Ed Waters Jr.
Frederick News-Post

(9/18) Thurmont town officials have approved property maintenance ordinances and bids for Colorfest support services.

The ordinances, which will go into effect in 20 days, are "complaint driven," Mayor Martin Burns said during Tuesday night's meeting. The ordinances touch on unkempt yards, trimming shrubs for safe visibility from roads, and ensuring swimming pools are drained properly.

"We are not trying to make money with fines on these," Burns said. The ordinances are designed to encourage residents to keep the town looking good, the mayor said.

Colorfest bids

While the annual Colorfest is operated by Catoctin Colorfest Inc., the town contracts services for the event, set this year for Oct. 12 to 13, which draws more than 100,000 visitors to the town of 6,000.

Key Sanitation received the contract for trash removal and portable toilets for $14,750; Rills Bus Service for shuttle buses from designated parking areas for $16,432; and May Security for extra security and traffic control for $11,200.

"These three have worked with the town for years," Burns said. "They have been willing to scale back service if there was a smaller crowd and cut the cost to us, or add on services if needed."

Burns said the town benefits from Colorfest as visitors spend money that weekend and many return to the town to visit businesses.

Town Commissioner John Kinnaird said the Colorfest organization donates substantial amounts of money to local organizations and charitable groups.

MainStreet headquarters

The mayor and town commissioners approved about $59,700 to Lone Star Builders for structural work on the former library building at 11 Water St., which will become the headquarters for Thurmont MainStreet. The town purchased the building with a $150,000 state grant and have a $75,000 grant for renovations.

Nominations by Sept. 24

Thurmont residents have a chance to nominate candidates for mayor and two of the four commissioner positions at a meeting set for 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at town hall. Nominations after Sept. 24 will not be accepted.

Nominations may be made by mail, but must be received by 4 p.m. Sept. 24 at town hall.

Nominations must be made by a resident and seconded by another resident for a candidate to be eligible for election. The positions are for four years and the winners will take office Nov. 1.

Burns said he hopes to be nominated, while Town Commissioner Ron Terpko said he would not seek nomination.

"Twelve years is enough," Terpko said Tuesday night. The other commissioner position up for nomination is that of Wayne Hooper.

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