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FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
The budget is finished and balanced for now, but none of us really know what the future holds. If the economy doesn’t turn around soon, many more of us may face having to make choices in our private lives that will affect our way of living. This also holds true for any level of government. Not all choices will turn out to be bad though, for we may discover that we really don’t need some of the things we thought we wanted. Everyone, including government, from the small municipalities to the federal government should come out of this recession/depression with a better understanding of what really is important. What that is will depend largely on the individual or the government entity, but hopefully it will be a trend toward more basic values with less focus on the superficial and a smaller, more efficient government that provides necessary services to its people. As always we will try to continue to provide the services you require and hope the future is brighter for us all.
Bret D. Grossnickle, Mayor
TRASH AND RECYCLING
The Town of Union Bridge is requesting that all residents of Union Bridge make the 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 (as of July 1, 2010 the tipping fee rates will be increasing). 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. This will help the town to keep expenses down. There is information at the town hall and at the 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. This means you don’t have to separate your recyclables by type. If you have any questions about recycling and/or trash, please call Ellen Cutsail at 443-244-1147 or email at ecutsail.ubtowncouncil@msn.com .
Ellen Cutsail,
Council Member
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.
Union Bridge has hired ARRO Engineering to complete the engineering and design process. A set of draft plans has been completed and is being reviewed by the town. If any resident would like to view a copy of the plans, contact the Town Office.
Union Bridge Wetlands Park Trail System -
The Town of Union Bridge was awarded $30,000 from the state Highway Administration to extend the town’s wetland park. The extension will start near the bridge on the trail and extend approximately 1,500 LF.
For questions on these or any other projects, please call the Town Office at 410-775-2711.
Jared Schumacher,
Town Consultant
HERITAGE COMMITTEE
The Union Bridge Area Heritage Committee has planned a tour of two historic churches in Union Bridge on Thursday, July 1, at 7:00 p.m. We will learn about the Beaver Dam Church of the Brethren (c. 1882; damaged by fire in 1977) from Austin Bohn, and the Old German Baptist Brethren Church (c. 1832) from Marlin Hege. Traveling south on Route 75 from The Town of Union Bridge, make a right on Beaver Dam Road; go about ¾ mile and, when Beaver Dam Road makes a bend to the left, turn right up the hill to the churches. We will start the tour in the graveyard between the two churches; comfortable shoes are recommended. The tour is open to the public and we will have cold drinks for a warm summer night. For more information, please contact Bob Bolduc (410-756-4895 or email bbolduc@comcast.net ).
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 Dates: August 9th & September 13th. 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
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)
2009 ANNUAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT
Can be picked up at the town hall or may be viewed on the town’s website at
www.carr.org/~unionbr
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
REMINDERS:
ORDINANCE# 263, Sec. B-1, Paragraph 1
Owners and occupants of premises fronting upon any street, with paved gutter and sidewalk, shall keep such gutter or sidewalk free and clean of all filth, dirt, earth, snow, ice or any other obstruction of any kind whatsoever, at all times of the year: and during the months of May , June, July, August, and September clear and clean of all grass or any other foreign substances growing therein.
ORDINANCE #263, Sec. C-2 Paragraph 2
Owners and occupants of occupied premises and owners and persons in charge of unoccupied premises, including vacant lots, are hereby charged with the duty of maintaining any grass on such premises at a height of not more than six (6) inches: and the further duty of maintaining such premises free of noxious weeds and dense underbrush.
YARD WASTE PICKUP BEGAN IN APRIL. BAGS FOR YARD WASTE MAY BE PURCHASED AT THE TOWN HALL FOR $1.00.
THIS CHARGE HELPS TO DEFRAY THE COST OF THE PICK UP.
ZONING
If you are considering any sort of construction project, please contact the Zoning Administrator. Many projects will require a permit. There may also be required distance from streets and property lines for some projects. Please check out the town’s requirements before you begin your project.
PLEASE RECYCLE
Your elected officials have worked hard to keep taxes steady. But with this economy we need your cooperation. Your taxes pay for trash removal. Help us reduce that cost by recycling.
CARROLL COUNTY SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING PROGRAM ACCEPTABLE ITEMS
All of the following materials can be placed in your recycle bin:
Plastic
Wide-mouth containers such as empty peanut butter, margarine/butter tubs, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, whipped topping, and prescription medicine bottles (note that the lids and caps do not need to be removed).
Narrow-neck empty plastic containers with plastic resin identification code 1 through 7 (no motor oil or transmission fluid bottles, please)
Metal
Any empty metal food and beverage containers, including aluminum or other metals.
Aluminum foil and aluminum pie pans.
Aerosol Cans (empty only).
Glass
Glass containers such as empty jars and bottles, all colors accepted.
Paper
Juice and broth boxes
Milk and juice containers, including gable top cartons
Cardboard and paperboard boxes (including cereal boxes without liners)
Office paper (including typing, fax, copy, letterhead, NCR) and envelopes
Newspapers (including all inserts)
Magazines, catalogs and Junk mail
Books (including paperbacks, telephone books, textbooks, and hardbacks)
Brown paper bags (Kraft paper)
Corrugated boxes
Non-metallic wrapping paper
Computer printouts
NO STYROFOAM, PLEASE!
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UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER