(9/18) Thurmont’s Town Council approved bids to provide town services in support of the annual Catoctin Colorfest.

Services provided by the town include security, bus transportation, portable toilets, and trash collection.

The town has broken even, overall, on its investment to accommodate Colorfest by providing transportation, sanitary, and security services, Mayor John Kinnard said.

A contract for $19,080 was awarded to May Security Services of Frederick to provide security services for the event. May will provide 26 security guards, two supervisors and two relief guards for both event days, Chief Administrative officer James Humerick said. The numbers this year include less guards but more relief personnel: "We want to insure everyone gets a break," Humerick said.

Thurmont has used May services for many years, and they have a great relationship with the police department, Humerick said.

The cost of security services are a slight increase from last year’s cost of $17,664, according to Humerick.

Rill’s Bus Services of Westminster was awarded a contract for $22,000 to provide bus services. Rill’s will provide nine standard buses on Saturday and seven standard buses for Sunday, along with two wheelchair accessible buses for both days.

Transportation services have decreased by two busses per day this year because the town did not incorporate the Thurmont Event complex parking area. Last year’s bus costs were $22,320.

Key Sanitation Inc. of Dickerson Maryland was awarded a contract for $19,500, to provide trash removal and portable toilets. The number of festival toilets was reduced this year by fifteen for a total of 114 regular units and 16 handicap accessible units, as well as a pump truck on site both days.

A bid from United Rentals of Baltimore for portable toilets was also received for $13,310. Although the lower bid, Humerick noted Key Sanitation was also the sole bidder for trash services, and had stipulated in their bid that the two bids could not be split. This procedure allows the company to multitask their employees, he said.

The town has worked with Key Sanitation for many years, and they have done an excellent job in both service areas, he said.

Special trash pickup after the event each day at 6 p.m. was also awarded to Key Sanitation in the amount of $3,150, with the cost being the same as last year, Humerick said.

Following the approval of the support service contracts, the council approved raising craft vendor permit fees from $50 to $60 for the 2023 festival.