(10/2019) Good News! A number of Carroll Valley citizens volunteered and have been appointed by Council to serve on the Planning Commission and the Tree Board. Congratulations to Frank Henry, Sara Laird, and Thomas Schubring on their appointment to the Planning Commission. Congratulations is also extended to Emily Faalasli who joined the Tree Board. One of the most common distinctive traits of these individuals was their desire to better the quality of life for those living in Carroll Valley.

On Wednesday, September 18th, the Planning Commission held an "Open House" in the borough conference room to unveil for the first time the new, proposed zoning plan for Carroll Valley. As background, it has been 43 years since the Borough’s Zoning Regulations have been adopted, without any significant changes.

It is Planning Commission’s intention that this proposed change will provide a code that is much more user friendly and meets the current and future needs of the Borough and its residents. Specifically, the goal of the rewrite is to accomplish the following: (1) Protect individual property owners from harmful or undesirable uses of adjacent properties; (2) Correct inconsistencies through out the code from previous revisions; (3) Assist economic growth by helping reserve adequate and desirable sites for commercial uses; and finally, (4) Provide an orderly and systematic transition in land use that benefit all property owners.

This rewrite was not accomplished over-night. It has taken the Planning Commission over two and one-half years (monthly meetings) before the commission members determined the proposed code was ready to be presented to, reviewed and commented by the residents. The "Open House" is the first step in the process to gather public comments. For further information, visit the Carroll Valley website at carrollvalley.org and on the home page, scroll down to the Meeting/Events Calendar, then click here to continue the script about the New Proposed Zoning Update.

It is October. The leaves will start to change into brilliant colors – a last "hoorah" before they fall. The farmers in the area will finish harvesting their crops. The birds will migrate south. We celebrate Columbus’ arrival in America on Oct 12, 1492 and celebrate this event on Monday, October 14th. And then, on October 31st children and adults will dress up in "strange looking" costumes to celebrate Halloween and go around the community proclaiming, "Trick or Treat". The Carroll Valley Blood Drive will be held on Wednesday, October 2nd in the Borough conference room from 4 - 7 p.m.. Remember, a form of ID is required to donate. For more information call 800-771-0059 or call the Borough office at 717-642-8269.

The last E-Waste Event for 2019 will be held on Saturday, October 12th from 8 to noon at the Highland Township Building, 3641 Fairfield Road. This event is for current Park’s Garbage Service customers in the boroughs of Carroll Valley and Fairfield and the townships of Freedom Hamiltonban, Highland and Liberty. Proof of residency required.

Movie in the Park will be held on October 18th. The movie is "Monster’s Inc." Since it was so successful last year, before the movie, a Trunk or Treat event will be held. The tentative schedule for the activities are: 5 - 5:45 p.m. Trunk or Treat setup, 6 p.m. is the Trunk or Treat, Halloween Costume Contest and new this year, a "Haunted Pavilion" to travel through created by the Teen Book Club – Adams County Library. The Costume judging ends at 7 p.m. and the movie begins at approximately 7:30 p.m.. Can’t wait to see those costumes!

On Saturday, October 19th the first Mother and Son Glow Party will be held at the Fairfield Fire Hall from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For more information and to make reservations/tickets go to 2019cvglow.evenbrite.com. The Fairfield Fire & EMS Open House is scheduled for Sunday, October 27th from 1 - 4 p.m..

Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that many abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. Flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away is a health hazard. In response, the "17th Medicine Take Back", a collaborative program between local law enforcement, adults, agencies and businesses, the Adams County Environmental Services, and Collaborating For Youth, will be held on October 26th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Carroll Valley Community & Education Complex.

Community members are encouraged to participate in the disposal of any expired, unused, and/or unwanted prescription medications (liquids, pills, powders) during the disposal hours. The disposal allows community members to dispose of their medicines properly, reducing both the availability to youth and the contamination of water sources. Pet medications will be accepted. No needles. For more information about the "Medicine Take Back", including opportunities to volunteer, contact Eileen Grenell, at 717-357-4439.

Borough meetings to be held in October are: Tree Board (Oct 3rd), Planning Commission (Oct 7th), Finance Committee (Oct 8th), Council Borough (Oct 15th), Finance Committee and Council Borough Workshop (Oct 22nd), Sewer/Water Authority (Oct 28th), Finance Committee and Council Borough Workshop (Oct 29th), and Parks/Recreation (Oct 23rd). Please reduce your driving speed when you are in the Valley. Remember, Halloween Night (Oct 31st) there will be young people walking the trails – be careful. If you have any questions call me at 301-606-2021 or email at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net.