Town reports $555,471 grant funds received last year

During the August 14 Thurmont town meeting Commissioner Bill Buehrer informed the public about the total grant monies received last year. He was proud to announce that Thurmont was awarded $555,471 in grant funds last year. "This is our tax dollars coming back to the community," stated Buehrer, who credits the success to town staff who work diligently on acquiring the grant funds for the town, moving Thurmont to becoming the number one municipality in Frederick County.

Last year, the General Fund received $490,800; the Waste Water Fund received $30,000; Electric Fund received $34,650; State Grants received totaled $446,487; and County grants totaled $100,000. The $100,000 county grants received were allocated towards the completion of the new sidewalk on Moser Road. The new ADA accessible East End Playground received $174,300.

Electric department receives new truck

Thurmont Commissioners approved a $39,990 bid for a new truck, which will be used by the town’s Electric Department. The new truck will replace the 2006 three quarter ton pickup truck, and will be a heavier duty, service body truck that will include an enclosed tool box on the back for better security for the department’s tools.

Four bids were received. Criswell Chevrolet submitted a bid for $39,990; Criswell Dodge/Jeep submitted a bid for $41,990; Tate Chrysler Jeep/Dodge submitted a bid for $42,624; and Crouse Ford submitted a bid for $43,346. The Board chose to accept the lowest bid by Criswell Chevrolet, which fell just under the town’s budgeted amount of $40,000.

Change in recycling possible in Frederick County

Mayor Kinnaird briefed Thurmont’s Board of Commissioners on possible changes in the near future to the recycling program in Frederick County during the August 14 town meeting. Mayor Kinnaird, who is also a representative of small communities in Frederick County on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, noted that the kind of recyclable materials accepted may change, which could have an impact on the cost of recycling in the county and across the state.

As described by Kinnaird, the change stems, in part, from China’s refusal of certain recyclable materials. This has caused some local recycling facilities to refuse particular recyclable materials such as glass and certain kinds of plastics that were accepted in the past. Not only could this affect the cost, it would cause an increase in materials dumped into landfills. "It’s coming at us," stated Kinnaird, "we’ll have to address it as we receive it."

Additionally, Kinnaird discussed the possible implementation of composting on a large, state regulated scale in Frederick County. If or when this is approved the County will start encouraging commercial composting in schools, restaurants and grocery stores. With the use of private contractors, there would be pick up services in the county to these commercial composting facilities. The initiative could also be seen as a possible "moneymaker" that could pay for itself, as eventually the compost created could be sold.

The goal of this initiative is to remove 25% - 30% of the weight of the trash stream and divert it to compost. Kinnaird mentioned that this is part of the "what’s next" in Frederick County and he believes it is the intention of the county to move forward with this plan.