Mayors, commissioners, council members and other municipal elected officials from across the state will gather Thursday and Friday in Aberdeen for the annual Maryland Municipal League Board of Directors retreat.
This year, Aberdeen Mayor Michael Bennett, serving as MML's 2011-2012 board president, is host of the retreat.
While business will be discussed at the retreat this week, it's mostly an opportunity to get to know the newly appointed board members, as well as show off the city, Bennett said.
"It'll be the first opportunity I have [to meet the board members], though we had a very brief meeting at the MML convention in Ocean City [earlier this summer]," Bennett said, adding the retreat is a great chance to "get everybody together."
The MML's board of directors comprises of 31 members, including mayors, an assistant mayor, councilmen and councilwomen, town commissioners and other elected officials, representing different towns and cities throughout Maryland. All but two will be at this year's retreat — one member has jury duty and another has a previous commitment, Bennett said.
The retreat will officially begin Thursday night when the board of directors and their spouses or significant others attend an Aberdeen IronBirds game at 7:05 p.m. at Ripken Stadium. Many retreat attendees will be staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Aberdeen, which is next door to the stadium.
On Friday morning, there will be orientation for the new board members, as well as a breakfast. Bennett said the purpose of the orientation is to introduce new members and get them acquainted with what will happen in the coming year.
Afterward, Bennett will show the board members around town. There will be a tour of Aberdeen Proving Ground, including the areas most affected by BRAC, followed by a luncheon at Ripken Stadium.
Bennett mentioned that he and the stadium management have been working on a surprise for the luncheon, but wouldn't reveal what it was, so he won't "spoil it."
After lunch there will be a board meeting at Ripken Stadium and a tour of Aberdeen City Hall.
"The board meeting gives me an opportunity to impart what I want to get done this year, what I think some of our goals and objectives are and just to have a time to get to know each other. That's what this retreat is about," Bennett said.
A barbecue at Bennett's house, which is around the corner from city hall, will cap off the night.
"I'm really looking forward to it [and] board members are looking forward it," the mayor said.