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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Important Dates:
Planning Commission - June 4, 7:30 p.m.
Commissioner's Meeting - June 10, 8:00 p.m.
All meetings are held at the Brookeville Academy.


Election Held
The Town's three incumbent commissioners were voted back into office with a 37% voter turnout on May 14th. In the first election following a Town Charter amendment that provided for staggered terms for the commissioners, Rick Allan, Les Unglesbee, and Bob Heritage will serve three-year, two-year, and one-year terms respectively. Subsequent elections will be held annually and one commissioner will run each time for two-year terms starting in 2003. Rick Allan was named President of Commissioners.

Annual Town Meeting
The traditional annual Town Meeting was held a week after the election on May 21st at the Brookeville Academy. The presentation of highlights from the Town Budget for FY 2002/2003 was the main item on the agenda. This year's budget will amount to $109, 469. In the capital budget, funds will be provided for sidewalk and curb restoration and extension at the Brookeville Academy and for Phase I of the Brookeville Schoolhouse Restoration project on North Street. The commissioners have also allocated funds for year-round public space maintenance improvement as well as painting work at the Brookeville Academy. Rick Allan opened the meeting by thanking his fellow commissioners, Les Unglesbee and Bob Heritage for their service to the town. He also acknowledged the fine representation work on behalf of the Brookeville Academy by Diane Allan, Clerk-Treasurer Susan Johnson's continued stellar work, and the excellent pioneer work of the Brookeville Planning Commission, its Chair Chris Scanlon and its members Bruce Evans, Miche Booz, Mark Friis, and Tracy Browne. Allan additionally thanked Suzanne Friis for her efforts as co-chair of the Schoolhouse Restoration and horticultural expertise and work on North Street and the east entrance to town. Miche Booz then briefed residents on the Schoolhouse project progress.

Bordly Drive Extension Project
As reported at the Town Meeting, this important east-west extension to Rt. 97 will commence construction in July and take approximately one year to complete. It is anticipated that a significant amount of the current traffic through Brookeville will take advantage of a safer and more straightforward route than is now possible on Brighton Dam Road and Market Street in town and also provide noise and pollution relief and greater safety to town residents.

Flags Flying
An initial ten American Flags were installed at various locations just prior to Memorial Day by the Town Commissioners. The flags will remain up to celebrate Flag Day, Independence Day, President Madison's visit to Brookeville on August 26, 1814 (when the White House was burned by the British), and Labor Day. Ten more flags have been purchased and will be installed shortly. The flags have been provided by International Flag Supply, a local business (Olney) owned by Susan Hack (301-924-4732). The Town Commissioners as a matter of policy make every effort to utilize the services and products of locally-owned businesses.

Schoolhouse Progress
Recent work has included interior demolition and removal of windows for rebuilding and reglazing. Excavation of part of the interior space will be undertaken soon to allow for even circulation and adequate clearance between the ground and the floor. A roofing contractor has been identified to install a standing seam metal roof following repair and rebuilding of the chimney. The structure is also being prepared for foundation rebuilding and new sill plates. A sign has been erected formally signifying the schoolhouse project is being assisted by funds from the State of Maryland's Department of Natural Resources ,Program Open Space, and the Town of Brookeville.

A Note on Town Appearance
As mentioned in the news item on the Town meeting, the Commissioners have engaged a contractor to provide year-round maintenance and landscaping to public spaces, including gateways, sidewalks and curb areas. This should do much to keep the town looking attractive. Town residents need to keep in mind at the same time that they also have a responsibility to do what they can to keep the town clean and neat. We value any input that helps in this regard to achieve that goal.

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