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FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
On October 27, 2011 FEMA sent the revised Flood Insurance Rate Map to The Town of Union Bridge. The county and state have made a few changes to the maps. The county informed us that they will be sending letters to those who are affected. This letter will have dates listed for informational meeting that will be held for residents to attend. It is very important for any resident, who is in the flood plain, to review the revised Flood Insurance Rate Map and to attend one of the scheduled meetings. The revisions that have been made could affect your Flood Insurance.
After 39 years Stambaugh’s Inc. will be downsizing. The second generation, Mr. Stambaugh’s son, Ryan will operate Stambaugh’s Inc. Mr. Stambaugh and his company have been a huge help to The Town of Union Bridge. We could all learn a valuable lesson from the Stambaugh family: that everything does not have a price and being a good neighbor is something money can’t buy.
Due to all the rainfall we have experienced this fall, Union Bridge has had a lot of flooding. Main Street has been closed three times this year. Shepherds Mill Road has been a godsend during the flooding. Winter is here and snow will soon be falling. Please take time to make sure any fire hydrants around you are kept clear of snow.
I would like to take this time to invite you to attend the council meetings in the upcoming new year. Your participation in town meetings is very important and we encourage you to give us your input. Meetings are held at the Town Hall every 4th Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are not held at the 7-Eleven, hardware store or the local town restaurants. Please plan to attend a council meeting. Citizens’ help is always needed and appreciated. Please remember that each council person has a duty, and if there is a problem contact that specific council person first.
Donald Wilson – Streets
Amy Kalin – Water & Sewer
Ellen Cutsail – Refuse & Police
Edgar Wentz – Community Center
Laura Conaway – Lights
Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year!
Perry L. Jones, Jr., Mayor
UNION BRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER
Union Bridge Community Center reduced rental rates will begin on the 1st of January, 2012. Please call the Town Hall if you are interested in renting the center for your function. The new rates are as follows:
IN TOWN –
$150.00 HALL
$ 50.00 KITCHEN
$100.00 SECURITY DEP.
OUT OF TOWN –
$ 250.00 HALL
$ 50.00 KITCHEN
$ 100.00 SECURITY DEP.
GRANT PROJECTS UPDATE
CDBG West Broadway Reconstruction -
The Mayor and Council of Union Bridge are pleased to announce that The Town of Union Bridge was awarded a $230,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). This project will be a street improvement project including new water lines, sewer lines, storm drains, sidewalks and curbing, and street resurfacing for West Broadway extending from Whyte Street to Warehime Alley, similar to the successful projects that the town completed for Benedum and Farquhar Streets. The town sent out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for engineering design services. Bids are due January 6, 2012. If you would like to review a copy of the RFP, please contact the town office. The town council will schedule a public informational meeting to discuss the project sometime in the spring of 2012.
SHA Wetlands Park Trail Extension -
The town was also awarded a $30,000 grant from the State Highway Administration to extend the Wetlands Park trail approximately 1,000lf. The trail will be located at the Little Pipe Creek Wetlands Park, adjacent to Route 75. Union Bridge is also trying to augment the SHA funds with Program Open Space grant funding.
For questions on these or any other projects, please call the Town Office at 410-775-2711.
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. Next meeting dates: January 9, 2012, February 13, 2012 and March 12,2012.
We are happy to announce the following Board positions for 2012:
President: Mark Turner
Vice President: Warren Jones, Treasurer: Sandy Sullivan, Secretary: Gina McDermott, New Windsor Town Rep: Laura Jones, Union Bridge Town Rep: OPEN (Need someone to fill this position.)
Spring Sports Contacts:
Baseball: Troy Staub 410-596-6658
Lacrosse: Ted LaPierre 443-677-1583
Rugby: Brad Rockwood 410-775-1506
For general information about West Carroll programs, contact Community Coordinator, Penny Rockwood at 410-775-1506. See our website: www.goWCRC.com 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
BRIDGES - UNION BRIDGE COMPUTER CENTER
Bridges sponsors the Computer Lab at the Union Bridge Community Center in conjunction with the Town of Union Bridge and the Carroll County Public Library. The Computer Lab is open Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 5:00 – 8:30 pm. The Bookmobile is scheduled to be at the Community Center every third Monday. We are looking for volunteers to help staff the center. No computer experience is necessary. Volunteers are official library volunteers.
Matt Gibbons,
Bridges Secretary
HERITAGE COMMITTEE
The Union Bridge Area Heritage Committee will hold its annual meeting and election of officers on Thursday, January 5, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. at the Union Bridge Town Hall. All are invited to join us as we plan activities for the year ahead. We recently installed a display cabinet in the meeting room, and we need help to set up a display of collectibles. For information, please contact Jim Rowe at the Buttersburg Inn 410-775-9939 or email buttersburg@verizon.net
FEMA FLOODPLAIN MAPS
FEMA has a website that may be helpful to residents who would like more information about the floodplain maps and Hazard Mitigation. http://www.fema.gov/hazard/map/index.shtm The most recent revised floodplain maps will be available at the Town Hall for review.
IF I WERE MAYOR, I WOULD….. ESSAY CONTEST
This year’s essay theme is “Meeting the Challenge.” To help strengthen the students’ understanding, feel free to give real-world examples revolving around the essay contest questions:
- Of the problems or tasks you’ve identified in your city/town, which would you address as Mayor?
- How would you encourage your citizens to meet these challenges?
The essay contest is open to all Maryland 4th grade students enrolled during the 2011-2012 school year. Eleven winners will be invited (one from each MML district) to participate in the Contest Awards Ceremony. Each will also receive $100. The original essays must be submitted to MML by 5:00 p.m. on March 30, 2012. All entries must have a completed official contest entry form attached. Entry forms can be picked up at your local Elementary School or at the Union Bridge Town Hall.
If you have questions, contact Paula Chase Hyman or Sharon Easton at 410-268-5514 or email paulah@mdmunicipal.org or sharone@mdmunicipal.org .
SEWER LINE BLOCKAGES
RESIDENTS: If your sewer line becomes blocked please contact the Town
Hall at 410-775-2711 before calling a plumber. FOR WATER AND SEWER EMERGENCIES PLEASE PAGE AMY KALIN 1-410-899-1200
SNOW
Main Street is a snow emergency route, NO PARKING is allowed when the snow emergency plan is in effect. NO PARKING on East Broadway from Lightner Street up to Bellevue and on Thomas Street from Lightner Street up to Bellevue when snow emergency plan is in effect.
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 or ice from the traveled portions of the side walk, to a width of at least 30”, within 24 hours after snow or ice ceases to fall.
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.
RECYCLING
The Town of Union Bridge is requesting that all residents of Union Bridge make an effort to recycle everything they possibly can. The cost for trash that is picked up in town is a combination of the cost for the pick-up of the trash plus the tipping fee at the landfill. When you recycle, the town pays only for the pick-up service, there is no tipping fee associated with recyclables. Therefore, the more that we recycle, the less it costs the town. There is information at the Town Hall and County Office Building explaining what you can put in your recycle bins. Everything that is recyclable can be put into the same container, as Carroll County is doing single-stream recycling.
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
03-11
Water User Rates:
To amend the water user rates: Quarterly minimum charge per user $40.00. Charge per 1,000 gallons of water consumed $5.00, in addition to quarterly minimum charge.
04-11 Sewer User Rates: To amend the sewer user rates: Quarterly minimum charge per user $45.00. Charge per 1,000 gallons of water consumed $6.00, in addition to quarterly minimum charge. A public hearing will be held on January 23, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.
MD State Police Drug TIPS HOTLINE 410-875-0936
They CAN’T do it without your help!!!
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) or at any local business.
COMMUNITY CENTER AVAILBLE
FOR WEDDINGS, PARTIES, AND REUNIONS 410-775-2711
WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY “2012” NEW YEAR!
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UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER