Watershed Plan Costs Staggering

SALISBURY — Costs for developing a Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) in Salisbury seem intimidating right now, admitted Wicomico County Transportation and Long Range Planner Keith Hall, but he told the City Council that the current estimated $225 million cost will likely be reduced substantially in the years before the WIP is required to meet final goals in 2025.

“I understand the price tag is daunting,” he said. “It’s something that we hope through various creative and innovative solutions and critical thinking and appropriate planning that those costs can be significantly reduced. However, at this time, that’s what we’re working with.”

The WIP will be required by executive mandate and is aimed at reducing nutrient levels in the Chesapeake Bay. Generally, the plan covers a number of different criteria, though Hall told the council that Salisbury’s urban nature means it will only have to focus on a few of those.

“This is looking at four sectors: wastewater treatment, septic systems, stormwater management, and agriculture,” said Hall. “As it applies to the city of Salisbury…it’s looking at the wastewater treatment center as well as the stormwater runoff sector.”

Because of the city’s unique position as well as the fact that Salisbury has a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, Salisbury’s plans will be held under a microscope by state agencies, according to Hall.

“Salisbury is going to be scrutinized a little differently than other jurisdictions in the county,” he said.

The goal is to greatly reduce nutrient reduction in the bay by 2025, with results showing as early as 2017. While many counties and municipalities in Maryland have groaned about the costs of the program, Hall told the council in no uncertain terms that the WIP is a reality.

“This is not going away. This is an executive order from the president. It is very clear what the expectations are,” he said.

Hall admitted that some of the numbers might change in the next decade but that significant nutrient reduction in the Chesapeake will certainly be required. He reiterated that the costs might seem impossible right now but said that when estimates were made a lot of assumptions were factored in.

“I understand the price tag is rather enormous. For the city of Salisbury, we’re looking at planning costs in the neighborhood of about $225 million,” he said. “Keep in mind that these costs don’t represent what the actual costs will be.”

For example, Hall explained that the price tag was estimated on the assumption that the city would have to purchase new land for whatever programs they implement to reduce runoff and treat wastewater issues. By using land Salisbury already owns whenever possible, Hall predicted that the costs will drop. Other money saving maneuvers could include seeking out partnerships or using cheap but effective forms for battling runoff like tree planting.

Councilmember Laura Mitchell asked Hall if the city is getting behind schedule by not budgeting for the WIP in FY2014. In Hall’s opinion, the city is right on track.

“The planning is being done and the preliminary cost estimates are being done,” he told Mitchell.

As planning continues in 2014, Hall said the council will need to start to think about the steps that follow such as prioritizing projects and beginning pre-engineering.

University Aims To Save Delmarva Public Radio

SALISBURY — Salisbury University’s president sent a Valentine last week to Delmarva Public Radio (DPR) and its listeners — a proposal which, if approved by the Salisbury University Foundation Board, will provide a new home and continued operations of its two stations, WSCL (89.5) and WSDL (90.7) FM.

The university proposes to relocate DPR to space near the East Campus Complex, which houses other outreach facilities such as the Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture and the Small Business and Technology Development Center, with a tower nearby. The move would take place sometime during the summer, prior to demolition of Caruthers Hall, where the stations are currently located.

WSCL’s classical music format would continue. For the immediate future, WSDL would be run by the university in its news-focused format with local and national coverage. However, SU would explore partnerships with other news-oriented public stations as part of plans to lower costs.

In the university’s proposal, an individual experienced in successful public radio operations would assist the University with developing a business plan, exploring partnership options for WSDL and hiring a new station manager with the experience and track record to lead DPR into a more sustainable future.

Some 70 percent of all public radio stations are affiliated with universities, but a recent trend has shown a change in direction.

“In recent years, a number of universities, including those with endowments and resources far larger than Salisbury University’s, have chosen to sell their station licenses because of fiscal pressures,” said SU President Janet Dudley-Eshbach. “We, too, are feeling those same pressures. SU’s first commitment is the education of its students and the adequate funding of academic programs. If the stations are to succeed and to enjoy continued campus support, they must become more closely aligned with the mission of the University. Such collaborations would include, for example, increasing the number of internships with academic departments such as communication arts, business and music.”

With that in mind, SU is asking the Foundation to transfer ownership of the licenses to the university. This would give campus leadership day-to-day responsibility for DPR operations and, in turn, provide the stations access to more resources and expertise in areas such as management, budgeting and marketing.

“I am very grateful to the SU Foundation and particularly to its Public Radio Committee in helping guide and lead Delmarva Public Radio into the 21st century,” Dudley-Eshbach said. “We often forget that Foundation board members are volunteers who freely give of their time, talent and resources to enrich the lives of students and other residents across Delmarva.”

“As a long-time fan of public radio, I am excited by the new possibilities arising from closer cooperation between the University and DPR,” said Rick Holloway, chair of the SU Foundation’s Public Radio Committee. “Financially, the stations need to alter course. With renewed support from the campus and community, we think WSCL and WSDL can succeed. The transfer of the licenses is an important step in helping operations move to the next level.”

Finances and listenership remain major concerns. WSCL was founded in 1987, the same year WESM began broadcasting from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Then, only two public radio stations were located in the region. Today, there are nine on the Shore. In Salisbury, during drive time, listeners can hear the same NPR programming on five different signals. An increasing number of retirees from the Washington-Baltimore corridor now listen to area repeater stations for a touch of “home.” The more saturated market and advances in technology with satellite radio, iPods, Webcasting and others have cut into DPR listenership.

According to the most recent Arbitron ratings provided by DPR, its listenership dropped by over 20,000 between 2009 and 2011.

“If the stations are to survive, let alone prosper, this downward trend must reverse and public financial support for the stations must grow,” Holloway said. The University is turning to Friends of Delmarva Public Radio, which has been vocal in its advocacy of the stations, to assist in fundraising and contribute at least $250,000 annually to support DPR operations.

Currently the station has a budget of approximately $1 million with some one-fourth of that coming from SU in the forms of salary and in-kind funding. Over the last 25 years, the University has been the largest single patron, with a subsidy of over $5 million.

Under the plan, the university would continue to support DPR operations and, after three years, the success of the stations would be assessed. Ultimately, the long-term viability of the stations will depend on their maintaining a market of listeners and a higher level of donor financial support.

Public Comment Changes Begin In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY — After the first Ocean City Mayor and Council meeting with the new public comment and consent agenda policies in place, the “jury is still out” on the new format.

The Ocean City Mayor and Council met on Tuesday night in the first meeting since the new public comment period and consent agenda format were approved by the elected officials. Earlier this month, the council approved a couple of measures adjusting the format for the bi-weekly regular meetings, including moving the public comment period to the front of the agenda and adopting a “consent agenda” policy for routine agenda items.

For years, the council has allowed a public comment period at the end of the regular sessions with a five-minute limit on speakers from the public. Responding to problems with the time-tested format, the council earlier this month approved a new format putting the public comment period near the beginning of the meeting and Tuesday was the first real test.

Not surprisingly, the line-up included many of the usual citizens to make public comments during the council meetings and they didn’t waste any time weighing in on the new format. For example, Citizens for Ocean City spokesman Joe Groves was first up and said he was uncertain if he approved of the change.

“I think the jury is still out on this,” he said. “I was not sure I agreed, but looking at this today, it makes sense to me. Our voice can be heard before you start your agenda.”

Groves said he was confident the elected officials would alter the formula if it proved to be ineffective.

“I think we have a council now that will agree to change it if it doesn’t work out,” he said.

However, the next speaker was John Adkins, another frequent public commenter at council meetings. While he didn’t dismiss the new format, Adkins said it was difficult to comment at the beginning before the elected officials and staff started their agenda.

“The one thing about the public comments being at the beginning of the meeting that concerns me is I’ve sat in on your meetings for several years and I always take notes during the meeting,” he said. “The only bad thing about this is we don’t know what you’re going to talk about yet.”

Adkins said he was uncertain if the new format would work and continued to push for the opportunity for public comments at the council’s bi-weekly work sessions. For years, the council has allowed public comments at their regular sessions, but not at the less formal work sessions.

“I have some doubts this will work out well,” he said. “What I would really like to see is a public comment period during work sessions.”

Council President Lloyd Martin said the final public comment format for all meetings was in flux and promised to revisit the work session issue.

“We’re going to take a look at that,” he said. “We’ve heard from you on that issue and we’re going to work that out.”

Another new procedural change introduced on Tuesday was the “consent agenda,” which enables the council to group routine agenda items and resolutions under one umbrella for blanket approval. For example, on Tuesday, nine special event approval requests and a bid for ATVs for the beach patrol were lumped together under the consent agenda and streamlined the process.

Typically, town staffers present each special event request on its own and the council considers each and approves or denies each on its own. On Tuesday, however, the special events were placed together under the consent agenda and were approved together, with the special exception of a beach soccer tournament scheduled for June that had a potential conflict with the Dew Tour. The soccer tournament was approved on its own after the council was reassured the possible conflict had been resolved.

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OC Ice Cream Truck Rules Tweaked

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City officials this week passed an ordinance limiting the areas of operation for vehicle vendors, such as ice cream trucks, in the interest of protecting established downtown businesses.

On Tuesday, the Mayor and Council approved an amendment to an ordinance limiting the operation of vehicle vendors like ice cream trucks, for example, in the downtown area. The existing ordinance prohibited the operation of the ice cream truck franchisee to south of 18th Street, but the council on Tuesday voted to extend the prohibited area to south of 27th Street, or the north end of the Boardwalk.

Before approving the amendment, however, some on the council voiced concern the extended prohibition area was too vast, pointing out there are significant residential areas in the downtown area that could be better served by a vehicle vendor away from the Boardwalk and other retail areas. As a result, the council voted to amend the prohibited area to south of 27th Street and east of Baltimore Ave., essentially insulating Boardwalk businesses that sell similar goods from undue competition while allowing ice cream trucks to operate in residential areas away from the retail core. City Solicitor Guy Ayres explained the original intent of the ordinance.

“The intent of the ordinance was to protect the Boardwalk businesses,” he said. “Maybe this should be amended to exclude the areas west of Baltimore Avenue.”

Councilman Dennis Dare said the amended ordinance as written would exclude vast residential areas downtown that could be best served by a vehicle vendor.

“I understand the need to protect the Boardwalk businesses and businesses on the beach, but we have businesses all over town,” he said. “This would take in big residential areas such as Robin Drive and Bayshore Drive, Mallard Island and all of the residential areas in the south end of town.”

With that said, Dare made a motion to amend the ordinance to exclude any area south of 27th Street and east of Baltimore Ave. The council approved the amended ordinance by a vote of 4-1 with Councilwomen Mary Knight and Margaret Pillas absent and Councilman Brent Ashley opposed.

“I’d be in favor of doing away with these franchises entirely,” said Ashley. “We need to protect the businesses we have.”

Mayor Rich Meehan said the issue came up as a result of the current holder forfeiting his franchise agreement. Patrick McLaughlin, who operated a fleet of ice cream trucks in Ocean City under the name Arctic Inventions, along with other concession businesses in the resort including telescope pictures and beach stands, pleaded guilty last year to federal tax evasion charges and has since forfeited the vehicle vending franchise agreement with the resort.

In October, McLaughlin was sentenced to 10 months in prison for failing to file individual income tax returns and failing to report employment tax withholdings for his Ocean City-based concession businesses over the six-year period from 2003 to 2009. As a result of McLaughlin’s failure to pay corporate, individual and employment taxes, the total tax loss to the government came in at just under $300,000.

“The reason this came back up is that the party that held the franchise has forfeited and we’re in the process of rebidding it,” said Meehan on Tuesday. “Since the previous owner forfeited, we need to consider a debarment hearing to prevent him from bidding again in the future. Otherwise, we could have another problem.”

OC, Cat Groups Plan Partnership

OCEAN CITY — Ocean City officials this week agreed to provide support for a coalition of private sector groups in the interest of better controlling a growing stray or feral cat crisis in the resort.

On Tuesday, the Ocean City Mayor and Council agreed to support the Community Cats Coalition and its partners, Delmarva Cat Connection and Town Cats, in an effort to get a handle on the growing stray or feral cat problem in the resort. Community Cats Coalition spokeswoman Susan Coleman told the town’s elected officials the stray and feral cat population in the resort continues to soar and advised them of the relatively new program to humanely and safely curtail the population growth while allowing the town’s cats to remain in their colonies.

Coleman explained her agency’s ongoing partnership with Delmarva Cat Connection and Town Cats, along with the OCPD’s Animal Control officers, the Humane Society and private sector volunteers to implement a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. Under the TNR program, stray and feral are humanely trapped, taken to a vet to be vaccinated, spayed or neutered and then returned to the same areas.

“Stray and feral cats are the product of human mistreatment,” she said. “Owned cats are often abandoned and those that are not neutered produce litters of untamable kittens. Unaddressed, the process continues and seems unstoppable. We have a stray and feral cat population crisis, but this program is already achieving the desired results.”

Coleman explained that the partnering agencies have already handled 359 stray or feral cats. As a result, there has already been a stabilization of the resident cat population and the number of citizen complaints has gone down in kind.  She said the coalition is looking to form an alliance with Ocean City to utilize the town’s resources to get the word out.

“We want this to be an ongoing and long-term solution,” she said. “We’re not asking for any funding, but the summer residents and visitors don’t know about us. We’d like to partner with the town to help get the word out, through signs or literature on the Boardwalk, to access to the town’s website.”

City officials embraced the idea, especially since no financial commitment is needed.

“That’s quite a big step already to get everybody working together,” said Mayor Rick Meehan. “We’d be happy to work with you and let you continue to do the good work you do. It’s very important to our community.”

Critical Areas Ordinance Sent Back To Planners

SALISBURY — The Salisbury City Council sent the city’s Critical Areas Ordinance back down to the Wicomico County Planning and Zoning Commission this week. While the commission had attached a favorable recommendation to the ordinance, members of the council pointed out that the commissioners never saw a final product on the document and had made their ruling based on the bullet points.

The city’s Critical Areas Ordinance is updated every four to six years, according to County Planning and Zoning Technical Services and Environmental Planner Jimmy Sharp. This new ordinance is similar in most aspects to the previous one. However, there have been a few additions and the design of the ordinance has changed due to a new model from the state.

“We’re following the new format laid out by the state,” Sharp told the council.
Besides the new formatting, new areas have been added to the ordinance.

“Some new sections have been added such as the River Walk section which was not in the last ordinance at all,” he said.  

Overall, the Critical Areas Ordinance, which Sharp said was adopted by the city in 1989, is set up to protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Salisbury with guidelines and restrictions on development. However, because much of the area was developed prior to adopting the original ordinance, Sharp explained that most parts of the city have a lot of flexibility with the guidelines.

With this most current ordinance, however, the council underlined the fact that the Planning and Zoning Commission had only received a summary and not the actual document.

“It’s been before the planning commission in a summary form with the various issues and topics identified,” said Planning and Zoning Director Jack Lennox.

Councilmember Laura Mitchell took that approval with a grain of salt, however.

“The Planning and Zoning Commission approved this with only a summary,” she said. “They asked several times, as I understand, to see the ordinance but they’ve never seen the ordinance and it’s being brought to us saying Planning and Zoning has approved this. But they haven’t even seen it. So I’m a little troubled by the representation that it’s been approved by them when they haven’t gotten to see it.”

Reviewing the entire ordinance, she added, is the commission’s responsibility.
“I think that’s their function and they should have that opportunity,” she said.

Sharp told the council that it was acceptable to send the ordinance back down. However, he explained that state law overrides municipal regulations with critical areas.

“As soon as the state law changes, no matter what our ordinance reads here, as soon as the state law changes that is what we have to implement,” he said.

Sharp said that Salisbury’s ordinance is more for public education than to set guidelines.

“All this is doing, in my opinion, is allowing the public to see exactly what our rules and regulations are,” he said.

Maryland Department of Planning Regional Director Tracey Gordy agreed.

“So the model ordinance that you get you really cannot change very much,” she said. “All you can do is to add in particulars, unique circumstances to your community such as the River Walk.”

Still, the council agreed to handle the ordinance in the traditional matter and allow the Planning and Zoning Commission to review the plan in its entirety before making a recommendation.

OC Businesses Earn Nominations For Statewide Awards

OCEAN CITY — The Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) last week announced the nominees for its annual awards, and the resort area is again well represented with a local establishment nominated in nearly every major category.

RAM will hold its 59th Annual “Stars of the Industry” gala in April, showcasing some of the top restaurants in the state in several categories. Among those nominated were de Lazy Lizard owner Wayne Odachowski and Fish Tales owner Shawn Harman for “Restaurateur of the Year,” while Shark on the Harbor owner and executive chef Travis Wright has been nominated for “Chef of the Year.”

In addition, the Captain’s Table has been nominated for Favorite Restaurant, while Macky’s Bayside Bar and Grill and Dead Freddie’s Island Grill have been nominated for Favorite Bar and Tavern.

For de Lazy Lizard, Odachowski’s nomination for Restaurateur of the Year comes on the heels of the establishment’s win in the Favorite New Restaurant category last year. Odachowski said this week he was honored to be nominated as an individual and deflected much of the credit to his partner and staff.

“Owning and running a successful restaurant business is truly a team effort,” he said. “I couldn’t have been nominated if it weren’t for the extraordinary effort of my business partner, Todd Hays, our loyal management team and our dedicated staff.”

Odachowski said the nomination reflects an acknowledgement by the industry and the public that his establishment is doing things the right way.

“As I understand it, the decision to be included on the ballot was made by the general voting public, past nominees and the gala committee,” he said. “It is a great feeling to have been selected by my peers in the industry and to be in the company of the others that have been nominated for this award. Ocean City is well represented this year. I wish all of the local nominees good luck.”

For Harman, his nomination for Restaurateur of the Year also comes on the heels of a recent RAM award victory for his establishment. Fish Tales was honored with the Favorite Bar or Tavern award in 2011 and Harman was quick to share the praise.

“It’s very humbling,” he said. “I was really taken aback when I heard I was nominated, but I certainly can’t take all of the credit. My wife, Donna, and [manager] Danielle really make it happen. I just get the credit.”

Meanwhile, Wright said he was extremely pleased to be considered among the candidates for Chef of the Year.

“I was totally caught off guard by this,” he said. “There are some heavyweights on this list and real legends in the area, so to be even thought of remotely with them is very special.”

Like his fellow nominees in and around the resort area, Wright shared the spotlight with his crew and deflected the individual honor.

“It’s a little weird to be recognized as an individual because the way we operate is a very collaborative process,” he said. “We foster an environment of creativity and bounce new ideas off each other every day, so for one person to get the lion’s share of the credit isn’t entirely accurate.”

The six nominees on the RAM ballot this year continue a recent run of great success for the Ocean City restaurant industry.

Last year, for example, de Lazy Lizard was named Favorite New Restaurant, while Shenanigans was named Favorite Bar or Tavern and Bill and Julianne Gibbs were honored with the Brice and Shirley Phillips Lifetime Industry Achievement Award.

In 2011, B.J.’s on the Water owner Billy Carder was named Restaurateur of the Year, Sunset Grille was named Maryland’s Favorite Restaurant, Fish Tales was named Favorite Bar or Tavern and the Greene Turtle was honored with the McCormick Cornerstone Award and was inducted into the RAM Hall of Honor.

Wright said the past winners and current nominees represent a shift in Ocean City’s place on the state’s culinary landscape, and a change in the perception of the resort area as simply a pizza and French Fry destination.

“It’s really a testament to the success of this industry and how far it’s come in our neck of the woods,” he said. “It’s a tight-knit community and everybody around here really supports everybody else.”

Harman agreed people around the state are recognizing Ocean City’s contributions to the state’s restaurant industry.

“It’s nice,” he said. “There are several local businesses in the running for different awards, and the nice thing about around here is that we’re not running against each other, but with each other.”

RAM strongly urges the dining public to cast their votes for their favorite nominees in each category by visiting www.marylandrestaurants.com/gala. The voting is open until March 8 and the winners will be announced at RAM’s “Stars of the Industry” gala at Martin’s West in Baltimore on April 15.

Mixed Outcomes For Local Operators Looking To Expand Liquor Businesses

SNOW HILL — Applicants seeking expanded licenses from the Board of License Commissioners (BLC) Wednesday met with mixed results, with one application approved, one denied and a third compromised.

The first applicant seeking a major change to a local business was Scott Heise, owner of Pizza Tugos in West Ocean City. His application asked the board for permission to install arcade games on the second floor of his restaurant.

“What we’d like to do is take the second floor area and make it a family entertainment center,” said attorney Hugh Cropper, representing Heise.

According to Heise, the upstairs of his restaurant is about 2,300 square feet and is “underutilized at this point and time.” Because of the traditional winter slow-down around Ocean City, Heise told the BLC that his upstairs, which remains available for seating, has too much space right now. This led him to consider the idea of installing video, arcade and entertainment games to expand Pizza Tugos’ service and attract more families.

“We’re looking for more kids always,” he said. “We’re looking kind of at Chucky Cheese; maybe going a little higher in the demographic area … we’re looking at something that just doesn’t exist around here.”

Heise requested to be allowed 30 games to be spread out around the second floor. However, the board had some concerns about putting those many machines in the space, especially since Heise said he plans on continuing traditional table service upstairs.

The BLC decided to only approve 12 games and only in a designated section of the second floor. It also required Heise to produce a floor plan signed by the fire marshal before he installs the machine.  

The second license change request was from the Marina Deck Restaurant in Ocean City. Owner Dennis Kalchthaler requested several changes to his operation, including expanding his allowable live entertainment from three to seven pieces, and allowing a disc jockey on-site and allowing the off sale of beer, wine and liquor. Kalchthaler explained that his plan is to add a rooftop bar area.

“We will have two gazebos that will be open air and a bar that will be open air,” he said.

The bar would have glass railings 48 inches high to reduce noise to the surrounding area. However, some of Kalchthaler’s neighbors were skeptical that the railing would be sufficient to eliminate all noise pollution and had further doubts that the expansion could be controlled.

“We can’t handle that kind of noise,” said Jim Miller, president of the White Marlin Condominiums, which is adjacent to Marina Deck. “We can’t handle that kind of foot traffic.”

Miller was also concerned about potential litter that could be generated from operating carry-out food and alcohol. By having a seven-piece band or DJ, Miller argued that Kalchthaler would be turning Marina Deck into a “nightclub.”

“It’s just not what we need,” said Miller.
Kalchthaler acknowledged the concerns but promised to be a good neighbor.

“If we have any issues, I can fix them on the spot … We’re going to police our business,” he said.

However, two other residents of the condos protested the application on the same grounds listed by Miller. BLC President William Esham recused himself from the board for the deliberation since he owns a condo at White Marlin. As a private citizen, Esham asked the board how many nearby businesses already allow carry-out alcohol. There was a significant list.

The board denied the application, citing the concerns of neighbors and the fact that there were no plans to expand the current parking to accommodate the additions.

The final license expansion application heard by the BLC fared better than the rest. Avi Sibony, owner of 45th Street Tap House and neighboring OC Steamers, requested an expansion of his premises by installing an addition with roughly 340 new seats indoor and outdoor. In addition, he sought a stage and up to five pieces of live entertainment seven days per week between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m. Finally, Sibony asked for two pool tables and five amusement games.

Like Marina Deck, the board appeared hesitant to expand the license so significantly.

“It’s big enough that it can get out of hand in a hurry,” said Esham. “It’s a double-edged sword. This looks like he’s going towards a nightclub, there’s no two ways about it. I’ve been there long enough to know what it looks like.”

However, Sibony promised that the traditional layout of the restaurant would remain and tables would not be cleared out to create a dance floor. Esham said he was willing to take Sibony at his word for now, though any problems would result in the hammer dropping.

“He’s committed that he will leave it a restaurant and leave the tables in there,” said Esham.

The BLC did limit Sibony to only six pieces of total arcade equipment instead of the requested seven, however.

Mathias Seeks Task Force To Study Later School Start

OCEAN CITY — Responding to a call to revisit the issue, Senator Jim Mathias (D-38) last week introduced legislation in the General Assembly that would create a task force to study the possibility of pushing the start date for public schools across Maryland back until after Labor Day.

For decades, the public school year in Maryland always started after Labor Day, the symbolic end to the summer season, but in recent years, most jurisdictions have moved the start date earlier and earlier, into mid-August in some cases. Because of its resort nature, Worcester was one of the last to hold onto the post-Labor Day start date for schools, but the county has joined the ranks of other school systems starting in late August in recent years.

Last April, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot met with Ocean City business leaders to jumpstart his initiative to push the start of the school year back after Labor Day, citing the economic benefit to the state while maintaining the mandated number days in the school calendar. Meanwhile, Greg Shockley, who chairs the state’s Tourism Development Board, approached Mathias recently about introducing legislation to at least study the issue and the senator obliged.

“It’s a vital bill for us,” said Mathias this week. “Greg Shockley reached out to me and told me it’s something that’s really needed and wanted. This task force would look at the issue comprehensively, from the economic impact, to keeping the summer workforce intact, and from the educational impact to the importance of keeping the family together for another week at the end of the summer.”

The bill calls for the creation of a task force to study the issue from all sides. The task force would include state and local elected officials, school administrators, teachers, students and parents and business leaders. Mathias said he was keenly aware of the potential impacts on the school calendar, but hoped a compromise solution could be reached.

“I understand that the educational system going forward has put a lot of emphasis on testing and the number of days to prepare for the tests is so important, but I think there might be a solution to keep the mandated number of days while providing considerable economic benefit,” he said. “As we move forward, we want to look at the whole picture, from the economic impact to the educational issues and have a coherent roundtable discussion. That’s the basis for this bill.”

When Franchot met with resort business leaders last spring to launch his “Let Summer Mean Summer” and “Line in the Sand” initiatives, the comptroller said the early start date for schools has made it increasingly difficult for small businesses in Ocean City and across the state.

“It has a negative impact on small businesses throughout Ocean City that rely on a strong tourist season,” he said. “During these tough economic times, we have to do all we can to foster growth. A busy summer in Ocean City is critical for this community and the entire state. Losing 7-10 days in August could be the difference between making it or closing doors.”

The numbers Franchot presented last spring appear to bear that out. For example, 32 million domestic travelers visited Maryland last year and the tourism sector employs over 340,000 workers with the summer months particularly busy. An August week in Ocean City can generate almost $5 million in state and local revenues, and nearly $3 million can be generated on a holiday weekend.

State law requires a 180-day school year, but Franchot has said he is confident the best public school system in the country would be able to achieve the mandated number of days with a post-Labor Day start.

“Our school system has been rated the top in the nation for several years now and our teachers, administrators, and support staff are the most talented in the country,” he said. “I am confident they can adjust the school calendar in order to provide for a start after Labor Day.”

Beyond the economic and educational aspects of the issue, Franchot evoked nostalgic memories of family vacations in the summer to further prove the point.

“It’s a win for students and a win for families,” he said. “Summer means summer. The end of August is about getting in the last game of mini-golf or skee ball on the Boardwalk with the family, or eating that last batch of steamed crabs on the deck. It isn’t meant for waiting on a bus stop or sitting in a classroom.”

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan has said changing family dynamics have made the traditional summer vacation more difficult. He said cutting summer short by a week or two at the end of August has contributed to that.

“Maryland families today find it difficult to get time off for vacation with both parents working and cutting summer short by a couple of weeks limits those opportunities further,” he said. “We can’t continue to allow that to happen.”

School Board Proposes Pay Raises For All Employees

SNOW HILL — The Worcester County Board of Education is proposing a FY2014 operating budget that would include salary increases for all employees, funding to replace grant money that supports After School Programs and additional funding for technology.

The proposed budget includes a step increase for all eligible employees as well as a 1-percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all employees to “begin restoring stagnant wages,” according to a memo from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jerry Wilson. Additionally, there would be an estimated 5-percent increase in health insurance rates.

“We have a strong desire to maintain and support our outstanding classroom teachers and staff who do a great job every day working with our students,” Wilson said.

Wilson added that parent surveys also fell in line with this thinking, with a majority citing excellent teachers as important to foster.

Bus contractors are also slated for a 2-percent increase, according to the proposed budget.

Regarding employee health care costs, Chief Financial Officer Vincent Tolbert pointed out that the 5-percent increase is just a guess at this point.

“Those rates won’t be finalized until May. It could be more; it could be less,” he said.

Besides pay increases for all staff members, the proposed budget has provisions to cover funding for middle and intermediate After School Programs, resources for which were unexpectedly lost last summer. The Board of Education was able to maintain the programs through this school year via inter-budget transfers and a one-time grant from the County Commission. While the board still hopes to recover state grant funding for the after school academies next year, room has been left in their proposed FY2014 budget to cover the programs should those outside monies not be secured.

The board will also be asking for $400,000 worth of non-recurring funding. Those funds will go mainly toward new technology, including $200,000 to purchase computer tablets for students, updating business and human resources software and increasing broadband capacity. The remaining non-recurring funds would provide for a renovation feasibility study to be conducted at Showell Elementary.

The total proposed operating budget for FY2014 is $95,846,843 and represents a 2.58-increase from last year’s budget.