Thurmont Senior Center continues remodeling, prepares for future

Stephanie Mlot
Frederick News Post

(12/11) The Thurmont Senior Center continues to grow on its own, preparing for a grand reopening and a sustainable future.

During a recent meeting between Commissioner Bill Buehrer and the center's board of directors, Buehrer asked the group to provide the town with a budget outline after Jan. 1.

Mayor Marty Burns said he was concerned about the understanding between the town and the senior center.

"I want to make sure the seniors understand that they're to do everything in their power, not now, but yesterday, and the day before, to start raising some revenue," he said during Monday's town meeting.

The center was awarded $13,000 by the Frederick Board of County Commissioners this summer to cover the cost of one year of food; the county also agreed to pay the town $6,000 in rent for the center.

Burns said the town's budget is expected to be a last resort for the seniors, who are already planning fundraisers in preparation of a winter grand opening of the remodeled center.

"We're not here to fund you," Burns said Monday about the town's center. "We want you to be self-sustaining."

If money problems arise, the mayor said he will do what he can to help the group, but only if he knows they have put 110 percent into an effort to raise their own money.