The water situation in Rosemont moved a little closer to being resolved on Thursday. The Frederick County Commissioners approved a plan that guarantees water service in the Village will continue. "Where the county would ultimately own the water system," says Mike Marschner, Special Projects Manager for the county. "We would then replace the water distribution system. The Village of Rosemont would then get service from the county water system."

For years, Rosemont had been receiving its water from the City of Brunswick. "Brunswick would relinquish that, but they would offer the capacity part of it. They would provide the source water, the treatment of that source water, and the transportation and storage of that for a finite number of units  in Rosemont."

He says there are about 120 lots in Rosemont, and some are vacant.

Recently, the two municipalities were at odds over the service, specifically who would pay to upgrade the lines, which were built in the 1930's as part of a Works Progress Administration project.

In his briefing to the Commissioners, Marchner said the county has been able to secure funding from the Maryland Department of the Environment to help pay for the new lines. He says MDE will loan no more than $1.5-million, but a good part of it will be forgiven. That agreement is scheduled to be voted on by the Maryland Board of Public Works on April 17th.

Marschner says this arrangement is very complex, and all parties need to agree before it can go forward. He says the Village or Rosemont is expected to vote on the plan on March 11th, and the City of Brunswick will decide on it on March 26th. After that, the County Commissioners must hold a hearing on a benefit assessment for Rosemont water customers. That's expected to take place on April 9th. If all of these approvals are granted, work on replacing the lines could begin in late May, and be completed by November, 2013, says Marschner.

"I've passed the information that Mike has given us to my commissioners, and I've received no negative comments on it," says Rosemont Burgess Tom Watson. "I've read it over, and it certainly looks good to me."

Brunswick Mayor Karin Tome says she's also supportive. "I came in as a council member four years ago, and I watched all the groups trying to work it out. So I'm incredibly appreciative," she says.

Marschner says 81 Rosemont residents are on public water provided by the City of Brunswick, and 30 are on wells.