The matter of how to bill water and sewer users remains a bewildering issue in Chesapeake Beach. In June the issue appeared settled when a majority of the town council voted to adopt a uniform flat rate. Opponents of that plan mounted a petition drive in July to allow town voters to decide whether or not they preferred the rate system. At the end of July Mayor Bruce Wahl announced the town’s election board had indicated in writing that enough signatures were gathered to send the issue to referendum.
That plan, however, came to a standstill Thursday, Aug. 15. Councilman Jeff Krahling announced he had examined the petition signers deemed qualified and found one person whose eligibility was compromised. Thus, said Krahling, the petitioners did not meet the requirements and no election on the flat rate structure should be held.
The council’s Aug. 15 meeting manifested the stalemate the utility rate structure has become. Getting an agenda approved was the first problem. Councilman Bob Carpenter wanted to add an item—introduction of an ordinance that would provide a “placeholder” structure while the flat rate structure was being debated. “We don’t have a rate structure in place at this time,” declared Carpenter. “We will be up against the wall October 1.” Carpenter’s motion to add the ordinance introduction to the agenda failed 2-to-4.
Krahling then moved to have a new business item—discussion of when to hold a special election for the referendum—removed from the agenda.
“I’m going to rule that out of order,” said Wahl, who added the written information he received from the election board indicated the special election was a go.
When Krahling stated he was disputing that ruling, Town Attorney Elissa Levan advised him he would need to file a complaint in circuit court before Aug. 31.
Later in the meeting, Krahling made a motion to have Levan file a motion in circuit court challenging the contention that the petition drive was successful and for the allocation of $30,000 for legal expenses.
“That $30,000 puts a big knot in my throat and I just don’t like it,” said Councilman Eric Reinhardt, who subsequently abstained from voting on Krahling’s issue. The vote was 3 in favor, 2 opposed and one abstention, which meant the motion did not have enough votes to pass.
The four councilmembers—Krahling, Reinhardt, Patrick “Irish” Mahoney and Dr. Valerie Beaudin—did succeed in blocking an attempt
