“You’ll want to hold your ears because the bell does make quite a bit of noise,” said Frederick Taylor, standing in front of the Sykesville Town Council Monday night.

“I am delighted and honored to deliver cordial greetings on this appointment.”

Frederick Taylor wasn’t there voting in the public hearing or commenting on the Master Plan, he was there making history.

Proclaimed by Mayor Michael Miller on Monday, Squire Frederick Taylor became the official Town Crier of Sykesville. 

Squire Frederick has already made his presence known on Main Street making appearances at both the Fall Festival and the Merry Main Street Christmas Tree Lighting before officially becoming the Town Crier of Sykesville.

"I was thrilled with the appointment," said Squire Frederick. "I'm so glad Ivy Wells called me a couple of years ago to help with the Sykesville Fall Festival. That's where it all began. And then to help Santa this year was the icing on the cake." 

But he is not new to this assignment. Squire Frederick is also the official Town Crier for two other prominent Maryland areas.

Mayor Ellen Moyer announced Squire Frederick's initial appointment as the Annapolis Town Crier on May 24, 2006 and on Jan. 22, 2009, Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. announced Squire Frederick's appointment as the Official Town Crier of Baltimore County.

In the 1600’s before newspapers hit the press, Town Criers would walk around town yelling “oyez, oyez,” which meant “hear ye” in England and directly translates to “listen” in French. The Town Crier would travel the town streets and shout the day’s news.

Among modern day, Squire Frederick is one of only 41 official town criers in the United States and is a director of the American Guild Of Town Criers.

“It is my distinct pleasure to carry forth in the name of Sykesville, the most ancient, honorable and rich tradition of town crier,” said Squire Frederick during his remarks Monday. “I shall carry forth my duties as requested for so long as the mayor wishes and my good health prevails.”