Ostrow Town Hall
Originally Published: June 12, 2023
Scott Ostrow County Commissioner held a second town hall on June 11th, where Mike Hewitt for Commissioner joined him to review decisions on the budget and hear general community feedback. Ostrow started with a short presentation, information pictured below, reviewing how our county compares to Charles and Calvert, and covering Public Education, Public Safety, and Recreation & Parks.
Community feedback:
Speed control along FDR Blvd, in the area of Laurel Glen; Commissioner Hewitt mentioned that DPWT will check into this, and stated the Sheriff’s Office is exploring locations for speed cameras
Route 5 Construction; Commissioners Ostrow and Hewitt both stated the latest news is work will begin during overnight hours this week.
A&E Motel general disrepair, some homeless have to stay there in rooms filled with mold, mice, what can the County do? Hewitt said the Dept of Aging and Human Services can possibly help the homeless. Hewitt also stated the new owners of Millison Plaza, Atlantic Realty Group, asked how to help further in St. Mary’s and were told purchasing other businesses–like A&E and Canopy Liquors–to upgrade would help.
St. Mary’s Square in disrepair, is the County doing anything? Ostrow said the County, through the Dept of Economic Development and the County Attorney’s office, is trying to “encourage” the landlord to make repairs. Hewitt said the Community Development Corporation secured a $250K grant for repairs and upgrades from the state that required a match of $120K from the St. Mary’s Square landlord, but the landlord didn’t want to match. Those funds are now being redirected to bus stops and transportation improvements along Great Mills Rd.
Incorporation of Lexington Park, with mention of using Leonardtown’s progress as a model. The state has a guidebook for incorporation. Hewitt said the Lexington Park Development District has grown so large, the limits of incorporation would need to be defined; the residents would pay an additional “town” tax if incorporated; a good place to start is with the updates of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO), Comprehensive Plan, and task the Planning Commission with planning how to define and improve Lexington Park.
Where are we with the Lexington Park Master Plan? No good answer, both Commissioners acknowledged we are behind. (Asked by St. Mary's County Democrats Chair Julie Randall)
What is the per pupil spending compared to Charles/Calvert, and is our education funding considered against the citizen wealth since St. Mary’s is the 6th wealthiest county in the state? Hewitt points to the Board of Education making decisions on how to use funding, adding he believes St. Mary’s is 3rd in the tri-county area for what percentage of its budget goes towards salaries. Scott Smith, in attendance, disputed that saying most money funded above maintenance of effort goes towards salaries. (Julie Randall)
Why hasn’t the county done anything with tax credits for Veterans? Hewitt said those need to go through Annapolis, and there hasn’t been much luck getting them to pass. (Actually, there was a bill passed 3 years ago giving the authority to the governing body of each county to implement property tax credits for veterans, and the Commissioners haven’t acted on it). (Julie Randall)
What can be done to ensure the CZO update is done correctly, using the example of the Stewart’s Grant PUD being outdated. Could we require PUDs to come back for approval if not acted on in a certain time? What will the Commissioners do to ensure things like this are included in the CZO? No good answer provided, other than the process is behind and will need input. (My question)
How can income disparity be overcome locally? Hewitt acknowledges there are two economics–one for the Base and one for the Service Industry–and says the 2018 federal tax changes funneled millions more in revenue to the county level, which he sees as a distribution of wealth.
Has the county forgotten poor people? Many can’t get by on what they make, are working multiple jobs, and if not for inheriting a house to live in wouldn’t be housed at all. Hewitt states there is no easy answer, “it’s about supply and demand” for housing prices.
Look at ways to lift people out of poverty. The St. Mary's County NAACP is partnering with organizations to do this. Could a pedestrian bridge be built over Great Mills Rd so people don’t have to walk in the street? Creating a campus for the unhoused with short/long term housing, training, other things to lift people out of poverty. Put some money in the budget for a Lexington Park administrator to help oversee the area. Update zoning ordinance so commercial property owners must keep their property in good repair and do updates every so often. There is a lot of gentrification happening in Lexington Park. (Thoughts from Dr. Janice Walthour)
Commissioner Hewitt closed with news about the YMCA, saying they’re looking at 12-18 months for fundraising from private donors, and are hopeful to begin construction in June 2024 and complete in the fall of 2025. Congressman Hoyer, and Senators VanHollen and Cardin have a $3M earmark as their “top priority” for the next federal budget in October 2023 to help with funding.
