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Md. officials OK local projects

New Germany Park expansion, more trails being added:

Matthew Bieniek Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — The state board of public works approved several projects for funding, along with contracts in Allegany and Garrett counties on Wednesday, including more than $1 million for the Jennings Run sewer rehabilitation project, according to Susan Brogan, the deputy treasurer for public policy of the state treasurer’s office.

Jennings Run sewer customers are slated for a rate increase despite the state funding, county officials have said. The funding approved Monday was for $1,187,042 of state bond proceeds.  Jennings Run customers could see an $8 increase per quarter for sewer surcharges, according to a recent presentation by Mark Yoder, the county’s utilities division chief.

The county is under a consent order by the Maryland Department of the Environment to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows during and after heavy rains.

The project is part of a long-term plan to meet the requirements of the consent order.

This project includes relining and/or replacement of sewer pipes and manholes. The project is expected to minimize sewer backups and overflows, according to board of public works documents.

Frostburg’s water system also benefitted from the board’s actions.

The board approved funding up to $269,250 for the Savage Raw Water and Energy Conservation project.

Frostburg plans to conserve water and reduce energy consumption by rehabilitating the city’s drinking water collection system in the Savage River basin in Garrett County.

The aging system experiences leakage and uses some out-of-date equipment and deteriorating facilities. The project will involve the replacement of pipes, spring houses, pumping equipment, the lining of basins and other improvements, according to board documents.

The purchase of more than 11 acres to expand New Germany State Park was also approved Wednesday. The state agreed to pay $101,000 to buy land from William K. and Kathleen R. Tunney.

“Acquisition of the property will allow the expansion of trails at New Germany State Park and provide a buffer between park activities and private property. The property is populated with apple and cherry trees, making it an excellent habitat for wildlife,” according to board documents.

At Swallow Falls State Park, ice cream will once again be available for the summer, since the board approved a contract with Lakeside Creamery, who has been providing cool refreshments at the park since 2003.

“Historically, Lakeside Creamery has been the only bidder for this contract since 2003. It is believed that because Swallow Falls State Park is located in a rural area where there are very few ice cream vendors with trailers is why there were no other bidders,” according to the board agenda.

“Lakeside Creamery agrees to sell solely hand-dipped ice cream and smoothies made with hand-dipped ice cream,” the agenda reads. The contract is expected to generate $150,000 in gross sales, with 12 percent going to the Department of Natural Resources.

The Allegany Museum will also gain $100,000 for capital improvements. The museum has been working through a capital improvement plan over the last several years, utilizing their own funds and state bond bills. The updates will allow the museum to become involved in loan exchange programs with other museums and upgrades to the interior of the Pershing Street building.

The board also approved funding for two smaller Project Open Space projects. The first project will provide $40,000 in funding for improvements at the Ellerslie Community Park. The funds will be used to add new fencing, upgrade restrooms, the concession stands and make bleacher improvements. The Ellerslie park is just over 11 acres in size. The second smaller project ap-proved $38,990 in funding for improvements at the Grants-ville Playground and Park.

The monies will be used to add a walking path around the 14-acre park and add new backboards for the basketball courts along with new bleachers and playground equipment, according to board documents.

Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com.

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Jay Ferguson

Who I Am My name is Jay Ferguson, and I am a lifelong resident of the Deep Creek Lake area. I am also co-owner of the real estate side of Taylor Made. I have been in the real estate business for 21+ years now and I LOVE what I do! I have to say, my career really took off when I co-founded the real estate side of Taylor Made in 2014. Its been an amazing experience, building a real estate company from the ground up and achieving so much so quickly! In August 2016, we purchased Long & Foster Real Estate Deep Creek, where I had started my career in 2000. In 2018, we on-boarded virtually every agent from Coldwell Banker Deep Creek Realty as they closed up shop and the real estate family grew even more! We now have over 40 sales agents and have expanded to West Virginia and Pennsylvania, as well. Taylor Made is the #1 vacation rental company at Deep Creek with over 475 vacation rental homes, and over one hundred thousand yearly visitors. Its amazing what we have accomplished using the principles of honesty, teamwork and customer service! Personally, my wife Jessica and I enjoy traveling and especially spending time in the outdoors, hiking and exploring the many diverse areas that Garrett County is naturally blessed with. We have raised two wonderful children here, Kayleah (22) and Noah (13). In the summer, we love spending time on the water with friends & family and enjoying the lake life! We are both active in our church, our community & local school activities, and we fill our schedule with plenty of volunteer efforts. I currently serve on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity. I am proud to say that I was named Deep Creek Time’s Favorite ‘Community Champion’ in 2019. I was also named Garrett County Realtor of the Year in 2018-19, as well. I really enjoy promoting my hometown. I am very proud of the resort area that has developed over my lifetime and look forward to growing the area even more! Deep Creek Lake has been described as ‘The Lake Tahoe of the east', and I think that speaks volumes about the potential to own property here! Deep Creek Lake isn't really a town or city by itself; it's comprised of three towns: Oakland, Swanton & McHenry, Maryland. I am very passionate about my hometown and am impressed with how many people know about it as we travel around the country. Deep Creek Lake is an amazing place to visit and even better place to live! During the pandemic in 2020, our market exploded and more and more people left their primary residence in the city to live here permanently. With distance learning in schools and tele-commuting becoming the ‘norm’, many more people were drawn to the area to ‘live where they love to play’. Why You Want Me Working for You: In addition to being an owner, I am consistently one of the top-producing agents in the entire area and the Associate Broker of record for Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. I have 21+ years of experience and I am a problem solver. There aren’t many situations that I have not encountered and I have a strategy for almost every scenario that you may encounter. I have extensively trained in all areas of real estate & emerging technologies, and also have trained as an appraiser, as well as served as a full-time Broker. I have a strong knowledge of the industry, as well as many trusted local contacts & affiliations that allow me to perform at a very high level and deliver results. I have a great deal of respect for my peers in this industry and have strong working relationships that I would love to put to work for you. Call me to discuss your situation - I know I can be of great service to you & others you care about! Honesty. Integrity. Results.