UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
May/June 2002
INSIDE
Office CLOSED May 27, 2002
MML Convention June 24-26
Web Page www.carr.org/~unionbr
E-Mail unionbr@ccpl.carr.org
NEWSLETTER ARTICLES DUE IN CITY OFFICE
JUNE 14, 2002
On April 5th, level one mandatory water restrictions went into effect. Please check or call about exceptions. It could save you a $1,000.00 fine. Don’t forget these rules came from the State and NOT the Town of Union Bridge. A complete list may be found on the web site at www.mde.state.md.us/drought/mandatory.
May 27th through June 1st will be the Union Bridge Fireman’s Carnival. May 27th will be Memorial Day Services at the VFW at 6 P.M. Wednesday will be the Fireman’s parade. There will be NO PARKING on N. Main St. & W. Broadway from 5 P.M. until the end of the parade.
Water and sewer projects are going along fine. Please be patient with construction workers and crews during this time. If anyone has questions about water or sewer problems please contact Bret Grossnickle at 410-307-5128 (pager) or Jeff Glass 410-307-5744 (pager). Donald Wilson is the councilperson in charge of streets. Please call Donald about street problems. Remember each councilperson has his or her job. Please call councilpersons first. The town clerk still has to talk to the councilperson first.
The Mayor and council would like to thank the Town Hall Funding Committee and the citizens of Union Bridge and nearby for their help in funding the town hall. Since 1993 our mortgage of $200,000.00 has gone down to $89,000.00 with your help. We built a building to last the town for many years. The citizens and council had the foresight to build a building with space to grow. No county or government agency does that. Union Bridge is known State wide for its funding projects by volunteers. Keep up the good work!
Some people ask why we have Jim Schumacher. Well in the past 3.5 to 4 years and the next year he is responsible for helping to get about 7.5 million dollars in grants and low interest loans for Union Bridge. His salary mostly is paid by the grants. So yes he is well worth the little money the town has to pay.
NEXT BREAKFAST DATE MAY 19
Mark your calendar now, for FALL FEST, September 21st.
Volunteers are always needed, please call Kathy Kreimer at 410-775-7400.
Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Well. John Harms and Associates, consultant engineer, has completed the 90% design drawings for the water treatment plant. The plans have been forwarded to the Maryland Department of the Environment for final review. The project will be advertised for bid in the next few months. The WTP will be constructed adjacent to the town office, where the town’s primary well is located. Design work is underway to connect the new town well on Whyte Street (Fire Department property) to the WTP. The project will cost about $1.2 M, depending on final design.
New 8” Water Lines, Service Connections, and Meters. Work has begun on several major water improvement projects in town. Please be sure to have ample amounts of drinking water on hand during the construction phase. It is possible that water service may be temporarily disrupted several times throughout the construction phase. The mayor and council awarded the project to Mid-Atlantic Utilities, Inc., after reviewing four bid proposals. The work involves installation of several new water mains, new water meters and pits, services lines and upgrading substandard lines. New water mains will be installed in Locust Street, East Elgar Street, Lehigh Drive, and White Street. The contract award to Mid-Atlantic is for $952,800. In addition, the town is designing a new 8” water line for Main Street. The Main Street water line and meters will be installed in conjunction with the planned Maryland State Highway Administration’s improvement project for Main Street, scheduled to begin in late summer or fall. The town has also installed a new computerized water billing and mapping system.
Water Storage Tank. Construction of the new 300,000-gallon aboveground water storage tank has been awarded to Johnston Construction Company for $688,650. The new tank will replace the existing ground level tank on East Locust Street, adjacent to the basketball courts. Construction began in April 2002.
New steps and railing are planned for the small ball diamond on Thomas Street. Construction should begin in April 2002.
The State Highway Administration (SHA) has given funding approval for the Union Bridge Main Street project. In a letter from Mr. Robert Fisher, SHA District Engineer (7), the town was notified that the Maryland Rt. 75 Neighborhood Conservation Project has been included in the draft Consolidated Transportation Program Document. This means that funding for Main Street improvements have been included in the SHA 2003 budget. Planned improvements include resurfacing, curbs, gutter, sidewalks, storm drains, inlets, signs, landscaping, crosswalks, and handicap ramps. We also learned that SHA would fund the 35 proposed decorative streetlights along Main Street.
Additional Grant Funding for Downtown Projects. The town submitted an application to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for a Community Development Block Grant. We are happy to report that the DHCD approved our application in the amount of $221,000 for improvements including: upgrades to town side streets that connect with Main Street, the cost to upgrade the standard SHA sidewalk to a decorative patterned concrete design, two gateway signs (located on Rt. 75 as you enter town from the south and East), the “town square” at Main and Broadway, and undergrounding of some utilities and overhead wires.
The SHA and town plan to advertise the project for bids in May 2002. The estimated cost for both State and town improvements are about of $2.5 M. Construction should begin in late summer.
Sewer Extension Project. Stambaugh’s Inc., general contractor, has begun Phase Two of the sewer extension project for Union Bridge Road, Honeysuckle Lane, and Bark Hill Road. Phase One, along North Main Street, is nearing completion. Residents along each of these streets need to obtain a Carroll County Plumbing Permit prior to starting work to connect to the town’s public system. Contact the town office for hook-up information.
If you have any questions concerning capital projects and community development issues, please call the town office at 410-775-2711.
Recently, the Lions Clubs contacted UNICEF, United Children’s Fund, to see if they would help us use the Art & Science Show as a means of raising funds for the benefit of Afghan children’s education. Because of the war and a very repressive government, conditions for Afghan children’s’ education look very difficult. Poor government and suppression spawn poverty. Helplessness, discouragement and fanaticism are often born under these donations. The Lions felt that we might be able to supply some educational aid with the help of our own children. We propose to hold a silent auction of the student’s artwork during the afternoon of 18 th May and hold a public auction of the winning art beginning at 7 P.M. that evening. We also asked UNICEF if our aid could be directed to a specific school or village so
That, when conditions were available, American and Afghan students could communicate. For example, share letters, pictures, art or ideas about science projects. We could begin this communication bridge by sharing art, as art has no language barrier.
The Lions invite the public to send bidders to this auction or contribute directly to UNICEF for Afghan children’s education. UNICEF supports children’s needs throughout the world. The Lions support the expenses of the Art & Science show with some generous public help for student award premiums.
For information call Paul Lynch, Union Bridge Lions, 410-848-2634 or Fred Martin, Taneytown Lions, 410-756-1002.
A summer weightlifting program will also be offered at FSK High School from June 17-August 12. Workout times are available on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9-11 a.m. and Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5-8:30 p.m. Registrations are accepted on Monday, June 17 between 9-11 a.m. as well as during workout hours.
The Union Bridge Area Recreation Council meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Town Hall. The next meeting is May 20 at 8 p.m. Council meetings are open to anyone interested in recreation programs. Call Anita Staley at 301-898-9451 for more information.
An Evening of Theatre - Fri., May 17, 2002 – 8 p.m.
Sat. May 18, 2002 – 8 p.m.
Sun. May 19, 2002 – 8 p.m.
Elmer Wolfe Elementary School, 119 N. Main St., Union Bridge
Proceeds benefit: The Sheperd’s Staff, A Christian Outreach & Support Center
PLAY 1: Johnny Appleseed
PLAY 11: True Blue & Trusted
Intermission – Refreshments Available
Special between
scene “Olil” Performances by Jean Burgess.
Childcare will be available for those too young to enjoy performances. Limited Seating. Tickets can be obtained beginning April 15th at: New Windsor State Bank, Carroll County Arts Council, and Carroll County Public Library, Westminster & Taneytown
For Information call 410-876-5505 or 410-857-5944
RESIDENTS: If your sewer line becomes blocked please contact the Town Hall at 410-775-2711, before calling a plumber.
$100.00 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF PERSON(S) VANDALIZING THE COMMUNITY CENTER PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
ON MAY 1ST THE BIG “50” IS HERE FOR UNION BRIDGES’ MAYOR PERRY JONES JR.
Happy Birthday!