September 2019 County News
Briefs
New Solar Array at County Landfill
County Executive Jan Gardner officially
commissioned a new solar array at the Reichs Ford Road Landfill that will
generate enough renewable energy to supply close to 20% of the county’s general
electric usage. The array, comprised of 7,776 panels over nearly 14 acres, is
expected to produce more than 3 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year.
"Frederick County is powered by the sun and
leading the way on renewable energy," Executive Gardner said. "Our electric
buses are being charged using solar energy, so they are running on 100 percent
renewable energy! This project ensures that Frederick County is poised for a
bright future for generations to come."
Through a net metering agreement, electricity
generated by the solar array is transferred to Potomac Edison’s power grid. The
county then offsets power costs at designated county facilities. In addition to
the TransIT electric bus charging stations, the buildings served by this
project include: Winchester Hall; the Frederick Senior Center; the landfill’s
scale house; and three public libraries, the C. Burr Artz Library, the Urbana
Regional Library, and the Emmitsburg Library, which is also home to the
Emmitsburg Senior Center and the Emmitsburg Town Offices.
The county will have access to renewable power
at a fixed rate for at least the next 20 years, under the terms of a 20-year
agreement between the county and TESLA Energy. TESLA will be responsible for
the operation and maintenance of the solar array.
The agreement also allows the county to
purchase and own Solar Renewable Energy Certificates that the system generates
for at least the next six years at a reduced rate of $22. By comparison, RECs
on the market today cost between $54 and $57. The county is also looking at
solar solutions at the Ballenger McKinney wastewater treatment plant, which by
the end of this year will be home to a second solar array.
For more information, contact Deputy Chief
Administrative Officer Michael Marschner at 301-600-1133 or via e-mail at
mmarschner@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
County Calls for Installment Purchase
Program Applications
The Frederick County Agricultural Land
Preservation Program is now accepting applications for the Installment Purchase
Program Easement program. The program is the county’s farmland preservation
program, which purchases agricultural preservation easements that forever
restrict development on prime farmland and woodland. The Installment Purchase
Program was established by the Board of County Commissioners of Frederick
County in 2002. Through the use of Installment Purchase Agreements, this
program pays the farmer tax-free interest only over a term with a balloon lump
sum principle payment at the end of the term.
Since the program began, it has preserved more
than 20,000 acres of farmland in Frederick County. Applications will be
accepted in the Division of Planning & Permitting, 30 N. Market Street, until 4
p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Information about the program may be found by
visiting www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/agpres. For more details, contact Land
Preservation Planner Shannon O’Neil at 301-600-1411 or via e-mail at soneil@frederickcountymd.gov.
New Food Waste Composting Initiatives
Executive Jan Gardner announced three new
initiatives to encourage composting of food waste by residents, schools and
businesses. Composting extends the life of landfills, conditions soils, and
improves water and air quality, and was the recommendation of the Solid Waste
What’s Next steering committee’s 2017 final report.
"We can be proud that Frederick County is
moving in the right direction when it comes to composting," commented Executive
Gardner. "We want to demonstrate that composting works and to help establish a
market for composting businesses in Frederick County."
The first initiative is a pilot program to
accept commercial food waste at the county’s transfer station for a reduced
rate. The goal is to encourage private businesses to offer composting of food
waste by demonstrating that it works. Executive Order 01-2019 establishes a
lower tipping fee for haulers that bring source-separate food waste to the
transfer station, beginning Sept. 9, 2019. Compostable material will be taken
to an existing organic composting facility.
Food items that will be accepted through the
pilot program are: fruit and vegetable scraps, meat, dairy products, fish, egg
shells, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, shredded paper and paper
products, such as paper towels, napkins and tissues, and pizza boxes.
The Executive’s second initiative will help
public school students learn the proper way to separate their foods. In order
to ensure the schools’ food waste is free of contaminants, the county is
providing a grant to Frederick County Public Schools to support part-time
composting coaches so the schools’ food waste can be free of contaminants.
The third initiative announced today is an
effort to encourage more backyard composting by residents. The county will
provide low-cost composting bins to residents on a first-come, first-serve
basis at a special event in the spring of 2020. For more information, visit
www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/compost.
Frederick County Earns LEED Silver
Community
The U.S. Green Building Council today
announced that Frederick County is a LEED Silver community certified through
the Council’s LEED for Communities program, one of fewer than 10 counties in
the nation to earn this designation to date. LEED stands for Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design. County Executive Jan Gardner accepted the
county’s certification Tuesday from Hilari Varnadore, Director of LEED for
Cities and Communities. During the ceremony, Varnadore also presented Mayor
Michael O’Connor with the City of Frederick’s LEED for Cities certification.
"Frederick County is proud to be leading the
way as a LEED Silver certified community," Executive Gardner said. "We are
reducing our energy usage with all-electric transit buses and hybrid vehicles,
increasing our renewable sources with solar arrays, improving water quality
through our Creek ReLeaf program, and adding bikeways and trails.
Sustainability is the responsible way to ensure a bright future for our
community and fits with our goals and vision for Livable Frederick."
Frederick County achieved LEED Silver
certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and
solutions aimed at improving sustainability and a high quality of life. LEED
for Communities enables areas to measure and track outcomes in key areas,
including energy, water, waste, transportation, health, education, safety, and
prosperity.
"The work of cities and communities such as
Frederick County is a driving force in ensuring a more sustainable future for
all," said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building
Council. "Cities and communities that achieve LEED certification are lowering
carbon emissions, creating a healthier environment and striving to improve the
quality of life for their residents. Frederick County is setting a standard for
what it means to be a high performer, and we applaud their efforts and
achievements."
Weaver as Budget Director
Kelly Weaver, CPA, has been appointed budget
director for Frederick County Government. Ms. Weaver has been serving as the
acting budget director since March 19.
"Kelly brings an extensive knowledge of the
county budget and a wealth of financial expertise and experience to this
important positon," Executive Gardner said. "I am pleased to promote her based
on her management skills, graduate level education in accounting, and
professional certifications that will further advance our open, transparent and
inclusive public budget process. I know Kelly will do an exemplary job in this
leadership role."
Ms. Weaver has served as Frederick County
Government assistant budget director since 2007. Previously, she was Accountant
II and III for the county from 2004 – 2007. Before that, she was the Senior
Accountant at City Hospital, Inc., from 2000-2004.
Ms. Weaver holds a bachelor of science from
Salisbury University, a master of business administration from Mount St. Mary’s
University and a certificate in general management from the American Management
Association. She is a licensed CPA in the State of Maryland.
Ms. Waver succeeds Rich Harcum, who previously
served as budget director before being appointed to chief administrative
officer on Feb. 1.
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