HURLOCK — An eagerly anticipated community center of sorts is coming to Hurlock. At the Feb. 8 Town Council meeting Hurlock Mayor Joyce Spratt announced plans to open a branch of the Dorchester County Family YMCA in the town’s elementary school around April 1.

Ms. Spratt noted that the Y’s board of directors is “very, very interested in coming here and starting a program at the elementary school.” It will be open five days a week between 4-7 p.m. The mayor said a small membership charge per family also entitles use of the Cambridge facility.

A survey will help the YMCA understand the need for weekday youth services and adult health and wellness programs in the North Dorchester area. Surveys for area residents, due back by Feb. 23, are available at the town office or online at the YMCA website.

“We know that there is a senior center here but many people don’t think they’re old enough to go there, or not in shape to go there,” said Ms. Spratt. They may want to get together and join a structured program. If so, “We have the train station, the old library, or other places to have coffee or just get together.”

At the Feb. 8, 5 p.m. open work session Mayor Spratt said numerous items were discussed. She said she spoke with Daryl Wilson from Chesapeake Utilities and asked if the company would lay pipe down Main Street for natural gas while the water main was being replaced. He told her they probably would not but he would investigate. “It would be very, very costly,” she said. “But until he had quite a few businesses commit to hooking up to it, probably 10, they wouldn’t even consider hooking up to it. They probably wouldn’t even let them lay the pipe. But we did ask if they would do that.”

During public comments Frank Bittner, vice chairman of the Hurlock Citizens group said following in-person interviews with businesses and residents in the downtown area about the gas project, he prepared and sent results to Chesapeake Utilities, the mayor, council, and administrator. “We need all of you to be behind it,” he said. “The businesses need it. It gives them that extra edge – that extra $5, $10, $15,000 on the bottom line.”

He said results included 8 businesses, 2 still unaccounted for, and 10 residences just in the two blocks around downtown and explained that Mr. Wilson was supposed to compare those results with a cluster of 28 homes in close proximity. “With that cluster, the 8 businesses and 10 homes in the two block area you’re looking at 46 customers.”

Mayor Spratt responded, “He said to me today that he’s not getting a commitment. He got the packet from you but he said it was interest not commitment.”

Mr. Bittner explained, “Well, the people signed forms that they want it. Many said ‘can we get it tomorrow.’”

During the open session Ms. Spratt and Administrator John Avery suggested that an outstanding 5 percent loan of $146,857 due for pay off in 2021 be paid off now. The council agreed, thus saving the town $29,000 in interest payments.

Habitat for Humanity Choptank is building in Hurlock. The organization sees north Dorchester as a viable location to build new homes. Mayor Spratt said, “They said there has been enough done in Cambridge and now they’d like to have quite a few homes built up here.”

The group’s annual Community Prayer Breakfast is slated for Feb. 23, 8-9:30 am at the Hurlock United Methodist Church on S. Main St. Those who wish to attend must RSVP to 410-476-3204 or info@habitatchoptank.org. “I think everybody who goes is going to come away with a different attitude about Habitat. I was very ignorant about what it was. I had a mindset but it is nothing like that.” The organization offers financial coaching, education, support, and access to affordable financing, so individuals and families can purchase a quality, energy-saving, affordable home.

Several hundred cases of bottled water have been collected for Flint, Mich. residents whose local water supply contains excessive lead. Donations can be accepted at the town office until Feb. 19.

Councilman Jerry Rhue asked Dorchester County Councilman Rick Price to verify the veracity of reports that the new North Dorchester High School (NDHS) is moving forward. Mr. Price responded, “That article was about a Board of Education meeting that voted to award Whiting-Turner the contract and move forward on the design. It is moving forward. The state board of estimates had their annual meeting where all the state jurisdictions come with project proposals to seek state funding. I was there and that proposal was heard favorably. We’re just waiting now to hear what the state is going to do to support it.”

Councilman Charles Cephas asked Mr. Price how the area can provide shelter for anyone affected by storms. Mr. Price explained that currently the only things in place are some school buildings. There is a round table group that is working on the problem but nothing of substance has resulted yet. Mr. Cephas asked that Hurlock’s Police Chief be included in that roundtable and Mr. Price agreed.

After discussion about providing shelter for Hurlock residents Councilman Earl Murphy said, “There is a generic brochure that says what emergency management is going to do ... Maybe we should look at transportation on our own and have our own program. Just help ourselves.” He noted there are two transportation companies in the area that might be involved. “We should be supported by the county but if we have to do it on our own we should have it in place to do so.”

The volunteer fire department has a generator and Councilman Rhue said anyone who needs shelter during storms is welcome at the department. “Come visit with us, or call,” he said.

During councilman comments, the Rev. Cephas said that during the 5 pm work session, “We talked about lowering the water bills and about ways we could try to help the town and I think that everybody that sits on this council is on board to try to do everything. It looks to me like you have a mayor and council that are willing to do what has to be done to improve the conditions of the lives of the citizens.” He added that “government always works best when people are able to question us, and test us.”

Mayor Spratt asked for a motion to go to a closed session to discuss real estate. Attorney Meredith said “You have to have more details than that.” He then read a statement prepared by Mr. Avery: An executive session will be held “to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business to relocate or expand or remain in the state; to consider a matter pertaining to Suicide (Bridge).”

The next town meeting is slated for 6 pm, Feb. 29.