(4/19/2001)

Skateboard park closed indefinitely

The skateboard park at Community Park in Emmitsburg will be closed until further notice, Emmitsburg Mayor William Carr announced recently.

Carr said in an interview Tuesday that, due to the deterioration of the wooden ramps, the town's liability insurance would no longer cover injuries.

The skateboard park has been mired in controversy since it was proposed in 1997. The town agreed to supply materials for the park in return for the guarantee that area adults would volunteer to supervise the skateboarders and maintain the park.

Since the completion of the skateboard a year ago, adult participation has waned. Carr said that through either neglect or misuse by unsupervised skateboarders, the ramps have become a hazard.

"We felt that if there was no interest in the parents to maintain it," he said. "We wouldn't repair the ramps."

Council adopts ordinance for controlled burning

An ordinance permitting the burning of wood and brush was adopted 3-0 by the Emmitsburg Town Council at Monday's workshop.

The ordinance requires residents to obtain a burning permit from Frederick County before obtaining a town permit for burning. Residents must apply in person at the Frederick County Health Department at 350 Montevue Lane in Frederick. The state enforces a ban on burning from June 1 to Aug. 31, which may be extended depending on weather conditions.

Emmitsburg has adopted the county's guidelines for burning. For further information, contact the Frederick County Health Department Environmental Health Services at 301/631-3160.

Town renews contract with Century Pool

The council voted 2-1 Monday's workshop to renew its contract with Century Pool Management of Monrovia to operate the Emmitsburg Town Pool on Lincoln Avenue. The $34,509 contract will pay for five employees plus a gatekeeper. The town had received one other bid, from American Pool Service in Beltsville, for $34,700, comprising four employees plus a gatekeeper.

Commissioner James Hoover dissented, saying the town had had problems with Century's management. Commissioner Patrick Boyle, however, said the town was familiar with the Century management and he did not know how fast American would respond to complaints.