(1/2025) At the December Borough Council meeting, the Council passed the Tax Levy Ordinance, which fixed the Tax Rate at 2.75 mills or 27.5 cents on each one hundred dollars of assessed valuation. There is no tax increase for the residents of Carroll Valley Borough. Also, the council passed the fixed tax of .25 mills appropriated for fire and emergency services operations for 2025 without an increase.

Our community ended 2024 with a theme of happiness and caring for others. Had the opportunity to attend two-holiday events where Santa appeared to the delight of the children in attendance. Two-holiday events were Cookies with Santa at the Liberty Worship Center and Breakfast with Santa at the Fairfield Fire & EMS. Over 300 images were taken. Watching the special moment when the child looks at Santa and expresses a personal wish for a gift because they tried to be good is a personal moment of intimacy, I have attempted to capture through pictures. To see the images, go to www.ronspictures.net. You can copy/download the photo(s) free from the site.

More than 250 Santa letters were deposited in the special Santa Mailbox located in the Carroll Valley lobby. These letters were personally responded to by 24 Santa helpers called Christmas elves. These elves are said to live with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole. Through our residents' generosity, the Carroll Valley Borough provided 40 Christmas Holiday meal kits to local families. These Holiday meal kits provide all the items for a traditional Turkey dinner, such as turkey or roasting chicken, instant mashed potatoes, canned yams or sweet potatoes, canned vegetables (corn, green beans, peas), canned cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, turkey or chicken gravy, and desserts.

Robin Dicken of Fairfield Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) said they had another successful year helping our neighbors. Thanks to those who supported the gift bags for the nursing homes, Meals on Wheels, and students in our community. Whether it was a donation of an item(s0 or your time to help pack, you are a blessing to this community. There were 32 people that donated items and 13 people who showed up to help pac the 56 bags. Special thank you to Doug Lichty for delivering the bags to Comfort Care and Susan Strahler for delivering the bags for Meals on Wheels. Robin asks you to follow them on Facebook for future activities and meeting dates at Fairfield Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Thanks to Robin and the NHN members for their investment in helping us all.

January, and you all know what I am about to share – my resolutions. Well, not all of them. Some are personal. However, here is one. I am going to try to do my best to help others. To let those around me know how important they are in the lives of others. And be sure to thank those who assist others. Remember, "Give out what you most want to come back." With January comes snow. It would be best if you made sure that you winterized your car. If you haven’t, you need to get it done. Check the car’s tires, tire pressure, heat/defroster, and wipers. Please slow down. Those antilock brakes will not help you reach a smooth stop if you drive too fast. Remember to leave more space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you when driving behind another car. Some experts tell us this distance is four car lengths for every ten mph you travel. If the Borough declares a snow emergency, it is unlawful to park a motor vehicle or to allow that vehicle to remain parked on any Borough road or in any Borough right-of-way in such a manner as to impede or obstruct the snow and ice removal efforts of the Borough or to create a hazardous condition.

Also, driving any motor vehicle on the Borough’s snow emergency route is unlawful unless that vehicle is equipped with snow tires or chains. If you are trying to figure out if your residence is on the emergency route, launch the Carroll Valley website at carrollvalley.org. Type snow emergency in the search text box and click on Road Classification Map for Snow Plowing. Whether you are on the emergency route or not, please help our maintenance crew clear our trails after a snowstorm by parking your vehicle so as not to impede the snow-clearing process. Looking for a fun evening? Attend the "Dancing with the Local Stars" event at Gettysburg’s Historic Majestic Theater on Friday evening, January 10, at 7. Be sure to mark your calendar on Saturday evening, February 8th at 7 to attend the Daddy-Daugther Dance at the Ski Liberty Mountain Resort.

Please reduce your speed to ensure your safety and that of your loved ones, friends, and neighbors. Don’t Drink and Drive. If you have any questions, call me at 301-606-2021 or MayorRonHarris@comcast.net. Happy New Year! I wish you Good Health in 2025.