Union Bridge May/June 2004 Newsletter

Council Meetings	May 24 & June 21 – 7 pm.
Funding Committee Meetings	May 5 & June 2 – 7pm.
Planning & Zoning Meetings	May 20 & June 17 - 6:30 pm.
Council Work Sessions	May 10 & June 14 - 6:30 pm.

OFFICE CLOSED MAY 31, 2004 MEMORIAL DAY

Web Page www.carr.org/~unionbr

E-mail unionbr@ccpl.carr.org

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
If you were not at the public hearing for Ordinance #293, you missed a good opportunity to see the system working. Many believed their opinions were falling on deaf ears and at least one thought it a done deal. As you will see, nothing could be farther from the truth. We have put together a committee composed of landlords, property owners and council members to take another look at Ordinance #293. They are to study the ordinance and report back to the Council with a recommendation. Many valid concerns were presented; some we had already considered and some we had not. At times I sensed frustration at our silence, but with such a large group it would have been impossible to properly discuss each and every point and still hear from everyone. However, we listened and took notes so that nothing anyone had to say was lost or forgotten. We are trying to address what has become a problem, not just in Union Bridge, but everywhere, and we will find the balance required to make this or another ordinance work for everyone. Police protection is a privilege that you may need at some time, but you pay for all the time. We should not be content to allow some to abuse the service. In the long run it can only increase the cost of protection. I want to thank all those who came to voice their concerns and to invite them back to the regular monthly meetings. We would be happy to see you more often.

UNION BRIDGE RESIDENT DEPUTY
Several thefts and attempted burglaries have been occurring within the town. Unknown suspects on separate occasions have stolen horns from Maryland Midland Railroad’s train engines. An attempt was made to break into The Gun Cellar but the suspect(s) failed to gain entry into the main floor. Several soda machines were tampered with and Tuck’s Service Station was also the target of an attempted burglary. Please keep an eye out and report any suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office.

I was able to start the First Police Mountain Bike Patrol in the history of the Sheriff’s Office to patrol The Town of Union Bridge. Donations from Lehigh Cement $1,000, JHW Cons’t, $628, Buttersburg Inn $400, Maryland Midland Railway $460 and Stambaugh’s Inc. $330 were obtained so far to get the program up and running. Bike patrol has made a positive impact on crime in other towns and cities due to stealth and mobility. This is one more tool Union Bridge has to combat crime and enhance public relations through the community.

Corporal R. C. Cromwell
Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
Non-emergency 410-386-2900
EMERGENCY 911
Tips hotline 1-888-399-TIPS

FUNDING COMMITTEE

If you think you smell the enticing aroma of bacon and eggs cooking as you step outside to get your paper on the 3^rd Sun. of the month, relax, it isn’t your imagination, it’s the Union Bridge Community Center breakfast! May 16^th will be your last chance to enjoy one until October.

Each month the breakfast is hosted by volunteers in the community (like you?) who prepare food for the breakfast which last from 7a.m. until noon. There are nearly 20 people each month who volunteer to make the eggs (cooked to order), toast, bacon, pancakes, warm biscuits, chipped beef gravy, fried potatoes, fruit salad, coffee and juice.

The money raised is used to pay down the mortgage on the Town Hall. We could use more volunteers each month. Preparation begins on Fri., cleaning 150 lbs. of potatoes and setting up tables & chairs.

For more information on how you can help please call Kathy Kreimer at 410-775-7400.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Conewago Enterprises from Hanover, PA is the general contractor for the construction of the new Water Treatment Plant on W. Locust St. The facility will cost approx. $1.26 M. The plant should be turned on about Sept. 2004.

Main Sr. (Rt.75) Revitalization
Project construction is approximately 45% complete.

Ross Construction Inc. from Mt. Airy, MD is the general contractor. The Maryland State Highway Administration is funding the $2.5M improvement project for Main St., from the bridge over Little Pipe Creek to the town limits near the Brethren Church. SHA-funded work includes storm drainage, inlets, sidewalks, curb, gutter, pedestrian lighting, traffic control and signalization at Main and Broadway, resurfacing Main Street, signage, landscaping, and other improvements.

The project will be coordinated with the town’s CDBG program, a $220,000 grant from the Md. Dept. of Housing and Community Development. The town’s grant will cover other improvements not funded by SHA, including upgrades to town side-streets, new parking meters, burying overhead utility lines at Main & Broadway, (electric and cable wires), and a parking area at the entrance into the Little Pipe Creek Park and trail. The town has hired Stambaugh’s Inc. to complete the parking lot. Construction should be completed by early May 2004.

In addition the town is installing an 8” water line at this time. This is a continuation of the town’s comprehensive water improvements program partially funded through the Rural Utilities Program, USDA. The water line installation is about 80% complete. The contractor has started working on service connections. If you have any concerns or questions in this regard, call the SHA site trailer at 410-775-7946.

The town is working in cooperation with the Episcopal Housing Authority and the Md. Dept. of Housing and Community Development to construct 20 units for lower income elderly persons. The units are being built on Ladiesburg Rd. If you are interested in renting one of these units call Dan McCarthy at 410-366-6200

A new sidewalk will be constructed from Main St. to Myers Grocery store along the north side of 75.

Fair Housing
As part of the town’s receipt of grant funds from the Md. Small Cities Community Development Black Grant Program, we promote fair housing practices in The Town of Union Bridge. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. For more information about fair housing and the Fair Housing Act, visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing, or contact HUD’s Mid-Atlantic office at Fair Housing Hub, U. S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Wanamaker Bldg., 100 Penn Sq. East, Philadelphia, PA 19107-9344, or call 1-888-799-2085.

Section 3 Employment & Business Opportunities
The Town of Union Bridge has received program funding from the Md. CDBG program through the Md. Dept. of Housing and Community Development. The Mayor and Town Council of The Town of Union Bridge will comply with Sec. 3 of the Housing & Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, requiring that to the greatest extent feasible opportunities for employment and development will be given to lower-income residents of the project area and contracts in connection with the project be awarded to eligible business concerns which are located in, or owned by, persons residing within The Town of Union Bridge.

If any town resident is looking for employment or business opportunities, please contact the town for a list of contractors working in the town on federally funded projects for possible employment and business opportunities. Call the town office at 410-775-2711.

*The cure rate is over 90% if it is detected early and before symptoms appear

*Everyone fifty and older (younger people with risk factors) should be screened. The Carroll County Health Department is giving FREE fecal occult blood test kits to all residents who are fifty and over and to younger people with risk factors. Please call 410-848-2244, 410-876-4423, or 1-800-966-3877, est. 4423.

WEST CARROLL REC. COUNCIL
The West Carroll Rec. Council serves Union Bridge, New Windsor and surrounding areas. We are proud to congratulate the West Carroll Girls 3^rd/4^th Grade Team on becoming champions of the Monocracy Youth Basketball Association. Our baseball, softball, and lacrosse programs began in March. Basketball Camp, Girls Lacrosse Camp and Soccer Camp will run during June and July. Register by June 10^th, and receive a free T-shirt! Please call Colleen Williar at 410-751-2070 for details. Flyers will be available at local schools. Rec. Council meetings are held the 3^rd Monday of each month at the Union Bridge Town Hall. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Next meeting dates: May 17^th at 8p.m. & June 21^st at 8 p.m. For more information please call Community Coordinator, Penny Rockwood at 410-857-3549.

YMCA SUMMER CAMP AT ELMER WOLFE ELEMENTARY
It is time to register your child for the YMCA Summer Camp at Elmer Wolfe Elementary School. Activities include music, sports, cooking, scientific experiments, and swimming. Information may be obtained at Elmer Wolfe Elementary or call the Carroll County Branch of the YMCA at 410-848-3660 ext. 227. You may also contact the Camp Director, Debra Atherholt, at 410-775-1238 or 410-775-2313.

The Town of Union Bridge oversees the use of public water facilities under regulations adopted pursuant to Ordinance #256. In particular, the regulation in section 17 prohibit any withdrawal from hydrants, except while firefighting. The testing of hydrants or firefighting apparatus, or hydrant use for other extraordinary public needs, is illegal, except with express permission from the Town. The Town does not allow private uses such as the filling of swimming pools. The failure to obtain written permission from the Town constitutes illegal “tampering” with the water appliances of the Town under Section 17(b). Under Section 18, “tampering” constitutes a misdemeanor subject to a fine of not less than $250.00 nor more than $1,000.00 per violation. These regulations are maintained in the best interest of the citizens of the Town to ensure the integrity and fairness of the system. You are urged to refrain from tampering, or assisting others in tampering, with the public hydrants or other public water appliances; and to immediately report to the town any incidents of tampering of which you become aware.

VFW
Union Memorial Post 8806 Memorial Day Service will be held on May 31, 2004 at 6p.m. at the Post Home, 115 Penrose St., Union Bridge.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Web Page www.carr.org/~unionbr

E-mail unionbr@ccpl.carr.org

FUNDING COMMITTEE

SPECIAL PROJECTS