UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
March/April 2007

INSIDE

From the Mayor's Desk
Resident Deputy
Elections
West Carroll Rec.
U.B. Fire Company
U.B. Breakfasts

DATES TO REMEMBER

Web Page www.carr.org/~unionbr

E-mail unionbr@carr.org

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
It is election time again and anyone interested should file for one of three available positions. Two Council seats and the Mayor's position are up for election. If you are interested and would like more information about either, please call and we will be glad to answer any questions you may have. The experience to be gained by serving in government is something that everyone should have as it sheds light on the other side of the story. Many of us are guilty of saying that the government should do this or do that, but don't stop to think that whenever government does anything there is a fee attached. Everything that government does is paid for by us. There is no magic pot of money that can be drawn from to provide these services to the public. A few years experience in public service is priceless.

There have been many changes in town since I started 20 years ago and there will probably be many more. The two developments are still on the horizon and they will bring change in the form of additional people. Water and Waste Water treatment is an ever-changing process that will always require attention, no matter how much you do. The cost of upgrading our aging infrastructure is also a problem as there is very little grant money available for these projects and the costs are astronomical. Street repairs, lighting, sidewalks, police protection, trash removal and recycling are just some of the ever present issues that need to be handled on a regular basis, so if you are still interested in holding an office you had better be ready to make decision that may not be popular with some or all in town. Sometimes you have to do what is right for the town as a whole and not for the individual. Sometimes your decisions are based solely on the availability of funding. Doing the right thing is not always possible.
Still, my time serving the good folks of Union Bridge has largely been a pleasant experience and I would recommend it to anyone. See you at a meeting?

Bret D. Grossnickle, Mayor

UNION BRIDGE RESIDENT DEPUTY
Now that winter is truly upon us, here are a few tips to keep in mind when traveling in inclement weather. One important step in making sure your winter travel is safe is to be prepared. Make sure you have enough fuel in the vehicle so that even if you get stuck, you will not be without heat. If your drive takes you some place even more remote, make sure to have blankets and water in the vehicle. If you have a cell phone make sure it is either charged or that you have a car charger with you to call for assistance if necessary. Most importantly, drive with care. No vehicle handles well in icy conditions, and a small snow drift can cause a car to lose control. I hope these tips help you successfully navigate through the remainder of winter.

Jon Light, DFC
Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
410-386-2900 ext. 4106
jlight@ccg.carr.org
Tips 1-888-399-TIPS
Emergency 911
Non-emergency 410-386-2900

ELECTIONS
This is election year in Union Bridge. A Mayor and two Council members will be elected. Election Day is Tuesday, May 8, 2007. Elections are held from 7 A.M. to 8 P.M. at the Town Hall located at 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 9, 2007 at 4:30 p.m.
In order to vote you must be a citizen of the United States, you must be at least eighteen years of age on or before Election Day, you must have resided within the corporate limits at least thirty days prior to the Election and you must be registered to vote.

Qualifications of Candidates for Mayor and Council are that you must have resided within the corporate limits for at least one year, you must be at least eighteen years of age and you must be a qualified voter of the Town.
A candidate for office must file a "Certificate of Nomination" with the Town Clerk, no later than 4p.m. On Monday, April 9, 2007.

Should you have any questions concerning this notice please call the Town Hall during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., at 410-775-2711.

Union Bridge Fire Company
PUBLIC BREAKFAST
All you can eat
Sunday March 11, 2007
7 a.m. to 12 noon
Adults $6.00 - Children 6-12 $3.00 - under 6 Free
All you can eat

SPORTSMAN DRAWING
Saturday March 3, 2007
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
$30.00 per ticket, which allows ticket holder and one guest meal and drawing
For ticket information call 410-775-7780.

BINGO BANQUET
Saturday March 17, 2007
Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
Bingo starts at 7 p.m.
$25.00 includes meal
For information and tickets call 410-775-0001.

UNION BRIDGE BREAKFAST sponsored by Bowling Brook Preparatory School
Until further notice, the breakfast sponsored by Bowling Brook Prep School is ON HOLD. An announcement will be forthcoming when they are able to resume the breakfast. The school wishes to thank you for your patience and support.

Sunrise Service
Sunrise Service will be held again this year on April 8, 2007. The service will begin at 6:30 a.m. Refreshments will be served.

West Carroll Rec Council
West Carroll serves Union Bridge, New Windsor and surrounding areas. Anyone interested in Rec. Council programs or events is welcome to attend our meetings, which are held the 3rd Monday of each month at the Union Bridge Town Hall. The next meeting dates are March 19th and April 16th at 7 p.m.

West Carroll Rec. is sponsoring this new class - FITNESS CLASS ~ SCULPT, STRETCH AND TONE
"Scarlett Fitness/3G - Get Up, Get Out, Get Fit". This class, instructed by John Scarlett, offers 45 minutes of Cross Training exercise to tone, body sculpting to increase muscle definition, and abdominal (core) strengthening, by incorporating the use of weights and floor exercises. 3G is designed to turn loose muscle into hard and strong muscle. Get ready to feel the burn! All you need is a mat and a pair of dumbbells (Ladies 5-10lbs, Gentlemen 8-15lbs.). You can see major changes in as little as 6 weeks! Cost is $10.00 per session, $8.00 when signing up for 8 or more sessions. Monday and Wednesday 5:30 -6:15 at the Union Bridge Community Center. Contact Rebekah Snyder at 410-848-1613 for more information.

*Spring Sports:
Fast Pitch Softball - Contact Dave Hoffman 410-635-3985

Travel Baseball - New baseball league forming a U12 baseball team for the spring 2007 season. Contact Bill Kresslein 410-876-4539 or Mark Carter 410-876-6030.

West Carroll Baseball - Contact Brian Klein 410-775-7992

FSK Jr. Eagles Lacrosse - Boys contact Felipe Mesa 410-756-9210
Girls contact Jackie Grillon 410-756-2250

Adult Volleyball
Adult, competitive, pick-up volleyball at Elmer Wolfe Elementary School, Games are Thursdays from 6:45 to 9:30 p.m., now until May. Contact Steve Keeney 410-775-7780.

**For general information about the West Carroll programs, contact Community Coordinator, Penny Rockwood at 410-857-3549.

THE TOWN WISHES TO THANK CHARLES STAMBAUGH OF STAMBAUGH'S INC. FOR HIS DONATION OF TIME, LABOR AND EQUIPMENT IN CLEANING THE ICE AND SNOW PILED ALONG MAIN STREET.

RUMOR CONTROL
The bridge over Route 75 at the north end of Union Bridge is not scheduled to be closed during the installation of culverts by Woodhaven Building and Development. There may be one-way traffic from time to time but it will not be closed.
Karen Kotarski obtained this information from SHA.
A start date for construction has not been determined.

ONE-WAY TRAFFIC
West Locust Street has been changed to ONE-WAY traffic. Please note signs and adhere to the new traffic pattern.

HELP WANTED
The United States Census Bureau is looking for help with the upcoming census. Please call 1-800-262-4236
and press 1.

SEWER LINE BLOCKAGES
If your sewer line becomes blocked please contact the Town Hall at 410-775-2711.

COMMUNITY CENTER CALL 410-775-2711 TO RESERVE THE CENTER FOR YOUR FUNCTION

ORDINANCE #263 B-2
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.

STREET SWEEPING
Street sweeping is done each week. Council member in charge of streets, Donald Wilson, asked that you please obey "no parking" meter bags and signs on designated days.

ORDINANCE #263
The town is still getting calls about residents not picking up after their animals. Please consider those who come after you on your walk. Put yourself in their shoes - literally. Please be a good neighbor and do the right thing.

YARD WASTE PICK-UP
The town will again offer yard waste pick-up beginning on April 4, 2007, for a period of 26 weeks. Yard waste bags may be purchased at the town hall at a cost of $1.00 per bag.