May Union Bridge News Briefs

(4/26) FY-26 budget introduced

Every spring, municipalities across the State discuss their upcoming Fiscal Year budget. Union Bridge Commissioners introduced the proposed budget of $1,242,544 for the Town’s expenses and revenues at the April meeting. The Town’s tax rate will remain at .35 per $100 of assessed property value and the personal property tax rate will remain at .75 per $100 of assessed value.

The Capital Improvement Program is also part of the annual budget, and the upcoming year will greatly impact the future of the Town’s wastewater treatment plant. Town Attorney Mandi Porter said the 25/26 budget should be similar to the 24/25 budget, however, with the Town’s current wastewater treatment plant needing repairs, plans for building a new plant and PFSA remediation, the Capital Improvement budget doesn’t have a lot of room for additional projects.

Porter pointed out that the Town will need to apply for grants and loans to fund repairs on the plant. "There is essentially more studies and more needed repairs for the current wastewater treatment plant which, again the Town doesn’t have the budget to go forward with," said Porter. "We are relying on grants and forgiveness loans, not just straight loans which the Town is having problems with at this point."

The Council also discussed purchasing a parcel of roughly 12 acres to accommodate a new wastewater treatment plant that will alleviate the stress on the current plant and allow the Town the infrastructure capacity to promote future development. The Council approved Councilmember Brett Grossnickle’s request for the $54,000 to purchase the property in the next Fiscal Year beginning in July. "Five acres of that is earmarked for the wastewater plant that I’ve been pushing. We need to get this plant built," he said. "I’m not worried about development anymore; we need to take care of us."

Farmers market proposed for summer months

Kim White, a representative of the St. James Lutheran Church Food Pantry, presented a partnership with "Dream Big Union Bridge" to establish a farmers' market centrally located along Main Street. The market would hopefully be launched by early summer and continue through early November. "The farmers market is anticipated to be centrally located along Main Street benefiting residents and local businesses while also attracting the attention of passing motorists," said White.

White said vendors would be required to have permits from the Health Department and certificates of insurance in order to participate in the market. The Church would also like to work with the Union Bridge business association to explore a partnership. "We intend to engage with the Union Bridge Business Association to explore the potential for their partnership which could facilitate mutual support in attracting future development for the vacant storefronts along Main Street," said White.

White foresees the market starting off slowly and gaining in size as it matures. She sees the market as another opportunity for community outreach and a way to bring some excitement to Union Bridge in the summer months.