(12/2020) Annexation resolution approved

Emmitsburg is now officially on the path to becoming 86 acres larger as the result of action taken by the commissioners following a public hearing on a proposed annexation resolution at their November meeting. The annexation plan itself was previously approved at the commissioners’ September meeting.

The town board voted unanimously to proceed to annex two parcels of land located east of Route 15. One of the parcels served as the former site of the old municipal wastewater treatment plant, while the second parcel is the site of the current wastewater treatment facility and solar panels.

Town Planner Zach Gulden said that as a result of the approval of the annexation resolution, there would now be a 45-day, mandatory waiting-period … before the resolution becomes effective (as of December 17), assuming there is no referendum that would prevent it.

Once the resolution becomes effective, the resolution and a map reflecting the new boundaries of Emmitsburg will then be submitted to county Clerk of Courts and Maryland Department of Legislative Services, and "at that point the annexation is then completed," Gulden said.

Aside from planting trees on approximately 11-acres of the site, Gulden previously stated, "Nothing is going to be changed," meaning the land will remain as open space, and will not be subject to development.

Answers to police coverage sought

Emmitsburg town staff is attempting to resolve issues relating to the loss of a county deputy who is out on-leave, thereby leaving the town by one officer short with regard to police protection.

At present, county Deputy Ben Whitehouse is the only officer providing police service to Emmitsburg, while Emmitsburg’s second officer, Deputy Jason Ahalt, is on leave.

Town Manager Cathy Willets, said, "I reached out to Corporal Welsh, who’s in charge of the community deputy program, and inquired whether or not they were going to send someone else to town (to help with coverage) … I was told that we would not be receiving any temporary deputy …. (But) If this goes past five weeks (without a second officer), the Sheriff’s Office would evaluate."

However, Willets stated, "I sent a return email questioning that, because as far as I could tell within the contract, there is nothing that stipulates how long they have to replace somebody. The only thing it states is, if there is if someone is on-leave for more than five days, they may consider sending a temporary person."

Commissioner Clifford Sweeney asked if the town would get a reimbursement for the lack of a second deputy, since the town pays for the police coverage. "We spend a lot of money for the deputies. We need to get something back if they’re not going to send anybody else to help him (Deputy Whitehouse)."

Willets said she would follow-up. "We’ll continue to work with the Sheriff’s Office and figure out the best way to get somebody else up here."

Police warn of ‘police’ scams

County Deputy Ben Whitehouse stated at the town commissioners' November meeting that scam phone calls asking victims to send money to clear non-existing warrants have been reported.

Whitehouse stated, "No police agency is going to call you and tell you that you have a warrant, and that you can handle it over the phone with money. It just doesn’t work that way … If you get any of those, do not fall for it. Call us if you have to."

He said one local resident was "taken for about $2,000" in October. The victim had received a phone call from a caller identifying themselves as being with the police, and claimed the victim had an outstanding warrant. The caller than instructed the victim to purchase a pre-paid money-card and submit it, in order to "clear this warrant."

"There’s a lot of scams going on this time of the year," he stated.