Hagerstown council honors heroism

A humble feat of heroism was acknowledged at Hagerstown’s Jan. 5 council meeting. Hagerstown High School junior Cale Schmitz received the Citizen of the Month recognition for his lifesaving actions last November. Council member Chris Blaase described how Schmitz and his father, Bryan, were involved in a head-on collision the weekend before Thanksgiving. Schmitz, despite suffering a broken back, pulled his father and the other driver safely from the fiery debris. 

“He’s credited with saving two lives,” Blaase said about Schmitz. “Cale is a great student, a great athlete and very deserving of the Citizen of the Month award.” Schmitz’s father and his mother, Camela, were in attendance. 

Michelle Huntington provided a hearty recap of Hometown Christmas. While the annual holiday event was a success, they hope to extend the town’s decorations, erect more outside electrical outlets and seek improvements to the electrical breakers in the park. The 2026 event is scheduled for Dec. 5, with the Fall Festival on Oct. 10 and the summer’s Jubilee Days on July 31 and Aug 1.

Other meeting business included the following:

• Allan Bullock and Brian Longbons reelected as president and president pro tem for 2026
• Anton Payne LLC’s loan request for $50,000 observed; while approval was recommended, further review will be held later this month
• Resolutions addressing year-end transfers within same funds and year-end encumbrances for 2025, were approved, both regarding the airport board’s use of leftover budget funds 
• The water line project has reached 50% completion 
• A recent sewage issue brought concern about future monitoring of water line
• Police calls were down 20 in Dec. 
• Fire calls were up for the year at 278
• Approval of Edward Jones 3% match for full-time employees
• Approval of water project invoices 

The town hall will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 2, at 6:30 p.m. The public may attend.