My name is Kayleigh Kirkpatrick and I’m a current citizen of Myersville and student at Middletown High School. On January 10th, during school hours, I received a letter directly from the Transportation Department stating that the Town of Myersville and the Frederick County Council could not agree on who would own the annexation of Canada Hill Road.
This is not a new problem taking place, but an ongoing one; previously, on December 13th of 2022 a notice to the citizens of Myersville from the Town of Myersville stated “Frederick County subsequently indicated an interest in transferring road ownership to the Town. The Town declined this offer at that time [2022] due to significant tax implications for Town citizens.”
This message conveys that the Town will not accept the roads because of a town-wide tax increase or decrease, which would promptly change a critical requirement to residencies. To connect to the more recent letter I received, a statement provides that “Effective immediately, transportation MAY not be available during times of inclement weather for students at the following bus stops,” which are the stops located between Canada Hill Rd, Clark Rd and Church Hill Rd.
As a person who lives along an affected road, I believe that the Frederick County Council should take responsibility for the rights to the annexation because of the lack of formal processes to transfer road ownerships between the two parties. This formality is what structures fairness, cooperation and assessment of actions needed to satisfy the citizens and their governing council.
In light of this issue, the Town proposed they would “consider accepting ownership of certain County roads, under the condition that those roads would be brought into ‘like new’ condition, as required for all newly developed streets.” This, of course, is not seen plausible for the County council because they believe the total road transfership already occurred although not formally completed.
I agree with the response from the Town of Myersville for receiving roads under new legal terms that do not jeopardize taxes for residents, as it would negate impacts to residences. Overall, I find this situation to cause more local distress because there is currently a lack of jurisdiction over who controls the weather cleanup, leaving the citizens of Myersville to stay at home during their workdays or school days because of unsafe road conditions.
The choice made by the Town of Myersville states “The Town WILL NOT direct its contractor to clear the portion of Canada Hill Road in question, as this road remains under the ownership and maintenance responsibility of the County.” Subsequently, the Council declined the offer by the Town to have the other party pay for the road maintenance for the 2024-25 winter season.
To this day in 2025, the original notice from three years ago has been in judicial interventions, leaving further disdain.If either party does not claim the annexed areas, the Town of Myersville will suffer continually until it’s resolved, leaving residents confused and frustrated why they cannot take their young children to the Myersville Elementary School; leaving highschool students like me to be late to school or absent or forcing tax-payers lateness or absence from their obligations or ability to make earnings.
I’m more than disappointed by the Frederick County Council to resolve in a properly placed transfership under legal conditions, and quite frankly, my trust in their governing falls short. If the County truly values the contributions of Myersville wholly and their residents safety, they should compromise in the legal offer they previously refuted by the Town or create a date at which the Mayor and the Council can legally transfer the annexations.
