With the Maryland primary less then three months away, voters in Frederic county will use new voting machines that will produces a voter-verifiable paper record of each voter’s selections. The ExpressVote ballot marking device is similar to the touchscreen machines used to vote for a decade.

In support of this change over of voting machines, The Frederick County Board of Elections is conducting public demonstrations of the new voting machines. Emmitsburg area resident can try out the new system Feb. 12 at the Emmitsburg Senior Center. Thurmont area resident can try out the new system Feb. 24 at the Thurmont Library. For more information on the new machines call 301-600-VOTE

County puts limits on new solar farms

On January 15th, County Executive Jan Gardner signed an executive order to place a temporary, six-month hold on new applications for large solar projects that are seeking a special exception or site plan approval so that county staff may conduct a comprehensive review of questions that have been raised. The order excludes single-family homes, businesses, farms, residents and community solar projects up to 10 acres.

"Solar is a plentiful, clean source of energy that will help us power our bright future." Said Gardner, but "We need to consider zoning issues and the impact the projects may have on nearby properties, priority preservation areas and prime agricultural soil, and address issues that have been raised by our residents."

For additional information, contact Director Steve Horn, Frederick County Planning and Permitting Division, at 301-600-1172.

Park improvements

Frederick County Parks and Recreation has begun construction on several park projects. The county anticipates that these improvements will be completed by the summer of 2016. Local park improvements include:

Loy’s Station Park: Expanding the parking lot, paving the trail, adding a larger shelter for inclement weather, expanding the playground and installing a rubber surfacing system, installing vaulted restrooms, construction of a pedestrian bridge to the island picnic area, landscaping and tree planting, and repainting the covered bridge

Roddy Road Park: Re-align Roddy Creek Road, paving the parking lot, resurfacing the playground with rubber surfacing, adding a shelter for inclement weather, install a vaulted restroom, constructing a paved trail, landscaping and tree planting, stabilizing the creek banks, and repainting the bridge.

For more information, please call Frederick County Parks and Recreation at 301-600-1646.