(10/2020) County Plans for Impact of Climate Change

Surrounded by news about the deadly effects of climate change across the country and planet, the joint Frederick City and County Climate Emergency Mobilization Workgroup (CEMWG) kicked off its one-year charge to identify recommendations that will help Frederick meet the Climate Emergency Resolutions’ goals adopted this past summer.

CEMWG will submit a final report to the County Council, County Executive, Mayor and Aldermen, and to the public, in September of 2021. The report will include legislative, administrative, and community recommendations to assist the County and City in meeting the two key goals of the resolutions to 1) implement policy and legislative actions through the lens of climate change; and 2) reduce county- and city-wide greenhouse gas emissions from 2010 levels by 50% before 2030, and by 100% no later than 2050, employing efforts to safely drawdown carbon from the atmosphere.

"We are humbled and grateful to have this opportunity to help ensure a healthy, safe, and clean energy future for Frederick County and City," says Barb Trader, co-chair of CEMWG, "but we cannot do it alone. We will reach out to all residents for input and comment through our upcoming website and grass-roots programs to make sure everyone is heard. As soon as we’re ready, we’ll also look for volunteers who want to help make a difference."

CEMWG is composed of 52 resident volunteers who were selected for their expertise in four key areas: Energy, Transportation, and Buildings; Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Management; Health, Extreme Weather Adaptation, and Resilience; and, Public Awareness and Outreach. Kevin Sellner, co-chair of CEMWG is "encouraged by the depth and breadth of knowledge and the level of engagement of the volunteers. Our group is enormously well prepared and ready to work!"

CEMWG will hold public meetings (currently virtual) twice a month on alternate Thursday’s from 5-7 p.m. For more information, please visit cityoffrederickmd.gov and search Climate Emergency Mobilization Workgroup. The Climate Emergency Mobilization Workgroup is a body of volunteer experts authorized by resolution No. 20-22 of Frederick County.

County Awarded $5.6 Million Federal Grant to Fund 22 Additional Firefighters

Frederick County has been awarded a $5,581,396 grant to pay for 22 additional career firefighter positions, which will reduce response times and enhance firefighter and public safety throughout the county. The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. When the new positions are filled, the Division of Fire & Rescue Service will have 495 operational career firefighters.

"The SAFER grant is absolutely fantastic news for Frederick County," said County Executive Jan Gardner. "This grant will allow us to fully staff the new Northgate Fire Station in the City of Frederick and expand day-time only staffing to 24/7 coverage in Thurmont. It’s all about taking care of people and making sure we can respond quickly and effectively to calls for assistance. A big shout out to our federal delegation for their hard work to secure these funds so we can better serve and protect our community."

The funding allows the County to add positions earlier than otherwise would have been possible. It will support 100% of salary and benefits for the positions for three years. This is the third time the county has received a SAFER grant. In 2016, the county was awarded $6.3 million for 41 additional combined firefighter and emergency medical positions and in 2018, the county received $5.5 million for 38 additional positions.

"This SAFER grant award will enable the County to meet the ever-increasing demand for service," said Fire Chief Tom Coe. "Not only will this award allow us to meet a critical request from our volunteer partners but it will assist in staffing the new North Gate fire station which will provide service to the rapidly growing area north of Frederick City."

The Division of Fire and Rescue Services is a combination career and volunteer department consisting of 25 combined career/volunteer stations and four all-volunteer stations. The department is responsible for providing fire and emergency medical service response to over 255,000 residents. In 2019, it responded to over 34,000 calls for service.

County Voters Should Apply Now for Mail-In Ballots

Voters in Frederick County who wish to vote by mail in the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election should apply for their ballot now. All registered voters were mailed an application in late August. The application came with a postage-paid return envelope to make it easy and free for voters to request a ballot.

Voters who had previously requested a mail-in ballot for the 2020 general election were not mailed this application, and are already set to receive their ballot.

While there are multiple ways to participate in the 2020 presidential election, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Frederick County Board of Elections is encouraging all eligible voters to cast mail-in ballots. Voting by mail is a safe and secure way of voting.

Any eligible voter who did not automatically receive the application can go online at elections.maryland.gov/voting/absentee.html to request the ballot. Voters can also go online to verify that their application has been processed at voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch.

Rather than make a trip to the post office, a voter can return their mail-in ballot application at the secure drop box at the Frederick County Board of Elections office, 340A Montevue Lane, Frederick. The box is to the right of the office’s front door, and is open 24/7. Election staff are retrieving applications on a daily basis for processing.

The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is October 20. Ballots will be mailed to voters in late September, and must be returned to the elections office by mail postmarked no later than November 3, or put in a secure drop box placed around the county by the close of the polls on 8 p.m., November 3. For more information, email the Board of Elections at electionboard@frederickcountymd.gov.

County Provides Grants to Child Care Providers and Businesses During COVID-19

Child care providers, small businesses and renters in Frederick County have benefitted from a series of initiatives designed to support people and help jump start the local economy. Today Executive Jan Gardner announced the results of the child care grant program, which contributed to the reopening of as many as 50 local daycare providers. She also outlined the broad reach of other programs that provide food and financial assistance to the people of Frederick County. During her remarks, Executive Gardner emphasized the need for continued vigilance against the COVID-19 coronavirus, emphasizing that people should continue to wear face coverings and maintain physical distancing.

"Frederick County is a caring community," Executive Gardner said. "We will get through this together, and we will come out stronger."

The County awarded nearly $1.4 million to licensed child care providers, through a partnership with the nonprofit Child Care Choices. A total of 298 providers applied for the one-time payments to help offset the cost of increased disinfection and cleaning. Awards were made to 232 family-based providers, which received $4,100 each, for a total of $951,000; 22 small centers (up to 59 children), $5,100 each, for a total of $112,000; and 44 large centers, $6,800 each for a total of $299,200.

Additional County initiatives have resulted in:

• $5 million in JumpStart grants to farmers, and small and micro businesses;
• $3 million in rental assistance, in conjunction with the City of Frederick and the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs;
• Expanded free legal services through Maryland Legal Aid;
• Increased food delivery to seniors in need; and
• Funds to keep local food banks stocked, in partnership with the City of Frederick.

The rental assistance program remains open for people who are behind on their rent because of COVID-19. Information is available at www.TheReligiousCoalition.org.

County Executive Gardner also stressed that the Stage 3 reopenings recently authorized in Governor Hogan’s Executive Order were very limited in scope. Entertainment venues are limited to 100 people inside or 250 outside, or 50% of their capacity, whichever is smaller. Larger gatherings are prohibited. Retailers and religious facilities may open at 75% capacity. Nothing has changed for restaurants and bars.