(11/23) Town Tree Lighting Update

After a break in the festivities due to the pandemic last year, the annual holiday tree lighting service is scheduled to resume in 2021. Community members are invited to bring friends and family to join in on Christmas carols and spread holiday cheer.

The service is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1st in Creamery Park in Old Town Walkersville. Participants can look forward to hearing holiday music, singing in the choir carols, and getting a visit from Santa himself!

In past years, cookies and hot cocoa have been provided, however Commissioner Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis said that no holiday treats will be served at the event this year. This decision, made by the Parks Commission at their November 3rd meeting, is in consideration of ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Town Considers Sun Meadows HOA Request

At the November Town Council meeting, Commissioner Bailey noted that a representative of the Sun Meadows HOA had requested that the Town run electricity to three potential streetlights in the HOA-managed park. This request includes connecting to Town electricity and incurring what Bailey said are nominal costs.

During the discussion, Joe Birch, the Director of Public Works, shared that the HOA "could absolutely install solar lights," as recommended by Commissioner Brodie-Ennis. Commissioner Baker questioned why the HOA needed lights at all, as many local parks close at dusk. Bailey stated that there is a walking path that community members use at night to walk pets. This raised concerns over the viability of lighting the park at night, with Brodie-Ennis noting that this may invite kids to the park afterhours and cause issue. Commissioner McNeish countered that view with the fact that Gilmore, Trout, and Creamery Parks all have lights installed.

Commissioner Brodie-Ennis said that she felt "this could open a can of worms" and that it would be beneficial to present the HOA with alternative options before saying yes to the request. The Town Council decided to move forward in having Mr. Birch present the HOA with cost estimates for solar-powered lights as an alternative to their request.