Broadneck Councilman Reviews Future Hurdles as Council Recesses

The following is from the August edition of a monthly column written by Anne Arundel County Councilman Dick Ladd (R-5th District), a resident of the Broadneck peninsula.

With July in the rear view mirror and some remote beaches before us, the Council moves into the short recess period approved as a Charter revision on the November 2012 ballot.

The 2014 property tax bills are out with the new Storm Water/WPRF excise tax.  The Department of Public Works is still working on its process for allowing homeowners who have installed (or were possibly required to install) Enhanced Site Design (ESD) storm water management capability (incident to building a home) to apply for a credit.  Details will be available on the DPW website, http://www.aacounty.org/DPW/Stormwater/WPRF.cfm, sometime this month.  Depending on the number of applications, resolution of the applications may be slower than we all would like.

Among the routine items passed in July was a resolution calling on the County Executive to send to the Council early next year her plan for upgrading the Police Training facility – a step the Council strongly supports as does the County Executive.  There are a number of options on what and/or where to build an upgraded or replacement facility, many of them studied before.  The County Executive correctly stated she did not need another study to support a decision.

The County Executive continues to seek volunteers for the numerous Boards and Commissions advising County leadership.  Please let us know of your interest to serve.  One such new Commission is a Transportation Commission.  This Commission will be very timely, helping the County present its case for Anne Arundel County’s share of the increase in the State Transportation Program funded by the increased gas tax and Bay Bridge tolls.  There are some early indications that study money for the Severn River Bridge may be available this year.  Hopefully, this will be the initial seed money for a capital program to provide additional capacity for the Severn River Bridge.

Road and sidewalk safety cannot get enough attention.  I urge all who have a sidewalk in front of their property to keep shrubs and bushes trimmed back so walkers are not forced out into the street. 

With regard to the trails, if you sense you cannot see walkers or bikers while driving near the trail, or users of the trail cannot see cars when approaching a crossing because of vegetation, please notify the Trail Supervisor’s Office (410-222-6244) or my office (410-222-1401).  Please remember to follow all standard safety rules and STOP AT ALL STOP SIGNS AND WEAR YOUR HELMET WHILE BIKING - to name a few.

The initial phase of the Broadneck Hiker-Biker trail will be officially opened this month.  It is already being well used and generating questions about what is next and when.  Conceptually, the next phases will be to the west towards the Community College.  Some design money is available in FY2014 with construction hoped for in 2015, perhaps as far as Bay Dale Road.  I do not anticipate that the trail will be up to the College before the end of the decade based on the wide range of competing projects for funding.  The biggest issue is where and how to connect the Broadneck trail to the B&A Trail – that is, how to get across Rt 2.  Going east to Sandy Point State Park is the last phase with substantial right of way and access issues still to be worked out.

Have a safe and happy summer and please contact my office at 410-222-1401 with any questions, comments, or suggestions on how we can improve our community.  As always, I welcome everyone’s input.