UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTERMarch/April 2003
UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
March/April 2003
INSIDE
From the Mayor's Desk
Resident Deputy
Funding Committee
Special Projects Report
Carroll County Library
UB Election Notice
| Council Meetings | Mar. 24 & Apr. 24 – 7p.m. |
| Funding Committee Meetings | Mar. 5 & Apr. 2 – 7p.m. |
| Planning & Zoning Meetings | Mar. 13 & Apr. 17 - 6:30 p.m. |
| Council Work Sessions | Mar. 17& Apr. 21 - 6:30p.m. |
Web Page www.carr.org/~unionbr
E-mail unionbr@ccpl.carr.org
Mar/April. 2003 Newsletter articles due in the city office April 15, 2003
The new water tank has been in service for a month now, and the increased pressure has caused a few leaks. Most of these have been on Main Street, and I thank those affected for their patience and understanding. When the water line on Main Street is replace with the Main Street Revitalization project, we won’t have this problem. If you have any questions or concerns about your water or sewer service please call the Town Office, Trisha Stonesifer, or myself. Ms. Stonesifer was appointed to fill the vacant Council position.
Last month I attended the Maryland Mayor Association conference in Annapolis. There I learned of cuts to our budget by the Governor. We stand to lose about 30 percent of our Highway User Grant monies from the State. This will hurt as many of our streets are in need of repair. We are working on the budget for next year and this cut will be hard to absorb. Program Open Space money has also been hit by the Governors ax. This will not affect us immediately, but may in the future, as the need for additional playgrounds and ball fields are needed.
New Windsor Mayor Sam Pierce and I spoke with the fourth grade class at Elmer Wolfe School about what its like to be mayor. We did this as part of The Mayors Association “If I were Mayor I would”…Program. Fourth grade students throughout Maryland are asked to write an essay on this topic to be judged by the Association. The winners will receive a prize.
Thank you again for your patience during the upgrades to our system.
Mayor Bret Grossnickle
Several school bus violations have been occurring in the Union Bridge area. Please be aware of the children at bus stops. There may be a bus stop around the next blind curve or over the next hill. Drivers must stop and remain stopped for a stopped school vehicle operating alternately flashing red lights. A violation of this section is a $270.00 fine and 3 points. Please drive responsible.
Bike helmets are still available for children who do not have one. (See me in person or call).
Deputy First Class Clint Cromwell
Carroll County Shreiffs Office
Non-emergency 410-386-2900
EMERGENCY 911
Tips hotline 1-888-399-TIPS
The next Funding Committee breakfast will be held on March 16, 2003.
Union Bridge Comprehensive Water Improvements Program
The town is basically half way through its water improvements program. Total project costs are approximately $3.9 M. Of this amount the town has been successful in obtaining almost $1.2 M in grant funds from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), USDA, and the Maryland Department of the Environment. The remaining funds are federal and state loans totaling about $1.9 M. These loans have a very low interest rate (in the range of 2.1% to 4.5%).
A description of completed water improvements:
New Well at Whyte Street (Fire Department Site). This new back-up well will be connected to the future water treatment plant on West Locust Street. The pipe work has already been installed to the site. The well was tested and should yield about 70 gpm or about 100,000 gallons per day. We have made application to MDE for an updated allocation permit.
Water Storage Tank. A new 300,000 gallon elevated water tank has been constructed at East Locust Street to replace the existing ground level tank. The project is 90 percent complete. The water tank is operational, but the project has not yet received substantial completion by the town engineer. The old tank will be demolished.
Water Distribution System. The installation of eight-inch water lines, water meters, automated meter reader system, valves, and related work has been completed for Locust Street, East Elger Street, and Lehigh Drive. Over 400 customers received new water meters.
Water Billing Software, ArcView Mapping, Computer Hardware, & Training. The town has completed installation of an upgraded computer hardware and water billing system. When new water meters were installed throughout town, electronic meter readers were also installed. Water meters in town are now read and recorded electronically.
A description of pending water improvements.
Main Street Water Main and Service Lines. This project includes the installation of 2,700 feet of 8” water line in Main Street, and new service connections for all water customers. Water meters have already been installed in Main Street as part of the Mid-Atlantic Utilities contract. This project will be completed in conjunction with improvements to Main Street by the State Highway Administration. Construction should begin about June 2003.
Water Treatment Plant. This project has been advertised, with bids due in March. Final funding from the state and federal funding agencies has not yet been finalized, but funding approval is expected. The new 300,000 gallons per day water plant will be constructed adjacent to the town office on West Locust Street. Construction should commence in September 2003.
If you have any questions regarding the above projects, please contact the town office at 775-2711.
Carroll County Public Library has Bookmobile service for the public in Union Bridge at the Elmer Wolfe Elementary School every third Monday morning from 10:20 to 11:00. The bookmobile offers a variety of library materials and services FREE to patrons of all ages. The Bookmobile caries books for all ages, magazines, videos, DVD’s, and books on cassette. We invite you to visit the Bookmobile, meet our friendly staff and select materials for your reading and listening enjoyment. The Bookmobile will be at Elmer Wolfe Elementary School on March 3, March 24, April14, and May 5. Be sure to check our summer schedule also.
PUBLIC NOTICE TO THE CITIZENS OF UNION BRIDGE:
THIS IS ELECTION YEAR IN UNION BRIDGE MAYOR AND TWO MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE ELECTED
ELECTION DAY - TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2003 7:00 A.M. to 8:00
P.M.
LOCATION: TOWN HALL (104 WEST LOCUST STREET)
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 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Registration will close on Monday, April 14, 2003.
Qualifications of voters:
1. You must be a citizen of the United States.
2. You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age on or before Election Day.
3. You must have resided within the corporate limits at least thirty (30) days prior to the Election.
4. You must be registered to vote.
Qualifications of Candidates for Mayor and Council:
1. You must have resided within the Corporate limits for at least one (1) year.
2. You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
3. 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 4:00p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2003.
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.
For questions concerning your trash pick up service please call Maryland Disposal & Recycling at 301-368-9094.
The Community Center is available for weddings, parties and reunions. Call the Town Hall at 410-775-2711 for information.
If your sewer line becomes blocked please contact the Town Hall at 410-775-2711 BEFORE you call a plumber.