Rising Sun hears requests for water/sewer extensions, discusses PFAS testing; mayor seeks crosswalk repairs and proclaims Rare Disease Day

Town staff told the Board of Commissioners that the town has received five requests to extend public water and sewer service beyond the incorporated limits because several septic systems and private wells in nearby areas are failing.

The Town Administrator said he submitted a grant application to the Maryland Department of the Environment to help fund possible extensions. He told commissioners the county health department prefers to connect failing systems to public sewer where feasible, but in many locations there is no proximate public sewer. The administrator also said the town will test its own wells (kept as emergency backups) and that Chester Water — which supplies the town and does not currently have detected PFAS in its system — remains the town's primary potable-water source.

The administrator noted the town sought multiple independent engineering cost estimates for bringing a well system online and that the Chester Water project previously cost the town about $10.5 million. He warned there is no guarantee of long-term well performance, and he discussed PFAS concerns nationally and regionally, referencing news coverage and local instances; he did not assert a finding of PFAS in the town's supply.

In other reports, the Assistant Town Administrator said staff held an employee-recognition luncheon and that records-management work with the Maryland State Archives should be finalized in roughly 90 days; the financial audit is expected to conclude this week with a presentation planned for the next meeting.

In the mayor's report, the mayor asked State Highway engineer Timothy Smith to address deteriorated crosswalks on Main Street and South Queen Street and said she hopes repairs or milling and replacement can be completed in time for Sunfest. She also announced Feb. 28 as "Alexis Abrams Rare Disease Day" and encouraged employees to wear jeans that day as part of the awareness effort.

The meeting closed after brief commissioner remarks about Planning & Zoning Board review of the proposed stormwater code and a policing candidate's progress in the academy.