(7/1) Summer Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Event Planned
The Frederick County Division of Solid Waste and Recycling (DSWR) will host a Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off event on Saturday, July 15 in the upper parking lot at NYMEO Field on 21 Stadium Dr, Frederick, MD, from 8 a.m. until noon. The event is free and open to residents of the County as a means of safe disposal of hazardous household items, including rechargeable batteries, pesticides, and general household items marked "hazardous" or "toxic." The event will be held rain or shine. Participants should access the event via New Design Road, not South Market Street.
County residents may bring the above-mentioned household materials and additional items such as aerosol paints, brake fluid, flares, compact and tube fluorescent light bulbs and ballasts, fungicides, household cleaners, insecticides, mothballs, old fuel, photographic chemicals, pool chemicals, stains, sealants, smoke detectors, solvents, thinners and again, general household items marked "hazardous" or "toxic." A contractor will be present to process materials for safe disposal.
Please note that items not accepted at this event include: ammunition, biomedical waste, explosives, firearms, fire extinguishers, LED light bulbs, medicines, paint, pressurized tanks over 1 pound (such as for propane, helium, or freon), and radioactive materials or any items accepted at our DSWR Recycling Center year-round. For more information on accepted items, please visit the DSWR website at www.frederickcountymd.gov/hazwaste.
To receive automatic reminders for this and future events, please visit the DSWR website, www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/recycle, and click the "My Reminders" link to subscribe. For general information on recycling, disposal, and waste reduction programs. Customer service representatives from the DSWR office may also be reached by calling 301-600-2960.
2023 Annual Open Burn Ban Notification
The Frederick County Health Department announces the annual ban on open burning effective June 1st. Open burning permits cannot be used each year from June 1st through August 31st. This ban does not apply to small recreational fires such as campfires, barbeques, or gas grills.
The annual burn ban is required by the Maryland State Air Quality regulations and first went into effect in June 1995. The ban extends throughout the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Region and is designed to reduce the high ozone levels that affect the region during the summer months, allowing for better air quality. The ban is not related to rainfall.
Violations to the open burn ban and open burning without a permit are subject to fines of up to $500 under the Frederick County Code and up to $25,000 under Maryland State Regulations. Burning of household trash or household rubbish is not allowed at any time of the year. For additional information, contact the Community Services Office in the Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at 301-600-1717.
Residents are also reminded that they must obtain an open burning permit from the Health Department prior to any open burning during the months when the burn ban is not in effect. For more information on how to obtain a permit, visit the Health Department’s website at Health.FrederickCountyMD.gov/BurnPermit.
County Creates Agritourism Workgroup
Recognizing the importance of agriculture to Frederick County’s economy, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater has appointed an Agritourism Workgroup to examine existing laws, regulations and programs related to the growing industry. Meeting dates and locations for the workgroup will be posted to FrederickCountyMD.gov/Agritourism as they are scheduled.
Standing up the workgroup begins to address a recommendation from Administration’s Transition Team, which called for support of Frederick County’s diversifying agricultural economy. The Transition Report recommends updating laws and processes that affect the agriculture industry.
"We need to modernize our system so our farms, and our farmers, can continue to thrive," County Executive Fitzwater said. "Farming has changed substantially over the years. Our laws and regulations need not only to catch up, but they need to lay a foundation that will support innovation in the years to come."
Members of the Agritourism Workgroup will review the County’s existing laws and regulations related to agritourism, review the County’s existing programs to support agritourism, identify major issues related to agritourism, and make recommendations to promote agritourism while protecting the health, safety and quality of life of Frederick County residents. The workgroup is to issue a report to the County Executive and County Council no later than Dec. 1.
"I want to thank the County Executive for appointing me to this group," said Council Member Jerry Donald (District 1), one of two Council Members to serve on the workgroup. "I hope that we can all work together to balance the interest of farmers and the public in this important sector of our economy."
"Agriculture is the backbone of Frederick County," said Council Member Mason Carter (District 5), another member of the workgroup. "Working together with stakeholders from across our diverse county will help up better serve the agricultural community and their interests. I look forward to advocating on their behalf."
Montevue to Transition to Serve More Seniors
Frederick County’s growing senior population soon will have more services available to help them remain in their homes as they age. The County-owned Montevue Assisted Living facility will shift from an institutional model to a service coordination model, providing services to more seniors.
"Frederick County has a moral obligation to help our most vulnerable seniors," County Executive Fitzwater said. "Montevue’s mission remains unchanged, and we honor the history of the land while adapting to what today’s seniors need. The next chapter of Montevue’s story allows us to serve people where they want to be."
The service coordination model was recommended by a group of local advocates, including residents Cindy Powell and Melanie Cox. "Frederick County has a long history of utilizing government, non-profit and business services to support seniors, but it has been piecemeal, often leaving the poorest and frailest to find their own way," Ms. Powell and Ms. Cox wrote in a joint statement. "Creating an innovative systemic Service Coordination model can make the best use of all resources, improve quality of life, and help seniors age in place at home and continue to make their own decisions. We appreciate the County Executive's willingness to move this initiative forward and believe that it can be a model for other jurisdictions around the nation." A work group of stakeholders will inform the County and Aurora as they develop the Service Coordination process.
As a part of the transition to this new model, Aurora Health Management will ensure that seniors living at Montevue and their families have a transition plan that is focused on their best interests. The company will manage the physical transition of assisted living services.
"Aurora Health Management is excited to assist Fredrick County’s mandate to support all elderly in need," said CEO Robert G. Owens. "The development of the Service Coordination Program will offer services to all County senior citizens regardless of geography within the County."
County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced the change while standing at the site where a new 84-unit senior living facility will be built on the same historic parcel of land that once held an almshouse.
"Aging in place can only occur if an individual has stable, affordable housing," said Kathy Schey, Director of the Division of Aging and Independence. "I am delighted that the county has included multi-level senior living apartments as part of this plan! Affordable housing paired with service coordination will ensure that individuals have the tools and supports they need to age in place."
The comprehensive plan announced today includes the addition of these independent living units as well as adding 55 more beds at Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center for those who require skilled nursing. The press conference can be viewed on FCG TV at FrederickCountyMD.gov/FCGTV.
Cooperative Purchasing and Federal Incentives Propel the Transition to Solar Energy. Limited-Time Programs Make Installing Solar More Affordable
Residents and businesses can now take advantage of discounted solar installation rates through the Capital Area Solar Switch purchasing cooperative. This innovative program leverages group buying power to allow participants to access solar energy systems at a discounted rate. Solar United Neighbors (SUN), a national nonprofit dedicated to reducing barriers and increasing access to affordable solar technology, organizes the program.
According to Lindsey Humphrey of the Frederick County Division of Energy and Environment, "We want everyone who has thought about installing solar panels to know that this program is here for them because the more people who sign up, the better rates will be for each project!"
Qualified solar installers will compete for the co-op’s business in an auction held on June 21. Offers will be evaluated to secure competitively priced solar packages for participants. Those who wish to take part can register up until August 30. However, the more people that sign up before the June 21 auction, the lower the project rates will be.
After registering, participants can access webinars, review project recommendations, and connect with consultants to ask questions – all without committing to buy. Those who move forward with a solar project are expected to save an average of $4,000 on a standard-sized system when purchasing through the Capital Area Solar Switch program.
Additionally, a Federal incentive currently allows 30% of solar installation costs to be claimed as a tax credit. Prices for rooftop solar have decreased significantly in recent years, and the added discounts of group buying, Federal tax credits, and other incentives make installing solar more affordable than ever.
The Capital Area Solar Switch program offers a unique opportunity for participants to learn about and install rooftop solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging stations. Participants will reap numerous benefits from these renewable energy systems, including significant cost savings on energy bills, increased property value, decreased air pollution, and a smaller carbon footprint.
"To help tackle the issues related to climate change, the Frederick County Council established a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030," said Dawn Ashbacher, Manager of the County's Department of Climate and Energy. "Clean energy initiatives play a critical role in achieving that goal. By switching to solar power, participants benefit themselves and contribute to a greener and more resilient future for the entire community."
This program is part of a larger, regional transition to clean energy. Maryland's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act lays out a plan that calls for increasingly large portions of the State's electricity to come from renewable sources. In support of that goal, the City of Frederick is also participating in the Capital Area Solar Switch, as are Arlington and Fairfax counties in Virginia; Montgomery and Prince George's Counties; Washington D.C.; the Town of Poolesville; and the cities of Bowie, Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Takoma Park.
For more information about the program, visit the Capital Area Solar Switch website: www.solarswitch.com/en/maryland/home. For updates and notifications of local learning sessions, follow the Frederick County Division of Energy and Environment online at www.Facebook.com/SustainableFCMD. For other assistance or inquiries, contact DEE Program Administrator Lindsey Humphrey at LHumphrey@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
Office of Economic Development Releases Industry Profile to Spotlight Fast-Growing Life Sciences Sector
Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED) welcomed almost 300 attendees at the BISNOW Mid-Atlantic Life Sciences and Biotech Summit held at Progress Labs in Frederick.
Hosting the life sciences and biotechnology industry and all the businesses that serve the sector in Frederick County allowed FCOED to highlight this fast growing sector in the County. By showcasing the 130 life science and biotech companies, $12 billion economic impact of Fort Detrick and the creative ways the Department of Workforce Services is partnering with the industry to create career on-ramps and career pathways gave attendees insight as to why Frederick County is a smart business choice.
"Frederick County is a significant part of the D.C. metro region’s expansion in life sciences, and we have the ideal infrastructure in place to help facilitate this growth as more companies choose to do business in the county," County Executive Fitzwater said.
During the event, the County Executive released the first ever "Life Sciences Industry Profile." The profile was designed to highlight the business case for why companies should locate or grow their bioscience and life sciences companies in Frederick County. The profile outlines the continued growth of the sector by highlighting recent project announcements. The printed report features a Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell in on the cover – a nod to the concentration of gene and cell therapy firms that call Frederick home.
"We anticipate the industry profile report to be another tool for FCOED to continue to raise brand awareness regionally, nationally, and globally. The profile highlights the strategic advantage of locating in Frederick County. We intend for this document to be utilized by the sector, commercial real estate brokers and developers, as well as our education and government partners," said Lara L. Fritts, Executive Director of the Division of Economic Opportunity.
The profile is now available on the FCOED website at: www.discoverfrederickmd.com/lsprofile.
Barnes-Keating Appointed Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
County Executive Jessica Fitzwater appointed longtime Frederick County Government employee Leslie Barnes-Keating as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. Barnes-Keating has been serving as Acting DCAO since January 27.
"Leslie brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of helping people in our community," County Executive Fitzwater said. "She is highly motivated and a genuinely caring person. I am confident Leslie will excel in her new role."
Mrs. Barnes-Keating joined Frederick County Government in 1995, when she began working in the Division of Citizens Services. Through her decades of service, she has held progressively higher positions, including Director of the Office for Children and Families and Deputy Director of Family Services within the Citizens Services Division. Mrs. Barnes-Keating has been involved with the Local Management Board, Community Partnership Grants, the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Family Partnership of Frederick County, as well as other human services initiatives.
As Deputy Director of Family Services, Mrs. Barnes-Keating provided leadership, oversight, and guidance to the County’s core family services departments, Family Partnership, Office for Children and Families, and the Child Advocacy Center. She also oversaw and directed the implementation critical emergency preparedness programs and services.
Born and raised in Frederick, Mrs. Barnes-Keating earned her Masters of Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary’s University and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College.
