Mayor Dan Burris (c) led the opening prayer for the first meeting in Leonardtown’s new town hall. Council members in attendance were (l to r): Leslie Roberts, Tom Combs, Jay Mattingly and Roger Mattingly. Council Member Hayden Hammett was not in attendance.
Leonardtown, MD — The Commissioners of Leonardtown held their first meeting Sept. 12 in their new town hall. The move of the town offices into the newly acquired town hall on Washington Street is almost complete with some minor unpacking left to accomplish.
The town moved from partially-leased and partially-owned condo space in the Profitt Building on Courthouse Drive. The new town hall is known as the Candela Building, which was a part of the former First National Bank of St, Mary’s and then later PNC Bank. The rest of the bank building is being converted into commercial space on the first floor and apartments on the second.
The town purchased the Candela Building from Rainbow Construction of Waldorf for $525,000 and they earmarked about $125,000, more for interior renovation. The town plans to sell its two condominium units in the Profitt Building. Town Mayor Dan Burris says the proceeds from the sale and the savings from the rentals will more than offset the purchase price of the new town hall.
And the new town hall gives the town government room for expansion. The whole second floor is currently not occupied. The intent is to create a larger meeting room on the second floor. But first the town has to construct an elevator to make that space handicap-accessible. They are awaiting the results of a grant request to the state for monies to do that.
The following are the highlights of the first meeting in the new town hall:
• Town Treasurer Rebecca Sothoron reported that for the first time income tax revenue exceeded property tax revenue for the fiscal year that ended June 30. The larger-than-budgeted income tax revenue will give the town a fund balance. Sothoron said that income tax revenue can be unstable so she recommended using the fund balance for non-recurring items.
• Town Manager Laschelle McKay reported that the new gazebo for the town wharf is being delivered this week.
• The council forwarded to the planning commission a proposed 107-unit development called Meadows at Town Run on the recently annexed Wathen Farm. Quality Built Homes will be the developer. The new subdivision is on the Sept. 19 agenda of the town planning commission,
• McKay reported the town applied for status as a Main Street Affiliate. The affiliation is short of full Main Street status which requires a full-time Main Street director. Monies could be made available from the program for a part-time staff person to work on economic development, according to Council Member Leslie Roberts.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com
