May Woodsboro News-Briefs

(5/2022) Park projects completing

Construction is wrapping up for Woodsboro Town park projects, according to Burgess Heath Barnes.

Earlier in the year, the town received funding to construct a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant walking bridge and stage with bandshell for community events.

District Four (which comprises all of Frederick County with the exception of Frederick City) received a total of over $1,200,000 in funding for local parks and playgrounds projects from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Woodsboro received $18,075 for the bridge and $60,304 for the stage.

Construction is right on track and must be completed by the end of the month in order to receive funding, he said.

Because the town "outbid a little bit," for the bridge project, there will be an anticipated $3,000 left for work done around the area as well, Barnes said.

The stage construction project is anticipated to cost slightly over $50,000 with $10,000 in surplus to be used in other areas connected to the project as needed including landscaping.

Park bathroom grant awaiting approval

The Town of Woodsboro has applied for a $212,000 state grant to construct park bathrooms, according to Burgess Barnes.

The town almost missed out on the grant opportunity but applied for it at the last moment, he said.

In designing the location, it was discovered that placing the restrooms up by the pavilion is better than down by the park stage. It is more expensive for water flow to go against gravity by the stage, Barnes said.

County budgets are being put together at the moment and Woodsboro will know by the middle of the month if the grant was approved. The process to put in the restrooms will then kick off as soon as funding is approved, he said.

Barnes had been informed there was a good chance it would be accepted, he said.

Business grants close

On April 25 the town completed the application process for businesses to apply for the COVID -19 relief grant. The grant is for up to $5,000 dollars per business. Award determinations were established at the end of April and funds will be distributed at the Council’s May 10 meeting.

The council had encouraged all businesses to apply for the funding and for everyone to share the information with any business who might be interested.

Memorial Day Parade returns

Woodsboro American Legion Post 282 returns to host this year’s Memorial Day Parade on May 29.

The Glenn W. Eyler Post 282, Woodsboro American Legion, will hold the annual community Memorial Day Services and Parade. Everyone is invited to join in on reflective day with the community to honor and pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate price for their country.

A Wreath laying ceremony will begin at noon at the Main Street War Memorial at the North end of town.

The annual parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery and continue down Main Street to Coppermine Road then continue down Second Street.

Following the parade, at approximately 2:45 p.m., the Legion Family will hold a joint Memorial Service at the Legion Home Located at 101 West Elizabeth Street located on the hill behind Trout’s Market.

The parade was canceled for several years due to COVID-19 and the Legion is more than ready to return.

Weather cancellation will be announced at 11:30 a.m. the day of the event.

More information can be directed to Parade Chair Michael Strausbough, at 240-876-1560 or mstrausbough@comcast.net.

Playground mulch estimates reviewed

Cost estimates are being researched for playground mulch application.

Following recommendations expressed from Playground Specials at the council’s March meeting, Woodsboro is looking to apply mulch to the community playground.

Playground Specials had recommended spreading several inches of mulch over 200 yards of playground.

Commissioner Dana Crum presented price estimates and the council discussed utilizing town employees for application.

The council also discussed the possibility of rubberized flooring for the playground that would be considerably more expensive.

Final price estimates will be put on the budget and voted for approval this month.

At this time, mulching of the playground is estimated to be held off until after the mowing season.

The council also praised a recent power wash on the playground equipment making the equipment look good as new.

EMS certificate presented

Recognition of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) excellence was presented to Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services (FCDFRS) responders in April.

On December 21, 2021, units were dispatched to the intersection of Cornell Drive and South Main Street in Woodsboro for a vehicle accident. Information en route was updated to a possible cardiac arrest. Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Company’s Engine 162 arrived first to find a bystander performing CPR on the patient.

Through a combined effort and immaculate teamwork, first responders assessed the patient, applied the automated external defibrillator (AED), placed a Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS) device, and intubated the patient. Responders were able to regain a strong pulse and transport the patient to Frederick Health Hospital. The patient was ultimately transferred to Johns Hopkins for further treatment and released with no neurological deficits.

Fire Chief Thomas Coe and members of the FCDFRS senior staff were honored to present (should this be ‘accept’) a Recognition of EMS Excellence. The patient himself and his family were able to join in the celebration recognizing the quick response.