Town Charter

Time running out for Clear Spring filings CLEAR SPRING - With time running out at 9 tonight, only one of the two incumbents for vice mayor and one council seat has officially filed for re-election. Current vice mayor/sewer commissioner Julie Albowicz, 53, is seeking a new two-year term. During her current term, a major sewer line inspection/repair project was undertaken and completed. But her husband, former mayor and longtime council member Bill Albowicz, is feeling the pressure of an upcoming overhaul of the town's water supply and isn't planning to file for re-election.

CLEAR SPRING - Residents interested in throwing their hats into the ring for the job of mayor or for two Town Council seats have until Monday, Oct. 6, at 9 p.m. to file their applications. Up for grabs this year are the two-year positions now held by Mayor Paul Hose Jr., and council members Gary Grove and Mason Mundey. Candidates for the positions must have resided in the town for at least two years immediately preceding the election and must be qualified voters of the town, according to the town charter.

Law would keep felons from running for office in Sharpsburg By JULIE E. GREENE julieg@herald-mail.com Sharpsburg Town Council members will review a proposal next month that could prevent felons from running for public office in the town. The proposal stems from the last town election in 2000 when a man with two felony convictions ran unsuccessfully for Town Council. While the state voter registration law forbids felons from being able to vote, the town's voter registration law does not, Town Attorney Charles Wagaman said.

Council requests charter check SMITHSBURG - The Smithsburg Town Council has asked the town's attorney to interpret the town charter regarding the hiring of personnel. Councilman Jerome Martin said during a Tuesday work session that he reviewed the charter and believed it called for applicants for town jobs to be appointed by the mayor and approved by the Town Council. Under his interpretation, council members should vote on whether Ralf Berger should remain as the town's police chief, he said.

A due process hearing for fired Smithsburg Police Chief Tommy Bowers has been rescheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m. at the Town Hall. The previously announced Nov. 25 date posed a conflict for one of Bowers' attorneys, according to Edward Kuczynski, an attorney for the town. The previous date had been set by a U.S. District Court judge who heard arguments from both sides during a Nov. 6 hearing in Baltimore. Bowers' lawsuit claims the town acted improperly by firing him in August without a due process hearing.

scottb@herald-mail.com If a ballot recount scheduled for Tuesday does not resolve what Town Manager John Kendall believes is the first election tie in Boonsboro history, the town probably will hold its first run-off election, Kendall said Wednesday. Town Councilmen Richard Gross, 70, and Kevin Chambers, 43, have formally requested a recount after they both received 87 votes in the May 10 election, Kendall said. There were two council seats open. William Tritapoe received 89 votes to win a four-year term, and Gross and Chambers tied for the second spot.

By LAURA ERNDE Staff Writer SMITHSBURG - Town residents will get to vote in May on whether to allow for the recall of elected officials before their terms end. Last month, residents upset over the Aug. 12 firing of Police Chief Tommy Bowers presented town officials with a petition demanding a recall election within 30 days. But before a recall can take place, the town charter must be amended to allow for the procedure. The petition, signed by 330 people, requires the mayor and council to put the charter amendment to referendum, said Town Attorney Edward Kuczynski.

marlob@herald-mail.com Three incumbents and two newcomers will be on the ballot for two Clear Spring Town Council seats and the office of mayor when voters go to the polls in November. Longtime Mayor Paul Hose Jr. filed for re-election, as did council members Gary L. Grove and Mason Mundey, according to Town Clerk Juanita Grimm. While only Hose, 56, filed for the mayoral position, write-in votes for other candidates are allowed for all open positions on Election Day. Grove, 55, is a correctional officer with the Maryland Division of Correction and Mundey, 68, is the former owner of Clear Spring Hardware.

By STEVEN T. DENNIS Staff Writer The controversial Trails of Little Antietam housing development just outside Keedysville has cleared another hurdle. With a 4-1 vote Tuesday, the Washington County Commissioners conditionally approved the extension of a water and sewer service designation to the proposed development off Dogstreet Road. Developer Victor Peeke's plans to put 35 houses in Keedysville and 66 outside the town limits has sparked opposition from area residents concerned about the burden on water and sewer systems, roads and schools.

Attendance encouraged at Saturday fund-raiser BOONSBORO - The Boonsboro Town Council encouraged residents to attend a "Book 'N' Bake Sale" from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Shafer Park. Proceeds will go to the building fund for Boonsboro's planned library. The event is sponsored by the Friends for a New Boonsboro Library Committee. The committee is asking for donations of books, audio books, videos, compact discs, DVDs and children's software. The planned library is to be located on the King Farm property off Md. 34 as part of the Shafer Park expansion project.