(5/1) License Plate Readers Approved

At its April meeting, the Town Council approved the purchase and installation of three advanced license plate readers on East Main street, West Main Street, and South Seton Avenue.

The license plate readers have cameras connected to the state system and will be able to flag wanted vehicles and immediately notify state authorities of their presence in Emmitsburg. The camera are not speed enforcement cameras.

Purchase and installation of advanced license plate readers was awarded to Applied Technology Services of Middle River for $42,140.

Full funding was acquired with minimal assistance thanks to the tireless efforts of grant writer and former town clerk Madeleine Shaw.

Applied Technology Services was the only bidder with a software system compatible with the state police system at this time, Shaw said.

The tag reader system connects to law enforcement statewide, its transmissions are encrypted, and personal identifiable information is not transferred, according to Sergeant Keith Johnson with the Maryland State Police and the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center.

"We take the security of the data seriously," he said.

The Town of Boonsboro has had a lot of success utilizing tag readers to solve crime and benefit law enforcement and Emmitsburg was encouraged to follow, Town Manager Willets said.

"The ability to share that data as part of the statewide system is impactful," Johnson said. "The readers are very reliable equipment and have a high life expectancy."

Because of the South Seton Street tag reader’s close proximity to a school zone, there is a possibility for the speed enforcement cameras to be utilized there in the future, Town Manager Cathy Willets said.

"This is a starting point, obviously we can add on as we go," she said.

Commissioner Joe Ritz voted against the tag reader, noting even if it was just a starting point the town needed a "bigger package" that included speed enforcement cameras in the areas as well.

Sewer Easement Abandoned

The Town Council approved the abandonment of an easement located at the Emmitsburg East Industrial Park II property.

The L-shaped 20-foot-wide sanitary sewer line easement goes 12-feet from the cul-de-sac to the wastewater treatment plant property, according to Town Planner Zach Gulden.

When the new sewer plant was constructed, the easement was abandoned and is no longer necessary.

Federal Stone has since purchased the property and are asking the town to abandon the sewer line easement.

As the easement was never used, there is nothing to dig up and a declaration of abandonment will be issued.

Low-Income Water Needs Met

Emmitsburg residents will not lose water thanks to Emmitsburg participation in the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program.

The program is a new federally funded program that provides benefits for water and wastewater costs for low in-come households, Willets said. Funding for the program is provided by the state through the American Rescue Plan and developed in response to COVID-19. The program is currently only funded through December 2023

The program will initially focus on immediate restoration of water and wastewater services and the payment of arrearages to prevent disconnection of service.

Applicants must submit a current water or wastewater bill showing a past due of at least $100 and the total household income may not exceed $52,000.

Residents in danger of having or have had their water shut off, can apply to the Department of Social Services for a grant to pay their bill directly to the town. "It is at no cost to the town and is a benefit to anybody that is struggling with paying their water and or sewer bill," Willets said.

Applications can be submitted with or without an energy assistance application through the office of home energy programs.

Benefits are first come first serve basis and renters are also eligible if they are responsible for paying the water portion of their bill.

More information can be found at the town’s website and in upcoming newsletters.

Child abuse prevention month declared

With blue pinwheels displayed to symbolize a happy, healthy childhood, the Town Council welcomed Christian Dunn with the Frederick County Department of Social Services and her canine sidekick Labrador retriever Eris as April was deemed for the children.

Dunn works as a child forensic interviewer stationed at the Child Advocacy Center, an agency that provides multi-disciplinary team response to allegations and investigations of child maltreatment.

The advocacy center works together with many partners including law enforcement, state's attorney office, and the department of social services.

Eris accompanied over 100 children in 2021 to keep them calm during forensic interviews, Dunn said.

In 2021, the advocacy center served 284 children and Dunn was grateful to have the Emmitsburg community’s crucial support.

"I think it’s important to point out, that is a fraction of the child maltreatment investigations that are handled throughout Frederick County," she said.