(5/2018) There are a number of important dates in May. The Adams County Chiefs of Police Association will host Adams County Fallen Officers Memorial Service on Friday, May 4 at 10 a.m. at the Adams County 9-1-1 Center. The Penna. primary is on May 15. Voting starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 8 pm. All voting will take place in the Carroll Valley Borough building. To see who is running, go to www.adamscounty.us and then click on Administration> Elections and Voter Information> Election Resources 2018. Carroll Valley Movies in the Park is back! On May 18 bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the full-length move the "Sing" film with your family & friends and community. Last but not least, the Fairfield Fire & EMS will be holding their Open House on May 20 from 1 to 4 p.m..

On March 31st, 100 people attended the Breakfast with Easter Bunny event held at the Fairfield Fire House. With over 400 participants and 5,000 stuffed eggs to be picked, the 2018 Carroll Valley Easter Egg Hunt, also held on March 31st, was a tremendous success! Many thanks go to those involved and they were Gayle Marthers, Grace Lilliech, Choe Smith, Erin Laird, Angela Winkler, Madison Wivell, Kelly Wivell, Lori Borden, Madie Laird, Serra Smith, Amanda Bell, Steve Bell, and Jayden Bell, Ben Marthers, Alicia Heare, 2018 Fairfield HS Baseball Team, Noah Hazlett, Jarrell Studio, Ethan Wivell, Toni Saylor, Larry Saylor, Tim Skoczen, Beth Cool, Karen Golden, Crystal Basnell, Susan Hileman, Karen Maichle, Logan Gregg, Diane Fredrikas, Tyer Pyles, Lori Kolenda and the Cheri Wojcik family.

I want to thank Fairfield High School Mrs. Siri Phelps class for their effort in beautifying the ground in front of the Carroll Valley Building by pulling weeds, picking up sticks and spreading mulch. Thanks go to Stephen Baker, Betty Belt, Cole Brooks, Jasmine Cham, Courtney Cissel, Cammy Connelly, Abby Creager, Aly Fulton, Logan Gregg, Abby Hebenton, Steve Heinbaugh, Liberty Iaea, Lily Kapfhammer, Katie Kollars, Bret Koons, Gabe Maturo, Gavin Myers, Ben Nagy, Hayley Ott, Colleen Rudisill, Karnryn Shaffer, Josh Siemon, Alex Stone, and Peter Warthen.

The first-ever E-Waste recycling event for Southwestern Adams County was held Saturday, April 14 at the Highland Township office for residents of Carroll Valley and Fairfield Boroughs and Freedom, Hamiltonban, Highland, and Liberty Townships. A steady flow of residents were highly appreciative of the opportunity to dispose of long-held electronic devices, with the total volume (approximately 5 tons) filling two large containers and part of a third. Thanks go to Highland Township Supervisors Craig Rockey, Ed Steinour, Jr., and Gary Dingle, and Highland Road Worker Roger Greer. If you missed this opportunity, be sure to mark July 14 on your calendar for the next one.

As the weather warms up more people, young and old, will be bicycling and walking on our trails. This might be a good time to take a look at our Pennsylvania laws regarding both. In Chapter 35, Section 3510 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes book, requires all bicyclists age 12 and under to wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet every time they ride their bicycle. Please note that a bicycle is considered a vehicle and therefore when riding on a roadway must be operated in the same direction as required of other vehicles on the roadway. All bicyclists are required to use hand arm signals while on the road. Section 3507 mandates that bicyclists, who ride after dark, install reflective devices or lights on their bicycle. We know that pedestrians have the "right of way".

But what are your responsibilities/duties regarding walking on our trails? Well, Section 3544 states that where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway. Where a sidewalk is not available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on a shoulder as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway. Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway. Bottom-line, please follow these laws. They are for you and your family’s safety on the road. For us drivers, slow down when in the Valley. Watch out for the unexpected whether it comes from people walking, jogging or bicycling on our beautiful trails.

The May Borough meetings are: May 7 - Planning Commission, May 8 - Borough Council; and May 25 - Parks & Recreation Committee. The Borough Office will be closed on May 15 - Primary day & May 28 – Memorial Day. If you have any questions, contact me at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net or 301-606-2021.