(1/2022) At the December 2021 Borough Council meeting, the Council passed the Tax Levy Ordinance, which fixed the Tax Rate at 2.45 mills or 24.5 cents on each one hundred dollars of assessed valuation for 2016. There is no tax increase for the residents of Carroll Valley Borough. Also, without increase, the council passed the fixed tax in the amount of .25 mills appropriated for fire and emergency services operation for 2022.

Our community ended 2021 on a theme of happiness and caring for others. Had the opportunity to attend three-holiday events where Santa made an appearance to the delight of the children in attendance. Three-holiday events were Milk and Cookies with Santa at the Liberty Worship Center, Cookies with Santa at the Carroll Valley Borough building, and Lunch with Santa at the Fairfield Fire & EMS. Over 300 images were taken. Watching the special moment when the child looks at Santa and expresses a personal wish for a gift because they tried to be good is a very personal moment of intimacy I attempt to capture through pictures. To see the images, go to www.ronspictures.net. You can copy/download the photo(s) free from the site.

The Carroll Valley Borough partnered with the Fairfield Fire Company to provide Christmas to 3 local families. They also brightened the Holiday for 11 children by granting many of their Christmas wishes. Holiday meal kits providing all the items for a traditional Turkey dinner were also supplied to 18 local families. Carroll Valley Borough and Fairfield Fire Company wish all our neighbors a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season. Robin Dicken of Fairfield Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) said they had another successful year helping our neighbors.

Some of the ways they have helped our neighbors are with two clothing giveaways, monthly themed bags with additional treats for the food pantry, community day to help with outdoor chores, and several times throughout the year, NHN did something special for the elderly in the local nursing homes and Meals on Wheels recipients. Robin said, "We couldn't perform these activities without the generous support of so many in our community!" She asks you to follow them on Facebook for future activities and meeting dates at Fairfield Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Thanks to Robin and the NHN members for their investment in helping us all.

January, and you all know what I am about to share – my resolutions. Well, not all of them. Some are personal. However, here is one. I am going to try to do my best to help others. To let those around me know how important they are in the lives of others. And to be sure to thank those who assist others. Remember, "Give out what you most want to come back." With January comes snow. It would be best if you made sure that you winterized your car. If you haven’t, you need to get it done. Check the car’s tires and tire pressure, the heat/defroster, and wipers. Please slow down. Those antilock brakes will not help you reach a smooth stop if you drive too fast. When driving behind another car, remember to leave more space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Some experts tell us that this distance is four car lengths for every ten mph you are traveling.

If the Borough declares a snow emergency, it is unlawful to park a motor vehicle or to allow that vehicle to remain parked on any Borough road or in any Borough right-of-way in such a manner as to impede or obstruct the snow and ice removal efforts of the Borough or to create a hazardous condition. Also, it is unlawful to drive any motor vehicle on the Borough’s snow emergency route unless that vehicle is equipped with snow tires or chains.

If you are trying to figure out if your residence is on the emergency route, launch the Carroll Valley website at carrollvalley.org. Type snow emergency in the search text box and click on Road Classification Map for Snow Plowing. Whether you are on the emergency route or not, please help our maintenance crew clear our trails after a snow storm by parking your vehicle, not to impede the snow clearing process. Looking for a fun evening, attend the "Dancing with the Local Stars" event being held at the Gettysburg’s Historic Majestic Theater in partnership with Gettysburg YWCA on Friday January 14 at 7 p.m.

Unfortunately, the pandemic continues into 2022. As of December 14th, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in zip code 17320, which includes the municipalities of Carroll Valley and Fairfield Boroughs and Freedom, Hamiltonban, and Liberty Townships, is on the rise. WellSpan reported in mid-December that their hospitals are reaching total capacity. They were postponing elective procedures at many of their facilities to ensure enough space for those seeking emergency care. Please do what you believe needs to be done to protect you, your family, and your fellow neighbors to lessen the impact on all of us. Because of the pandemic, the digital era exploded in 2020, continued through 2021, and will carry on to change our lives in 2022. For example, it is a near certainty that there will be substantially more remote electronic communication used in our daily lives dealing with work, education, medical care, and transportation. The new norm continues to be defined. Keep well in 2022!

Borough meetings in January are Reorganization Borough Council Meeting (Jan 3rd), Borough Council (Jan 11th), Sewer/Water Authority (Jan 24th), and Parks/Recreation Committee (Jan 26th). Please reduce your speed to make sure you, your loved ones, friends, and neighbors will be safe. Don’t Drink and Drive. If you have any questions, call me at 301-606-2021 or email me at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net.