Funkstown briefs

April 02, 2010|By JULIE E. GREENE

Mayor's gas allowance mentioned

FUNKSTOWN -- Funkstown Mayor Robert Kline's gas allowance was brought up briefly during a recent budget discussion.

During Monday's work session at Town Hall, Councilman John Phillips III inquired about the line item for executive travel.

Town Clerk/Treasurer Brenda Haynes said that was the mayor's gasoline check.

According to a working balance sheet Haynes handed out Monday night, as of March 29, Kline had used $1,440 of the $2,160 budgeted for executive travel.

In a phone interview after the meeting, Kline said he uses the money for "coming down here" to Town Hall. He said he lives about five blocks from Town Hall. He also uses the gas allowance to travel to Maryland Municipal League meetings "if the food's right," he said.

Neither the mayor nor council members receive "pay" for their service, although they get a financial benefit, Haynes said Thursday.

The mayor has the gas allowance and council members get the minimum amount, $37.06, off their quarterly water bill, Haynes said.

Deputy hours discussed

FUNKSTOWN -- No longer having a deputy spend a couple of hours a day in Funkstown was one of the budget-trimming options raised at Monday night's work session of the mayor and Town Council.

Councilwoman Sharon Chirgott made the suggestion, saying she might get criticized for doing so.

The town has $19,100 budgeted for the deputy from the Washington County Sheriff's Office this fiscal year, according to a working balance sheet.

Spring cleaning in Funkstown

FUNKSTOWN -- Funkstown's spring cleanup will be May 7 and 8 at Funkstown Community Park, Town Clerk/Treasurer Brenda Haynes said.

The cleanup will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 7, and from 8 a.m. to noon May 8.

Town residents must provide proof of their residency such as a water bill or driver's license, Haynes said Thursday.

The cleanup is for household debris that cannot be set out during regular trash pickup, she said.

Items that cannot be dropped off include tires, batteries, paint cans, explosives, radioactive material, medical waste, items that contain Freon such as refrigerators, air conditioners and dehumidifiers, and gas, oil and propane tanks.

Haynes said she needed to check the dates with the trash service, but did not anticipate a problem.

Yard waste pickup begins

The town's yard waste collection program starts this week.

Yard waste is to be set out in yard waste bags or containers near the curb on Monday nights to be picked up Tuesday mornings, Town Clerk/Treasurer Brenda Haynes said.

|

|

|