(4/2013) Spring has sprung! Hope by the time you read this column the weather has warmed up. It seemed that winter did not want to go away. Can you believe that it was April 2nd of last year when a traffic light appeared on Fairfield Road in Cumberland Township as PennDOT started their repairs on the March Creek Road Bridge. Well, the latest word is that by the end of this April the traffic light will be taken down and the bridge’s both lanes will open. Are you planning to celebrate Patriot Day on April 15th? This is the day that commemorates the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. It honors the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere when he rode through the town crying out "The Red Coats are coming!". While April is designated as the Stress Awareness month, April 16th, the day after tax day, is recognized as the Stress Awareness day. April 16th is also a holiday in Washington D. C. to mark the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. Earth Day is April 22nd. U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson is considered the "Father of Earth Day". The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. As a direct result of Earth Day which focused attention on environmental concerns, the Environmental Protection Agency was established. By the way, when you changed your clocks to "Spring Forward", did you change all your smoke alarm batteries. You should test your alarms monthly. The entire smoke alarm system (all units) whether battery-powered or hardwired in the home’s electrical system should be replaced every 8-10 years. While you are at it, you should also check your carbon monoxide detector too. Check out www.carbonmonoxidekills.com for understanding the dangers of carbon monoxide.

If you are just starting to prepare your taxes to meet the April 15th deadline, there are a couple of places that may offer you some help. The Director of the Adams County Office for Aging (ACOFA), Steve Niebler, has offered to help older folks to complete the local tax form received from their tax collector at no cost. Counselors are available every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the ACOFA office located at 318 West Middle Street, Gettysburg. Their phone number is (717) 334-9296. The York Adams Tax Bureau Deputy Director, Mitch Hoffman, is also offering to help Adams County residents to complete their local tax form at no cost. Their office is located at 240 West Street Plaza, Gettysburg and their phone number is (717) 334-4000.

If you live within the boundaries of the area served by the Fairfield Fire and EMS then you have received the annual membership application for Ambulance Service. For a very reasonable rate of $40 per family or $25 per individual you and/or each resident family member are entitled to emergency service transport to the nearest appropriate medical facility, within a 75 mile radius. Emergency service is defined as an injury or illness for which an ambulance is the only suitable means of transportation for a patient to reach medical care. Emergency and non-emergency transfers between medical facilities, or from facilities to home, will be provided when manpower and equipment are available. Service beyond the 75-mile limitation is billed to the member at Fairfield Ambulance rates. Non-emergency requests for ambulance service by a member is honored only for medical necessity when manpower and equipment are available, and with a referral from a doctor, hospital, medical center or health agency. Please note that the membership is available only to those living in the Fairfield Ambulance first due area. The money generated from this Spring membership drive is dedicated solely for the Fairfield Ambulance program. The Fall Fire Solicitation is similarly dedicated solely to the firefighters and their equipment. Volunteers are always needed. Bingo nights and other fund raisers take manpower. If you wish to help or have questions about membership, please call (717) 642-8842 and get involved.

On Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Fairfield Fire & EMS Department on Steelman Street, the Carroll Valley Borough Police and Liberty Township Police Departments along with the State Police will be partnering with Collaborating For Youth and Fairfield Fire & EMS fire department to carry out the fifth Adams County "Take Back" medicine collection. This medicine collection provides an opportunity for Adams County residents to dispose of unused or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications safely and free of charge. Pills, liquids, creams, and pill bubble-packs will be accepted. No needles or sharps will be accepted. Seventy percent of people abusing prescription pain relievers get them (take) from family and friends. In fact, more teens abuse prescription drugs than any illicit drug except marijuana (SAMHSA 2011). The Adams County TAKE BACK is part of a national effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration to decrease the abuse of prescription drugs by decreasing their availability – particularly to youth. In addition, safely disposing of prescription drugs and unused OTC medications helps reduce the damage to groundwater and the environment. Adams County’s medication collection and disposal is being sponsored by the Pennsylvania Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration in partnership with local and State Police, local fire departments, Collaborating For Youth, and the Adams County Department of Environmental Services. Support comes from the Adams County Conservation District, the Adams County Office For Aging, Inc., Wellspan Health, Healthy Adams County, the Builders Association of Adams County, and area pharmacies, businesses and municipalities. For more information regarding the Adams County TAKE BACK, please contact Eileen Grenell at Collaborating For Youth, 717-338-0300 x 24, or drugfree@cfygettysburg.com.

Are you aware of the PennDOT "Yellow Dot" program. A yellow dot decal is placed on the lower left corner of participant’s vehicle’s rear windshield. The decal alerts first responders that vital information can be found in the vehicle’s glove compartment. If you are interested, go to PennDOT’s website www.yellowdot.pa.gov. When you visit the site, you will be asked to fill out a form that documents your emergency contact information, medications, allergies and your doctor’s name. Why participate? If you are in an accident and unconscious, the first responder is aware of your personal health needs at the site and will be able to communicate that information to the medical. Please consider it. If you check the Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve website at www.strawberry.org and click on the Timberdoodle Trek link you will discover that on April 11th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. you will have the opportunity to witness the American Woodcock springtime courtship ritual.

The Borough meetings in April are: Planning Commission (April 1st); Finance Committee (April 8th); Council Meeting (April 9th); Sewer/Water Authority (April 22nd) and Parks/Recreation Committee (April 24th). Please watch your speed when driving. There will be more residents walking the trails. If you have any questions, please contact me by calling me at (301) 606-2021. Have a good month!