(11/2022) Based on the results of the October 18th Joint Council and Finance Committee Workshop review of the Carroll Valley draft 2023 Budget prepared by our borough manager, Dave Hazlett, the current Borough tax rate will remain at 2.45 mills or .00245 of the assessed value of land and buildings – meaning No Tax Increase. The following will occur – Council approves the advertisement of the 2023budget for public review at the Nov. meeting. If no changes are made based on the public comments, the tax ordinance will be signed at the December meeting. Congratulations to the Borough staff and Council. It is also anticipated that the Adams County government is not planning to recommend a Tax Increase for 2023.

The seasonal time change will occur on Sunday, Nov. 6. Daylight saving time ends at 2 am, the official hour to set all our clocks back to standard time. That is when the local time will become 1 am, and people "gain" an extra hour of time. This is an excellent time to check your smoke alarms. Every year in the United States, about 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. Most fire victims die from inhalation of smoke and toxic gases, not as a result of burns. Most deaths and injuries occur in fires at night while the victims are asleep. At the same time, you replace your smoke alarm batteries and replace the batteries in your Carbon Monoxide alarm.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8th, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Borough Building, 5685 Fairfield Road. Please note the last day for the Board of Elections to receive a voted ballot is by 8 p.m. Ballots received by mail in the Elections Office after 8 p.m. election day will not be counted. The date of the postmark is not a factor.

Veterans Day, is observed on Nov. 11th, is a tribute to military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Not to be confused with Memorial Day, which honors those who died while in service, Veterans Day honors all military veterans, including those still with us. The next time you have a conversation with a veteran or see someone in uniform, thank her/him for their service – a time they dedicated their lives to protect our country at whatever cost.

On Nov. 9th, Richard Hileman, Chief of the Carroll Valley Police Department, will retire after 30 years of outstanding, dedicated service to the citizens of Carroll Valley Borough. He wore the uniform daily to serve and protect us. In so doing, he accepted the risk of being hurt or even killed – all in the name of public safety. He did it for 30 years. He started his career in Carroll Valley when he was hired on March 5th, 1992, as a police officer on probation. He became a permanent full-time Patrol Officer in 1993, and was promoted to Patrolman First Class – Detective in 1994. In 1997, he was elevated to a probationary status as Officer-in-Charge three years later. Finally, Officer Hileman assumed the position of Chief in 1997. Thank you for your dedicated service to our community! You will be missed.

The Carroll Valley Library schedule for Nov.: Nov. 3rd, 6:30 p.m. – Lake Communities, Stormwater, and HOA’s with holly Smith, Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Coordinator. Nov. 7th, 6:30 p.m. – Barks and Books with Danny, the therapy dog. Nov. 10th, 6:30 p.m. – DiNov. story time program and spend a special evening talking about dinosaurs. Nov. 16th, 2:00 p.m. – Adult Book Club. Nov. 22nd, 2 p.m. – Lego Challenge to participate in a Lego building event, and Nov. 28th, 6:30 p.m. – Decoupage Mason Jars, where you can learn how to decorate a mason jar with tissue paper and decoupage.

Around this time of year, the question always comes up whether someone can hunt in Carroll Valley. To clarify the rules, Carroll Valley cannot, by law, change state law regarding hunting; however, current state rules make legal hunting in Carroll Valley difficult. Pennsylvania has what is called "Safety Zones." In a safety zone, it is unlawful to hunt for, shoot at, trap, take, chase or disturb wildlife within 150 yards of any occupied residence, camp, industrial or commercial building, farmhouse or farm building, or school or playground without the permission of the occupants. It is unlawful to shoot into a safety zone, even if you are outside of the zone. Driving a game without a firearm or bow within a safety zone without permission is unlawful. For comparison, think of a safety zone as about one and a half of a football field.

Hunting on hospital and institutional grounds and in cemeteries is also prohibited. It is unlawful to discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a Game Commission vehicle whose occupants are releasing pheasants. The safety zone for archery hunters statewide, including those using crossbows, is 50 yards. Archery hunters carrying muzzleloaders during any muzzleloader season must abide by the 150-yard safety zone regulation. Around playgrounds, schools, or day-care centers, the safety zone remains 150 yards. For further information, refer to www.pgc.state.pa.us.

As Carroll Valley has grown over the years, finding a location outside these safety zones is more complicated. If you think someone is hunting too close to a residence, call the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Dispatch Center in Huntington at 814)-643-1831, and an officer will check for violations. If you see persons hunting from vehicles or after dark, call Adams County Dispatch at 717-334-8101 to get the quickest response."

If you have any questions, contact me at 301-606-2021 or at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.