The $200,000 road and park entrance are scheduled to be built in spring 2005, Kendall said.
After obtaining the property, Kendall said, the town realized that a trolley station on the property has historical significance: It is believed to be the last existing Blue Ridge Trolley station in Washington County.
The Boonsboro Historical Society is organizing efforts to restore the trolley station to its original appearance, Kendall said.
The restoration is expected to cost about $75,000, money the historical society hopes will be come from state grants, Kendall said.
The move also fits with the consultant's suggestion that the town emphasize its historical importance, he said.
Meanwhile Mark Webb, the owner of the Boone Hotel, has been making improvements to the property at the town square, after promising the town he would do so, Kauffman said. Town leaders, as well as citizens at Boonsboro Town Council meetings, in the past have called on the owner to improve the property, which some said was hindering downtown improvements.
Planning continues for the expansion of Shafer Park, the first phase of which includes a soccer field and a softball field, Kendall said.
Officials with the National Guard, which is scheduled to arrive in town in February, have agreed to have its members do grading for the first phase of the park expansion in preparation for construction, Kendall said.
When further work will be done on the first phase has not been determined, he said. Factors involving the timing of the explanation include how long the grading work takes and how much outside funding for the expansion the town can receive, Kauffman said.
In order to meet Maryland Department of the Environment requirements, the town is being required to switch from a lagoon system for its sewer needs to a waste water treatment plant, a move it is estimated will cost $4.3 million, with the money coming from state loans and grants, Kendall said.
Design work is scheduled to be completed in 2005 with construction starting in 2006 and finishing in 2007, Kendall said.
The next year should see the opening of the biggest grocery store in the town, a Weis Market, Kendall said.
The store will be part of the 65-acre Fletcher's Grove development at Md. 68 and Alt. U.S. 40. The store is scheduled to be opened by November, Kendall said. Plans call for the development to have 90 single-family units and 85 town houses, Kendall said.
Kauffman said it is no surprise to him that regional growth is a major issue affecting Boonsboro, other municipalities and the Washington County Board of Education.
Kauffman said he made an unsuccessful run for Washington County Commissioner in 1994 on a platform of growth management but apparently was ahead of his time.
"We saw all of this happening and now it is here," Kauffman said. "We have been crying wolf since 1988."
Boonsboro is the only town in Washington County with an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, adopted in 1991, Kauffman said. Such ordinances are intended to provide a way to ensure developers pay for the impact they have on municipal services. The town's ordinance needs to be revised and that will be done during the next year, Kauffman said.
The town finds itself in a frustrating situation at times in that it can only control property within the town limits but it is affected by vehicle traffic from people who live outside of the town, Kauffman said.
Most of the growth is the result of people moving from Frederick County, Md., and other areas where housing is more expensive than in Washington County, he said.
Kauffman said he is hoping to get a developer to build affordable housing in the town. He defined "affordable housing" as a property costing less than $200,000.
"We have locals here who can't afford to buy houses in this area. It bothers me that we can't build and provide affordable homes for those who have spent their lives in Boonsboro or want to return here for their retirement years," he said.
