Patrolman First Class Zachary Myers has been selected as the Taneytown Police Department Officer of the Year for 2020. According to Deputy Chief, Major Bob Mitchell, his fellow officers chose Myers for his devotion to the force and his superior performance as the departments Crisis Intervention Officer and as a Field Training Officer.

The Taneytown Police Department nominates one officer for the Officer of the Year award to acknowledge their hard work and dedication to the department and the Taneytown community. This year according to Mitchell, "Chief Etzler turned to his force for the selection, and Zach was the overwhelming choice of his peers.

Mitchell said, "Pfc. Myers is a well rounded officer, who is always looking to expand his potential and skill sets, while at the same time meeting his patrol duty obligations".

As a Field Training Officer, Myers trains new members of the department and often acts as a mentor for less experienced officers. Myers has also assumed responsibility as the Taneytown Police Department’s mental health liaison with the Carroll County Health Department where he interacts with individuals coping with mental health challenges.

Myers also serves as the departments Crisis Intervention Officer, which according to Mitchell "in today’s environment is a critical element in any successful local police department.

City Council members spared no accolades in describing Myers as a "stellar member of the community" for his leadership and upstanding character.

Regarding the nomination, Myers said, "although I do not do the job for awards, it is nice to be recognized sometimes. I love what I do." Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Vigliotti noted that Taneytown consistently places in the top ten safest cities in Maryland thanks to the hardworking officials like Myers.

Council Updates Park Regulations

At the August 9th City Council meeting, the council approved changes to the rules governing the use of various parks in Taneytown. The changes were requested at the Councils August 4th workshop meeting following a comprehensive review of the existing regulations.

Universal updates to all parks include provisions for penalties and prosecutions for destruction of property. All costs associated with damage to park property are to be charged to the responsible party. The new rules also clearly spell out that "all persons using park facilities do so at their own risk and are solely responsible for any accidents or injury in connection with such use". Council members said that the updates are to ensure that citizens can enjoy the City’s Parks in an "orderly, safe, and comfortable manner."

The new rules will also allow residents to bring their pets into the parks, which has been longstanding requests of community members. Pets must be licensed, leashed, and up to date with all vaccines to share the park space. Additionally, pet and service animal owners are expected to clean up after them. Apart from service animals, pets should remain off of playground areas. Owners should reference posted rules that specify where pets are allowed or prohibited.

Specific updates to Memorial and Roberts Mill parks rules include allowing campfires, which were previously prohibited. Visitors may now bring their own ‘self-contained food preparation units’ such as camp stoves, grills, and smokers. The City however reserves the right to prohibit the use of flammable or combustible units, including grills that do not comply with local burn-ban regulations when the bans are in effect. These regulations do not apply to the other City Parks as these are the two locations that have previously provided grilling stations.

Storage Building Planned for High School Park

Plans for the construction of a storage building at Taneytown High School Park are set to be reviewed by the Taneytown Planning Commission at their August 30th meeting. The storage building will serve to replace three storage sheds, which will be removed after its construction.

At their meeting on the 30th, the Planning Commission will consider a request to waive site plan requirements for the proposed building. A preconstruction meeting was held on July 27th, and if the waiver request is approved at the August 30th meeting, the zoning certificate and building permit may be obtained. Construction may be scheduled after these documents are acquired and loose ends tied up at the August Planning Commission meeting.

Roberts Mill’s Project Update

The ongoing improvements at Roberts Mill Park are now complete with all but a fountain yet to be installed. The fountain is currently in transit to the contractor’s facility and is estimated to be functional by the second week of September. In addition to the fountain being placed, electricity service for the fountain will be upgraded.

Plans for this project began in February when the Taneytown Parks & Recreation Advisory Board began seeking bids for the proposed work. For now, the completed upgrades include riprap (loose stone) installed around portions of the pond banks where concern of erosion is greatest, overlay on the walking trail with segments relocated, and improvements to the basketball court.