The letter discusses the town and its two companies' efforts to get a special tax district approved.

Some of those letters, however, made it to homes that are not in Walkersville 's first-response area.

The mailing came just as the Libertytown company was getting ready to send out its own letters asking for donations.

"I was kind of upset," said Mike Naill, Libertytown company president. "I'm upset they came out as far as they did."

Naill thinks the mailing will confuse residents.

"We want to let the people know what we are doing," he said.

Libertytown is a part of the urban fire tax district, while Walkersville is in the suburban district.

The districts have different availability of services and cost.

Residents in a suburban tax district pay 8 cents per $100 of assessed value of their property. They have part-time coverage, and the fire companies have mostly volunteer staff. Those in the urban tax district pay 12.8 cents per $100 of assessed value and have coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Libertytown is raising money to remodel its 45-year-old station and put on an addition.

The station has one unisex bathroom, a couple of small offices and a bunk room for four people. Members can get upstairs only by climbing an outdoor staircase.

The project will double the size of the station, from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet. Members plan to add an indoor staircase, an elevator, new living quarters and a kitchen, among other things.

The improvements are being paid for through fundraisers and solicitations, not with tax dollars, Naill said.

When Libertytown decided to do a mailing, the company bought a list of names only in its first-responder area. Naill wishes Walkersville had done the same when complying its list, which was done by ZIP codes.

Walkersville Volunteer Fire Co. President Austin Schroyer said the mailing into Libertytown 's area was the result of a post-office error.

Schroyer said some Walkersville first-due residents have received fundraising letters from Libertytown in the past.

"We get it both ways," he said. "It's the way it is."

Naill believes getting a fundraising letter in the mail is not the same as getting one about taxes.

"It's two totally different things," Naill said.

Libertytown has now delayed its mailing until the first or second week of December.

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for this week. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.