Emmitsburg news-briefs

Danielle Ryan

(11/24) VHC orders new ambulance

The Vigilant Hose Company (VHC) in partnership with the Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company (EVAC) is excited to be progressing with the merger of the two emergency service organizations. Recently, with the support of EVAC, the VHC signed a contract to purchase a brand new 2018 F-550 Road Rescue Ultramedic Ambulance.

This unit, to be designated as Ambulance 69, will feature several state of the art items including; 100% wood-free construction, all-aluminum interior, Road Rescue CoolBar HVAC, full customized exterior and interior layouts for customer specific needs, interior and exterior camera monitoring, LED warning and ground lighting in the lower crash rail as well as many other features.

The men and women of the VHC are excited to see the progress of A69's build and expect the ambulance to be delivered Spring 2018.

Another town business closes

Emmitsburg has just recently lost two business, Tahiti Sun, which was located at the Silo Hill shopping plaza, and Antiques Folly, which was located on the square next to PNC Bank.

The closure of Tahiti Sun makes Salon Soleil, located in Thurmont, the only exclusively tanning, tanning salon in northern Frederick County. Salon Soleil owner, Cindy Waynant, now offers spray tans, in addition to the normal tanning beds and is open seven days a week.

Council endorses new bike trails

During the November 6 Emmitsburg Town meeting, the Board of Commissioners President, Tim O’Donnell, presented the Board with some information regarding the possibility of a new bike trail in the area.

During the Frederick County Planning Commission Bicycling and Pedestrian Comprehensive Plan meeting, the project consisting of a new biking trail connecting Emmitsburg to Frederick city and the C & O Canal on the Gettysburg side, was discussed. The Commission already supports the Emmitsburg town and Mount St. Mary’s University connection bike trail, which is currently experiencing a snag in funding, and sees potential for an additional trail linking Emmitsburg to its surrounding areas.

The new trail connection was voted upon this past spring by the Maryland State Highway Department of Natural Resources as a priority item and actually received the number one priority slot. Linking Emmitsburg to Gettysburg and Frederick city, as O’Donnell stated, could have many benefits. It could promote tourism, promote a healthy lifestyle choice and could be economically beneficial for Emmitsburg.

O’Donnell is in the process of putting a letter together asking that the connection be mentioned between Emmitsburg, Frederick city and the canal. The more Emmitsburg "promotes" the idea, hopefully the better the chances that the project be seen as a higher priority, especially since the new trail would align with town-university connection. Fellow Commissioners agreed that this could be a great project for the town, if it comes to fruition, and agreed to endorse it. O’Donnell will bring additional information to the Board during the December 5 meeting.