Category: News

County to Provide Older Residents With Food Distribution


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced that, beginning next week, the Baltimore County Department of Aging will be expanding its food distribution efforts by providing boxes of food to the County’s older adults. The program will be supported by $590,000 in funding provided through the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to specifically target individuals age 60 and older.

“We’re taking another important step to ensure older adults in Baltimore County will not go hungry through this crisis,” Olszewski said. “Promoting food security is a top priority of my administration and we will continue to use all resources available to us to support our residents.”

“We’re pleased to be able to provide this new support for older adults in the County who may have difficultly preparing nutritionally-balanced meals during this uncertain time,” said Laura D. Riley, Director of the Department of Aging. “Before this pandemic, over 600 senior citizens relied on our Eating Together programs each day for nutritionally-balanced meals and we hope that this newly expanded meal distribution will help those in most need.”

Under this new program, each box of food will include three meals and a snack for six days.

“When combined according to the directions, each meal meets the nutritional requirements for adults age 60 and older,” said Jill Hall, Chief of the Division of Senior Centers and Community Services.

Boxes will be distributed by appointment only at three senior center locations in three different regions of the County:

•West
Tuesday, May 12
10 a.m. to Noon
Liberty Senior Center
3525 Resource Drive, Randallstown, Maryland 21133

•North
Tuesday, May 12
10 a.m. to Noon
Parkville Senior Center
8601 Harford Road, Parkville, Maryland 21234

•East
Thursday, May 14
10 a.m. to Noon
Ateaze Senior Center
7401 Holabird Avenue, Dundalk, Maryland 21222

Baltimore County residents over 60 years of age should call 410-887-2040 to schedule their pick-up date, time and location. Only individuals with appointments will receive a box of food. During the appointment, individuals will be asked to show proof of age through their BCDA Senior Center Membership Card or other identification.

Anyone unable to travel to these locations should contact Maryland Access Point (MAP) at 410-887-2594 to discuss other food options with the MAP staff.

The Department of Aging plans to continue to provide meals through the end of June, or until the senior centers reopen to the public, whichever comes first.

This is the latest effort from Baltimore County to combat food insecurity among older adults.

Since March 16, the Department of Aging has served over 8,300 meals for seniors—a 33 percent increase in the number of participants since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, through a partnership with Meals on Wheels, a home delivered meal service, Baltimore County is helping provide shelf stable meals or grocery box deliveries for nearly 200 senior citizens in urgent need of food. Department of Aging staff are also assisting with Baltimore County’s Saturday food distribution sites at the Hereford and Reisterstown Senior Centers.

Additional Food Resources

For younger residents, Baltimore County continues to offer other resources for grocery and produce. Find more information.

County Announces Grant Funding For Small Businesses


To support Baltimore County’s small businesses, County Executive John Olszewski announced the County has allocated $10 million in new grant funding for the Baltimore County COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants Program.

“Small businesses are a critical link of our county’s economy, and we must do all that we can to support them in meeting their basic needs during this crisis,” said County Executive Olszewski. “As we move toward economic recovery, these grants will provide a critical bridge to Baltimore County small businesses who have not received other forms of assistance.”

The Department of Economic and Workforce Development (DEWD) will administer the Baltimore County COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants Program, which will award grants of up to $15,000 each to more than 650 Baltimore County-based small businesses on a first-come, first-served basis.

The County has set a goal to award at least 25 percent of grant funding to women and minority-owned businesses.

The County will fund these small business relief grants through the Economic Development Revolving Financing Fund, and intends to pursue emergency disaster reimbursement from the federal government.

Grant applications will be posted on the DEWD website and will be accepted beginning May 11, 2020. To qualify for this grant program, small businesses must retain at least half of the workforce they had prior to January 31, 2020, which must have included at least two non-owner employees prior to Maryland’s Stay-at-Home Order. They must also:
•have at least two employees who are not owners or part-owners,
•have no more than 25 employees per Baltimore County establishment,
•demonstrate that they have lost at least 40 percent of their revenues since the Stay-at-Home Order began,
•have been in operation for at least one year as of January 1, 2020, and commenced operations by December 31, 2018 or earlier, and
•certify that they have not received other forms of federal or state COVID-19 assistance or relief at the time of application, and
•be in good standing and not in default with the State of Maryland and Baltimore County.

Grant funds may only be used for payroll, operating expenses, business lease or rent, and inventory acquisition vital to the business, with at least 30 percent of the funds used to support payroll for non-owners. Funds may not be used for capital improvements or personal expenses, and if a business fails to reopen, all grant funds must be returned to the County within 14 days.

For more information, please visit baltimorecountybusiness.com or email COVIDbizrelief@baltimorecountymd.gov.

County Reopens Drop-off Centers & Will Recollect Yard Waste


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced that that yard waste collection will resume and residential Drop-Off Centers will reopen.

“We know these services are important to our residents, and we feel confident that we can safely resume them with appropriate social distancing measures in place,” Olszewski said. “I’m grateful to our trash haulers for their service, and I’m grateful to our residents for their patience and cooperation as we continue to navigate this unprecedented crisis.”

Residential Drop-off Centers

Beginning, Thursday, April 23, Baltimore County’s residential Drop-off Centers will reopen to the public. These locations include:
•Eastern Sanitary Landfill—6259 Days Cove Road, 21162
•Central Acceptance Facility—201 West Warren Road, 21030
•Western Acceptance Facility—3310 Transway Road, 21227

Residents will be required to adhere to all social distancing guidelines and required to wear masks onsite. These requirements will be strictly enforced.

Yard Waste Collection

Additionally, beginning today, Wednesday, April 22, yard waste materials will be collected from Baltimore County residents with “Y” days on their schedule. These separate yard material collections will occur through as late as December 2020.

Collection schedules are available for download on the Bureau of Solid Waste Management’s website and may also be requested by calling 410-887-2000. Schedules are also available on the County’s BaltCoGo app, for use on mobile phones.

The amount of garbage being collected from residents has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, during the week ending April 18, trash haulers collected nearly 23 percent more tons of trash than the same week in 2019. County Executive Olszewski approved hazard pay of $75 dollars per week for workers collecting trash in the County during the pandemic.

Requirements for Collection

While residents may set out an unlimited number of bags of yard materials, the collector may not collect all of the bags on the same day. Collectors must make trash collection their first priority, and must take into account all of the residents on their route. Residents are asked to leave their yard materials out until collection occurs.

Yard materials acceptable for collection include grass, leaves, vines, twigs, shrubbery trimmings, and branches and limbs.

Residents are reminded to use lawn and leaf bags to set out their yard materials, not trash cans. Bags of yard materials set out for collection must not exceed 30 pounds. Also, branches and limbs will be collected only if they are no larger than three inches in diameter, no longer than three feet, and tied in bundles not exceeding 30 pounds.

Benefits of Grasscycling and Composting

Baltimore County Department of Public Works officials also reminded residents that they are encouraged to try “grasscycling” or home composting in addition to placing yard waste for pick-up.

These practices not only reduce the amount of yard materials to be bagged and stored, but also provide benefits such as protection and nutrients to plants and lawns.

To grasscycle while mowing your lawn, remove the bag from your mower and let the grass clippings fall back onto the ground. To protect the health of your lawn, never cut more than one-third of the length off of the grass blade in one mowing.

Keep the grass mowed to two inches in the spring, gradually increasing the height to three to four inches by summer. When fall arrives, decrease the blade height back to two inches.

The practice of grasscycling eliminates the time and labor required to bag lawn clippings. In addition, when grass clippings are properly cut, they decompose quickly and release vital nutrients back into the soil.

Another beneficial use for yard materials is home composting. Composting—creating a mixture of decomposed organic matter—is an easy way to produce a nutrient-rich soil additive. Using compost in your garden also helps to suppress plant diseases and pests and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.

For more information about grasscycling, home composting and other ways to manage organic material at home, visit the Bureau of Solid Waste Management’s website.

County to Offer Internet at Selected Library Parking Lots


As Baltimore County continues to identify ways to assist residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski today announced new exterior Wi-Fi resources at Baltimore County Public Library branches to support students and other residents without high-speed internet access.

“This crisis has upended life in countless ways, and it requires us to find creative solutions to the challenges we face,” Olszewski said. “We hope these new Wi-Fi resources will hope narrow the access gap as we continue to work around the clock to identify additional resources to support Baltimore County families during these trying times.”

The County has installed external Wi-Fi capacity at 9 new library branch locations. Previously, the Towson branch already had external Wi-Fi capacity, bringing the total number of branches to 10. Residents can now access free Wi-Fi in the parking lots of 10 branch locations across the County:
• Catonsville Branch, 1100 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228

• Essex Branch, 1110 Eastern Boulevard, Essex, MD 21221

• Hereford Branch, 16940 York Road, Hereford, MD 21111

• Lansdowne Branch, 500 Third Avenue, Lansdowne, MD 21227

• North Point Branch, 1716 Merritt Boulevard, Dundalk, MD 21222

• Randallstown Branch, 8604 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133

• Rosedale Branch, 6105 Kenwood Avenue, Rosedale, MD 21237

• Towson Branch, 320 York Road, Towson, MD 21204

• White Marsh Branch, 8133 Sandpiper Circle, Baltimore, MD 21236

• Woodlawn Branch, 1811 Woodlawn Drive, Woodlawn, MD 21207

Residents will be required to remain their vehicles or otherwise adhere to all social distancing guidelines. These requirements will be strictly enforced.

“Access to the internet is critical, not just for work and homework, but also for our residents’ personal lives: checking in on friends and families is important to everyone right now,” said Baltimore County Public Library Director Paula Miller. “Our internet usage within our buildings is typically very high, so we know that there are many residents who may not have access at home. We are thrilled with this solution that enables us to utilize our parking lots to continue to provide internet service.”

Residents can also visit the BaltCo Go-Online Map to find the closest available free internet service throughout the County. Users can search for locations closest to where they live.

Additionally, in the interest of ensuring as many residents as possible have access to internet service, Baltimore County wants residents to know that Comcast has made a number of resources available in its service areas:
• Free “Internet Essentials” Service: Low-income families who live in a Comcast service area can sign up for 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service if you apply by May 13, 2020. To sign up, applicants can simply visit www.internetessentials.com or by calling 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
• Free Public Wi-Fi Hotspots: Any resident can now access hundreds of Comcast public Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the County. Locations available at: https://wifi.Xfinity.com

Dundalk Heritage Festivities Still Scheduled for July


The Dundalk Heritage Fair Association released a statement on their Facebook page stating that all their events are still taking place for now despite the COVID-19 outbreak.

“All Heritage Fair festivals are still plans for 4th of July weekend,” said a statement on their page.

This announcement was released a day after the Fullerton Fireworks Committee cancelled their event on July 4 and a few weeks after Kingsville cancelled their Independence Day Parade.

The Dundalk Fair said it will continue to evaluate the situation as it gets closer to summer.

“We are monitoring the situation and consulting with local government officials. If any adjustments to the planned dates are necessary, we will announce it here and on our website”

The Dundalk event is a combination of the Heritage Fair, Parade and Fireworks.

County Announces Online Planning Board CZMP Hearings


Due to the public gathering restrictions associated with the coronavirus, Baltimore County Planning Board’s CZMP 2020 public hearings were canceled. On Tuesday, April 21 the Planning Board will live-stream a meeting summarizing the comments and materials that were submitted for issues in each Council District prior to April 10.

Beginning Wednesday, April 22, the Planning Board will begin holding the CZMP 2020 Planning Board work sessions. The work sessions will also be live-streamed. Traditionally, the work sessions have had very limited public input, with the virtual setting the public may only observe the Planning Board’s discussion.

Reports listing comments received by the Planning Board are posted online.

To access the upcoming live meetings:

Planning Board Public Meeting

View the live-stream
Call in to listen: 1-415-655-0001, access code 471 583 921
Tuesday, April 21
6 p.m.

Work Session Districts 1 and 2

View the live-stream
Call in to listen: 1-415-655-0001, access code 474 064 966
Wednesday, April 22
5:30 p.m.

Work Session Districts 3 and 4

View the live-stream
Call in to listen: 1-415-655-0001, access code 479 484 160
Thursday, April 23
5:30 p.m.

Work Session District 5

View the live-stream
Call in to listen: 1-415-655-0001, access code 473 038 030
Tuesday, April 28
5:30 p.m.

Work Session Districts 6 and 7

View the live-stream
Call in to listen: 1-415-655-0001, access code 476 277 517
Wednesday, April 29
5:30 p.m.

Work Session Wrap Up

View the live-stream
Call in to listen: 1-415-655-0001, access code 475 328 418
Thursday, April 30
5:30 p.m.

Fullerton Fireworks Cancelled As a Result of COVID-19


The Fullerton Fireworks Foundation announced that this year’s 4th of July Firework Display at Fullerton Elementary has been cancelled. They released an official statement on their Facebook page.

“In light of the situation we are facing locally and nationally with Covid-19, the board has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s fireworks celebration. We are doing this as a safety measure to protect lives,” said the statement.

“Even though smaller gatherings of 50 people or less may be allowed in the near future, we see no way to guarantee the safety of over 12,000 citizens sitting shoulder-to-shoulder to watch the event. We will hopefully see all of you in 2021. Stay Safe, and thank you for supporting the Fullerton Fireworks Foundation for nearly 60 years!”

The Kingsville, Maryland Independence Day Parade also announced that they were cancelling their 4th of July event too because of the coronavirus.

“In these uncertain times we are all being faced with difficult decisions, so it was with the final decision to not hold our traditional Kingsville 4th of July Parade,” said a statement from the Kingsville committee on April 4.

“The enjoyment of the parade that each of us have experienced in the past is the result of weeks and months of planning with commitments necessary to develop before the actual event. This conclusion was made with “an abundance of caution” regarding future restrictions.”

Hogan Orders Face Coverings in Public Maryland Businesses


Gov. Larry Hogan has signed an Executive Order requiring Marylanders to wear a face covering when visiting establishments.

This face covering requirement does not have to be a medical mask. That includes a bandana or a scarf as long as it covers a person’s nose and mouth.

This applies to Marylanders entering all Retail and Food Establishments such as carry outs and grocery stores. All staff at Retail and Food Establishments are required to wear face coverings ypp.

This executive order also applies to all operators and riders of public transportation.

UPDATE-Marks Requesting “Enforcement on High School Tracks”


Councilman David Marks was considering closing all high school tracks in the 5th District after a group of over 20 athletes were spotted practicing at the Perry Hall High School track. Marks said he did some investigating and learned that the large group was not part of a high school or recreation council team.

“I have been a strong supporter of keeping parks and other areas open as long as social distancing is maintained. Unfortunately, some continually abuse the privilege of being able to access the Perry Hall High School track,” Mark said.

According to Marks, he was on the verge on asking for access to the track to be closed off to all tracks in his district where Governor Larry Hogan’s executive order was being ignored. Marks later decided to ask for enforcement and to keep the tracks open.

“Tonight, I communicated with Perry Hall High School’s principal, the police, and recreation council leaders, as well as School Board member Julie Henn. Perry Hall High School’s track will remain open, but if there are any further practices by teams that violate social distancing – it will be closed,” Marks added. “Furthermore, police will step up their enforcement.”

There were reports two weeks ago that the Perry Hall track was filled with visitors and social distancing requirements were not being met.

“Please honor the governor’s executive order on social distancing – no more than ten people, and individuals spaced six feet apart – and understand that enforcement will be stepped up significantly,” Marks explained.

County Expands Saturday Meal Distribution Sites


To support food insecure families amid the COVID-19 pandemic, County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. announced that the County is significantly expanding the number of locations for its Saturday food distribution program.

This week, Baltimore County will purchase 23,100 frozen, prepacked meals to distribute to food insecure residents at 30 sites across the County. Sites were identified through data-analysis by Baltimore County and the National Guard based on prior meal distribution. Previously, Baltimore County was providing weekend distribution at 11 sites.

“Ensuring every County resident has enough to eat during this crisis is a top priority,” Olszewski said. “Thanks to the Guard’s support, we can do even more for Baltimore County’s families and we’ll continue to work hand-in-hand to help provide food security, reduce the spread of the virus, and save lives.”

On Saturday, April 11, at 11 a.m., meals will be distributed on a first come, first served basis at the following locations in eastern Baltimore County:

Bear Creek Elementary School
1607 Melbourne Road, Dundalk, Maryland 21222

Colgate Elementary School
401 51st Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21224

Dundalk PAL Center
15 Commerce Place Dundalk, Maryland 21222

Eastern Regional Park
11723 Eastern Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21220

Edgemere Elementary School
7201 North Point Road, Edgemere, Maryland 21219

Fullerton Elementary School
4400 Fullerton Avenue, Nottingham, Maryland 21236

Grange Elementary School
2000 Church Road, Dundalk, Maryland 21222

Mars Estates PAL Center
1498 East Homberg Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21221

Martin Boulevard Elementary School
210 Riverton Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21220

Parkville Middle School
8711 Avondale Road, Parkville, Maryland 21234

Perry Hall Elementary School
9021 Belair Road, Nottingham, Maryland 21236

Shady Spring PAL Center
8876 Goldenwood Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21237