Town Hall Report
by James Rada, Jr.
Emmitsburg
$1.87 Million Budget Presented
The Emmitsburg Commissioners will consider approving a $1,870,067 general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2021 during their June meeting. This is 3.1 percent or about $60,000 less than the FY 2019 budget, which is the last one that the town has audited figures for. The audited budget was used because town staff has no idea what impact COVID-19 will have on revenues.
“There’s not a lot of frills,” Town Manager Cathy Willets told the commissioners. “There’s not a lot of extra spending in the budget due to decreasing revenues we expect.”
Town staff also consulted with the Maryland Municipal League and Frederick County Executive’s office to get an idea of how much revenue will be affected.
Highway User Funds and income taxes may be the hardest hit revenues. They are projected to decrease 12 percent. Grant funding and county equity revenues are also expected to drop.
Willets called the expected decrease in real estate taxes the “big unknown.” This could be because the layoffs from COVID-19 are expected to cause larger-than-normal numbers of delinquent payments and foreclosures on property.
The budget uses the FY 2019 figure as a basis for estimated real estate taxes, and the town’s property tax rate will remain unchanged at 36 cents per $100 of assessed value.
Mayor Don Briggs said the budget funded the basics and the essential services the town needs to provide. It also funds step increases and a 2 percent cost-of-living raise for town employees.
Town Parks Are Open
Town parks in Emmitsburg reopened on May 7, based on a new executive order from Gov. Larry Hogan. Please remember to continue social distancing and washing your hands.
Town Offices Remain Closed to the Public
Although the town of Emmitsburg is expecting to resume normal operating hours sometime early in June, the town offices currently remain closed to the public. Staff is available by phone at 301-600-6300 or by email, Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The office is closed on Fridays. You can check http://bit.ly/eburgcovid19 for updates to the town’s response to COVID-19.
Water/Sewer/Trash Bill Due Date Pushed Back
The first quarter water/sewer/trash bills were mailed to Emmitsburg residents last month. They have a new due date of June 24. Although the mailing of the bills was delayed, the billing period still remains January through March. If you have a problem paying the bill because of the health crisis, contact the town office for payment options.
To get back on schedule, the second quarter water/sewer/trash bills will be mailed June 30 with an August 5 due date.
Community Pool Delayed Opening
Because of COVID-19, the opening of the Emmitsburg Community Pool for the season has been delayed. It was supposed to open Memorial Day Weekend. While this didn’t happen, a new opening date has not been scheduled. It is expected to open in mid-June. This is because the company managing the pool for the town will need that amount of time to get workers hired once Gov. Larry Hogan relaxes restrictions and pools can reopen.
Committee Appointments Made
The Emmitsburg Commissioners reappointed Ronald Lind to the Board of Appeals for a three-year term that ends February 17, 2023. They also reappointed Wayne Slaughter as an alternate member of the Board of Appeals for a term that ends April 15, 2023.
The commissioners unanimously appointed Tim Clarke to the Ethics Commission beginning May 4, 2020.
Community Pool Free on Heritage Day
Although the Emmitsburg Community Pool will open late this year because of COVID-19, Emmitsburg Heritage Day is still planned for June 27. The pool will be open by then, and the admission fee will be waived.
Brown Water Problem Fixed
It appears the problem with brown water at certain Emmitsburg homes has been fixed. Emmitsburg Town Manager Cathy Willets told the commissioners that since the town undertook its mitigation efforts earlier this year, the town office has received only one complaint of brown water. In that instance, the water cleared up after running for a short time.
Small Businesses Can Apply for a Micro-Grant from Emmitsburg
The Emmitsburg Commissioners approved the creation of a micro-grant to support existing businesses within Emmitsburg town limits and with fewer than 15 employees. The grant is funded with $30,000. The town staff will award a one-time grant with no repayment due to those who have been impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions placed on businesses and who meet the criteria. Based upon the number of applications received, the $30,000 will be distributed evenly to all eligible businesses that meet the criteria, not to exceed $1,000. Nonprofits, churches, banks/financial institutions, investment, real-estate entities, chains/franchisees, and government agencies are not eligible to apply. You can find more information and the grant application at www.emmitsburgmd.gov.
Thurmont
Thurmont 5th Safest City in Maryland
Thurmont has once again made Safewise’s list of the safest Maryland cities. Safewise looks at the most-recent FBI Crime Report statistics and population of cities with more than 3,000 residents. They look at violent crime and property crime that occurs per 1,000 residents.
Although Thurmont’s statistics have improved over last year, it fell from number 3 to number 5 on the list. According to Safewise, Thurmont’s violent crime rate is the same as 2019, although higher than 2018. The property crime rate is 5.8, which is nearly half of what it was in 2018.
The top 10 safest cities in Maryland are: (1) Taneytown, (2) Ocean Pines, (3) Hampstead, (4) Mount Airy, (5) Thurmont, (6) Centreville, (7) Glenarden, (8) District Heights, (9) Bowie, and (10) Brunswick.
Yard Waste Drop-Off Has Been Canceled Until Further Notice
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the monthly yard waste drop-off has been canceled until further notice. Once restrictions have been lifted, the town will re-evaluate when the program can begin again. Updates will be posted on the town website.
Thurmont’s MS4 Requirements
The MS4 Program is a government-mandated program to effectively prohibit pollutants in stormwater discharges. If residents observe situations such as discolored water flowing from an outfall pipe or anything being dumped into a storm drain illegally, they should report this to the town immediately.
To view Thurmont’s MS4 permit or report any stormwater issues, go to www.Thurmont.com and click on “Town of Thurmont MS4 Information.”
Small Businesses Can Apply for a Micro-Grant from Thurmont
The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners approved the creation of a micro-grant to support existing businesses within Thurmont town limits and with fewer than 15 employees. The grant is funded with $30,000. The town staff will award a one-time grant with no repayment due to those who have been impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions placed on businesses and meet the criteria. Based upon the number of applications received, the $30,000 will be distributed evenly to all eligible businesses that meet the criteria, not to exceed $1,000. The town will mail applications to eligible businesses, but if you feel your business is eligible, contact the town office.
Parks and Recreation Commission Restarted
The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners restarted the Thurmont Parks and Recreation Commission and appointed the members of the commission. The new members are: Horace “Jim” Robbins, Chris Banks, Ross Lillard, Amie McDaniels, and Carl Weber. All the members were unanimously approved.
$4.3 Million Budget Approved
The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners approved a $4,297,999 general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2021. The budget accounts for expected revenue losses, but it acknowledges that the commissioners may have to revisit the budget later in the year. Mayor John Kinnaird recommended that should this happen, the town should limit capital fund expenditures.
“When we see reductions in income streams and revenue sources that we address it at that time because unfortunately, we don’t have a crystal ball,” Kinnaird said.
The budget does allow for an excess of $267,135 of revenues over expenditures. This excess could help offset some revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19.
The commissioners also voted to maintain the property tax rate at 29.92 cents per $100 of assessed value, which is slightly above the constant yield rate for Fiscal Year 2021.
Town staff also consulted with the Maryland Municipal League and Frederick County Executive’s office to get an idea of how much revenue will be affected.
