2009 State of the Town Report
North Beach, Maryland
Michael Bojokles, Mayor
March 18, 2010
As your Mayor, I’m proud to say that the State of our Town is strong,
fiscally sound, and well positioned for economic growth and new
environmental development.
Although the national economic downturn intensified in 2009, the town’s financial
position improved significantly. Moreover, 2009 will be marked as a year when
major capital improvements were made and/or approved.
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Administrative 2009
Our experienced administrative staff manages the day-to-day operations of the
town and acts as the public face to the residents of our community. Staff
members strive to provide friendly and efficient service in all the areas of their
responsibility.
 Parking study
 Comprehensive Plan
 Continued and improved bi-monthly newsletter
 Issued new ID / beach passes to all residents during
the summer
 Made town yard available on Saturday mornings for
residents to dispose of bulk items
Looking Ahead
 The hiring of a parking attendant position is planned to assist with enforcement of parking
and traffic-related issues.
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Financial 2009
For another consecutive year, prudent financial management resulted in a
significant increase in the balance of the general fund without reliance on a tax
increase. The town’s financial position was further strengthened by refinancing
our debt service.
 General fund ending balance for 2009 was $1,651,848
million compared to $1,440,059 in 2008, an increase of
$211K or 14.7%
 Increase in general fund balance was achieved with
NO tax increase.
 Refinanced debt service on the following bonds at a
combined taxpayer savings of $244,202.
 A & B rated bonds from 5.875% to 4.590%
 Infrastructure bond from 6.929% to 3.92%
 Retirement system from 8.0% to 5.86%
 Financing of Town Hall bond from BB&T 20-year
term to SunTrust 15-year term resulted in cost savings
of $291,448.
 Raised $18,873 from 2009 season for Economic
Development fund.
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Financial 2009 – cont.
 Received grant awards of $30,000 for trails program and $1,500 for Farmers Market.
Donation of $5,000 received from Comcast for spring “Plant the Town”.
 Donations made to Calvert Memorial Hospital, North Beach Children’s Fund, and the
Beach Trolley Fund.
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Capital Improvements 2009
Continual upgrades and improvements to the town’s infrastructure are imperative
to ensure that essential services are provided to our community. This past year
was a landmark year for capital improvements, including a successful conclusion
to the Town Hall building approval.
 Boardwalk replacement via a bond/grant for $250K.
 Town Hall contract bid for $1.834 million, less a
$500K bond/grant and match, resulting in financing of
$1.334 million.
 Upgrade of Town Hall IT infrastructure with purchase
of new server, desk top and laptop computers.
 Purchase of new beach pass and parking ID software
system.
 New sewer line and upgrade to the Chesapeake Ave.
sewer station (details provided in DPW section ahead).
 Storm water drain improvements (details provided in
DPW section ahead).
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Waterfront 2009
What’s Important to Know – The boardwalk and public beach area are a focal point
for our community and contribute to our town’s identity in the public’s mind.
Visitors also provide an important economic benefit to local businesses. Keeping
the waterfront attractive, clean and safe is therefore essential. Strong management
has brought recognition to the town and more visitors to the beach in peak season.
Key Actions
Impact / Benefits
 Bay Weekly readers voted North Beach:
• Best Bay Beach
• Best Fishing Hole
• Best Bay Festival (Bayfest)
 The “Best of the Bay” voting results
validate our town’s efforts to create a
positive, family-oriented beach
environment that attracts an increasing
number of desirable visitors.
 Welcomed 37,000 guests to the beach
over a four month period—an increase
of 6,000 over the same period in 2008.
 Increase in number of guests provided
the town with an additional $54,000 in
revenue over 2008 and an economic
boost to local businesses.
 Disseminated over 20,000 town
brochures throughout the county and
state.
 Installed attractive public information
kiosk on Bay Ave. in front of Senior
Center.
 New economic development initiative
to make information about the town
available to a broader public audience.
 Kiosk provides helpful information to
visitors about town events, local
businesses, the trolley schedule, and
House and Garden Club information.
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Waterfront 2009 – cont.
Key Actions
 Implemented a new ID system for beach
passes that creates a multi-use data
base for property owners and renters.
 Purchased recycling containers in July
after piloting at Welcome Center and
Pavilion area. Recycled 236 bags of
trash in six months.
 Negotiations to purchase Walton Beach
Nature Preserve (beach area) for
$155K are continuing.
Impact / Benefits
 New ID system will save money since
cards for residents are good for five
years. Data base is used for parking
stickers of car owners and pictures can
be used to identify lost children.
 Represents an important green initiative
for the town that heightens awareness
to recycle throughout the community.
Will greatly reduce the 6,000 bags of
of co-mingled trash and will provide the
town with data to apply for recycling
grants.
 Expands the town’s public property and
ensures that this area will never be
commercially developed. A DNR living
shoreline restoration is planned that will
have larger benefits for the wetlands
restoration project.
Looking Ahead
 The purchase of Walton Beach Nature Preserve also doubles as the town’s mandatory 40% capital
funding contribution to the Corps of Engineers wetlands restoration project. This project will
examine ways to prevent tidal flooding of the Walton Beach Nature Preserve beach area,
including installation of additional culverts to improve drainage, etc. Balance of remaining funding
(60%) for acting on the study’s recommendations will be solicited from Senator Mikulski.
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Public Works 2009
What’s Important to Know – Public Works projects that maintain and improve our
town’s infrastructure continue to be a high priority. The scope and funding of these
projects is significantly greater than was possible in the past. Other budget line
items do not take precedence over these critical projects. Better management and
staff training have dramatically improved standards.
Key Actions
 Installed 260 ft. of new sewer line on 5th
St. and replaced 350 ft. of old sewer line
on 1st St. between Dayton and
Chesapeake Avenues.
 Installed several hundred feet of new
storm drain pipe in various locations
throughout town, including new catch
basin grates and other equipment.
 Installed connection to existing sewer
main at the Chesapeake Ave. sewer
station for a portable pump that would
bypass existing pumps in the event of
a failure and keep the line flowing.
 Boardwalk was replaced with new
composite decking during summer
months with minimal disruption to
residents and waterfront visitors.
Impact / Benefits
 Saved town $1,000 per month to clear
backups in the area of 5th and
Chesapeake and correct ongoing
problems with the section of sewer line
on 1st St. No problems have occurred
since repairs were made.
 Significant reduction in storm water
drainage issues has already occurred.
 Minimized chances of a sewer spill from
the Chesapeake Ave. sewer pumping
station.
 New boardwalk offers greater safety and
beautiful appearance. It also comes
with a 25-year guarantee due to the use
of composite materials, thereby
eliminating annual maintenance costs.
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Public Works 2009 – cont.
Key Actions
 Unit price contracts were put in place
for road paving and concrete repair
work. They were used to build new
ramps from the boardwalk to the beach
for maintenance access and for
concrete repair work throughout town.
 The old sewer treatment plant, which
had been an eyesore and safety hazard
for years, was demolished and removed
from the DPW yard.
 Built new salt storage building on DPW
lot with recycled material from old
boardwalk
 Successfully negotiated with BG&E for
ownership of light poles along Bay Ave.
Impact / Benefits
 Results in material and labor cost
savings by buying at a negotiated price
per square yard based on need
estimates. Also eliminates multiple
contract bids.
 The grounds of the old treatment plant
are being further improved by reseeding
the area. Plan is to build a new pole
building for DPW equipment.
 Salt storage building constructed with
minimal cost and will improve handling
of this important emergency resource.
 Poles were obtained for no charge and
will allow the town to have control over
the poles and what is placed on them,
i.e., banners, holiday decorations, etc.
Looking Ahead
 Recurring flooding in the 5th St. and Bay Ave. area has been a difficult and persistent problem
that has received ongoing study and analysis over the past year. The issues creating this
situation have now been identified and a solution developed. A new mechanical design is out
for bid, which should prevent or greatly reduce future flooding.
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Code Enforcement 2009
What’s Important to Know – Town codes are important for ensuring that health and
safety standards of residential and commercial properties are maintained and to
control new building expansion. Code enforcement activities continue to improve.
Key Actions
 Added new Civicall software program
that provides real-time recordkeeping
for work order items, code issues and
permit approvals.
 Coordinating state-mandated training
with Calvert County for Planning
Commission and Board of Appeals.
 Number of rental and business
inspections completed with better
availability of hours on nights and
weekends.
 Improved coordination with Sheriff’s
department, Animal Control, and county
government regarding zoning and
permits via the Hanson system.
 Pat Nutter appointed to Calvert County
Green Council to explore alternative
energy and building programs that can
be supported by new building codes
and regulations.
Impact / Benefits
 New software provides a powerful
management tool that will improve
customer service and maintain precise
data on business and citizen
information. Also gives the town insight
into future recommendations concerning
town business operations.
 Cost savings over the town managing
training requirements by itself.
 Greater convenience for residents
 Allows for better tracking and timely
services for citizens who have dealings
with the county.
 Another example that demonstrates the
town’s leadership and commitment to
green initiatives.
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Special Events 2009
The broad offering of community events over the entire calendar year enhances
the quality of life for our citizens, helps create a strong sense of community and
supports business development by promoting “buy local”.
 A new web site, NorthBeachEvents.com, was launched
and received nearly 12,000 visits in its first year.
 The North Beach Friday Night Farmers’ Market and
Cruise-Ins had a banner second year with larger crowds,
more vendors, and accolades from far and wide. We
worked with our State Delegation to enact special
legislation enabling Calvert County wineries to attend.
 Successful “Welcome Back to the Beach” festival,
Bayfest, “End of Summer Blast” and Polar Bear Swim.
 Summer concert series continued with old favorites and
new artists.
 “Movies on the Beach” series continued and drew large
numbers of people of all ages.
 Held second annual “National Night Out” in August to
support community crime prevention.
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Special Events 2009 – cont.
 Held “Campfires on the Beach” for elementary age
children that were well attended by hundreds of families.
 Continued with our traditional Santa on the Beach
and Holiday Parade (despite very adverse weather
conditions in 2009).
Looking Ahead
 A new “Health and Wellness” event will be held in June at the beach to help educate
people on healthy choice options available today and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
 The “Movies on the Beach” series will be expanded with a great line up of movies.
 A 2010 centennial celebration for North Beach is being planned for the community.
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Town Council 2009
Council members have continued to work hard for the betterment of our
community and have been active in representing North Beach across a broad
spectrum of important constituencies.
 Mayor, Council and staff attended the Maryland
Municipal League training, annual convention,
committees and legislative conference
 Gregg Dotson serves as Vice President of the Southern
Maryland Municipal Association
 Jane Hagen and Gregg Dotson represent the Town of
North Beach as part of the Maryland Municipal
League. Jane serves on the Legislative Committee and
Gregg serves on the Board of Directors.
 Economic Development fund established
 Randy Hummel kept Board of County Commissioners
apprised of town developments
 Approved replacement of the boardwalk and contract
to build a new Town Hall
 Lynn Striegel and Gwen Schiada serve as liaisons to the
town’s Economic Development Committee
 Bud Hunt and Jane Hagen graduated from the Maryland
Municipal League’s Academy of Excellence
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Mayor 2009
Your Mayor continued to pro-actively engage key delegations at all levels of
government for the benefit of the town while representing North Beach as a
member of various historical and civic organizations.
 Chairman of the Southern Maryland Heritage Area
Consortium.
 Continued meetings and correspondence with federal,
state and county delegations for the benefit of
North Beach.
 Member of the Star Spangled Banner National Historic
Trail Advisory Council.
 Testified before Congress on the effects of rising sea
levels on the Chesapeake Bay.
 Coordinated volunteer efforts for flower bed planting
and maintenance.
 Farmers’ Market Manager.
 Serve on the Twin Beaches Cable Advisory Committee.
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Bay Weekly 2009 “Best of the Bay” Awards
The record number of accolades that our town received from Bay Weekly readers
in the 2009 annual “Best of the Bay” survey is a wonderful testament to all that
our town offers and the quality of life we enjoy. It is also a reflection of the hard
work of our town administrative staff, council members, and the invaluable
efforts of many volunteers.
 Best Art Gallery: Artworks@7th
 Best Antique Store: Nice ‘n Fleazy
 Best Ladies Boutique: Chez Elle Boutique
 Best Bakery: Sweet Sue’s
 Best Bay Beach: North Beach
 Best Fishing Hole: North Beach
 Best Festival: North Beach “Bayfest”
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