(12/2019) The Take Back Program was another great success! In Adams County, approximately, 10,231 pounds of outdated prescriptions and over-the-counter medications were collected by 51 volunteers on October 26th. In Carroll Valley, 224.5 lbs. were collected by 7 volunteers. Thanks to those who took the time to go through their medicine cabinet, select those expired medicines and bring them down to the collection site. Thank you!

On Tuesday, November 12th, the Borough Council met and approved the advertisement of the proposed 2020 Budget. This action made the proposed 2020 Budget available for residents’ review prior to its final adoption at the December 10th meeting. The 2020 Budget is the end-product of a three-step review process over a three-month period. The first review is performed by the Borough Manager when analyzing the Borough Department submissions. The second review is performed by the Finance Committee. The third review is performed by the Borough Council during their Budget Workshop. It is projected the Council will at the December 10th meeting approve the 2020 budget which will mean there is no Carroll Valley Borough tax increase for 2020.

Mark your calendar for the Carroll Valley Borough Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 7th for 4 to 6 p.m. The Fairfield School District Show Choir will perform at 4:30 p.m. Hot Chocolate and cookies will be served. Santa’s Storytime will be held in the library. Make and take Bird Feeder Ornaments. Come down to Carroll Commons to kickoff the holiday season. Hope to you see there! Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, December 14th from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at the Fairfield Fire House. A donation of $5 per person is being asked for breakfast. Children 12 years old and younger are free. I have been told by an air traffic controller friend that Santa plans to arrive at 8:30 a.m. Sensitive Santa will be held at 11:30 a.m by appointment – call 717642-8269.

The Borough of Carroll Valley’s Parks and Recreation Committee along with the Council, Committees and Staff are collecting the following items to make Holiday Meal Kits for Local Families in need: Hams, Turkeys, Instant Mashed Potatoes, Canned Yams/Sweet Potatoes, Canned Vegetables (Corn, Green Beans), Canned Cranberry Sauce, Stuffing Mix, Deserts (Non-Perishable or Mixes) and Dinner Rolls. If you so choose, you may use the following link: https://www.myregistry.com/wishlist/borough-of-carroll-valley-fairfield-pa/2200353 to myregistry.com in order to select food items that can be shipped directly to the Borough office. Or, you can drop donations off at 5685 Fairfield Road between 8 am and 4 pm. Please consider participating.

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 are 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, farm house 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 game, even 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 football fields.

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, nursery 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, it is more and more difficult to find a location outside these safety zones. Should you think someone is hunting too close to a residence, you can 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 County Dispatch at 717-334-8101 (non-emergency) or 9-1-1 (emergency) to get the quickest response.

Borough meetings to be held in December are: Planning Commission (Dec 2nd), Tree Board (Dec 5th), Council Borough (Dec 10th), and Parks/Recreation (Dec 18th). The Borough Office will be closed December 25th and December 26th. If you have any questions call me at 301-606-2021 or email me at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!