Land purchased to expand park and parking

Sarah Harrington

(4/19) Thurmont has purchased a plot of land near the town’s East End Park and another plot located near the town’s Public Works Department. The town announced the purchases at a town meeting early in April.

Jim Humerick, the town’s Chief Administrative Officer, explained at the same town meeting that the town purchased about 5 acres of land located on off of Westview Drive near East End Park. This land was purchased to expand the park. The Mayor and Humerick signed a transaction agreement to purchase the land from the Thurmont Little League back in September 2014.

The process of buying the land began back during Commissioner Burns’ term as Mayor. The details of the purchase were finally finalized in April. The purchase price was $53,878. According to Humerick the town used state funding to purchase the land. The town will be reimbursed for their purchase by the Program of Open Space, which is funded by the state.

"It’s a good project," Humerick said. "And a win-win situation for the town and the Little League."

The town purchased the land located on 8 Frederick Road for $57,543; Mayor Kinnaird said that this price was less than the asking price for the land. Kinnaird explained the town purchased the land to expand the parking area for the town’s Public Works Department and the town’s Food Bank. The buildings are in line with each other.

Currently there is a house on the property at 8 Frederick Road. Kinnaird reported that the town will demolish the house this year. Kinnaird said the estimated cost to demolish, remove the housing material, and prepare the property for the construction will be $40,000. After the property has been demolished its footprint will be used for the additional parking.

Kinnaird thanked Humerick for his hard work on the project.