When the 1990 census figures arrived, Mayor Richard Goodrich realized that Brunswick had 117 citizens more than the requisite 5,000 to become a city under the rules of the Maryland Municipal League. Brunswick is now advertising a charter change. If there is no opposition, the town on the banks of the Potomac soon will turn into a city.

"City has a nice ring to it," muses Mayor Goodrich. "Brunswick is growing. We ought to be very proud that we are a growing community and now, after umpteen years, we are one of two cities in Frederick County." Changing Brunswick's status is said to have no legal implications. So, it seems, there still is such a thing as a free lunch.