Maitland City Talk

Thank you, Maitland residents, for participating in Maitland’s general municipal election on Tuesday, March 11, to fill City Council Seat 2 and to consider a city charter question. A total of 1,826 votes were cast, including one questionable ballot related to the charter amendment.

Candidates Martha Bryant-Hall and Beverly J. Reponen vied for Council Seat 2, currently filled by outgoing Vice Mayor Linda J. Frosch. The city charter limits Council members to serve two consecutive three-year terms, and Vice Mayor Frosch will soon reach that milestone. Bryant-Hall received 486 votes and Reponen received 1,273 votes.

Reponen is no stranger to the City Council chambers, City Hall, or the Maitland community. She occupied Seat 3 from 2007 to 2013, and served on the Lakes Advisory Board and the Personnel Board prior to joining Council. I look forward to working with her again in her new term.

This week, Maitland voters also approved a charter amendment prohibiting off-site signs and groupings of signs larger than 32-square-feet publicizing activities, ideas, products, or services that are not conducted, associated, or available on the premises. The new restrictions do not apply to signs erected for less than 30 consecutive days. The charter amendment received 1,480 ‘yes’ votes and 306 ‘no’ votes.

Councilman John Lowndes, who ran unopposed, was declared elected pursuant to the City Charter. Therefore, only the race for Council Seat 2 and the charter amendment appeared on the ballot.

Congratulations to Councilwoman-Elect Reponen and Councilman Lowndes. We look forward to next month’s swearing-in ceremony on April 14 at Maitland City Hall at 1776 Independence Lane. Please mark your calendars and join us for this public event that will coincide with the City Council meeting scheduled for that evening.

For additional information related to Tuesday’s municipal election, please visit itsmymaitland.com

Fort Maitland Boat Ramp and new police boathouse

The Stormwater and Lakes Management Division is excited to announce that Ft. Maitland Park’s waterfront is undergoing an extensive redevelopment beginning March 31. This long-awaited project will begin with replacement of the city’s boat ramp and upgrades of existing piers and platforms to improve accessibility. A permanent police boathouse also will be constructed, improving safety on the Chain of Lakes while also significantly reducing the police department’s emergency response time. Beach access for non-motorized watercraft such as paddleboards and kayaks will be extended, improving recreational access to citizens and visitors. Please keep in mind that access to Lake Maitland via the boat ramp and piers will be closed from March 31 until April 11. Public access to the Chain of Lakes is still available during this time at Dinky Dock Park located on Ollie Avenue in Winter Park.