The Dorchester Banner/Susan M. Bautz
Commissioner Susan Dukes was recently sworn in as Secretary’s Mayor following the resignation of former Mayor Henry Short who will fill the seat vacated by Ms. Dukes.[/caption] SECRETARY — Commissioner Henry Short, who served as mayor for the past several years, resigned the post for “personal reasons” at the April 7 council meeting. Commissioner Susan Dukes, who had previously served as mayor, assumed the post. Mr. Short retained his commission status to fill the seat vacated by Ms. Dukes until her term ends July 1. In May, seats held by Ms. Dukes’ and Commissioner Jennifer Rebert are up for re-election. At the March 17 meeting the commission approved a bid from Bay County Security to install new cameras at the boat ramp, a new monitor, and a cell phone “app” to access 24 hour surveillance of the town. Ms. Dukes said Sheriff James Phillips is interested in downloading the app for his department to have 24 hour access to the cameras. The company has begun wiring and hopes to complete the project by the start of boating season. Mayor Dukes reported that if permits are received in time from the Army Corps of Engineers, the boat ramp pier dredging project could begin in September. She noted that although dredging will begin before the boating season ends and may cause some inconvenience to slip occupants the “end result will be a better marina to park their boats in.” The town water tower is “in bad shape,” said Ms. Dukes. “We want to find enough money to get it fixed so we can put it on a maintenance program consistently every year.” The town owes money from the last time the tower was replaced and a request to the state for loan forgiveness was rejected. “The big deal now is finding the money to do it and then get on the maintenance program at the same time.” She asked Ms. Rebert to attend workshops at the upcoming Maryland Municipal League convention that might offer information on financing options. Two aerators at the Twin City Wastewater Treatment Plant (TCWTP) “went down,” said Ms. Dukes. They have to run, she noted. “We do again have aerator problems. Things are just breaking down. Of course the weather made it really bad.” The Mayor said that Sheriff James Phillips and his department have the authority to issue citations and asked that town officials let him know what problems he can help with. Ms. Dukes said, “We need him to do traffic control. He said to just let him know where the issues are and his office will take care of them.” The commission agreed to purchase: A $540 automatic dialer for the Poplar Street pump station; cabinets and countertop for the town office meeting room for $1,042; and a copier maintenance agreement from ABS Systems for $408.