Town Hall Reports

by James Rada, Jr. Emmitsburg May 2015 Emmitsburg 2016 Budget will be Mostly Unchanged The Emmitsburg town accountant Cole Tabler told the Emmitsburg mayor and commissioners that the fiscal year 2016 budget “is really only slightly different from this year.” The difference, he said, comes primarily from a reduction in some state funding. The general fund for the current year was $1,702,792, and the projected general fund budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, is $1,627,709. The commissioners are reviewing the budget and can still make changes before they approve it. Free Pool Time The commissioners approved allowing free access to the Emmitsburg pool on Heritage Day, June 27. In addition, the commissioners are working on a plan that will give a free one-day pool pass to students at Emmitsburg Elementary and Mother Seton School who sign a pledge to wear a helmet while riding a scooter, bicycle, or skateboard. The town will also be hosting community pool parties on July 10, July 24, and August 7. Emmitsburg is Solar Powered As of May 13, 2015, the Emmitsburg Twitter feed announced that the Emmitsburg Town Government is 94 percent reliant on renewable solar energy. The town has also started work on the $2.2 million dollar Phase II of its solar project. On a related note, with the town’s switch to LED lights in the street lights, there has been a 40 percent decrease in energy costs for the lights. For more information about the Town of Emmitsburg, log onto www.emmitsburgmd.gov or call 301-600-6300.

Thurmont

May 2015

Thurmont Needs Ideas for Christmas Decorations

It may seem early to be thinking about it, but with the new streetlights that have been installed in downtown Thurmont, the town is going to have to purchase new Christmas decorations to fit them. During a recent meeting, Commissioner Wes Hamrick said the town could use ideas for what the new decorations should be.

Working on the Budget

The Thurmont mayor and commissioners have been working on how to best allocate next fiscal year’s revenues to create a town budget. The town is expecting roughly $3.5 million in revenue in the general operating fund. This does not include enterprise fund revenues (water and sewer, electric). Revenue to those funds are treated separately, because they must be used within the funds. The new budget, once approved by the commissioners, will take effect on July 1, 2015.

Business Expo Donates to Thurmont Food Bank

Heather Dewees and Rob Renner gave the final report on the 11th Annual Thurmont Business Expo, held at Catoctin High School on April 2, 2015. Dewees and Renner decided to continue the event after Thurmont Main Street—the usual organizers of the event—had decided not to hold the expo this year and cancelled it. Renner told the commissioners that forty-two businesses and ten non-profit organizations participated in the event. “Even holding it on Thursday, we felt we had a pretty good turnout,” said Renner. After expenses, the Thurmont Business Expo was able to donate $1,145 to the Thurmont Food Bank. Pastor Sally Joyner Giffin accepted the check on behalf of the food bank. “Thank you to all of the businesses,” she said. View the Town of Thurmont’s website at www.thurmont.com or call the town office at 301-271-7313 for more information.