by James Rada, Jr.
Emmitsburg
Town Election: September 27
The Emmitsburg town election will be held Tuesday, September 27, from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. The election is for two commissioner seats, currently held by Glenn Blanchard and Jennifer Mellor. The newly elected commissioners will be sworn in during the town meeting on October 3.
Town Wants Grant to Finish Square Project
The Emmitsburg Mayor and Commissioners approved a resolution to seek a second Community Legacy Grant in the amount of $170,523 for the Emmitsburg Square Project. This is for the remaining amount needed to finish the project, in addition to funds the town has already set aside. The other Community Legacy Grant is for Main Street improvements and is submitted annually to the state.
New Member of Citizens Advisory Committee
Brandy Malocha, one of the owners of Emmitsburg Tattoo and a Montgomery County police officer, is now a member the Citizens Advisory Committee. She was appointed unanimously by the Emmitsburg Mayor and Commissioners during their August meeting.
Improving Credit Card Payments
Responding to requests from residents, Town of Emmitsburg staff is seeking ways to make paying town bills online a more user-friendly experience. Staff has spoken with various providers to see what options they offer. Currently, there is a $3.95 flat fee (or a 2 percent charge) to residents to pay a town bill with a credit card online. Bank transfers to pay bills cost the town 25 cents per transfer. Staff will continue to seek a way to refine the costs and process and make recommendations in the future.
The town is also considering ways to be able to take credit card payments at the town office. The cost to do this would be 25 cents, plus 2.1 percent of each transaction, in addition to a monthly fee. To cover these costs, the town may need to charge a $5.00 convenience fee to the customer for each transaction.
Town Receives Grant for Pool Repairs
The Town of Emmitsburg has received a $217,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Public Works to repair the leaking 45-year-old pool. The grant should also pay for resurfacing of the pool, repairs to the bath house, new lifeguard chairs, and new umbrellas.
Commissioners Hear from Residents Regarding Dog Park
The Emmitsburg mayor and commissioners heard public comment about the possible location of a 150-foot by 100-foot dog park in the Community Park, which is behind the Southgate community. This site best meets the town’s criteria for ease of parking, ease of access, safety, ease of maintenance, and access to a water line. Three of the four people who addressed the commissioners were against the proposed location. Besides the nearness to their homes, they were concerned with things like noise, waste, child safety, loose dogs in the neighborhood, and dog abandonment in the park.
The person who spoke in favor of the park lived in a different area of town.
While the proposed location has some problems, it is the best location that the town has been able to identify for a dog park.
The commissioners heard the comments of residents but took no action on the issue. Commissioner Cliff Sweeney suggested the Scott Road Farm as a possible location, which will be examined by town staff.
For more information on the town of Emmitsburg, visit www.emmitsburgmd.gov or call 301-600-6300.
Emmitsburg
by Mayor Briggs
Why is the return to school referred to as “back to school”? Why not “forward to school”? Added maturity, new experiences, new courses, athletics, and other after-school activities lie ahead, not “back.”
Thank you to the anonymous Emmitsburg giver for providing free pool passes to the children.
Emmitsburg Cares: See Something Say Something held its first meeting in August. It was a wonderful evening of joint prayer, talks by resident Elizabeth Buchman and Deputy Travis Rohrer, and comprehensive discussions, all for a very engaged audience. If you see anything suspicious, call non-emergency Sheriff at 301-600-1046 and leave information with the option of being anonymous. Visit emmitsburgcares@gmail.com or go to the Emmitsburg Cares Facebook page for more information.
Paul’s Pit Stop, closed since a fire last November, reopened on August 8. There was significant damage from the fire. All are thankful that the owner had the spirit and conviction to reopen.
Work began on the walkway along East Lincoln Avenue. The walkway connecting Creamery Road and South Seton Avenue was targeted to be open around the time that school starts. Kids going to and from our two schools will no longer have to compete with vehicular traffic. This is the eighth sidewalk connection made in the last four years. We are on our way to becoming a walkable community.
As you may have noticed, there has been a lot of biking activity in Emmitsburg. There have been eight hundred to a thousand bike riders through our town. First, for the Firefighters 50, Century Ride. Next, Bike MS, and then as a part of the nationally known Tour de Frederick. All funds raised were for charities, and the rides should bring back tourism to our town. Thank you, Commissioner Tim O’Donnell.
The Downtown Square revitalization is still on schedule to begin spring 2017. The square project will include replacing all the sidewalks on East and West Main Street.
Finally, the new Flat Run Bridge project is beginning to show signs of getting started. Town Planner Cipperly and I met briefly with the construction contractor, and construction components are starting to show up. Construction is projected to be completed by August 2018. We have been assured that there will be two-way traffic throughout the project.
Start exercising! There will be a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot.
Welcome State Farm Insurance and Emmitsburg Tattoo. Thank you for selecting Emmitsburg.
Hoping that everyone has a wonderful Labor Day.
Thurmont
Blue Toilets Appear in Thurmont Yards
The blue toilets around Thurmont is part of a fundraiser for the Civitan Club. The blue toilets will be placed in yards of Thurmont residents for 48 hours. The property owner has to pay to have it removed. The property owner can also pay to select who the next recipient of the toilet will be, pay for insurance so that it won’t find its way back to the property, and pay to have it removed early. All of the funds raised will go toward the new inclusive playground that the Civitan Club is building.
Planning and Zoning Commission Member Appointed
Victor Cranberry was recently appointed as an alternate member to the Thurmont Planning and Zoning Commission. He was the only applicant for the position, but he has experience by serving on the Thurmont Police Commission and the Frederick County Parks and Recreation Commission.
New Multi-purpose Field Contract Awarded
The Thurmont mayor and commissioners recently awarded the contract to build a new multi-purpose field next to the football field. Three companies attended the pre-bid meeting, but only one company submitted a bid. W. F. Deluater and Son submitted a bid for $168,481 for the field and $58,581 for 2,000 linear feet of fencing. The total project cost came in below the amount projected for the project. The field should be finished in the fall, which will allow it to be used next fall once the grass has been established.
For more information on the town of Thurmont, visit www.thurmont.com or call the town office at 301-271-7313.