Town Hall Report
by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Changes to Municipal Parking Lot Plan Economic Development Manager Vickie Grinder provided updates on some issues that had arisen with the plan to make improvements to the municipal parking lot. The engineer working on the original plan left out stormwater management from the plan, which will add $75,000-$100,000 to the…
From the Mayor
ThurmontMayor John Kinnaird I just returned from the Maryland Municipal League (MML) Conference in Ocean City. The MML offers municipal leaders and staff members dozens of courses and seminars on topics of interest to our communities. I attended seminars on Policing-Immigration-Community Trust, De-Escalation of Confrontational Situations, Stretching Revenues, 2026 Legislative Recap, 2026 Federal Briefing, Maryland…
Emmitsburg New Business and Development Briefs
The following are the statuses of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report: Christ Community Church (Creamery Road) — Awaiting the submission of updated improvement plans. The developer is also going to submit an updated grading plan for the Emmitsburg Planning Commission to review. Emmit Ridge — The developer is…
Emmitsburg Holds Community Garden Party and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
A Community Garden Party and Ribbon Cutting was held at the Emmitsburg Community Garden on Saturday, May 30, at 9:00 a.m. The event celebrated the second round of improvements to the garden. Light refreshments were provided. The Green Team hosted a seed-planting activity. The project was funded by a $13,000 Sustainable Maryland grant. The grant…
From the Mayor
ThurmontMayor John Kinnaird I was in the medical lab one day last week getting my monthly bloodwork. I need to go regularly to make sure the chemotherapy drugs I am taking don’t damage my kidneys. While I was there, I heard a technician ask another patient about their bad sunburn. The patient said that they…
Town Hall Report
by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Thurmont Approves FY2027 Budget The Thurmont Mayor and Board of Commissioners approved the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The budget includes a $6 million general fund, a $12.2 million electric fund budget, a $2 million sewer fund budget, and a $1.2 million water fund budget. The town’s tax rate will remain…
Town Hall Report
by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Sidewalk Work Ongoing The Town of Thurmont began a comprehensive sidewalk replacement project on April 14. The project, funded by a Community Development Block Grant and Maryland Highway User Revenues, will remove and replace the sidewalks on Lombard Street, Walnut Street, and Carroll Street. While the work is underway, parking…
From the Mayor
ThurmontMayor John Kinnaird This year, the United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary. I expect that there will be lots of opportunities to celebrate this milestone accomplishment! Interestingly, here in Thurmont, we are also celebrating a special anniversary. This year will be the 275th anniversary of the founding of our community by settlers from Pennsylvania.…
A Stitch in Time: Sew n’ Place Makes a Home in Emmitsburg
Emmitsburg’s newest business is bringing excitement for local quilters and crafters alike. Sew n’ Place, which opened in March at 101 Silo Hill Road (near Jubilee Foods), offers sewing machine sales and repair, along with a wide selection of fabric, thread, and accessories for sewing enthusiasts. The shop is owned by Michael and Hether Sneeringer,…
Town Hall Report
by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Emmitsburg Road Flood Mitigation Project On Hold Unless a significant grant can be found to help pay for the Emmitsburg Road Flood Mitigation Project, it has been tabled. The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners discussed the project during a recent town meeting. The project has been planned, and the needed property…
From the Mayor
ThurmontMayor John Kinnaird After record-breaking cold temperatures, snow that wouldn’t melt, and crazy storms, we are hopefully in store for some nice spring weather. Currently, the Maryland State Highway Administration is working to repave Emmitsburg Road from North Church Street to just past Eyler Road. Be careful when driving in the area, and watch for…
Mother Seton Student Raises Fund for the Thurmont Food Bank
Emma Barber, a student at Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg, created a lemonade stand to raise funds for the Thurmont Food Bank. Her grandmother lives near the food bank, and they noticed the long lines of people seeking food. Emma decided to help, and her hard work brought in $50.00 to be used to purchase…
Town Hall Report
by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Charter Review Committee Established The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners passed a resolution to establish a charter review committee, which will review the current town charter and make recommendations to the mayor and commissioners of suggested changes by September 1, 2027. The mayor and commissioners also approved the following residents to…
From the Mayor
ThurmontMayor John Kinnaird Thurmont will be celebrating its 275th Anniversary this year, having first been settled in 1751 by families of Pennsylvania-German descent. The settlement grew into a successful community of small businesses dependent on Hunting Creek to power mills and machinery. The town was initially known as Mechanicstown due to the number of manufacturers.…
Town Hall Reports
by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Rezoning Hearing Held The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners recently held a public hearing about a rezoning request from property owners of 13 properties in town, and some that town staff identified that needed to be compatible with their zoning. Town Planner Kelly Duty reviewed the properties with the Thurmont Mayor…
From the Mayor
ThurmontMayor John Kinnaird As I write this article, we are in the beginning stages of our first major snowstorm of the year, and probably our biggest storm in several years. It looks like we may be headed into an exceptionally cold and snowy winter. There are steps we should all take when faced with this…
Town Hall Report
by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Impact Fees May Be Raised The Town of Thurmont is considering raising its impact fees paid for new construction in town by 2.81 percent. They are paid for water, wastewater, roads, and parks. The fees currently total $23,320. If the increase is approved, the fees will total $23,965. The commissioners…
From the Mayor
THURMONT Mayor John Kinnaird Karen and I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas with family and friends, and that the New Year brings good health and happiness. The New Year is traditionally a time when we make resolutions about changing things in our lives, like losing weight, spending more time with our family,…
Emmitsburg New Business and Development Briefs
The following are the statuses of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report: Federal Stone (Creamery Road, east side of U.S. 15) — As-builts for water, sewer, lighting, and landscaping were received and are being reviewed. The town engineer inspected the property on December 2, 2025. Creamery Court Extension (Creamery…
Town Hall Reports
Thurmont Swearing In and New Liaison Assignments The winners of the Thurmont town election were sworn in during a recent town meeting, bringing a new face to the Thurmont Board of Commissioners. Incumbent Mayor John Kinnaird, incumbent Commissioner Wayne Hooper, and new Commissioner Chris Stouter were officially sworn in on November 1 and ceremonially sworn…
