September 2016

Board of County Commissioners members are, from left,
Pat Nutter, Mike Hart, President Evan Slaughenhoupt Jr.,
Steven R. Weems and Vice President 
Tom Hejl. 

 


Don't Wait, Communicate
Make an Emergency Plan, Help First Responders 

September is National Preparedness Month and the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) asks all citizens to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work and visit. Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility and preparedness month provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of making an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan and just staying informed about different threats.

The tragic events of Sept. 11 remind us that disaster can strike anywhere or anytime, and basic safety and disaster survival skills can mean the difference between life and death. The Calvert County Department of Public Safety's Division of Emergency Management maintains a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) representing trained community members who prepare responsibly and respond appropriately when emergencies occur. The team gives critical support to first responders, provides immediate assistance to victims, organizes spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site and collects disaster intelligence to support first responder efforts. Learn more about the Calvert County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) today.  


Trailblazing ... with Paper 
Several Calvert County Government employees were recognized by the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners for excelling as a group and displaying cooperation and teamwork in support of a common goal. 

These employees worked together to coordinate early voting and to implement, communicate and oversee a new state-mandated election process that produce
d a voter-verifiable paper trail. The Maryland State Board of Elections selected a new voting system for 2016 that produces a voter-verifiable paper record - a "paper trail" - of each voter's selections. Watch a short video demonstration of the new system.

Pictured with the board to receive their Team Excellence award from left are Calvert County Sheriff 1st Sgt. Tim Buckmaster, Technology Services System Analyst Eddie Vanover, General Services Building Maintenance Supervisor Bob Atkins, Community Resources Specialist Curt Hules, General Services Director Wilson Freeland, Purchasing Specialist Tammy Jones, Accounts Payable Technician Loretta Marcum, Election Board Election Registrar Kristen Scott, Marketing and Communications Specialist Mark Volland, Election Board Elections Administrator Gail Hatfield, Election Systems Automation Coordinator Garrick Hendricks, Election Board Office Assistant I Sarah Formy-Duval, Public Information Specialist Angela Walters, Election Board Office Specialist II Mary DePelteau and Election Board Registrar Paula Bailey. Congratulations team!


Yearly TDR Purchase and Retirement Program Opens

The BOCC and the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board announce the opening of the application period for the county's Purchase and Retirement (PAR) Fund program. Through the program, Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) are purchased, retired and permanently removed from the market to protect farmland from development.

Applications are accepted from the owners of Agricultural Preservation Districts and ranked by an established formula. The purchase price approved by the BOCC is $3,750 per TDR. Calvert County can purchase up to 750 of the 7,000 TDRs still eligible for purchase through the PAR program.

The PAR Fund program is part of the county's longstanding effort to preserve agricultural land. The county has preserved more than 29,000 acres of productive farms and forests over the past 30 years.

Completed applications should be sent to Community Planning and Building, Attention: Rural Planner Rachel O'Shea, 150 Main St., Prince Frederick, Md., 20678 or emailed to [email protected]. To learn more, email or call O'Shea at 410-535-1600, ext. 2489. 

Thanks for reading Calvert Currents. We want to hear from you. Click the feedback link to send us your questions or story ideas.                   
 
Sincerely,
Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. President
Tom Hejl, Vice President
Mike Hart
Pat Nutter
Steve Weems
Calvert County Board of County Commissioners
 
What is Your Vision for Calvert County?


The first round of public workshops aimed at updating the county's Comprehensive Plan and rewriting the Zoning Ordinance are nearing. Citizens are encouraged to attend one or more of the workshops and take an active role in the two-year process: 

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department; 3170 West Ward Road, Dunkirk

Thursday, Sept. 29, 1-3 p.m., Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad & Fire Department, 13150 H.G. Trueman Road, Solomons

Thursday, Sept. 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Calvert High School; 520 Fox Run Blvd., Prince Frederick
 
Doors open 30 minutes before each meeting for an open house. Learn more at FutureCalvert.




Get to know Calvert County's rural community by spending the day on six working farms during the 19th annual Calvert County Farm Festival Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15 and 16, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Purchase pumpkins and other fall produce, take a hay ride, try a corn maze, sample wines and much more. The event, held rain or shine, promises to be a great family outing at six local farms:

Double Oak Farm at the American Chestnut Land Trust (Open Sunday only.)
676 Double Oak Road, Prince Frederick
410-414-3400 

Fridays Creek Winery
3485 Chaneyville Road, Owings
410-286-9463  

Horsmon Farm
1865 Horsmon Farm Lane, St. Leonard
443-532-5761 

Perigeaux Vineyards and Winery
8650 Mackall Road, St. Leonard
410-586-2710  

Spider Hall Farm
3915 Hallowing Point Road, Prince Frederick
410-610-0094  

Swann Farms (Open Saturday only.)
7740 Swan Lane, Owings
443-904-2687 

For more on the 2016 Calvert County Farm Festival, contact the Calvert County Department of Economic Development at 410-535-4583 or 301-855-1880; or via email at [email protected].

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