(9/2021) Thurmont to hold elections for Mayor and Commissioners’ seats

The nominating convention to select candidates for this year’s Thurmont Town election for mayor and two commission seats will take place on September 28 at 7 pm at the town office.

Those who wish to run in the election are invited to attend. Self-nomination will be accepted at the convention as long as second nominations are present.

Mayor John Kinnaird, and Commissioners Martin Burns, and Wayne Hooper’s terms of office are up this year. The terms for both mayor and commissioner are four years. Burns does not anticipate running again.

To be eligible for commissioner, a candidate must be a registered voter in Thurmont, and must have lived in the town for at least one year. Thurmont commissioners meet every Tuesday and are paid $10,000 per year. The Mayor is paid $15,000 per year.

The election will be held October 26th. Residents can contact the town office at 301-271-7313 for more information.

Playground Equipment for Woodland Park

A contract was awarded to Playground Specialists for the completion of the second phase of the Woodland Park project.

The amount of $159,534 was awarded to complete removing and replacing old playground equipment at Woodland Park including a large central unit, an outdoor fitness gym, shade structures, a seesaw, new benches, and a new sidewalk, according to Jim Humerick, Chief Administrative Officer.

The first phase of the project was completed by Playground Specialists in 2020 with a $40,000 grant from Maryland Department of Natural Resources with 25% matching, he said. "Everyone knows playground Specialists, they are a very dependable contractor," Humerick said.

100 percent of funding for the completion of the second phase of the project is coming from a Community Parks and Playground grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $160,000 with no matching funds required, he said.

The total cost of the Woodland Park project is $199,534 with the "total cost to the town for this state-of-the-art playground is $10,000," Humerick said.

Apples Church Seeks Annexation

Apples United Church of Christ has applied to be annexed into Thurmont.

The 4.61-acre parcel sits just outside town limits and aims to utilize the town’s water and sewer system, as they are currently utilizing a well and septic system, according to representative Mike Mathis.

The property annexation proposal will next go to Planning and Zoning Commission for review.

AMVET Riders Donate to Skate Park

At the August 17 Thurmont Council meeting, AMVET Riders Post 7 presented a $3,000 donation to the Thurmont Skate Committee. "We have been following the progress of the skate park and we are – and I hope, the whole community is extremely proud of the young people that want to put their time and effort into organizing and doing something correct," said Butch Beard, president of AMVET Riders Post 7.

The Thurmont Skate Park Committee was established in April by a group of Catoctin High School students to construct a concrete skate park in East End Park and create a safe outlet for teenagers as a "Skate way to the mountains." "It just goes to show you the impact those young people have had on the community to step up to the plate and raise money for the skate park," said Mayor John Kinnaird.

The council also accepted the bid for Arment Concrete, in the amount of $83,500 to construct the 4,000 square foot all-concrete skate park with amenities, according to Humerick.