(12/2015) On Tuesday, November 10th, the Borough Council met and approved the advertisement of the proposed 2016 Budget. This action made the proposed 2016 Budget available for residents review prior to its final adoption at the December 15th Council meeting. The 2016 Budget is the end-product of a three step review process over a three month period. The first review was performed by the Borough Manager when analyzing the Borough Department submissions. The second review was performed by the Finance Committee. The third review was performed by the Borough Council during their Budget Workshop.

At the November meeting, the public was given the opportunity to review the proposed budget. The tentative budget is based on a millage rate of 2.45 mills that is 24.5 cents on each one hundred dollars of assessed valuation which means there will be no Carroll Valley Borough tax increase for 2016. The Borough, County and Fire Taxes are remaining at the same level as last year. The distribution of the total tax paid approximately breaks down as follows: Carroll Valley is 15.02%, Fire Tax is 1.53% Adams County is 24.03% and Fairfield School District is 59.41%. The proposed budget can be reviewed at the Borough office or at www.carrollvalley.org for the online version.

It is unfortunate but please keep in mind that house break-ins spike during November through January, the holiday season. There is a lot of information on the internet on how to prevent this from happening. However, maybe the approach should be doing those things that reduce the risk of a burglary. Let’s review some facts: (1) Break-in occurs when no one is home; (2) Entry is by a basement/first level window/patio door; (3) Burglary occurs during the day because the criminal can use the daylight to determine whether someone is at home and/or able to look into the house to determine whether it is worth the gamble; and (4) the Burglar wants to be in and out in the shortest period of time, probably about 5-6 minutes.

If these are the facts, some things to consider: (1) Do those things to give the impression there is someone at home; (2) Landscape around your house in such a way to make it difficult for someone to gain entry into the house through basement/first level windows. One suggestion, place thorny rose bushes under windows which may make thieves think twice before going in that way. Also, trim bushes so no one can use them as a concealment cover when casing the house; (3) Do not leave valuables (laptops, tablets, etc.) in plain view of a window or patio door (use sheer curtains that let in light but block the view); and (4) Place your valuables in places that will take time to find. Remember, reduce the risk.

The Toys for Tots program is an annual toy drive sponsored by the United States Marine Corp. The goal of this program is to make sure every child has a present on Christmas morning. If you want to help to bring a smile to a child, please consider donating a new unwrapped toy. For more information or have any questions, please call Gayle Marthers at 717-752-0063. You also can go to the website: www.toysfortots.org. Thank those in our community for their support of the Toys for Tots Program.

The Snowflakes & Snowmen Dinner Dance will be held by the Carroll Valley Citizens Association (CVCA) on December 11th (Friday) from 6:30 pm until 11:00 pm. This special dinner dance event will be held in the new HIGHLAND LODGE at Liberty Mountain Resort. Cost will be $30 per person for the sumptuous buffet; a cash bar will be available; and the event will be held in "The Overlook Room" which faces west looking across the ongoing improved golf course and the beautiful adjacent South Mountains. CVCA has been given one of the first opportunities to enjoy this beautiful Resort addition to the community.

Hopefully, the Dinner Dance attendees will be given a tour of the newly built convention facility; which is quite a big addition to the golf & ski complex as known in the past years. Check on details about this Dinner Dance in posters around town; calls and invitations received from friends and neighbors; and for the techie people on web pages, in Facebook postings, and in emails. You really do not want to miss this chance to enjoy an evening of fun with friends or the preview of the new building. Contact Marie (642-8343) or Mary (642-6654) for tickets and/or more information. Tickets are also available at Jesters Computers, Mountain View Realty Office and the Borough Office.

This Dinner Dance will also provide an opportunity to join the revitalized CVCA group and pay your dues, volunteer to help with other events and programs, and share your ideas to enhance and enrich life in our beautiful Valley Home Area. Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, December 12th from 8 am to 11 am. I have been told by an air traffic controller that Santa plans to arrive at 9 am. If you plan to attend and bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots program, you will eat for free. As always, there will be lots of fun for the kids.

Borough meetings December are: Planning Commission (Dec 7th), Public Safety Committee (Dec 14th), Borough Council (Dec 15th), and Parks/Recreation Committee (Dec 16th). The Borough Office will be closed on Dec 24th and Dec 25th.

If you have any questions call me at 301-606-2021 or email at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net. Happy Holidays and I wish you and your family good health and happiness topped with loads of good fortune in 2016. Happy New Year!