Town of Hampstead

The public hearing was convened to receive verbal or written comments from the public regarding the Town of Hampstead's portion of the 2024 Carroll County Water Resources Element Draft. Any received comments were slated for forwarding to Carroll County for consideration. No public comments were provided during the session.

Key discussions during the meeting included an update on the Water System Modernization and Centralization Project, detailing progress on pipeline construction and projected completion timelines for the water treatment plants. An update on the Tractor Supply project was also provided. The Commission reviewed the Hampstead Information for the 2025 Carroll County Department of Planning Annual Report, discussing the inclusion criteria for approved site plans, such as the residential development on Lime Drive and the Narain Property, which retained its industrial zoning post-annexation. The Commission subsequently voted to approve the annual report information. A significant agenda item involved the Review and Recommendation of Ordinance 558 to Council for Adoption, aiming to establish a streamlined, nine-step review process mirroring Carroll County's for minor subdivisions (three lots or fewer) to reduce processing time from approximately nine months to two to three months. The meeting concluded with brief public comment acknowledging the efforts of Public Works during a recent storm.

The meeting commenced with a public hearing regarding Ordinance 558, which proposes to amend chapter 119 concerning land subdivision and minor subdivisions, introducing a simplified review process similar to the county's for minor residential subdivisions. Following this, the council observed a moment of silence for Sterling Walsh and Rebecca Funk. Key reports covered significant updates on the water system project, including the execution of a contract with Kanoago for the construction of four water treatment plants and progress on five new pipelines, with anticipated groundbreaking in April. Financial updates detailed the receipt of settlement funds from the class action lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers (3M and DuPont), noting the decision to opt for yearly payments over an accelerated lump sum, and the ongoing process for the special needs claim covering engineering costs. Furthermore, discussions addressed the application process for a community solar project proposed by Hall and Bower Solutions on the Patmos property, which is in a zoning district that does not typically permit such use, but is subject to PSC siting authority. Finance staff updates included the distribution of W2s and 1099s, and the ongoing search for a new Financial Administrator. Other reports covered the town representative stepping down from the Carroll County Cable Regulatory Commission, the solicitation of business sponsors for the Hampstead Farmers Market, and police reports detailing traffic safety statistics, crime incidents including a domestic assault resulting in a 20-year sentence, and officer training. Updates were also provided on bulk trash pickup schedules, upcoming holidays, and pending grant applications for the Tree Commission.

The Hampstead Town Council convened in a closed session to consult with the Town Attorney to obtain legal advice on a legal matter, as permitted under the General Provisions of the Annotated Code of Maryland, Section 3-305(b). Following the discussion, the Council moved to adjourn the closed meeting and reopen the open meeting.

The meeting included a recognition ceremony for Michelle Ostrander, the Town Attorney, celebrating her 30 years of legal service with the proclamation of Michelle Ostrander Day. A significant discussion point was the adoption of Ordinance 558, which amends Chapter 119 to streamline the site plan review process, better aligning it with the Carroll County Minor Subdivision Process for subdivisions involving no more than three new lots. The Council also moved to enter a closed session to discuss personnel matters involving the appointment, compensation, or performance evaluation of specific employees.