The Havre de Grace City Council agreed to take part in the Sustainable Maryland certification program Monday night, despite opposition by Councilman Randy Craig.
Craig called the program, which includes having a Green Team, a feel-good measure that does not create meaningful results.
As the program does not require the city to expend any funds, "it makes you wonder, what is the point of it at all?" Craig asked, adding Sustainable Maryland has already indicated it would add more, as yet unspecified, requirements.
The Sustainable Maryland program requires a municipality to complete an energy audit, community garden program, carbon footprint program, adoption of a "green" purchasing policy, adoption of a watershed plan and adoption of a stormwater management plan.
Craig agreed the Green Team is valuable and the city supports green initiatives, but he said he is more interested in returning gas tax revenue to the city and providing necessary funds for policing.
"One of the most important things we do in the city is support the wastewater treatment plant," he continued, pointing out the city's debt-ridden water and sewer fund.
On the subject of sustainability, he said, the fund is "nearly unsustainable without future growth."
Craig said he will keep supporting "important environmental measures," but voted against the Sustainable Maryland resolution. All other council members supported it.
Green Team president Kirk Smith and treasurer Samantha Groff both praised the council for supporting the program.
Sustainable Maryland "is another hoop to jump through, but it is a hoop with a positive goal in mind," Groff told the council after their vote, alluding to Craig's description of it as a merit badge.
"With acquiring that merit badge, we get to get that grant money," she said about the potential of grant funds from being certified. "I know our pockets are not that deep and we need money from elsewhere ... I want to make sure we pay off that [water and sewer] debt with grant funds."
Budget introduced, leader acknowledged
The council also introduced a bill to approve the 2017 budget Monday night. Mayor Bill Martin earlier discussed his proposed $16.26 million general fund budget request, which includes $3.5 million for capital expenses and $12.9 million in operating expenses.
The bill is scheduled to have a public hearing at 6 p.m. next Monday.
Also at Monday's meeting, the council gave a special recognition to Garrett Lyttle for his eight years of service on the water commission. Lyttle is stepping down from his leadership role this month.
He declined to run for another term on the City Council to serve on the commission, and has also worked on the Independence Day committee and the RAD (Revitalization and Development) loan committee.
Lyttle said working on the city's struggling water system has been an issue of conscience.
"The single most important thing this city does is provide clean drinking water for the citizens, and getting rid of wastewater is probably the second thing," Lyttle said.
Societies have worked to provide clean drinking water since ancient Rome, he said, "and nobody does it better than the employees here in Havre de Grace."
"Everybody knows what happened in Flint, Michigan, and that is because there was no oversight, and we are blessed in this city," Lyttle said about having employees who "put in the time to make sure things are done the right way."
New events, biking questioned
Councilman Mike Hitchings said he remains concerned about plans to allow bicyclists to cross the Thomas Hatem Bridge starting July 1.
Although bicyclists have complained about difficulties crossing the river while doing long trips, "I don't think this is the appropriate way of getting it done, especially because it seems like a back-door job," Hitchings said.
He added the bridge was just re-decked and a bike lane was not considered at the time. The speed limit on the bridge is 45 miles per hour.
"Can you imagine riding a bicycle, for anyone over 13, and having an 18-wheeler go by you?" he said. "It's risky. It's extremely risky."
Hitchings said he will write to the Maryland Department of Transportation expressing his concern and urges others to do the same.
Also at Monday's meeting, the council praised the new Thursday Night Live event series and approved an application by the Susquehanna Ministerium for Blessing By The Bay, a worship and prayer event set from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 7 at Hutchins Park.
Martin said more than 250 people attended the first Thursday Night Live event, "and everyone seemed to have a good time."
Director of Administration Patrick Sypolt called it "a huge success."