Town Charter

The Smithsburg Town Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to introduce amendments to the town's charter by resolution. The amendments basically update the charter, which hasn't undergone a major revision since 1957, Town Attorney Charles Wagaman said. A public hearing to discuss the amendments will be held prior to the 7 p.m. Town Council meeting on Dec. 3.

SHARPSBURG - At its Jan. 2 town meeting, the Sharpsburg Town Council will hold a public hearing about a change to the town's charter. Town Attorney Charles Wagaman Jr. said, if adopted, the change to the charter will allow the council to close its meetings to the public. It states, "The council shall have the right to close its meetings to the public for the purposes set forth in the Annotated Code of Maryland. " Wagaman said the town might want to close meetings that pertain to land purchases or personnel matters.

Pereschuk quits Williamsport Council post WILLIAMSPORT - Williamsport Councilman Earle R. Pereschuk Sr. resigned from his town post Monday night. Pereschuk, 48, said in January he would forfeit his council seat to run against longtime Mayor John W. Slayman in March. The six-year councilman resigned following Monday night's Town Council meeting. Slayman said the council must appoint a new council member to serve the remaining two years of Pereschuk's term. Pereschuk, a county parks maintenance employee, had to resign from his council seat to run in the mayoral race because a majority of council members in May voted to prohibit town officers from running for other elected town posts without first forfeiting their current positions.

Hydrants to be flushed The town's hydrants will be flushed this week, according to Bill Loughridge, public works director. He said the work will start on West Water Street, East Water Street, South Main Street and head toward the Smithsburg High School. The flushing will be conducted in the evening to provide minimal disruption to residents, he said. Council rejects bids for lighting work Town Council voted Tuesday to reject two bids for lighting work at the Geiser Way Development.

WILLIAMSPORT - The Williamsport Town Council on Monday voted to prohibit town officers from running for other elected town posts without first resigning from their current positions. Councilman Earle R. Pereschuk Sr. voted against the change to the town's charter, calling it "too restrictive" and "not fair to anyone. " Pereschuk, the only Independent party member on the council, said his peers pushed the charter change because they don't want him to remain on the council if he loses his bid for mayor in the March 2001 town election.

Ordinance will hike mayor, council salaries SMITHSBURG - The Smithsburg Town Council unanimously passed on Tuesday an emergency ordinance to increase salaries for the mayor and council members. The mayor's salary will increase from $2,000 to $3,000 after the May elections. The council's salaries will increase from $1,000 to $1,500 for the 2008 election cycle. Fire company to get $10,000 donation SMITHSBURG - The town council, through a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, agreed to a budget line item that would grant the Smithsburg Community Volunteer Fire Co. a $10,000 donation, up from the $3,000 the town usually provides.

gregs@herald-mail.com KEEDYSVILLE - Monday's deadline for filing to run for town office passed with just enough candidates to fill the five seats up for grabs in Keedysville's May 1 town election. One new name will appear on the ballot. Paul Tuennerman, 41, filed to run for one of two two-year council seats, Town Clerk Amy Simmons said Wednesday. Councilman Richard Walton did not file to run for re-election before the Monday afternoon deadline. Simmons said Walton had not been able to attend recent meetings because of work obligations.

scottb@herald-mail.com The Boonsboro Town Council on Monday adopted an ordinance that will provide for runoff races for town elections, including the May 10 town election that ended in a tie. The runoff between incumbents Richard Gross and Kevin Chambers is scheduled for June 24, Town Manager John Kendall said. It is believed to be the first tie and runoff in the town's history, he said. A May 18 public recount to determine the winner of the second of two Boonsboro Town Council seats up for grabs in the election did not change the outcome - 87 votes each for Gross and Chambers.

CLEAR SPRING - The Town of Clear Spring is seeking candidates to run for mayor and two seats on the Town Council. Town Clerk Juanita K. Grimm said applications, which are available at Town Hall, have to be turned in by 9 p.m. Monday. The town hasn't received any applications from candidates for the Nov. 5 election, she said. This year, the seats of Mayor Paul D. Hose Jr., Councilman Theodore Hovermale and Councilwoman Carol Hovermale are up for grabs. None of those candidates had submitted an application to run for re-election as of Thursday, Grimm said.

New site might offer online bill paying WILLIAMSPORT - Williamsport residents might eventually be able to pay their utility bills online on a new town Web site expected to go live within a month, Williamsport Mayor James G. McCleaf II said Monday. The town is paying Hagerstown designer Eric Kuczynski $1,500 to construct a new site to replace the limited home page the town has now, McCleaf said. The new site also will feature links to local businesses and organizations, the town newsletter, a calendar, and copies of the town's charter, ordinances, and Town Council agendas and minutes, Kuczynski said.