October 06, 1991
Reger said the tremor had been confirmed by the Delaware Geological Survey and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. It is the third tremor in the same area since January 1990, when a similar quake hit. A second tremor occurred in April 1990, registering 1.6 on the Richter scale.
PETITION IS PRESENTED
WESTMINSTER -- The Committee for Charter Government on Friday officially presented a petition with about4,000 signatures to the county commissioners.
The petition -- in the works for more than a year -- asks the commissioners to form a committee to draft a charter government for the county.
"This has been a real bipartisan effort," said Linda Cunfer, a committee member.
At a ceremonial presentation Thursday night at the Westminster Riding Club, more than 100 people showed up in support of the effort.
Spearheaded by the League of Women Voters, the committee is pushing for a change in county government.
Charter government, if approved, would eliminate the commissioner-form of government, replacing it with an executive and a council.
The committee has said that the current form of government -- which requires approval of the General Assembly for many financial and legal measures -- is becoming less appropriate for a growing county.
The commissioners' committee -- expected to have five to nine members -- has a year to draft a charter. If voters approve the charter in 1993 -- the year such a referendum isexpected -- it would take effect in 1994.
SCOUTS NEED YOUR HELP
NEW WINDSOR -- The Boy Scouts asked the Town Council for help to continue a recycling program begun here in July.
Troop 391, which beganthe project, has dissolved, leaving the job to Cub Scout Pack 582. Rachel Graham, pack leader, said the younger boys are willing to continue the work, one Saturday a month.
"Our schedule won't allow us to do it every month," she said at Wednesday's council session. "We have a lot of other activities built into our calendar."
Graham saidshe would ask other town organizations, including the Lions and NEWCAP, to join the effort.
Mayor James C. Carlisle said he would makethe town truck available for next month's collection. He said he hasnoticed an increase in participation each month.
"This program has been very successful," he said. "I would like to see it continue."
The Scouts offered to work with NEWCAP, painting the town storm drains with stencils for Community Service Day Oct. 12.
The council heard a presentation from Jolene G. Sullivan, director of the Department of Citizens Services.
"The mayor asked me to share informationon low-interest home improvement loans available through state programs," she said. "These loans, often as low as 1 percent interest, allow residents on fixed incomes to stay in their homes.
Sullivan left brochures on the program at Town Hall and asked members to let neighbors know about the program.
"We have a lot of elderly people here, who could use this offer," said the mayor.
The council also decided to set a fee for use of its new chipper.
"We need to set an hourly fee, especially if we use two men to chop down a whole tree," said Councilman Terry Petry.
SURVEY IS CONTINUING
NEW WINDSOR -- Neal C. Roop said results of the survey to measure residents' opinions on mining and joining the National Register of Historic Places shouldbe ready by next month's session.
"We are trying to get to every door," he told the Town Council at Wednesday's session.
In other news, Councilman Everett R. Ecker said several residents had complained about cloudy water following a recent thunderstorm.
Lightning struck the control panel at the Main Springs, he said.
"Some areas experienced cloudy water at intervals for about a week," he said. "There never was a health problem and we have repaired the panel."
YOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT
The current County Commissioners are:
* President Donald I. Dell: R; Westminster, term ends 1994, home telephone 848-5486.
* Vice President Elmer C. Lippy Jr.: D; Manchester, term ends 1994, home telephone 239-8358.
* Secretary Julia W. Gouge: R; Hampstead, term ends 1994, home telephone 239-3119.
STUDY CLASS PERFORMANCE
Members of Carroll County's Board of Education will hear anupdate on the school performance review system at their next monthlymeeting, 9 a.m. Wednesday at Francis Scott Key High School.
They also will discuss the public schools' Wellness Program and hear reports on school construction, curriculum guides, grant applications, cafeteria participation, prototype schools and citations for truancy.
Board members plan to discuss approval of the 1991-1992 negotiating terms for personnel action and a personnel report.
They also hope to approve new members of the Carroll County Curriculum Council and the Family Life and Human Development Committee, and approve a policy concerning foreign exchange students.
