Celebrating the majesty of trees, county and town officials sang theleafy plants' praises at Wednesday's Arbor Day celebration.
"How can you hate (trees)," asked Neil Ridgely, county landscape plan reviewer. "They're like a good dog. They don't bite and they keep on giving until the end."
During the second annual county celebration, trees were presentedto the representatives of each county municipality.
In contrast to the taller American Elms distributed last year, the county gave smaller, flowering Japanese Snowbell trees during the celebration.
"These are small-statured, fragrant trees," said Ridgely. "They won't get large."
Another tree -- a Ginko Bilboa or Maidenhair grown by Kevin Dayhoff, of the Carroll County Forestry Board -- was presented to the Carroll County Department of Parks and Recreation.
The tree will be planted at the Community Pond off Route 140.
"One of my earliest childhood memories is of falling into the pond and chasing theducks," Dayhoff joked. "I raised this tree myself, so it pleased me that it would be planted somewhere that meant something to me."
The first semi-annual Landscape and Design in Development awards were presented to developers that had worked to enhance the beauty of Carroll on their properties, Ridgely said.
Award-winners are:
* Residential Development Design -- Parrs Ridge.
* Commercial Development Design -- Carroll Community College; honorable mention to Sandymount Amoco
* Grounds Maintenance Award -- FMS Building by Mark MillerDevelopment and Gateway West by McShea & Co. Development
No recipient was selected for the Forest Preservation category.
COUNCIL MULLSEXTENSION
WESTMINSTER -- The City Council is expected to act on aresolution tomorrow to extend the deadline for a decision on a rezoning request from a county builder.
Martin K. P. Hill, president ofthe Hampstead-based Masonry Contractors Inc., and partner Richard Maring submitted a rezoning request for a 74-acre site on which they want to build a mix of 280 housing units.
The builders want the landrezoned from R-10,000, which allows four homes per acre, to PD-4, which allows about the same density but permits town house clusters.
The city Planning and Zoning Commission urged the council to deny the request, citing concerns about impact on roads and schools. The land is adjacent to the Furnace Hills residential subdivision.
Council members have indicated they'd like more time to study the request.
Also tomorrow, the council also is expected to act on a measure toupdate the affirmative action plan for city workers.
The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.
MEETING AGENDA SET
TANEYTOWN -- The City Council will consider an open burning ordinance at its meeting tomorrow.
The proposed ordinance would require permits for large, supervised fires, such as those fire companies conduct for training. The permits would require that adjoining property owners be notified and that information about the fire be posted.
The meeting willbegin at 7:30 p.m. at the City Municipal Office on East Baltimore Street.
SCHOOL AGENDA SET
The county Board of Education will receivea staff recommendation for the redistricting of the new Piney Ridge Elementary School, scheduled to open this September, at its meeting Wednesday.
The staff's recommendation comes on the heels of two public meetings about the redistricting proposal, which will affect students at Eldersburg, Carrolltowne and Freedom elementary schools.
There was little opposition to the three options developed by school officials. The redistricting will not require students to be transferred from one existing school to another.
The redrawing of boundary lines is necessary to alleviate overcrowding and to balance enrollment among the schools.
The board will not act on the recommendation Wednesday. A final public meeting has been set for 7:30 p.m. May 1 atLiberty High School. The board will take action on the issue at its regular meeting that month.
EARLY RELEASE FOR BUDGET
WESTMINSTER -- Don't look for "Budget Brawl II" this spring, when the City Councilsits down to hammer out a spending plan for the coming fiscal year.
The issue that caused no shortage of enmity between the council and Mayor W. Benjamin Brown during the 1990 budget debate probably won't be a factor this year.
In contrast to last year, a draft budget will be released two weeks before the council's May 6 public hearing on the plan, said Councilman William F. Haifley, who is chairman of the budget committee.
Last year, as in many previous years, the budget proposal was not scheduled to be unveiled until the hour of the public hearing. That angered Brown, who thought the public should havea chance to study the plan before the hearing.
When the mayor released the draft to the media three days before the hearing, an angry council demanded his resignation. Council President Kenneth Hornberger called release of the budget "a serious breach of protocol."
Brown refused to resign, and ill will escalated such that the mayor to this day refuses to sit at the table with the council during meetings.
Brown vetoed the $5.05 million budget, but the council overrode him.
Haifley said budget information is coming together in a more timely fashion this year than in 1990, making it possible to release adraft budget early.
"This year, we're having a little more time available," he said, noting that the schedule is tentative. Haifley said a delay in receiving tipping-fee data from the county government was a factor in the late release in 1990. He added that he foresees nosuch problems this year.
The council plans to vote on the budget and on a property-tax rate ordinance at its May 13 meeting. The budget takes effect July 1.
"Hopefully, this way won't cause anyone anyproblems," Haifley said Friday.
FOURTH CANDIDATE FILES
NEW WINDSOR -- Roy Johnson, a Lambert Road resident, became the fourth candidate to file for one of the three available seats on the Town Council.
Raymond C. Strine, election judge, said Johnson, a retired minister, filed Friday.
A town resident for about a year, Johnson will runagainst three incumbents in the May 14 election.
Monday is the deadline for anyone interested in running for a council seat.
PUBLIC HEARING SET
UNION BRIDGE -- The Town Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and developers of the Phillips property will have a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday at the Community Center.
Officials will discuss the annexation of the 171-acre property, which could triple the town's population. Builders plan to construct about 500 homes on the site, south of town.
Thomas R. Winebrener, chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, recommended the annexation to council members at the March 25 session.
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT
SYKESVILLE -- Nominations for three vacant Town Council seats will be accepted at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the regular Town Council meeting at the Town House.
Those interested in running for the council must be nominated by a registered voter from within the town. The nomination must then be seconded by another registered voter.
Council President CharlesB. Mullins is not running for re-election. Councilwoman Maxine C. Wooleyhand is running in the May 7 election. Councilman Charles H. "Tim" Ferguson has not made a decision on the election.
Also on the agenda for the meeting are two public hearings: one on three ordinancesand two resolutions providing funding for the Raincliffe Center, andanother on the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant.
The public hearing on the Raincliffe Center concerns a $1.5 million state and county loan to finance the business complex.
The town also is looking for input from town residents who have ideas for projects for the grant application that would benefit the community.
A Dumpster ordinance providing for an increase in Dumpster fees also will be introduced tomorrow. A public hearing will be held at a later date.
The Town Council is expected to discuss and possibly introduce the fiscal 1992 budget.
RESTORATION AWARDED
ANNAPOLIS -- The Maryland Historical Trust, an agency of the Department of Housing and Community Development, has announced the recipients of its 16th annual Historic Preservations Awards.
The restoration of the 1807 Sherman-Fisher-Shellman House by the Historical Society of Carroll County will receive the Preservation Project Award from the trust during ceremonies at the State House on May 16.
The project award is given for outstanding restoration, rehabilitation or adaptive reuse of an historicbuilding.
CITY RALLIES FOR VICTORY
WESTMINSTER -- To show its support of troops in the Persian Gulf and to celebrate the nation's victory, the city will play host to a rally from 2 to 4 p.m. today at theCity Playground.
Bobbie Utz, who organized the event, said she has been preparing for about a month. Several Desert Storm veterans andtheir families will be honored.
The Westminster High School Marching Band will kick off the afternoon with patriotic tunes starting at1:40 p.m. Other soloists also are scheduled to perform.
Mayor W. Benjamin Brown and Delegate Richard N. Dixon, D-Carroll, and Dean Minnich from The Carroll County Times will address the crowd.
Utz said several area businesses and organizations have contributed to the event.
TOWN TO APPLY FOR GRANT
NEW WINDSOR -- Steven C. Horn, county planner, told the Town Council Wednesday he would help prepare a Community Development Block Grant application to pay for a storm water management program.
"I can't say what the chances are of obtainingthis grant," he said. "But, let's get in line and hope for the best."
Horn said the town could apply under the benefit to low- and moderate-income residents clause in the grant. The town must have the application prepared by April 30 and must conduct a public hearing fivedays before sending the grant to Annapolis.
"We have a lot to do in a short time," Horn said. "If residents cooperate, though, we should be able to make the deadline."
In other news, Mike Sponseller, a Frederick County developer, told the council he is still trying to obtain financing for the 134-home Atlee Ridge development he plans for the south end of town.
Horn said a Green Shores tree planting project, slated for 15 acres of that development, was ready to begin within the next few weeks.