May Thurmont news-briefs

(5/1) New Gateway signs approved

Thurmont Commissioners approved a bid to purchase and install two brand new Gateway signs in replacement of the existing Main Street signs during their April 3 town meeting. In the future, the town hopes to purchase at least two additional signs, but at this time, only two were budgeted in this year’s budget. The two signs will be installed on Tippin Drive and West Main Street.

A total of three bids were received to construct and install the ten-foot by seven-foot signs. Shannon-Baum Signs from Eldersburg, MD bid $30,340; Sign Central Inc. bid $30,672; and V&C Signs bid $32,810. Shannon-Baum Signs has been used for many projects in town, and as the lowest bidder, Thurmont’s Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick recommended the Commissioners choose to accept their bid. The town only has $24,000 set aside for this project, but there are some surplus funds, approximately $12,000, in the general fund capital budget that were left over from the purchase of a town vehicle last year.

Humerick noted that the town could, of course, re-purpose the Main Street signs to use elsewhere in the town. However, not all Commissioners were on board with the purchase and installation of these signs. Commissioner Burns stated that $30,000 is an incredibly high cost for new signs, even if they are budgeted for. He asked if there was a grant or potential fundraising the town could utilize instead. Mayor Kinnaird looked at the new signs as an investment in Thurmont’s future.

The vote passed with Commissioner Burns strongly opposed.

Senior tax credit changes made

Thurmont Commissioners voted to approve two minor changes to the local Senior Citizens Property Tax Credit during their April 3 town meeting. The changes were made effective April 10.

The senior tax credit is something that has been available for senior citizens of Thurmont for years. However, the goal of the changes is to simplify the application process for senior citizens so that more residents will take advantage of the tax credit, said Mayor Kinnaird.

As per the new conditions of the tax credit, at least one of the property owners must be 65 years or older by January 1 of the tax credit reimbursement year. Additionally, the adjusted gross income of the residents of the property must not exceed $70,000 per year. Residents of the property need to provide, to the town, a copy of their latest tax return to the Internal Revenue so their income can be verified. The town will issue a ten percent credit to eligible property owners based upon the total municipal tax bill. Additionally, credits will only be given on a first come basis until the budgeted amount is expended. Seniors can apply for the tax credit before September 1 of each year.

Main Street businesses take advantage of façade grant monies

In March, Thurmont was awarded a $40,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Community Legacy Program for external façade improvements to qualifying commercial properties located within the Designated Main Street area. This is a matching grant and DHCD will match every dollar invested by the business.

A total of five businesses applied for the grant monies, totaling approximately $38,500 worth of façade improvements. These businesses were: Stauffer Funeral Home, Thurmont Historical Society, R.S. Kinnaird Memorials, Beth Helmick CPA and the American Legion. All applications were submitted to the Maryland Historic Trust for approval, where it will be determined if there would be any adverse affects to the historic value of the buildings in question. Official request approvals will be announced at a later time, along with the façade improvements planned.

Façade improvements have a direct impact on any business, but especially those within the Main Street area in any town according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Thurmont is a Designated Maryland Main Street Community and has endured a complete makeover with a Main Street Beautification program, which included new sidewalks, a new gazebo in Mechanicstown Park, benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles, planters, and the addition of lampposts adorning the Main Street area.