Poolesville

The Maryland Board of Public Works in Annapolis approved more than $10 million in grants and loans today to reduce water pollution and flooding risks, including a project in Poolesville. The board is composed of Governor Larry Hogan, Treasurer Dereck E. Davis and Comptroller Peter Franchot. Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford chaired the meeting. “These are smart investments to advance our Chesapeake Bay goals, protect public health and reduce flooding risks to Maryland communities,” said Maryland Environment Secretary Horacio Tablada.

The Poolesville Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Refinement project was one of the projects approved earlier this month. “A $7,065,360 Bay Restoration Fund grant to the Town of Poolesville will help fund the planning, design and construction of denitrification filters and related equipment at the Poolesville Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will allow the plant to consistently reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62.5 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 85 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to Seneca Creek and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. Excessive amounts of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus lead to lowered levels of oxygen needed to support aquatic life in waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay. Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades of wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay restoration plan.”

Thomas “Tad” Bodmer of Poolesville has been recognized by the Maryland Department of Resources as the new state record holder Atlantic Division for albacore, or long-fin tuna (Thunnus alalunga), with his 77-pound catch. Bodmer, a recent convert to saltwater fishing, was aboard the charter Top Dog on September 20 as Captain Ryan Knapp and First Mate Josh were preparing to head back to shore after a slow fishing day.

In a matter of minutes, three different lines went out simultaneously. The trio scrambled to pick up rods. “It was chaos,” Bodmer said. “I would get my fish close and then it would run back out. It took 25 minutes to get it.” Bodmer landed the record albacore trolling a naked ballyhoo bait. The crew knew they had a big albacore but didn’t think it was a record-breaking catch until it was officially weighed. “All these people came out of the woodwork with cameras,” Bodner said. “I was like a deer in headlights.”

Skatepark design professionals from Pillar Skateparks will be holding a design meeting for an expansion of current Poolesville park at 19710 Wootton Avenue. They will be presenting some concept designs and receiving input from the skater community. “This is a great time to be involved and give your input. All ages welcome! The meeting will be held at Town Hall on Wednesday, October 5th, 6:00 PM. Come be part of the fun!!”

The Poolesville Skatepark, constructed in 2010, is open to the public at no cost. Poolesville area youth worked with park planners to create the design depicted below. The park is open daily from 7:30 to dusk. During inclimate weather, the park will be closed.

Construction began in late April and plenty of progress has been made at the Crossvines project in Poolesville, according to photos by Poolesville Town Commissioner Jim Brown (available below). Crossvines will be a multi-purpose facility in Poolesville that will feature a custom grape-crushing facility, a casual bistro, a special events venue and a winery. It’s located on the Revenue Authority property that also hosts the Poolesville Golf Course.

“Crossvines is an exciting project that will change the economic prosperity of the Agricultural Reserve. As one of the only grape-crushing facilities in the region, this will open up opportunities for more landowners to grow profitable grapes and to explore winemaking as part of their future options.” said County Executive Marc Elrich.

Candidates must be qualified registered voters for the Town of Poolesville, 21 years of age or older, and have resided within the corporate limits of the Town of Poolesville for at least 6 months prior to the election. Stop by Town Hall to pick up your official application, and have it signed by a minimum of 25 residents who are qualified registered voters of the Town of Poolesville. Applications along with a completed Financial Disclosure Form and $10.00 fee must be returned to Town Hall no later than September 27 at 4 pm.

The Town of Poolesville is a commission form of government, as defined in the Town Charter, consisting of five unpaid elected Commissioners. The Commissioners are all voted at-large. All Commissioners serve four-year staggered terms.