Town Meeting

SHARPSBURG - At its Jan. 2 town meeting, the Sharpsburg Town Council will hold a public hearing about a change to the town's charter. Town Attorney Charles Wagaman Jr. said, if adopted, the change to the charter will allow the council to close its meetings to the public. It states, "The council shall have the right to close its meetings to the public for the purposes set forth in the Annotated Code of Maryland. " Wagaman said the town might want to close meetings that pertain to land purchases or personnel matters.

Rockefeller to hold meeting in Martinsburg MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., will hold a town meeting Monday at the Berkeley Senior Center, 217 N. High St., Martinsburg. Rockefeller will discuss federal tax cuts and budget priorities, which he identified as major issues facing the nation, he announced in a press release. "Given our budget surplus, we have an unprecedented opportunity to secure Social Security and Medicare, pay down the national debt and provide meaningful tax cuts to all West Virginia families," he said.

KEEDYSVILLE - Keedysville's town charter requires residents to live in Keedysville for a minimum of six months in order to run for office, Town Clerk Amy Simmons said Tuesday. During Monday night's town meeting, Assistant Mayor Matt Hull said there was a question about whether newly elected Town Council member Jackie Stranathan had lived in the town long enough to be eligible. Stranathan has lived in town for a little less than a year. Simmons said the town charter cleared up the confusion Tuesday.

BOONSBORO - Boonsboro Mayor Charles F. "Skip" Kauffman Jr. announced Monday that the town will not pursue annexing any properties north of the auction house complex on Old National Pike. The town also will not extend water service to those properties. Town officials discussed annexing land along Old National Pike to Mill Point Road and extending the town's water service to those properties. At least 20 people were at the town meeting Monday concerned about their property being annexed.

Outstanding student named Clear Spring High School freshman Kenneth Stitely was named an outstanding student at Monday's town meeting. Kenneth received a $50 savings bond and is eligible to apply for a college scholarship awarded by the Town of Clear Spring each year. Kenneth said he plans to attend college, but was unsure which one. Kenneth was selected for the award by Clear Spring High School. Councilwoman, vice mayor sworn in Newly elected Clear Spring Councilwoman Pam Sasser and re-elected Vice Mayor Steven L. Blickenstaff were sworn in during Monday's town meeting.

Community briefs GOP to meet MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The Berkeley County Republican Club will meet Thursday, Feb. 19 at Hoss's Steak & Seahouse on Edwin Miller Boulevard in Martinsburg. An optional dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. Karin Carabillo will discuss Goals 2000 and the election of club trustee will be held. For more information, call President Nancy Myers at 1-304-267-6159. Farm Market gathering slated SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va.

scottb@herald-mail.com The Town of Boonsboro received an early Christmas gift Wednesday as the state Board of Public Works announced it has awarded the town a requested $86,506 grant for the maintenance of Shafer Park. "We are very pleased and we could not have asked for a better Christmas present," Boonsboro Town Manger John Kendall said. The state board approved that and other grant awards during its meeting Wednesday. In August 2002, the Board of Public Works awarded Boonsboro a $12,395 Community Parks & Playgrounds Program grant to replace unsafe playground equipment.

Speed limit posted for Northeast Avenue WAYNESBORO, Pa. - The speed limit for Northeast Avenue, within Waynesboro borough limits, will be set at 25 mph with new signs thanks to a unanimous vote by the Waynesboro Borough Council on Wednesday. Since no signs are posted on the street in the borough, it was 55 mph by default. The council will again discuss the street's traffic issues at a workshop meeting March 23, which was rescheduled from a canceled workshop last Saturday.

Mayor and council members sworn in FUNKSTOWN - Mayor Robert L. Kline and two council members were sworn in before Monday night's town meeting. Kline, incumbent Richard M. Nigh and newcomer Jerry Walker won seats on the council during the town's May 1 election. They each recited an oath and were given a certificate. New planning and zoning member approved FUNKSTOWN - Funkstown's Mayor and Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve a new planning and zoning committee member.