Carroll Digest

Workshop, hearing set on proposed bill affecting ATVs

A workshop and a public hearing have been scheduled in June on a proposed Carroll County noise ordinance affecting all-terrain vehicles.

The workshop will be at 7 p.m. June 2 and the public hearing at 7 p.m. June 13, both in Room 003 of the County Office Building, said County Attorney Kimberly A. Millender.

The proposed ordinance basically follows the state law on decibel levels and hours, as well as ATVs, Millender said. It would add exceptions for events such as volunteer fire company carnivals and the farm museum and agriculture center, and set lower decibel limits for sensitive areas such as hospitals, schools and churches.

Enforcement would be by the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, Millender said. The ordinance sets civil fines of $250 to $1,000 that could be appealed to the state District Court.

Millender predicted a heavy turnout next month at the workshop and the public hearing for questions and comments on the proposed noise law.

At a briefing for the commissioners May 12, Millender asked to schedule the hearings soon because the Maryland Department of the Environment is expected to reduce its enforcement of noise complaints beginning July 1, as a result of budget cuts.

The proposed county noise law would allow neighbors to grant written permission to ride closer than the 300-foot limit.

Cable channel show's panel examines teenage suicides

As part of Mental Health Month activities, a panel discussion on teen suicide is being shown on the Media Center's Cable Channel 19.

The program was created in response to several teen suicides in Carroll County last year.

The program will air at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 8 p.m. Wednesdays and 7:30 p.m. Fridays during May.

The panel will discuss early identification of suicidal behavior and treatment options.

Information: 410-871-6373.

Interfaith Housing Alliance schedules two June events

Interfaith Housing Alliance will hold two events in June for National NeighborWorks Week.

A "Building Families Tour" will take place noon to 5 p.m. June 6 to visit interfaith sites in Frederick, Carroll and Washington counties.

After lunch and a presentation at the Frederick office, the bus will leave for the tour.

A "Community Work Day" will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 11 at an Interfaith Housing construction site in Taneytown.

Reservations for either event are required by Wednesday.

Information: 301-662-4225, ext. 203.

Governments group to hold planning conference June 11

The Carroll County Council of Governments will hold the first regional planning conference for the county from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 11 at the Scott Center at Carroll Community College in Westminster.

The morning will include two presentations by planning experts. After lunch, the topic will be the master plan process, key discussion points and municipal involvement in that process.

The council said it is particularly important that those involved in the community's planning processes attend, including municipal and county officials, community groups and the Chamber of Commerce. The public also is invited.

Registration is required by May 31.

Lunch will be provided.

Information: 410-386-2145.

Presentation on project is on library's Web site

A PowerPoint presentation outlining progress on the Finksburg Branch Library/Head- quarters project has been added to the library's Web site at http://library.carr.org/finksburg.asp.

Information: 410-386-4500.