UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTERMay/June 2003
UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
May/June 2003
INSIDE
From the Mayor's Desk
Resident Deputy
Funding Committee
Town Election Notice
| Council Meetings | May 26 & June 23 – 7 pm. |
| Funding Committee Meetings | May 14 & June 11 – 7pm. |
| Planning & Zoning Meetings | May 15 & June 19 - 6:30 pm. |
| Council Work Sessions | May 12 & June 9 - 6:30 pm. |
ELECTIONS - MAY 13, 2003 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
OFFICE CLOSED MAY 26, 2003 MEMORIAL DAY
NEWSLETTER ARTICLES DUE IN CITY OFFICE June 16, 2003
Soon we will begin construction of the new Water Treatment Plant, which will be located next to the Town Hall. The need for filtration came about when the Maryland Department of the Environment determined our well to be under the influence of surface water. This means that water from the surface is finding it’s way into the well much too quickly. Normally the earth filters out any impurities as the water makes it’s way slowly into the groundwater supply.
We add chlorine to the water as it is pumped out into the system as a means of disinfection. Chlorine is very effective at this task, but there are a few things it doesn’t work well on, such as cryptosporidium or giardia. These things are larger than bacteria and have a hard shell which chlorine has a hard time penetrating. Luckily though for us, they can be caught by filter media such as sand, diatomaceous earth, membrane or the man-made ceramic media that we plan to use. The Kinetico system we are installing was pilot tested on our main well and the one on the Fire Department property. Both sites tested very well and were approved by MDE.
There is also the problem of nitrate in the water. The EPA’s maximum contaminant limit for nitrate in drinking water is 10 milligrams per liter. Our well is always between 9 and 10. It is MDE’s wish that we install equipment to remove most of the nitrate, reducing the level to about 4.5 mg/l. This equipment is expensive to install and because of the salt required in the process, which is similar to the softening of water, makes the operational costs higher too.
All of the changes we have made to the water system are an effort by the Council to try and catch-up after years of neglect. I know the rate increase is not a popular decision by everyone, but we feel it is the only way to continue to provide an adequate supply of good potable water to all. If you look at what water actually costs I think you will be surprised at how inexpensive it really is. My family uses on average about 8500 gallons of water a quarter. That breaks down to about $4.50 per thousand gallons. The more water you use, the cheaper it becomes due to the base rate. This also doesn’t include the cost for sewer, which is another story. What else could you buy that cheaply? So I ask you to please support us as we make these tough decisions, because we all want what is best for Union Bridge.
Mayor Bret Grossnickle
No road in life is safe. You need to wear your seat belt on every trip, not just for yourselves, but those you love. The Sheriff’s office maintains a high commitment to the citizens of Carroll County and wishes to extend all of our resources to make your journeys safe. As an active member of the CRASH coalition we can provide educational materials in the proper use of seat belts and installation of children’s booster seats and child safety seats.
If you have any questions or concerns contact Sgt. John Shippee at 410-386-2900 or Ms. Kim Spangler from the Carroll County Health Dept. at 410-876-4448.
Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
Non-emergency 410-386-2900
EMERGENCY 911
Tips hotline 1-888-399-TIPS
BASKET BINGO
The Funding Committee will sponsor a basket bingo on May 9, 2003, at the Union
Bridge Community Center at 4770 Ladiesburg Rd. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; tickets
are $10.00 in advance and $12.00 at the door. For tickets or more information
please call Jane Davis at 410-775-7678.
PUBLIC NOTICE TO THE CITIZENS OF UNION BRIDGE:
MAYOR AND TWO MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE ELECTED
7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
LOCATION: TOWN HALL 104 WEST LOCUST STREET
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TOWN ELECTIONS
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.
For questions or information on the elections call the Town Hall at 410-775-2711.
CERTIFICATES FOR NOMINATIONS HAVE BEEN FILED AND ARE AS
FOLLOWS:
FOR MAYOR
Bret Grossnickle
Joan McKee
FOR COUNCIL
Lou Ellen Cutsail
Patricia Stonesifer
Donald Wilson
ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual meeting for the Mountain View Cemetery in Union Bridge will be held on Thursday May 15, 2003 at 7 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Union Bridge Methodist Church. All lot owners and other interested people are asked to attend.
The Department of Agriculture will spray for mosquitoes again this year. You are asked to help eliminate mosquito-breeding areas. Empty any standing water and keep fresh water in swimming pools. Use caution when disposing of dead birds or animals by wearing gloves.
Information on dates and times for spraying will be posted.
Permits to fill pools from a fire hydrant may be picked up at the Town Hall during business hours. The permit must be brought to the Fire Department when requesting water and returned to the Town Hall for payment when complete. The cost for water is $2.00 per 1,000 gallons of water used.
Thank you for your cooperation. The town’s water supply is everyone’s responsibility.
WATER METERS
It is unlawful to tamper with or interfere with a water meter. WATER TURN OFF OR ON MUST BE DONE BY PERSON OR PERSONS DULY AUTHORIZED BY THE TOWN OR AN EMPLOYEE OF THE TOWN ONLY. Violators shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not less than $250.00 nor more than $1,000.00 per violation.
The town’s chipper is available for resident’s use. Call to reserve. There is a Chipper Liability Waiver that must be signed and $25.00cash, refundable deposit that is required.
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.
GRASS AND WEEDS
It is that time again. Town Ordinance # 263, Sec. C-2, Paragraph 2 states that 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 further duty of maintaining such premises free of noxious weeds and dense underbrush….
Yard waste pick up has begun. Please place bags where they can be seen. Yard waste must be in bags purchased at the Town Hall or the Union Bridge Hardware. If your have any questions about this service please call the Town Hall.
Please support the Fire Company at their annual carnival. The carnival will be held the week of May 26, 2003. The Fireman’s parade will be held on Wed. evening May 28, 2003 starting at 7 p.m.