Town finalizes $950K street repaving plan and seeks code enforcement officer

The Board of Commissioners meeting for Rising Sun, Maryland, held on June 8, 2021, focused on several key issues regarding town development and infrastructure improvements.

The meeting began with discussions on the recent lifting of the water and sewer moratorium, which has allowed for new construction in the town. Over the past year, five new houses have been built, each requiring approximately seven inspections, totaling around 35 additional inspections for the town. This increase in construction activity has highlighted the need for a dedicated code enforcement officer, a position that is currently included in the budget but remains unfilled due to manpower constraints.

Another significant topic was the town's street repaving initiative. The board has put out bids for approximately $950,000 worth of street repaving, with plans to open these bids on June 23. The commissioners emphasized the importance of generating recurring revenue to sustain this expense, as hiring new employees and undertaking projects require long-term financial planning.

The town administrator noted that while they aim to begin paving in early July, there are concerns regarding supply chain issues affecting the construction industry, particularly the availability of blacktop. The board remains hopeful that once bids are awarded, they can proceed without delays.

In summary, the meeting underscored Rising Sun's commitment to improving infrastructure and managing growth effectively, while also addressing the challenges posed by resource availability and the need for adequate staffing to support these initiatives. The board plans to revisit these topics in their next meeting, where they will ratify the bids and discuss further steps.