Firewood access policy accepted

A firewood access policy that will allow residents in the 21727 area code to obtain firewood from the town’s watershed area was approved unanimously by town officials during the September 3 town meeting.

The area in which residents may acquire downed trees and plant material borders Hampton Valley Road. Only downed trees and plant material may be harvested, no live trees may be cut down. All interested residents must obtain a permit, at no cost, from the town office, and only one permit will be granted for every household. Every member granted a permit must carry a copy of the permit on his or her person while collecting firewood and must display a copy on the dashboard of their vehicle.

Collection dates will be from June 1 – August 31, and permits must be renewed each year. Anyone who chooses to utilize this policy must remove materials by hand or with a non-motorized cart or wheelbarrow. No off road equipment or vehicles will be permitted.

The enactment of this policy is twofold: it keeps the forest healthy but will also allow residents in town who heat their homes exclusively with wood to have access to firewood at no cost.

The policy will be re-evaluated in one year.

2019 - best year yet for community pool

Town staff presented the Board of Commissioners with the stats for this summer’s turnout at the community pool. Attendance was up from last year’s pool season as the town saw an increase of people from out of town utilizing the pool. Residents from Fairfield, Gettysburg, Taneytown and even Frederick travelled to Emmitsburg to use the new pool.

In 2018, 8,404 people attended the pool over 86 days. This year, 9,911 people attended over the span of 88 days. Funds increased from $21,000 in 2018 to $28,000 this year. This was also the first year that the pool’s concession stand was open. Commissioner Cliff Sweeney, who ran the stand for a majority of this season, explained that the concession stand was open for a total of 35 days for three to four hour periods. The stand made approximately $2,700 this year; approximately $75 per day. All the money generated will go toward the town’s Community Heritage Day. Sweeney noted that the Lion’s Club is seeking volunteers to run the concession stand next year.