(7/1) Public Information Act Policy Approved

The Town Council approved of a Public Information Act (PIA) policy for proactive disclosure of public records.

While Emmitsburg did not previously have an official policy on how public information act requests are handled, there has always had procedures in place regarding public information, and the approved policy is just a formal adoption, Town Manager Cathy Willets said.

A new mandate now requires municipalities to have a policy that details what the town will disclose and the process to the public to acquire information.

The town’s new policy states the PIA grants access to governmental records without unnecessary costs or delay and identifies the town clerk as the designated official PIA record manager, Willets said.

In the absence of the town clerk, the town manager will handle requests.

The town will charge twenty-five cents cost per page for each standard document copy, with a possibility for more for specialty items. The town is not required to conduct extensive research or investigations and requests are typically completed within ten days.

Mount Receives Federal $4 Million STEM Grant

Congressman David Trone requested $4 million for a STEM workforce development program at Mount St. Mary’s University. The project were submitted and approved by the House Committee on Appropriations to be included in the FY-23 federal funding package.

"Mount St. Mary's University is grateful to Congressman Trone for his support of the university's expansion and renovation of our STEM research facilities to support American competitiveness in high demand fields such as computer science, data science, cybersecurity, neuroscience and biological, environmental, and physical sciences, as well as contribute to a highly trained STEM workforce for the state of Maryland," said University President Timothy Trainor. "We are honored to be blending superb classroom instruction with research mentored by top-tier scientists in educating diverse and ethical STEM students who will help lead the STEM-oriented U.S. economy in the decades ahead."

Right Away Agreement Approved

The Town Council reached an agreement for a right-of-way adjacent to 500 E. Main St., owned by Eric and Elizabeth Sloan. The Sloan’s granted the Town a 25 feet right-of-way along Creamery Road in return for adding a four-foot tall, 109 feet long privacy fence, according to Town Planner Zach Gulden.

The right of way will be used to construction a sidewalk Along Creamery Rd. which will connect to the sidewalk on E. Main St. The Creamery Rd. sidewalk will eventually be expanded to the new Christ Community Church, who will then be responsible for adding the sidewalk along the frontage of their property, he said.

The project will be funded through excess Community Development Block Grant funds. Future sidewalk projects also aim to connect Seton Square and US -15, according to Gulden.

Town Installs Veteran Banners

The town has installed banners along Main St. honoring local veterans. The banners were paid for by families of the veterans while the town covered the cost for the sign brackets.

Since the town opened the opportunity for veteran banners, slots have been filling quickly and there are plans to fill about 20 more slots before moving up N. Seton Ave. to fill more of the town.