|
FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
As we all too quickly end another year, let us be thankful that it wasn’t any worse than it was. Everyone is looking forward to next year, like the fans of any sports team that has failed to make the post season, with great expectations of better times. Financially, the town has weathered this recession with little impact to the residents, but this may not hold true for much longer. The difficult budget situation our State and Federal governments find themselves in will continue to affect our ability to provide services in the manner we have all become accustomed to. Adjustment to these services may have to be made in order to keep the streets in reasonable shape. The money we lost from the State for street maintenance was nearly devastating to our budget and if it is not returned in the near future, we will have to find other ways to fund needed repairs and snow removal. We are all right for the present, but changes will probably be necessary going forward.
On the up side, we have managed to do a little more street and sidewalk restoration thanks to grants received from the Community Development Block Grant, the grocery store gets ever closer to reopening and the merchants in town have so far remained in business. It is up to us to see that they continue to do so. Doing business locally is the best way to ensure jobs remain in this country.
In 2011 I would like to see Union Bridge set the standard for recycling and conservation. Everything that can be recycled should be and reducing waste will ultimately save us all money. We need ideas for how to recycle more things and would welcome any and all suggestions.
As always, we encourage everyone to attend a few council meetings so that we can get to know you and you us. Civil discourse made this country great and we welcome the chance to listen to your ideas and opinions.
Happy Holidays, good health and may the next year be a better one for all.
Bret D. Grossnickle, Mayor
GRANT PROJECTS UPDATE
Benedum Street Sidewalk -
The Town of Union Bridge was awarded $242,000 from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Development Block Grant Program. This grant will be used to improve sidewalks and curbing along Benedum Street. This will be at no cost to the residents or property owners.
Stambaugh’s is now finishing up the final block of Benedum Street. As a reminder, putting salt down to melt snow can be harmful to the new concrete. Finding a substitute that is safer on concrete is suggested. The town would like to keep the sidewalks in the best condition we can.
SHA/POS Wetlands Park Trail Extension -
The town received funding from the State Highway Administration and Program Open Space to extend the Wetlands Park trail located adjacent to Rt. 75. Construction for this project is planned to start in the summer of 2011.
For questions on these or any other projects, please call the Town Office at 410-775-2711. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!
Jared Schumacher,
Town Consultant
WEST CARROLL REC
West Carroll serves Union Bridge, New Windsor, and surrounding areas. Anyone interested in Rec. Council programs or events is welcome to attend our meetings. Meetings will be held the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Old New Windsor School/County Government Offices/Library Administration Offices in New Windsor. We are currently seeking a Union Bridge Town Representative to serve on the Board. This volunteer should have a Union Bridge zip code, but is not required to live within the Town limits.
Next Meeting Date: November 8th. See our website: www.goWCRC.com.
For general information about West Carroll programs, contact Community Coordinator, Penny Rockwood at 410-775-1506. Another source to check for upcoming sports registrations is “RecZone”’ found in the back of the Sports section of the Carroll County Times on Sundays.
Penny Rockwood, Community Coordinator
UNION BRIDGE COMPUTER CENTER
The Computer Center is open Monday and Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. We follow the Carroll County Public Library holiday and snow closing schedule. The Bookmobile visits every other Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. We have six new laptops and two used ones that use a Wi-Fi connection to access the Internet. Volunteers at the center are official Carroll County Public Library volunteers. Students who volunteer can qualify for community service volunteer hours.
Matt Gibbons,
Bridges Secretary
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL U.B. VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
PUBLIC BREAKFAST
Sunday, January 9, 2011
7:00 - Noon
Adults: $7.00 – Children 6-12 $3.50 – under 6 “free”
All you can eat!
GIFT CARD BINGO - $15.00
Friday, January 14, 2011. Bingo Starts 7:00PM.
20 Games, Raffles & King Tut
Snow Date: Saturday, January 15, 2011
NEWSLETTER ATTENTION
The newsletter is posted six times per year, January, March, May, July, September, and November, and may be viewed on the town’s web site at www.carr.org/~unionbr. Also, upon request, paper copies may be picked up at the town hall. (410-775-2711)
PET OWNERS
The town is getting calls about residents not picking up after their pets. Please consider those who come after you on your walk. Put yourself in their shoes – literally. Please be a good neighbor and pick up your animal droppings. Union Bridge Code, Chapter 10, The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his animal(s) on public property, including sidewalks, recreation areas or on private property.
SEWER LINE BLOCKAGES
RESIDENTS: If your sewer line becomes blocked please contact the Town
Hall at 410-775-2711 before calling a plumber.
Water & Sewer Emergencies
Please page Amy Kalin at 410-899-1200
THE COMMUNITY CENTER
IS AVAILABLE FOR WEDDINGS, PARTIES AND REUNIONS
CALL THE TOWN OFFICE AT 410-775-2711
TO INQUIRE ABOUT RENTING THE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR YOUR FUNCTION
SNOW REMINDER:
Union Bridge Code Chapter 130, SEC. 4(B2)
Owners or occupants of premises fronting on any street with paved sidewalks shall remove any snow and ice from the traveled portions of the sidewalk, to a width of at least 30”, within 24 hours after snow or ice ceases to fall.
SNOW
Main Street is a snow emergency route,
NO PARKING
is allowed when the snow emergency plan is in effect.
WINTER MAINTENANCE AND CARE OF PATTERN SIDEWALKS
Sand or kitty litter may be used for traction.
Snow removal equipment should have a rubber edged blade.
We do not recommend the use of salt or snow melting product containing sodium chloride. In the event that these products must be used, wash any residue from the concrete surface when feasible
Avoid the use of ice picks or anything that may chip or damage the concrete surface
PUBLIC NOTICE
TO THE CITIZENS OF UNION BRIDGE:
MAYOR AND TWO MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE ELECTED
ELECTION DAY
IS TUESDAY,
MAY 10, 2011
7:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
LOCATION: TOWN HALL 104 WEST LOCUST STREET
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TOWN ELECTIONS:
Voter Registration: It is necessary to be registered in order to vote in Town elections. If you are already registered with the County to vote in County, State, and Federal elections, you are automatically registered to vote in Town elections. If you wish to vote in only the Town election you may register at the Town Hall during regular hours, 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Registration will close on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.
Qualification of voters:
You must be a citizen of the United States.
You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age on or before Election Day.
You must have resided within the corporate limits at least thirty (30) days prior to the election.
You must be registered to vote.
Qualification of Candidates for Mayor and Council:
You must have resided within the corporate limits for at least one (1) year.
You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
You must be a qualified voter of the Town.
***Terms of office are for four (4) years***
A candidate for office must file a “Certificate of Nomination” with the Town Clerk, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2011.
Should you have any questions concerning this notice please call the Town Hall, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., at 410-775-2711.
WISHING YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
|
UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER