Mayor, commissioner seats to be filled

This year's town election will be on September 29. Seats to be filled include that of the mayor, and the commissioner's seat presently held by Joe Ritz. Both seats are three-year terms. As of June 28th, no candidates have filed to run for re-election or election. However, the deadline for candidates to file is 4 p.m. on August 28.

Regarding potential candidates, Commissioner Clifford Sweeney told the News-Journal, "I would like to run for mayor, but only if Don is finished." Commissioner Ritz said, "I am considering running for my third term. However, I have not officially declared." Mayor Briggs, who has served as the town mayor since 2011, has not decided whether he will be running for re-election.

Voters must be registered to vote by August 28. If a town resident is already registered to vote in Frederick County at their current town address, they are automatically registered to vote in the town election. However, if the voter has moved or changed their name since the last election, they must update their voter registration with the current information.

PO to serve more street addresses

The Emmitsburg Post Office announced on June 4 that they will soon be expanding service to more in-town street addresses.

Postmaster Brittany McCusker-Strait said that: "The Postal Service is proud to serve Emmitsburg residents and is pleased to announce a return of curbside delivery at select addresses."

"A decision to add curbside delivery includes, in part, the ability to install mailboxes that allow safe and convenient delivery by carriers. More information about modes of delivery can be found in the Postal Operations Manual, section 631," Strait added.

Town Commissioner Joe Ritz mentioned at the town commissioners June meeting, that a change regarding mail delivery was in-the-works regarding local mail delivery, stating, "I did chat with the Emmitsburg Post Office postmaster. There are plans in place to provide more street delivery, alleviating the necessity of having PO boxes in town."

Economic development updated

Emmitsburg Commissioner Joseph Ritz, III, noted at the Town Council's June meeting that the town Planning Commission has approved the East Main Street site-plan for the Insurance Brokers of Maryland.

Ritz, who serves as the commissioners' liaison to the Planning Commission, said the plan was approved at the planners May meeting. Town Planner Zach Gulden also reported that the insurance company would be opening probably sometime in July.

Regarding the Rutter's project, to be located just east of Rt 15 on Taneytown Road, Gulden said the company is still awaiting reviews and permitting from the Maryland Department of the Environment, Frederick County.

The Rutter's project entails creating a 50-acre, commercial development, which will include retail stores and restaurants, in addition to the convenience store.

Regarding the new Dunkin' Donuts, to be situated on the Silo Hill Parkway, Gulden stated the company has chosen their contractor and "he's going to start putting up the required fence." The town planner also said a groundbreaking ceremony may or may not happen, depending on the state of the coronavirus epidemic at the time.

Additionally, concerning a proposed, as yet-unnamed, 80-room hotel, that has been proposed for Silo Hill Road (near the existing Sleep Inn), Gulden said he still has not heard anything from the developer, Pradeep Saini, for months.