Fall 2012 Volume 1, Issue 3

Town of Oxford Founded 1683 Incorporated 1852

Current Business of the Oxford Commissioners: The Town is currently looking into a long needed upgrade to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. An application for grant and loan funding has been submitted to USDA Rural Development to see what is available for our community. The Commissioners recently toured the newly constructed Denton wastewater treatment plant to gather information concerning possible treatment methods. The proposed upgrade will at the least provide Basic Nutrient Removal greatly improving the discharge to the river, if economically feasible upgrading to Enhanced Nutrient Removal would be the best scenario.

You will notice an increase in your quarterly water and sewer bill, presented with this newsletter, from the rate increase passed during the fiscal year 2013 budget process. With needed maintenance on the Water System and the necessary upgrade to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, rate increases will be necessary to cover cost.

There has been a renewed interest in the MEWS and the possibilities for this Historic building. The Commission-ers hosted a public workshop to allow citizens to gather and discuss options and opportunities that might exist.

Thanks to a DNR Grant work will soon begin on the improvements to the F-Dock, transient dock located next to the Ferry Landing. The project has gone out for bid and the work is expected to be completed by spring. The Town has also begun the process to rebuild the boat launch at the end of Tilghman St. Our Public Works department has just com-pleted a grass sediment filter area between the Tilghman parking lot and the bulk head includ-ing the placement of a few benches as part of the improvements.

There will be a joint FEMA and MDE meet-ing regarding new FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS in Oxford Community Bldg on Tuesday Oct 16th at 7 pm. Representatives will be on hand to talk to citizens.

Visit www.oxfordmd.net for updates concerning local news and events.

OBA’s Lighted Boat Parade as a tribute to our First Responders

A beautiful fall evening and a perfect end to a beautiful summer

Oxford Museum

Fall Hours Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays

From 10 am to 4 pm Sundays from 1 pm to 4 pm

We will close for the season on

November 12th, however we

will have days when the

museum will be open for holiday purchases.

NEWS FROM

THE MUSEUM

A special THANK YOU to everyone who was involved in some way with Piga-Figa-Licious! Some 300 people enjoyed the great food prepared by Butch Frase. Our auction was a huge success, thanks to many members who donated great auction items. Congratulations to Bud Gruber who won $565 in the raffle. Appreciation is expressed to everyone who supported the Museum and made this event very successful in raising $23,000. Be sure to put Labor Day on your calendar for next year and we’ll do it again.

Stop by our Gift Shop. We have unique new note cards by Ox-ford’s own Ritze Miller. They make great gifts. And we have a new shipment of the John Moll note cards as well as oyster shell Santa ornaments made by Seth Jewell.

The annual Holiday Party for members and guests will be Thurs-day, December 13 – details to follow.

Watch for information around the village on our Fall/Winter Lecture Series. Those of you who attended our lectures during Nautical Fest will be interested in topics being scheduled now.

Thanks to everyone who renewed their membership. There is still time to do so and if you are new to Oxford we will give you a complimentary one-year membership.

New docents are needed for the Museum. We have both morn-ing and afternoon three-hour shifts and it is a great way to meet new people and to learn the history of this unique area.

Call (410) 226-0191 for information.

V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 3

REMINDER FROM THE Upcoming Deadline for

Homestead Tax Exemption

December 31, 2012 is the dead-line for filing an application for the Maryland Homestead Tax Credit.

Legislation adopted five years ago requires all homeowners to submit a one-time application to continue their homestead tax credit eligibility. Even homeowners who in the past have re-ceived the credit must file the form if they have not already done so. The credit may not be claimed for vacation homes or rental properties, and the application process is designed to ensure that taxpayers receive only one homestead tax credit.

The homestead tax credit protects homeowners from the im-pact of real estate market fluctuations in annual property tax-es. When home values increase dramatically, the homestead tax credit operates as a cap on the homeowner’s property tax bill and allows for the appreciation in value to phase in over time.

Homeowners who think they have already applied can check the state site: www.dat.state.md.us ~ click on “Real Property Data Search.” Select the County where the property is located and enter the street address. A page will appear and display information on the property. At the bottom of that page, the homeowner can see if the homestead application was previ-ously submitted.

If the application was not submitted, a form can be requested by sending an email to hcredit@dat.state.md.us. The email should request a homestead tax credit application form, along with the address for the property and the County where the property is located. An application can also be requested by calling toll free 1-866-650-8783.

For more info: http://dat.state.md.us/prhomestead.pdf

October 4, 2012, 2:00pm to 3:00 pm -Oxford Garden Club invites you to the

Oxford Community Center for a lecture "Botanical Art: A Continuing Tradition" by Pennsylvania Botanical Artist, Fran Phaneuf,

a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists. Location: 200 Oxford Road, Oxford, MD

Open to the public - Admission FREE.

For more information contact Meryl Nolan 410-226-5415

PUMPKIN WALK Sunday Oct 28, 2 pm. Starting at the Church on the corner of South Morris and South St. and walking down Morris Street to the Town Hall. The participants will have a chance to ascend the dais and tell us who they are and have pictures taken. Followed by refreshments.

Trick or Treating October 31st 6 pm to 8 pm Veteran’s Day event will be held at the Episcopal Church,

please check town website for details.

P a g e 3

SAVE THE DATE!

Oxford’s 4th Annual

Picket Fence Auction

Saturday, October 6

4 pm to 6 pm

Oxford Community Center

Would you like to bid on a

fence but can’t make it to

the auction?

Go to our website

www.portofoxford.com

and download the

Bid Proxy Sheet!

SANTA will be arriving in the Town Park on Saturday

December 1st., and the Annual Lighting of the Park

Christmas Tree will take place. Children/families are

asked to bring canned goods for the needy and

dog & cat food/cookies/toys for our

4-legged needy friends.

Check on the town website for further details.

The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of Holy

Trinity Church are busy planning this year’s

Christmas Bazaar. “Deck the Halls” will be held

from 9 am to noon on Saturday, December 1st.

These creative ladies are well known for their

beautiful Christmas wreaths and decorations, de-

licious baked goods, frozen soups and hors d’

oeuvres, and much more. There will be raffle of

wonderful prizes (beautiful needle point pillow, tickets to fire house

breakfasts, decorated tree and two delicious smoked geese.)

Stop by the Museum Gift Shop for a number of interesting books,

note cards, quest towels, post cards, decals, oyster

shell ornaments, etc. Think of us next time you need a

hostess gift. We also have Howard Lapp’s limited

edition print of town park for sale for $85 each.

Caroling in the Park on Saturday,

December 22nd at 5:15 pm

This will be the 12th year that Oxford has gathered in

Town Park to raise voices to the season and to enjoy

the now-famous rendition of the Twelve Days of

Christmas. Refreshments will be served afterwards in

the Oxford Museum as our voices fade and the

Church carillon begins to play. Bring a flashlight so

you won’t miss a word on the song sheets! If the weather is stormy,

the Oxford United Methodist Church has been kind enough to open

their doors for singers and listeners alike.

Come one, come all...

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

CHRISTMAS ON THE CREEK

You can reach us during regular operating hours at 410-226-5122, Fax: 410-226-5597

You can email us anytime: Cheryl Lewis oxfordclerk@goeaston.net

Lisa Willoughby townoffice@goeaston.net

Newly introduced Ordinances, information from

the Commissioners, Public Works and office staff,

along with upcoming community events can be

found on the Town Website:

www.oxfordmd.net

If you would like to submit items for consideration

for publishing on the website or in the newsletter,

please email them to

PO BOX 339

101 MARKET STREET

OXFORD, MD 21654

From the Clerk,

Town Office Hours:

Monday- Friday 9 AM to NOON and 1 PM to 4 PM

The Office will be closed on the following holidays:

OCTOBER 8TH for COLUMBUS DAY

NOVEMBER 12TH for VETERAN’S DAY

NOVEMBER 22ND & 23RD for THANKSGIVING

DECEMBER 24TH & 25TH for CHRISTMAS

New Maryland vehicle laws have taken

effect that require all motor scooters and

mopeds to be titled and insured, while all

operators and passengers must wear a hel-

met and eye protection. All motor scooters

must display a title decal on the rear of the

vehicle. These new requirements are in

addition to the existing law that requires

all motor scooter and moped operators to

possess a valid driver's license or a moped

operator's permit.

Reminder: The use of Cell Phones and

Texting are not permitted while driving a

motor vehicle in the State of Maryland.

Please contact Chief Maxwell at the Oxford

Police Department if you need any further

explanation or have questions.

Report any suspicious activity by

calling 911 or contacting the

Oxford Police Department.

In an emergency ALWAYS dial 911.

Chief Patrick Maxwell

Community Hymn Sing Saturday, October 13th 3p.m.

Waters UMC, 205 Market Street

Join the Oxford Community as Waters United Methodist Church hosts an Old Fashion Hymn Sing! Leading the ecumenical hymn sing will be a combined choir from Waters United Meth-odist and Holy Trinity Episcopal Churches. An ensemble from the Union Baptist Church, Easton MD, will share a few favorite selections. Come listen, sing, and enjoy a fun afternoon of rousing hymn singing! A free will offering will be taken and donated to a local charity. For further

information, please contact 410-226-5737.

Homecoming Waters UMC, 205 Market Street Sunday, October 21st 11 a.m.

Come celebrate with the Waters UMC congregation as they welcome Pastor Patrick Thomas from the Christian Center Church, Dale City VA. Waters UMC has and continues to play a vital role in the community life of Oxford. Please come and share this special day with an extraordinary church community. For further infor-mation, please contact 410-226-5737.

Fall Concert Series, The Church of the Holy Trinity Oxford, Parish Hall

November 11th - 4 pm

Dr. Thomas Mastroianni, Piano Concert

Dr. Mastroianni, an international concert pianist, will be per-forming piano music of Franz Liszt. Known for his perfor-mances, lectures, concerto appearances and chamber music programs world-wide, Dr. Mastroianni is one of the most per-sonable and inspiring pianists of our time. A special afternoon not to be missed!

December 22nd 7 pm

Chuck & Robert Redd, Holiday Jazz Concert

Chuck and Robert Redd, nationally acclaimed jazz artists, will share the music and joy of the holiday season. Always a fun evening of music, come share the holiday spirit with us!

For Further Information, please call 410-226-5134 A free will offering will be taken for both concerts