Maryland Farms is a 45-building, 545-unit condominium community located on Cherry Hill Road near Powder Mill Road in Beltsville. It was built in 1965 as an apartment complex and converted to condominiums in 1973. It was once a thriving, award-winning community with its own cable television channel, a community where both adults and children could enjoy fellowship with friends and neighbors and all the activities that went with condominium living.
Although there have been some improvements over the last few years, there also are many problems. Communication has been poor. Waste removal service needs to be improved. The previously beautiful pool was reduced to a fraction of its original size and, since it closed at the end of summer 2014, has only been open for one and one-half summers. The buildings' back doors are alarmed and can't be used to access yards, pet walk areas, and tot lots. BBQ pits and picnic tables were removed from yards. There's been no community-wide extermination since 2015. The thoroughness of the cleaning service is questionable especially during a pandemic.
Many owners, especially long-time residents who are now seniors, have become discouraged, complacent, and relegated to living their lives with disappearing amenities and services and no say about how the property is managed.
Only a small percentage of owners show up to vote each year. The Annual Meeting and election of board members is usually held in May; however, due to delays from Covid-19 restrictions, it will be held in September this year. Owners need to wake up and start taking an interest in the community. Volunteers are desperately needed to serve on the board or on any of the many committees. Younger owners also need to pick up the ball and start doing their part. Owners must vote and encourage all their neighbors to vote. Vote for the people who actually care about Maryland Farms. A home is the biggest investment of most people's lives. Make it count! We do not want to end up in the same position as those in Florida whose entire building collapsed with loss of life and property.