(7/2018) Working Together, We Get Things Done

We live in a fabulous community filled with people who are willing to work together to get the job done! From small projects to large undertakings, citizens can take pride in knowing that collaboration makes things happen in Frederick County.

Last month a parent contacted my office about a safety concern for children who walk between Glade Elementary School and Heritage Farm Park. The short walk takes children and their families across Devilbiss Bridge Road, where speeding has been a concern. In response, officials from the County, the Town of Walkersville, and Frederick County Public Schools met to discuss ways to make the crossing safer. Through a coordinated approach, changes to this stretch of road are already visible. The speed limit was lowered, signs added, and enforcement increased. When there are special events at the school that require overflow parking at Heritage Farm Park, FCPS is setting up cones to alert drivers. County traffic engineers are examining the entire road to identify other long-term safety improvements. Together, town, county and school officials took action quickly to solve the problem.

In another instance, the Town of Emmitsburg reached out to the County for assistance to extend a sidewalk along Creamery Road. The walkway is proposed to stretch about 400 feet from the Vigilant Hose Co. building where the ambulance company used to be housed, to the elementary school and community center/library. I included $20,000 for the sidewalk in the current budget, and the County Council supported the request. It’s an important project because it will connect neighborhoods to businesses and public services. By working together, the Town and County will move this project forward.

Partnerships are a powerful way to leverage resources. The County and the City of Frederick contributed nearly $4 million to advance the engineering and design of the long-awaited interchange on U.S. Route 15 at Monocacy Boulevard so it could be ready for the State of Maryland to fund and begin construction. I am pleased to report that the first phase of the interchange is expected to open this summer. Ultimately, this project will replace a dangerous at-grade crossing is being replaced with new ramps and an overpass, and Monocacy Boulevard will connect with Christopher’s Crossing. The project includes a new 400-car park & ride lot that will be served by MTA Commuter Bus Line #515. North county residents will be able to take the bus instead of driving down "The Big Ugly," Interstate 270. This project is another great example of how we get things done in Frederick County through collaboration and partnership.

Agricultural preservation

Frederick County loves its strong history of agriculture. We can all be proud that Frederick County is among the top ten counties in the nation for agriculture preservation. This is due in large part to the county’s installment purchase program that buys easements on agricultural land and permanently preserves farmland for the future.

Frederick County added and preserved another 940 acres of farmland in June. The county purchased permanent easements on six separate properties, bringing the total preserved agricultural land in Frederick County to nearly 59,000 acres!

The County offers several programs to preserve agricultural land. The most recent participants utilized the county’s Installment Purchase Program, which offers landowners annual tax-free interest payments as well as a lump sum principle payment after 20 years.

The latest easements include the John C. and Ellen W. Nicodemus property at Woodsboro Pike and Liberty Road (56.85 acres); Sandy Run Farm on Hessong Bridge Road, south of Blacks Mill Road (193.53 acres); Worthy View Farm on Sumantown Road (144.93 acres); Michael A. Wivell Sr.’s land on Sixes Bridge Road (255.40 acres); Robert Clayton Stevens and George C. Stevens’ property on New Windsor Road (150.72 acres); and Charles Franklin Kolb’s property on Blacks Mill Road (140.13 acres).

In the community

Vineyards are a growing part of Frederick County’s agricultural scene. A Thurmont vineyard made news recently by winning a big award. Congratulations to Catoctin Breeze Vineyard on earning Best in Show with its 2016 Cabernet Franc at the 2018 Comptroller’s Cup. Owner Voytek Fizyta described wine-making as a labor of love. He and family are making Frederick County proud!

By the time you read this, Emmitsburg should have wrapped up its annual Community Heritage Day celebration, complete with a parade. Everyone had a great time at the town’s grand opening for the new community pool last month. Be sure to check it out! It’s the place to be on a hot day!

With the official start of summer, it’s time to focus on the fabulous volunteer fire and rescue companies’ carnival season! Walkersville kicks off the month with concerts, rides, games and great food at the carnival grounds on Monday, July 2nd. The carnival runs through Saturday, July 7th, with fireworks scheduled for Tuesday and Friday. Walkersville hosts one of the biggest carnivals in the county. I hope to see you there!

The biggest parade of carnival season takes place in Thurmont. This year, Thurmont’s parade will be on Thursday, July 12th. I’ll be tossing candy to the crowd along the parade route. The carnival runs from Monday, July 9th, through Saturday, July 14th. Come out to enjoy the fun and food and to support the men and women who volunteer to serve our community and keep us safe.