Smithsburg council swears in mayor and council, names Kathy McCormick vice president

Smithsburg — At its organizational meeting Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the Smithsburg Town Council swore in Donald Salvage Jr. as mayor, administered oaths to newly elected council members and elected Council member Kathy McCormick as council vice president by voice vote.

County Clerk Kevin Tucker administered the oaths on the council dais, reciting the oath language that named Donald Salvage Jr. to “execute the office of Mayor of the town Smithsburg.” After the oath, the presiding official congratulated the new mayor and invited council members forward for their oaths.

Council member Kathy McCormick repeated the oath as sworn into office and later was nominated and approved by voice as council vice president after a single nomination from the floor. No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript; the presiding official closed nominations and announced the result.

The council also reviewed appointments and liaisons to town boards and commissions. The presiding official proposed assignments to planning and parks liaisons, continued the library board representation, and designated a liaison to coordinate with the local fire department. The council discussed creating a sustainability or green committee but left that as an item for future consideration. The Economic Development Commission appointment was deferred to the next regular meeting and will appear on new business at that time.

The meeting record includes an inconsistent rendering of one council member’s name during the oath (the presiding official introduced Earlene Smith; one line of the transcript renders the name as “Arlene”). This article uses the spelling recorded when the presiding official made the introduction.

With organizational business complete, a motion to adjourn was made and the council concluded the special session.