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Page 4 October 2015 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
Thurmont and Emmitsburg by James Rada, Jr.
Town Hall Reports
Emmitsburg High Schools May Be Able to Serve project, so they were able to use
September 2015 on Parks and Recreation Committee the money for a similar project.
Commissioner Jennifer Mellor The town had solicited bids for the
new project, and Frederick County
Doughboy Repairs Out for Bid gave the Emmitsburg Mayor and Paving was the low bid and has done
Commissioners an update on a recent
The Emmitsburg Mayor and meeting of the Parks and Recreation previous satisfactory work for the
Board of Commissioners expect Committee. One of the topics of town. The company will be paving
to see bids for what it would cost discussion was about the town’s open approximately 800 feet of trail that is
to restore the Doughboy statue to field and who is allowed to use it, currently gravel.
its pedestal and repair any damage and whether high school students Can Thurmont Get More Tax
caused from an accident on June 17. could participate on the committee Equity Funds?
A car struck the statue’s pedestal, and give their input.
causing some damage. The statue Mellor said she saw nothing in the The Thurmont Mayor and
has been at that same location since committee’s mission that precluded Board of Commissioners discussed
1927, and residents would like to see high school student participation; the Frederick County Tax Equity
it once again mounted on a repaired the commissioners and Town Program that returns tax dollars
pedestal, looking down Main Street. Manager Dave Haller agreed. that provide duplicate services. Since
Because the statue is considered “That’s healthy. That’s absolutely the county doesn’t have to provide
a historic artifact in Emmitsburg’s what we want,” Commission a service to a municipality, such
historic district, the State of President Tim O’Donnell said. as police enforcement, the county
Maryland must also approve any returns a portion of tax dollars to the
changes. Comprehensive Plan Review municipality that is supposed to be
Mayor Don Briggs pointed out The Emmitsburg Mayor and representative of the portion of the
during a recent town meeting that Commissioners will hold a public county tax bill that residents would
the town has been doing everything hearing about the 2015 Emmitsburg need to pay to have county sheriff’s
that it can do, such as getting a state- Comprehensive Plan on October 5 office deputies patrolling the town.
approved conservator’s report that at 7:30 p.m. in the meeting room in This is a somewhat contentious
cost the town $1,500 and putting the the town offices at 300A South Seton issue between municipalities and
repair out for bid. Avenue, which can be reviewed online the county; the municipalities seek
“We’re doing what we’re at www.emmitsburgmd.gov or in to increase their tax equity amount,
permitted to do, but it’s not our person at the town office. The hearing and the county seeks to minimize
schedule,” Briggs said. will also include the rezoning of Parcels how much it needs to return to
Briggs said that he had submitted 300/1884, 300/1886, 300-1887, and the municipalities. The county
an article to another local newspaper, 300-1888 from R-1 Residential to has proposed having an annual
which the newspaper chose not to B-1 Neighborhood Commercial, as discussion of the tax equity formula
print. It outlined everything that recommended in the plan. and opening it up for adjustments.
the town had been doing to get the For Fiscal Year 2016, it is proposed
Doughboy statue repaired. The Parks and Recreation Committee that Thurmont receives $249,000
statue’s location will not be moved, Members Appointed for highways; $545,714 for police;
which was a decision made in early The Emmitsburg Board of $54,124 for parks and recreation; and
July. The cost of repairs should Commissioners appointed seven nothing for planning and zoning.
be paid by the driver’s insurance members to the Parks and Recreation Two areas that the commissioners
company, and the town is pursuing Committee on September 21: Dwight would like to see added to the
that option. Baumgardner, David Maze, Shannon formula would be senior centers
The commissioners are expecting and volunteer fire services. Both of
to see bids by the second town Cool, Cynthia Canadas, Matt Myers, these items tend to be paid by the
Jen Myers, and T.J. Burns.
meeting in October. At that time, they county in other municipalities, so it
will see how much the restoration For more information about the would benefit Thurmont if it could
and repair will cost. They may begin be reimbursed some of the costs for
discussion on how to fund the repairs Town of Emmitsburg, log onto www. those items.
and the timeline for repairs. emmitsburgmd.gov or call 301-600-
There will be an add-on to 6300. Hazardous Waste Drop Off
the bids for replacing rather than Frederick County will sponsor
repairing the plaque with Veterans’ a hazardous waste drop-off on
names on it. If the commissioners October 17, from 8:00 a.m.-noon,
chose to replace the plaque, they Thurmont at the Public Safety Training Facility,
would be able to integrate the names September 2015 located at 8349 Reichs Ford Road in
of the African-American Veterans Frederick. The event will be held rain
with the white ones. The names are or shine. Although there is no cost
currently segregated. Additional Community Park Paving for county residents, only residential
“I have to give that option to you Approved hazardous waste will be accepted. A
all to vote on,” stated Town Manager The Thurmont Mayor and Board list of acceptable items can be found
Dave Haller. of Commissioners voted to spend at www.thurmont.com or at the
However, when asked, Haller $14,750 to pave part of Community Thurmont Town Office.
noted that the damage to the plaque Park. However, the net cost of the
is minimal. project to the town will be $6,185. View the Town of Thurmont’s
“You can hardly tell it really... If The town had $8,565 left over in website at www.thurmont.com or
somebody didn’t tell you, you would Program Open Space funds from a call the town office at 301-271-7313
think it was normal wear,” Haller said. previous Community Park paving for more information.
Thurmont and Emmitsburg by James Rada, Jr.
Town Hall Reports
Emmitsburg High Schools May Be Able to Serve project, so they were able to use
September 2015 on Parks and Recreation Committee the money for a similar project.
Commissioner Jennifer Mellor The town had solicited bids for the
new project, and Frederick County
Doughboy Repairs Out for Bid gave the Emmitsburg Mayor and Paving was the low bid and has done
Commissioners an update on a recent
The Emmitsburg Mayor and meeting of the Parks and Recreation previous satisfactory work for the
Board of Commissioners expect Committee. One of the topics of town. The company will be paving
to see bids for what it would cost discussion was about the town’s open approximately 800 feet of trail that is
to restore the Doughboy statue to field and who is allowed to use it, currently gravel.
its pedestal and repair any damage and whether high school students Can Thurmont Get More Tax
caused from an accident on June 17. could participate on the committee Equity Funds?
A car struck the statue’s pedestal, and give their input.
causing some damage. The statue Mellor said she saw nothing in the The Thurmont Mayor and
has been at that same location since committee’s mission that precluded Board of Commissioners discussed
1927, and residents would like to see high school student participation; the Frederick County Tax Equity
it once again mounted on a repaired the commissioners and Town Program that returns tax dollars
pedestal, looking down Main Street. Manager Dave Haller agreed. that provide duplicate services. Since
Because the statue is considered “That’s healthy. That’s absolutely the county doesn’t have to provide
a historic artifact in Emmitsburg’s what we want,” Commission a service to a municipality, such
historic district, the State of President Tim O’Donnell said. as police enforcement, the county
Maryland must also approve any returns a portion of tax dollars to the
changes. Comprehensive Plan Review municipality that is supposed to be
Mayor Don Briggs pointed out The Emmitsburg Mayor and representative of the portion of the
during a recent town meeting that Commissioners will hold a public county tax bill that residents would
the town has been doing everything hearing about the 2015 Emmitsburg need to pay to have county sheriff’s
that it can do, such as getting a state- Comprehensive Plan on October 5 office deputies patrolling the town.
approved conservator’s report that at 7:30 p.m. in the meeting room in This is a somewhat contentious
cost the town $1,500 and putting the the town offices at 300A South Seton issue between municipalities and
repair out for bid. Avenue, which can be reviewed online the county; the municipalities seek
“We’re doing what we’re at www.emmitsburgmd.gov or in to increase their tax equity amount,
permitted to do, but it’s not our person at the town office. The hearing and the county seeks to minimize
schedule,” Briggs said. will also include the rezoning of Parcels how much it needs to return to
Briggs said that he had submitted 300/1884, 300/1886, 300-1887, and the municipalities. The county
an article to another local newspaper, 300-1888 from R-1 Residential to has proposed having an annual
which the newspaper chose not to B-1 Neighborhood Commercial, as discussion of the tax equity formula
print. It outlined everything that recommended in the plan. and opening it up for adjustments.
the town had been doing to get the For Fiscal Year 2016, it is proposed
Doughboy statue repaired. The Parks and Recreation Committee that Thurmont receives $249,000
statue’s location will not be moved, Members Appointed for highways; $545,714 for police;
which was a decision made in early The Emmitsburg Board of $54,124 for parks and recreation; and
July. The cost of repairs should Commissioners appointed seven nothing for planning and zoning.
be paid by the driver’s insurance members to the Parks and Recreation Two areas that the commissioners
company, and the town is pursuing Committee on September 21: Dwight would like to see added to the
that option. Baumgardner, David Maze, Shannon formula would be senior centers
The commissioners are expecting and volunteer fire services. Both of
to see bids by the second town Cool, Cynthia Canadas, Matt Myers, these items tend to be paid by the
Jen Myers, and T.J. Burns.
meeting in October. At that time, they county in other municipalities, so it
will see how much the restoration For more information about the would benefit Thurmont if it could
and repair will cost. They may begin be reimbursed some of the costs for
discussion on how to fund the repairs Town of Emmitsburg, log onto www. those items.
and the timeline for repairs. emmitsburgmd.gov or call 301-600-
There will be an add-on to 6300. Hazardous Waste Drop Off
the bids for replacing rather than Frederick County will sponsor
repairing the plaque with Veterans’ a hazardous waste drop-off on
names on it. If the commissioners October 17, from 8:00 a.m.-noon,
chose to replace the plaque, they Thurmont at the Public Safety Training Facility,
would be able to integrate the names September 2015 located at 8349 Reichs Ford Road in
of the African-American Veterans Frederick. The event will be held rain
with the white ones. The names are or shine. Although there is no cost
currently segregated. Additional Community Park Paving for county residents, only residential
“I have to give that option to you Approved hazardous waste will be accepted. A
all to vote on,” stated Town Manager The Thurmont Mayor and Board list of acceptable items can be found
Dave Haller. of Commissioners voted to spend at www.thurmont.com or at the
However, when asked, Haller $14,750 to pave part of Community Thurmont Town Office.
noted that the damage to the plaque Park. However, the net cost of the
is minimal. project to the town will be $6,185. View the Town of Thurmont’s
“You can hardly tell it really... If The town had $8,565 left over in website at www.thurmont.com or
somebody didn’t tell you, you would Program Open Space funds from a call the town office at 301-271-7313
think it was normal wear,” Haller said. previous Community Park paving for more information.
