Politics & Government
Aberdeen City Hall Saves By The Barrel—Of Rain
The City of Aberdeen is using rain barrels to help offset fees they would otherwise incur under what is being known in Maryland as "the rain tax."
The new flower pots out front of Aberdeen's City Hall aren't just for decoration.
They're in pace to help the city recycle water—and perhaps someday offset any future "rain tax" the local government may have to endure.
Aberdeen Director of Public Works Matt Lapinsky recently showed Patch how the city's use of rain barrels offsets the impervious surfaces on the City Hall and police department complex.
The state has adopted a new stormwater management fee—which it is imposing on Baltimore City and nine counties, including Harford.
Residencial properties and farms will be hit with a $12.50 flat fee for the year, while commercial properties will pay 70 cents per 500 feet of impervious surface, Harford County said in the spring.
Municipalities in Harford County aren't currently impacted by the fee.
In Baltimore County, businesses are fighting the fee, which is slated to cost some property owners hundreds of thousands of dollars.
TELL US: Do you recycle rainwater? Have you noticed the new barrels in Aberdeen? Leave a comment.
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