County to Change Solid Waste Regulations


The Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation announced several changes to the Bureau of Solid Waste Management’s regulations, including:

Beginning April 1, 2022, the County will require all separate yard material collection to be placed in paper bags and will no longer accept plastic bags for yard waste. This new rule will allow the County to turn more of the yard waste collected into compost, and will allow for a higher quality of compost material, which is available for free to County residents to use in their landscaping or gardens. This update fulfils a recommendation of the County’s Solid Waste Work Group.

To assist with this transition, the County will provide residents with paper yard material bags at no cost. Paper bags will be available for pick-up at all County trash and recycling drop-off centers, all Baltimore County Public Library branches, all County senior centers. Paper bags will be limited to five per person and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The County will accept larger weight and capacity limits for trash and recycling containers (up to 45 pounds and 45 gallon cans) as well as the ability to use containers compatible with mechanical cart tippers.

The County will introduce a new “sliding” schedule for collection holidays. Starting January 1, 2022, scheduled collection days which falls on or after a holiday will generally “slide” to one day later that week. This “slide” will apply to all types of collections (trash, recycling and yard material), meaning that residents will no longer have to hold recyclables for an extra week after a holiday.

The County will introduce a bulk collection program starting in early 2022. More details will be released in the coming months.

The County will update language to better reflect current programing at the County’s three drop-off centers, including accepted recyclables and the location of the household hazardous waste collection area at the Central Acceptance Facility.

Further details about these changes will be available in December, when the County mails new 2022 program guides to residents.

Specific collection calendars will also be included in this mailing, which will clearly outline the new holiday “slide” collection days.

For more information about Bureau of Solid Waste Management regulations, visit baltimorecountymd.gov/solidwaste.

Gunpowder Elementary Dedicates Playground to Amy Caprio


photo courtesy of Councilman David Marks-

Fallen Officer Amy Caprio was honored with on a playground at Gunpowder Elementary School on Saturday, Oct. 23 in Perry Hall.

The event was attended by Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, state Senate Kathy Klausmeier, Delegates Harry Bhandari Joe Boteler and Carl Jackson and Councilman David Marks.

“Today, our Perry Hall community celebrated the opening of the new Unity Playground at Gunpowder Elementary School, dedicated to Officer Amy Caprio

“In my remarks, I spoke of the twin values of courage and community – the bravery of Officer Caprio when she was murdered on May 21, 2018, and the generosity of spirit shown by our community in the time afterward. We came together to support one another,” Marks said.

“In all my years as a Councilman, this was one of finest projects and among the best dedication ceremonies I have attended. There are so many to thank, but it begins with Kirsten Roller, Matt Clifford and their families from Linwen Way who sparked this project. Children will play, laugh, and learn here for years to come.

“The rain held off, like someone was watching over us.”

Baltimore County to Resume “to-go” Cocktails Carryout


The Baltimore County Board of Liquor License Commissioners today voted unanimously to resume “to-go” cocktails for carryout or delivery, effective immediately.

Baltimore County’s temporary allowance of to-go cocktails ended on July 1 following the expiration of Governor Hogan’s State of Emergency. Under legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly earlier this year, local liquor licensing boards could adopt regulations to authorize the allowance of restaurants, bars, and taverns to sell and deliver to-go cocktails for two years.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski issued the following statement following today’s vote:

“As we continue our recovery, we must do all we can to help our small businesses innovate and diversify their operations,” Olszewski said. “This is another commonsense step to support the continued recovery of this hard-hit industry and we applaud the board’s decision today.”

Hogan Announces VaxU Scholarship Promotion


Governor Larry Hogan announced the launch of the $1 million VaxU Scholarship Promotion, an incentive program to encourage 12- to 17-year-olds to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Winners will receive a $50,000 scholarship, which covers the equivalent of full tuition and fees at a public, in-state institution of higher education. The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will jointly administer this initiative, which will select 20 winners through random drawings between now and Labor Day.

The governor made today’s announcement at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he was joined by University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay A. Perman and UMD President Darryll J. Pines.

“Promotions like this are just one more way that we are reinforcing the importance of getting every single Marylander that we can vaccinated against COVID-19, especially our young people,” said Governor Hogan. “If any of our 12- to 17-year-olds or their parents needed another good reason, then now they can get vaccinated for a chance to win a $50,000 college scholarship.”

Beginning July 12, the VaxU Scholarship Promotion will randomly select two winners per week for eight weeks. On Monday, September 6—Labor Day—four winners will be selected. To qualify for the scholarship, students must both live and be vaccinated in Maryland.
“This is an outstanding and innovative approach to incentivize our youth to learn more about the countless higher education opportunities that are available to them here in Maryland,” said MHEC Secretary Dr. James D. Fielder. “We are proud to continue paving the way for access and success of their higher education goals.”

The award will be distributed in the form of a Prepaid College Trust or College Investment Plan from Maryland529, and can be utilized in accordance with the guidelines for those programs:

• A 4-Year Maryland Prepaid College Trust Account will be funded for a winner who is between the ages of 12-14 at the time of the drawing.
• A Maryland College Investment Plan contribution will be awarded to individuals between the ages of 15-17 at the time of the drawing.

“When a Marylander who is 12-17 years old is vaccinated, they, their family, friends, and countless others are protected from COVID-19, and those young community members become role models to their peers who are still unvaccinated,” said MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “To date, more than half of our 12- to 17-year-olds have been vaccinated, and VaxU is just one more tool we’re using to reach this critical audience.”
Winners will be selected utilizing the same random number generator used for the $2 Million VaxCash Promotion. Similar to that promotion, the winners of the VaxU promotion will be permitted to remain anonymous. However, the city or county of the winner will be published.

“For me, the governor’s announcement represents a perfect marriage: We’re helping secure the health of our young people while giving them a low- or no-cost college education,” said Chancellor Perman. “I’m so grateful that our state has made COVID vaccination a public health priority and that we’re embracing creative ways to protect the safety of all Marylanders.”

“Higher education provides opportunities for the next generation of Marylanders to tackle the grand challenges of our time and thrive in an ever-evolving world,” said President Pines.

“The promise of higher education opportunities as an incentive to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is an outstanding effort from Governor Hogan. We applaud his ongoing commitment to research-based, data-driven decisions throughout this public health crisis, and the University of Maryland is a proud partner in working to end the pandemic.”
Federal COVID-19 relief funds will be used to cover the cost of the program. For more information, visit the MHEC VaxU Scholarship Promotion website.

County to Turn Perry Hall Farm Into Park


-photo courtesy of County Councilman David Marks-

Baltimore County Councilman David Marks announced that the county is purchasing the Bierman farm property in Perry Hall and will turn it into a park.

The 22-acre property is located east of Gerst Road. Members of the White Marsh Rec. Council cleaned out the old barns last month and the old farming equipment is heading to public auction.

“Earlier this year, Baltimore County purchased the 22-acre Bierman farm for a new park. Preparations are underway for settlement,” Marks said.

“The property is closed to the public – I had permission to view the land with the White Marsh Recreation Council, which is helping to remove fencing.”

County Postpones Inspector General Legislation


Baltimore County officials announced that the Olszewski Administration will be postponing plans to introduce legislation to create an oversight board for the Office of the Inspector General and will engage in a robust stakeholder engagement process to review proposed updates to rules governing the newly created office.

County spokesperson Sean Naron on Monday issued the following statement:

“Our administration is proud to be the most open, accessible and transparent in Baltimore County’s history. In just a few years we have taken unprecedented steps forward, including creating and expanding the County’s first-ever Inspector General.

We remain committed to filling gaps in the current law to provide appropriate accountability measures, but we want to ensure all concerns are thoughtfully considered.

In the coming weeks, we will engage a diverse group of expert stakeholders to review and strengthen proposed policies so that we can help ensure the success of this important office.”

Fifth District Councilman David Marks released a statement supporting Olszewski decision to postpone the legislation.

“I have supported the creation of a Baltimore County Inspector General since 2018,” Marks said.

“Many of you have contacted me about proposed legislation that would have modified this office. I purposely used the Fourth of July holiday to listen to many of your comments. I am pleased the County Executive will postpone the introduction of this bill and create a workgroup instead, a concept I recommended.

“Our government is based on a system of checks and balances. I look forward to legislation that improves accountability throughout county government.”

Olszewski Wants Oversight for Inspector General


This story has been updated.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski introduced legislation to create an oversight board for the Office of the Inspector General and update rules governing the office to align with statutes governing Inspectors General in other jurisdictions. The administration worked in collaboration with the Inspector General to gather feedback on the proposed legislation.

“Local government should be held to the highest standards of ethics and accountability, and I’m proud of our work to create and support the County’s first Office of the Inspector General,” Olszewski said. “Creating an oversight board for this important, independent office builds on our ongoing work to foster open and accountable government. I look forward to continuing to work cooperatively with the Inspector General to improve transparency and accountability at all levels of government.”

Similar to the oversight structure Inspectors General in other jurisdictions, the proposed seven-member board would be composed of:
The County Attorney, who will chair the board and may assign staff from the Office of Law to the board;
The County Administrative Officer or their designee;
The Director of Budget and Finance, or the Director’s designee;
The County Council Chair, or the Chair’s designee;
The Secretary to the County Council; and
Two County residents jointly approved by the County Executive and the County Council Chair who are on faculty at a law school, public policy school or public administration school.
The oversight board would be responsible for reviewing the Inspector General’s performance, policies, and procedures, in addition to reviewing complaints against the inspector general. An affirmative vote of four members is required for the board to take any action. The board will meet at least once annually and must have a quorum of four members.

Under this new legislation, the Inspector General will be required to submit an annual report to the board within the first 60 days of each year, detailing the accomplishments of the office, including any monetary savings directly attributable to the office’s work.

In addition, the proposed bill clarifies that the IG may request access to records and information that is not protected, confidential or privileged under federal or state law, and that suspected criminal activity should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement entity.

Since taking office, the Olszewski administration has taken unprecedented steps to make local government more accountable to the people it serves. Olszewski’s first major legislative priority was a package of ethics and accountability reforms, which included legislation to create the County’s first Office of Ethics and Accountability, now re-named the Office of the Inspector General.

The legislation will be introduced to the County Council during the legislative session on Tuesday, July 6 and is expected to be voted on during the August 2, 2021 legislative session.

SHA to Repave Broening Hwy & Belclare in Dundalk


The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will begin milling and resurfacing MD 695A (Broening Highway) at Belclare Road in the Dundalk area of Baltimore County starting on Thursday, June 24. Crews will work overnight weeknights through the morning of Friday, July 2.

Each night, Belclare Road at Broening Highway will be closed and detoured between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. the next morning. Crews will use temporary digital message boards, traffic signs, barrels and cones to direct traffic using a detour route via Dundalk Avenue and Dunhill Road.

Broening Highway will remain open to traffic at night with a temporary single lane closure. All other side-street access along Broening Highway will be open during the overnight work hours.

In case of inclement weather, the overnight daytime intersection work and detour will take place the next possible day. MDOT SHA’s contractor, P. Flanigan and Sons, Inc. of Baltimore, is performing the work.

The pavement milling and resurfacing work is part of an ongoing $3 million MDOT SHA project to improve 1.3 miles of Broening Highway, in coordination with MDOT Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA). The project began fall 2020 and will be complete late summer 2021, weather permitting.
MDOT SHA works hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones for our crews as well as our customers. Drivers need to stay alert, focus on driving and, look for reduced speed limits, as well as other driving pattern changes. Drive like you work here and slow down in construction zones.

State and County to Close for Juneteenth


Governor Larry Hogan announced that state government agencies and offices will be closed on Friday, June 18, 2021 in observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
“This is an important step forward for our country,” said Hogan. “Maryland is proud to support this legislation, and observe this new national holiday.”

Congress has passed S. 475, bipartisan legislation recognizing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day. By law, whenever a national holiday falls on a Saturday, state employees observe the holiday on the preceding Friday.

In addition, Governor Hogan has issued a proclamation in honor of Juneteenth.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski also announced that County government offices, as well as District and Circuit Courts and CountyRide van service will be closed on Friday, June 18 in recognition of Juneteenth National Independence Day.

President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing June 19th as a federal holiday.

Baltimore County Department of Health Department COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, and COVID-19 hotline will remain open as scheduled.

Parking meters must be fed and Baltimore County Revenue Authority parking garages will be open as usual.

Trash and recyclables will be collected according to the normal schedule. County trash and recycling drop-off facilities will be open.

Baltimore County Public Schools announced that schools will remain open on Friday

Casanova Wins East Balt Co Scholarship


Congratulations to recent Patapsco High Center for the Arts graduate Joaquin Casanova who was named our East Balt Co News scholarship winner for the 2020-21 school year.

Casanova was selected by the school and was awarded the scholarship by EastBaltCo.com.

EastBaltco awards a scholarship to a student that has ambitions for a career in media. Casanova is the fourth winner for the Benstorming/East Balt Co News scholarship since 2017.

Casanova will be headed to the University of Cincinnati to study media production starting next year. He was also involved with the theatre department at the school and said his time at Patapsco was a valuable experience.

“Patapsco has prepared me for the future through the skills I learned in the theatre department but more importantly it has given me the confidence to succeed in new situations and interact with new people,” Casanova said.

According to Casanova, he was only at the school for two years, but said he was welcomed to the school with opening arms.

I’d say that my memories of Patapsco are of late nights working on theatre shows and studying with others before exams,” Casanova added. “Beyond that what really stuck with me was how quickly the students accepted me even though I only arrived in junior year.”