The council may vote on the ordinance at its May 26 meeting. On Tuesday night, the council debated whether the ordinance would help the city improve its recycling and reduce the amount of trash the city is sending to the Frederick County landfill.

Thurmont improved its recycling rate from 15 percent to 30 percent when mandatory recycling was imposed last year, said David Dunn, Brunswick city administrator. Brunswick has modeled its proposed mandatory recycling ordinance on Thurmont 's.

"Mandatory recycling is one way to decrease tipping fees," said Councilman Tom Smith. "Mandatory is just a word. Whether you like the term mandatory or not, it's coming."

Mandatory recycling likely wouldn't bring about fines, Mayor Carroll Jones said. It would most likely be about education first. Chronic abusers would be given warnings.

"If I see a bag of beer bottles, I'm going to leave it," said Bob Clark of Key Sanitation, which does the trash hauling and recycling for Brunswick residents.

The city's residents generate an average of 40 pounds of trash per week, or about 1 ton per year, Clark said.

"If we've got to say mandatory, I don't see any downside to it," Councilman Jeremy Biser said.

Councilwoman Karin Tome advocates a pay-as-you-throw trash collection system. She said she doesn't like the word mandatory and prefers to educate residents about recycling.

"Why can't we educate them at the same time?" Biser asked.

"We are trying to reduce the refuse stream," Smith said.

Water request

The council denied a request for a water hookup allocation by Ronald and Gwen Hahn of Knoxville. The Frederick County Health Department advised the couple to ask for the hookup because their well has failed several times.

The Hahns live on Knoxville Road outside Brunswick . They have gone through four well pumps, and their well has collapsed.

The health department told the Hahns there is no room to drill a well on their property.

Brunswick is embroiled in a dispute with the neighboring village of Rosemont to continue providing water to 79 Rosemont households. These households have been receiving water from Brunswick 's waterlines since the 1940s.

Because Rosemont is a municipality, Brunswick claims Rosemont is responsible for providing water to its residents. Rosemont claims it is too small and cannot afford its own water system. The issue has gone to Frederick County Circuit Court, with the first hearing scheduled for Aug. 19.

"I don't see how we can vote to approve it (the Hahns' water hookup request) based on current litigation," Biser said.

James R. Castle, the city's development review coordinator, said state officials could compel Brunswick to issue the Hahns a water hookup. The city attorney recommended the request be denied.

"I respect the guy's situation," Smith said. "I think it would be highly foolish of us to go against the attorney's recommendation."

The council's vote to deny the request was unanimous.

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for Monday. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.