UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
May/Jun 2008

INSIDE

From the Mayor's Desk
Community Deputy
West Carroll Rec.
Union Bridge Fire Company
Heritage Committee

DATES TO REMEMBER

Web Page www.carr.org/~unionbr

E-mail unionbr@carr.org

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
Recent articles in the Carroll County Times spoke of the possibility of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PCPs) in the water supply. This is just another emerging problem we will have to deal with, along with viruses, and disinfection by-products and other chemicals that inevitably show up in the water. Everything that we apply topically or ingest ends up in the waste stream which ends up in the streams and finally in the ground water. Nothing we do is without consequences, so the better we handle the use and disposal of everything from anti-bacterial hand soaps to prescription drugs, the fewer problems we will have down the road. Clean up is always more expensive and less effective than prevention and much can be lost or damaged beyond repair in the process. An informational flyer about the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals and PCPs is available at the Town Office. Please stop by and pick one up. You can also search the Internet for information on this and other topics of interest that will help to lessen our impact on the environment.
A separate but connected issue is playing out on the county scale that has to do with waste management. A proposal to join with Frederick County in the construction of a waste-to-energy incinerator is being considered by our Commissioners and will have a major impact on the environment in one way or another. By committing to a set amount of waste, which is necessary to make the project work monetarily, we will hurt the recycling program and any other efforts to reduce the waste stream. There are also the emissions from the incinerator to consider and the fly and bottom ash that will end up in a landfill. Take the time to research waste-to-energy incineration, form your own opinions, and let the Commissioners know how you feel. This is a huge project that will have lasting effects on everything from our tax dollars to the environment.

Bret D. Grossnickle, Mayor

UNION BRIDGE RESIDENT DEPUTY
Greetings Union Bridge: I don't know about you, but I am certainly looking forward to warmer weather, and with the warmer weather will be more time spent outdoors, shopping, carnivals, day trips with the kids, and vacations. Something to keep in mind, as was highlighted in a recent article in the Carroll County Times is identity theft. From the Federal Trade Commission's Web site on identity theft I have provided a few tips for your protection:
1) Protect your social security number. When it is requested ask-Why do you need it? How will it be used? How will it be protected? What will happen if I don't provide it?
2) Treat your trash and mail carefully. (My wife has become very fond of her shredder).
3) Be on guard when using the Internet.
4) Select intricate passwords.
5) Verify sources before sharing information.
6) Safeguard your purse and wallet.
7) Store information in secure locations.
8) Make it a habit to check your credit report.

Vince Pacelli, DFC
Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
410-386-2900 ext. 4159
vpacelli@ccg.carr.org
Tips 1-888-399-TIPS
Emergency 911
Non-emergency 410-386-2900

PARKING ENFORCEMENT
The Town of Union Bridge is pleased to announce the addition to their staff of Mr. Joe Hernandez as the new parking enforcement officer. We were extremely lucky to find someone with Mr. Hernandez's many years of law enforcement experience to fill the position. He is a resident of Union Bridge and looks forward to providing a service for the town in which he lives. If you should see him on the streets checking the meters please say hello to him.
Please remember to pay the parking meters. $0.25 for an hour is a lot less expensive than $5.00. If you have any questions, comments, or complaints concerning parking enforcement and /or any ticket you may have received, please contact council member Ellen Cutsail at 443-244-1147, luluellen1960@msn.com, or leave a message at the Town Hall at 410-775-2711.

West Carroll Rec Council
Meetings are held the 3rd Monday of the month at the Union Bridge Town Hall at 7 p.m.
SUMMER YOUTH RUGBY
West Carroll Marauders Rugby registrations at New Windsor Middle on May 12, 16, 20 & 22 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Non-tackle program for boys & girls: U11(7-10),and U15(11-14). Runs June to mid-August. Contact Tom Crushong at 410-848-4976.
FALL SOCCER
Registrations held from 5:30 - 7:30 at New Windsor Middle on May 12, 16, 20 & 22nd. U6(instructional for ages 4 & 6) $55, U8(6 & 7) $60, U12(10&11) $60, U15(12, 13 & 14) $60 - family discounts of $5 each additional player. Contact Sandy Rohwein at 410-635-3015.
FOOTBALL - Registration:
5/8: 7 - 9 p.m. U. B. C. Center
5/10: 10 - noon N. W. Middle
5/17: 10 - noon N. W. Middle
Contact Football $100 (7-13 yr. olds). Cheerleading $50
Flag Football $20 (5,6 & 7 yr. olds). Contact Chaz Shrodes at 410-751-9795.
WEST CARROLL REBELS COMPETITIVE CHEER SQUAD
Competitive Cheer Squad for girls and boys ages 8 - 14. Season runs August to March. Registration will be held at N. W. Middle on May 10, 10 - noon. Contact Chris Alban 443-277-1305 or Tabby Norwood at 410-746-1361.
For more information on programs call Penny Rockwood at 410-775-1506.

Union Bridge Fire Company
UNION BRIDGE FIRE COMPANY PUBLIC BREAKFASTS will be held in the Union Bridge Fire Hall located at 8 W. Locust Street 7 - 12 noon
Sunday - May 11, 2008
Adults $6.00 - Children 6-12 $3.00 - under 6 free
All you can eat - pancakes, french toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, sausage gravy, hominy, puddin, potatoes, biscuits, muffins, fruit, orange juice, tea & coffee.

FIRE CO. CARNIVAL
The Fire Company's annual Carnival will be held Mon., May 26 - Sat., May 31. There will be entertainment, rides and great food available all week. Lunch is served Tues. - Fri. NEW this year will be a Silent Auction ending on Friday evening.

UNION BRIDGE AREA HERITAGE COMMITTEE
There was once a time when postcards showing scenes in Union Bridge were common. Residents used these postcards to keep in touch with friends and family. Today the photos on these cards give us a look at life in town a century ago. To share our town's history, the Union Bridge Area Heritage Committee is producing note cards with images of four of these historic post cards from the Donald Sipes collection.
The note cards will be available for purchase from the Heritage Committee at Union Bridge Depot Day on Sunday, May 18 at Lehigh Park. Scenes shown on the note cards include the Baile, Engel & Company store, the First National Bank, the Western Maryland Railway station, and the Western Maryland Hotel.
The Heritage Committee will discuss this and other projects at its next meeting on Thursday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. All are welcome. Contact: Kathy Erb, 410-775-7450, kathyerb@verizon.net

ZONING PERMITS
With spring coming, you may be considering some sort of construction project. Some projects that need a town permit and may need a county permit are decks, garages, storage buildings and sheds, fences, pools, animal shelters, signs, and driveway entrances.
Please contact the town's zoning administrator, Mr. Black, for information before you begin your project, at 410-775-2718.

UNION BRIDGE EARLY LEARNING CENTER
The Union Bridge Early Learning Center is now accepting applications for the fall 2008 term. Classes for three-year-olds run from 9 - 11:30 a.m., Tues. and Thurs. while four-year-olds attend 9 - 11:30 a.m. Mon., Wed., and Fri. Through time-tested educational methods we help children to construct a solid foundation on which to build a lifetime of learning. We offer small class size, experienced staff, socialization, reading and math readiness, science, social studies, art, music, physical education and health for a very reasonable rate. For more information and an application
contact Martha Domer at 410-775-2717.

FARQUHAR STREET RECONSTRUCTION
Thursday morning trash pick-up will not be affected by street closure on Farquhar Street. Arrangements have been made with Hughes Trash Removal for access and regular pick-up.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Please do not dump trash and brush at the Community Center. The town has regular trash and yard waste pick-up.
Yard waste pickup has started and will run through September. Please place yard waste in bags purchased at the Town Hall. Bags cost $1.00. This charge is used to help defray the cost of this service.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
The town will again participate in National Night Out. This year's event will be held on August 5, 2008 from 7 - 9 p.m.. National Night Out is held to promote police-community partnerships to help fight crime, drugs, and violence. Council member Amy Kalin is in charge of the event. If you have any questions please contact the Town Hall at 410-775-2711.

COMMUNITY CENTER
AVAILBLE FOR WEDDINGS, PARTIES, AND REUNIONS.

CALL THE TOWN OFFICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT RENTING THE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR YOUR FUNCTION
410-775-2711

CONCERNING SOLID WASTE
I would like to take this opportunity to remind all the residents of Union Bridge to RECYCLE and REUSE. Please do not throw metal cans, aluminum cans, cardboard, plastic and glass in your trash. If we all make the effort to take that extra second or two to put these items into the recycle bins it will not only cut down on the amount of solid waste going to the landfill, but would also cut down on the amount the town pays. What you throw in the trash costs the town to have picked up and then another charge for the tip fee at the landfill. What you put in your recycle bins only costs to be picked up.
If you have any questions, comments, or would like more information concerning solid waste disposal options and recycling, please contact Ellen Cutsail at 443-244-1147, luluellen1960@msn.com or leave a message at the Town Hall at 410-775-2711.

Water & Sewer Emergencies
Please page Amy Kalin at 410-899-1200