Leonardtown’s new water tower has been in service for about a month, but a new well that is ready to pump remains switched off while the town waits for state approval, Town Administrator Laschelle McKay told the Town Council on Oct. 13.
The town has been waiting “a couple of months” for the Maryland Department of the Environment to review its report on the well and sign off, McKay said. The wastewater treatment plant expansion is also nearly finished, with a little programming work left.
Inspections of two of the town’s water tanks, including the Greenbrier tank, found both inside and out in at least satisfactory condition, with nothing major to fix, McKay said. Southern Corrosion, the contractor that did the inspections, is due to start painting a water tower shortly.
Slowing traffic, safer crossings
The town is preparing several street and paving projects and will soon start building a parking lot at the wharf, McKay said. It also plans to install a removable speed table, a wider, flatter cousin of the speed hump, about halfway down the hill. A council member cautioned that snowplow crews will need to be careful around it.
Equipment has arrived for a lighted crosswalk downtown, and new trash cans and dog-waste stations are in place.
At Park Avenue and Washington Street, drivers now have to pull far into the intersection to see oncoming traffic, McKay said. The town plans to build out the corner so drivers can stop at the stop bar and then edge forward with a clear view, which will also shorten the crosswalk. Pricing for the work came in this week.
Courthouse Apartments nears final review
The Courthouse Apartments project at the bottom of the hill has approvals from the Soil Conservation District, the Department of Public Works and planning staff, the council was told. It still needs final sign-off from the fire marshal, whose roughly 15 comments are minor, before going back to the Planning Commission for final approval. The project’s name has changed several times, one official noted.
New floors for Town Hall
The council approved replacing about 10-year-old carpet in Town Hall’s main area, reception and the hallway to the kitchen, which sees heavy traffic from volunteers and children during events such as Christmas on the Square. The town will install luxury vinyl tile, which is easier to clean.
The town budgeted $33,375 for flooring, but bids came in well above that, McKay said. The town took four bids and went with the lowest. Staff expect to cover the cost within this year’s budget for now. Office carpet will be replaced later.
Audit nearly done
Auditors finished their fieldwork on the town’s books, and final financial statements are expected in the next few weeks, the town treasurer said. The town’s accommodation tax for last fiscal year came in at $68,000, a little higher than expected.
The council also voted at the meeting to buy a $25,000 trolley for events and tours. Earlier this year, the council approved a Verizon cell tower and budget amendments.
