Lori Smith Zentz

Thurmont Mayor Marty Burns invited both town and county residents to a meeting on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 to discuss the issue of a possible annexation along US Route 15 near Shamrock Restaurant, north of Thurmont.

The Mayor hosted the meeting to provide a question and answer forum in which he could clarify many of the questions and concerns he has been hearing regarding the possible request for annexation by a land developer who has expressed interest in developing 235 acres with a large anchor store with several store PAD sites and potentially 300 to 400 houses.

"I wanted to meet with people, especially those who have been writing me, to clarify my position," said Mayor Burns. He reiterated to the group gathered at the town that the developer approached the town and not vice-versa.

Mayor Burns also stated that he just got re-elected on (and has always stood for) a low-growth platform. "My record speaks for itself.  I’ve voted against every residential development for the 6 plus years I’ve been in office.  I don’t and cannot control who petitions the town for annexation. I’m not proposing anything I merely passed along the intentions of a developer sooner than I was required."

Mayor Burns has been a leader of open communication during his years in office. He has written a column in The Catoctin Banner from the beginning of his tenure as Mayor and has welcomed the opportunity to share government news and information and receive public feedback.

Mayor Burns shared with The Catoctin Banner the benefits to the town that he discussed with the land developer. "I told them right from the beginning that they better bring their checkbook as they would be required to do a lot for the town if they even dreamed about an approved annexation." The developer said they would fund the construction of their own wastewater treatment facility that wouldn’t affect current I & I issues, they would bring their own water, they would build the commercial end first and no home would be built until 2009. The developer also offered to provide greenspace, provide financial assistance to the town for fixing the sewer system.

The Mayor explained that as it stands right now, if the land was annexed, they could not build any homes under the town’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance until the primary school was expanded.

"The main thing I want to stress is that there has been no petition for annexation so anything above that right now is talk," said the Mayor. "I have not said that I am for or against this annexation. Instead, I am 100% for a referendum to let the citizens of Thurmont decide on the issue should the petition for annexation become a reality."

"If the residents of Thurmont come out and voice their opinion with being properly educated on the pros and cons of the issue then I will feel confident that I can vote on this issue with the full knowledge of the public’s interest," said Mayor Burns.

To date, a petition for annexation has not been made to the town for the property. A petition is requested within the next six months.