(3/1) Ballpark Bleacher Construction Approved

At its February 7 meeting, the Town Council approved contractors for new town ballfield bleachers.

The projects are funded by the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure grants, with no match requirements from the town, according to Town Manager Cathy Willets.

For the concrete pouring section of the project, the town received a whopping 25 bids, "I think that’s a record," Willets said.

Frederick County Paving was approved to pour eight concrete slabs for the total of $14,325. Three slabs will be at Eugene Myers Community Park and five for Memorial Park.

Green Sites Incorporated was approved to construct and install a total of seven bleachers, three for Eugene Myers Community Park and four for Memorial Park for the amount of $42,600.

Both companies have worked with the town before.

One bleacher already in place, at Memorial Park, will remain, Willets said.

The total grant amount awarded was an estimate of $17,400 for the concrete pour and $55,900 for the bleachers.

In other park business, HMF Paving was approved to pave the gravel area in Memorial Park for the amount of $28,980.

As all park projects came under budget; the town will seek state approval to utilize the left-over funding for additional projects, Willets said.

Town Employee Hires Approved

The Town Council approved two new office hires as well as the return of a familiar office face.

The position of Town Clerk was approved for Julie Scott. The Town’s hiring staff was impressed with Scott’s credentials and Willet called her qualifications "outstanding."

Sabrina King was approved for the Office Coordinator position with Mayor Don Briggs noting her excellent customer service experience.

"Welcome new staff, we look forward to working with you," Council President Tim O’Donnell said.

Bringing her grant expertise with her, previous Town Clerk Madeline Shaw will return as a part-time Grant Administrator.

This is a new position created, as no applicants had grant experience, managing the magnitude of town grants is a fundamental aspect of the office.

A tremendous amount of work goes into each grant to ensure funding, "And the requirements for each agency are different," she said.

Shaw is anticipated to work approximately 16-hours a week and no more than 20 hours a week, depending on what is needed.

The position includes grant writing, managing reports, submitting Requests For Proposals (RFP), advertising, and all aspects of grant management that do not fall to other staff.

Shaw has an 82 percent success rate with grants with her most recent approval with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) regarding the Paul Street and North Seton water line, Willets said.

The council and staff considered Shaw in the position as a "win-win" for the entire community.

New deputy welcomed

At its February 7 meeting, Emmitsburg Town Council welcomed new Frederick County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class Paul Graves to the community.

Graves is a five-year law enforcement veteran who previously served with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Graves’ introduction follows Deputy Ben Whitehouse’s opportunity to become a detective with the department’s criminal investigative unit.

"I’m excited to be out here. I know I have big shoes to fill, but I’m excited to learn Emmitsburg and get to know everyone around here," Graves said.

"If you see me out, try to say hi, I’m not scary. I know I’m a big guy, but I’m friendly," he said.

Pool management company returns

Emmitsburg Town Council approved a three-year contract with RSV Pools Incorporated as the town’s pool management company for the 2022-2024 pool seasons.

RSV Pools has managed the town pool for several years and the contract is similar to that utilized as previously.

The three-year contract was approved for $65,952 for the year 2022, $67,848 for the year 2023, and $70,980 for the year 2024.

Personnel and chemical prices have gone up, as well as minimum wage, supplies, and unemployment insurance costs have all risen. Chemicals have also become difficult to obtain as they are coming from other countries.

The RSV Pools Inc. is responsible for the entire management for the pool, with the town supplying cleaning supplies, paper towels and toilet paper.

Preparations begin in April to get the facility ship-shape, and the pool is set to open to the public Memorial Day weekend.