(10/25) The Town tentatively approved a new weather station in Eyler Park courtesy of Maryland Mesonet, part of a partnership between the Maryland Department of Emergency Management and the University of Maryland’s Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science.
The new weather station will be maintained by Mesonet, with quarterly check-ins as well as any as-needed care, according to Town Planner Kelly Duty. Because it will be powered by a solar panel, there are no utility fees and will be completely free to use by Thurmont. The station will cover about 33 square feet and will be fenced in for safety purposes.
According to Mesonet Manager James Hyde, the purpose of the 75 planned stations is to improve weather monitoring across the state. The MD Department of Emergency Management is providing four million dollars in funding to create this system, of which there are currently 19 statewide.
"The goal of the Mesonet is to get information to decision makers who need it," Hyde said, going on to explain that decision makers could be anyone from parents getting their children ready for school in the morning to the governor’s office. When Mayor John Kinnaird brought up the often inaccurate weather forecasts in Thurmont, Hyde explained this new system would improve the forecasts for residents. Furthermore, while Mesonet is still in development, there is a plan to create a phone app, according to Hyde.
In addition to typical weather, the system will measure soil temperatures at various depths, which will help farmers and gardeners with their crops and plants as well as warn against flash flooding. It will also measure snow and rainfall.
Town Attorney Leslie Powell will be discussing questions regarding the license agreement and other necessities with the legal team at the University of Maryland in order for the Town to move forward with the contract. According to Powell, the Town requires a certificate of insurance for any entity building on their property. There were also some necessary clarifications, including exact coordinates where Maryland Mesonet plans to place the weather system.
The Board and town attorney were also concerned about land use in the agreement, wanting to ensure it was clear when the Town could regain use of the land and if they were allowed to cancel the agreement early or ask Mesonet to move the system early. The agreement will last for 10 years, and according to the town attorney, only the University of Maryland can cancel it. Commissioner Marty Burns wanted to make sure the Board was aware of the ramifications of the terms and its potential impact on the Town. "I think it’s worth the risk and investment for 10 years and, if we think we’re going to do something up there in 10 years where they are going to site it, then we probably should change it," Burns said. "But I don’t see that we’re even thinking about doing anything up there in 10 years." The remaining commissioners and mayor agreed, allowing the agreement to be approved, pending the clarifications from the University of Maryland.
"I look forward to this," Kinnaird said, referring to the weather system.
