County Recap From Board of Public Works Meeting on Nov. 19

$2.3M was approved for allocation across five counties during the most recent meeting of the Board of Public Works. 

The Board of Public Works approved nearly $2.3M in funding for county governments during the meeting yesterday. Of the funds, about $1.4M was distributed from the Rural Legacy Fund, with the largest amount of $1,058,677 going to Washington County for the acquisition of a 256.7-acre conservation easement in the Mid-Maryland Washington Rural Legacy Area. Additionally, about $700,000 was allocated from Program Open Space and another $200,000 from a previously approved allotment in the 2022 Capital Budget.

See below for more details on county projects that were approved.

Baltimore City

  • A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $200,000 grant to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of Latrobe Park’s historic longhouse. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2022 Capital Budget.

Frederick

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $449,414 from Program Open Space funding allocated to Frederick County for the following projects:
    • Othello Regional Park: $372,751 in additional funding to construct a community center, shelters, trails, and roadways
    • Woodsboro Regional Park: $59,000 to restore the fishing pond
    • Middletown Memorial Park: $6,435.00 to replace Kefauver Pavilion’s roof 
    • Heritage Park: $11,228.00 to install electric service 
  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $200,000 in Program Open Space (POS) funding allocated to Frederick County to acquire .44 acres in downtown Emmitsburg to be used as a community space for picnics, farmers markets and outdoor recreation use. The Town is using its own funds to cover costs above the POS amount requested.

Howard

  • A request by the Department of Natural Resources to commit $50,000 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Howard County to complete the County’s 2027 Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan, consistent with State planning requirements.

Washington

  • A request to provide a $1,058.677.50 grant to Washington County from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 256.7-acre conservation easement in the Mid-Maryland Washington Rural Legacy Area (Ashcraft-Rice property). Acquisition of this easement will protect productive agricultural soils and forested lands. In addition, the easement protects water quality by preserving a forested buffer along a wet weather swale and an unnamed tributary to Marsh Run, which flows to the Potomac River. The farmstead is listed on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties. The easement will be held by Washington County. Easement value: $5,425.91/acre

Worcester

  • A request to provide a $328,335.25 grant to Worcester County from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 78.11-acre conservation easement in the Dividing Creek Rural Legacy Area (Shockley, Parcel 49 property). Acquisition of this easement will protect prime farmland as well as approximately 1,200 linear feet of forested buffer along an unnamed tributary of Nassawango Creek, which flows to the Potomac River. This area contains some of the most productive agricultural soils in the county. Preservation of this high-quality farmland will contribute to the local economy, and maintain significant scenic views along Snow Hill Road, Nassawango Road and Spencer Road. This easement will be held by the County Commissioners of Worcester County. Easement value: $3,905.75/acre