It moves forward the city's plans to allow alternative energy generators. An amendment to permit wind turbines is awaiting further investigation.

Also under scrutiny are concerns raised Tuesday about hazards for pedestrians, especially children, who have to walk where there are no sidewalks.

Jeff Batson, with his 5-year-old daughter, Sadie, by his side, expressed his worries to the council. Although he is able to drive his daughter to kindergarten at Brunswick Elementary, she would walk if she could.

On Florida and Central avenues, which she would use to get to school, there are incomplete or no sidewalks.

"I'm not here to complain," Batson said. "It makes me nervous. ... My child may be put in harm's way."

City Administrator David Dunn and Mayor Carroll Jones agreed sidewalks in the area need to be improved.

"We'll see if there is some way we can help," Jones said. "We will look into it."

Funding for those types of improvements in general is only getting more scarce for the near future, Jones predicted. He reported a meager financial outlook, based on the Maryland Municipal League conference he attended last week with Dunn and Councilwoman Mary Elizabeth Bowie.

Jones said other municipalities have taken a variety of unwelcome steps to cut costs and save money: reducing health care coverage; delaying road projects; cutting funds to community agencies; reducing overtime; leaving positions vacant; postponing pay raises; and reducing trash collection.

So far, he was pleased to report that Brunswick did not need to consider serious reductions in services.

Funding for one sidewalk project, years in the works, did get approved Tuesday. Along H Street, west of the cemetery, KCJ Lawncare of Brunswick will install 700 feet of sidewalk, curb and gutter that the developer of houses there failed to install.

KCJ had the lowest bid at $26,290.50.

As for the future of other paving and improvements, Jones said funding may not be available this year or next.

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