, small towns to large cities, from western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. These municipalities are united in their mutual commitment to put sustainability at the forefront of their municipal agendas. We’re pleased to highlight their achievements and look forward to supporting their future efforts.”

The attached photo shows (from left) Robert Rinehart, Vice President, Board of Town Commissioners and Richard Mahan, Treasurer, Board of Town Commissioners with the Sustainable Maryland Certified award at the Maryland Municipal League conference.

For detailed information about Charlestown’s sustainability initiatives, please contact Bryan Lightner, Town Administrator, blightner@charlestownmd.org, 410-287-6173 ext. 2

We want to thank all those that have completed our survey about the relocation of Fair Green Playground. We've received a large amount of feedback and greatly appreciate it.

If you haven't completed it yet, the survey is still open for responses. Below are some photos of Fair Green Playground and a proposed site plan for the relocation of the playground and construction of the new Town Hall and Resiliency Hub. The current Town Hall building will be restored, as it once was the Town's two-room school house, and utilized as the Town's meeting and community space.

The lates construction/renovation proposal will be available on our website soon. Please stay tuned.

Our new app, Historic Charlestown, is live!

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

NOTE: We are aware of an issue with Android devices not receiving push notifications from the app, and are working with the developer to resolve the issue. We will update when this is corrected. We apologize for the inconvenience and encourage you to check the app frequently for important updates.

Below is a timeline for 3rd Quarter Utility Payments.

• Billing Period: July 1st to September 30th
• Mailing Date: October 13th
• Due Date: November 13th
• Penalty Applied: November 14th
• Door Hangers for Non-Payment: November 21st
• Shut-Off for Non-Payment: November 28th

If you haven't received your bill, please contact Mary Culver at 410-287-6173, ext. 4, or via email at mculver@charlestownmd.org for a copy.

If you haven't read our 3rd Quarter newsletter yet, The Charlestown Drift, please take a moment to do so by clicking the link below.

Collection is affected by the following holidays (when they fall on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday):

• New Years Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Christmas

Cecil Cares Day on October 7th was a huge success! Everyone worked hard tending to the shoreline stabilization area at Foot Log Park and planting trees at Veteran's Park and Foot Log Park.

We want to thank all of the volunteers that came out to help, and Cecil County Department of Community Services for partnering with us to make this day possible.

This past Sunday, the Daughters of the American Colonists (DAC) held a ceremony to present the proclamation from the Governor of Maryland proclaiming October 22nd as Red Lyon and Indian Queen Tavern Day in Maryland. Many of the DAC members and Colonel Nathaniel Ramsey spoke about Charlestown's rich history. It was a beautiful day and a lovely ceremony.

A historical marker was placed by the road between the taverns, which reads:

"Charlestown was incorporated in 1742 to encourage trade and navigation because of its location on the Old Post Road and the North East River. The survey of 1743 created a town of 200 lots. Zebulon Hollingsworth, a charter member of the Town council, purchased lot 82 and built the Indian Queen Tavern about 1744 and became the first innkeeper. The Red Lyon Tavern, also on lot 82, was built about 1755. The Black Family purchased the Indian Queen in 1845, and by 1850, they purchased the Red Lyon Tavern, known as Black's Store until 1896."

The taverns, along with the Tory House (107 House, located at 343 Market St), will be open for tours in May 2024 for the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage. More information will be available soon.

Lost & Found

There are a number of items at Town Hall for safekeeping, such as sunglasses, bracelets, and a ring, that were found this summer and turned in to us.

Please check out our website post for photos and details of the items and let us know if any items are yours. Thank you!

It's time for our annual Halloween parade and trunk-or-treat!

We will meet at Fair Green Park on Bladen Street and parade down Conestoga and Water Streets. At the end of the parade route, we will hand out bags for candy and a glow stick.

The trunk-or-treat, which is sponsored by the Charlestown Elementary PTO, will be on Water Street in front of Veteran's Park. We will have hot dogs, beverages and snacks at the pavilion, which will be first come, first served.

Volunteers Needed! Please join the Town Commissioners and Staff to repair the fencing around the detention basins in Trinity Woods and Scott Gardens. Kindly use the link below to sign up.

We'll meet in front of 51 Salvation Circle at 9:00am. Please bring along your favorite gloves.

Fore more information or if you have any questions, please email Bryan Lightner, Town Administrator, at blightner@charlestownmd.org.

Our 2nd Annual Donuts with Santa event is quickly approaching!

Registration is required for this event, and is now fully booked. Due to the maximum capacity of the Fire Hall, and to ensure each child gets adequate time with Santa, we had a limited amount of spots available. Although we would love for all children to be able to meet with Santa, we will not be able to accept anyone at the door that has not already registered. However, we are offering a waiting list in case we have any cancellations.

This year, we have hired a professional photographer to take candid and posed photographs. A few days after the event, each family will be provided with a link and passcode to retrieve their photos. A photo release will also be provided so that the photos can be used anywhere that requires it (i.e. Shutterfly, Walmart Photo, etc.).

As for refreshments, we will have donuts (of course!), healthy snacks, hot chocolate and juice.

After you have your photos taken, each child is encourage to write a letter to Santa (or bring one already written) so they can receive a handwritten response from Santa himself! Please make sure all letters have your mailing address on them.

If you would like to put your child's name on the waiting list, please follow this link: https://forms.gle/z9kT224L8kJDqWUU9

For those that are already registered, if you registered any adults, please let us know. Registration was only required for children and we want to make sure as many spots are available for them as possible.

We look forward to seeing everyone again this year!

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. Green, red, and gold lights should not be displayed in January and February.
• 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: November 7, 2023

Planning & Zoning Commission

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

• Next Meeting: November 9, 2023

Town Commissioners

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

• Next Legislative Meeting: November 14, 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 13 & 27, 2023

Household Trash & Recyclables Collection

Every Wednesday, starting at 6am.

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