to home UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
May/June 2015

CONTENTS
From the Mayor's Desk
Grant Project Update
West Carroll Rec
Election notice
Union Bridge Fire Company Events
FSK Food Pantry

  DATES TO REMEMBER

 
Council Meetings May 18 & Jun 22 – 7 pm.
Planning & Zoning Meetings  May 21 & Jun 18 – 6:30 pm.
Council Work Sessions  May 11 & Jun 8 – 6:30 pm.
Heritage Committee information, contact Jim Rowe 410-775-9939 or buttersburg@verizon.net
     

Town Office will be CLOSED:
- May 25th (Memorial Day)

     
Articles for the July/August Newsletter are DUE IN THE TOWN OFFICE June 15, 2015

website www.carr.org/~unionbr     email unionbr@carr.org

   

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
  

     Spring is here and now comes the time to mow grass.  Yard waste bags can be purchased at the town office for $1.25 each.  Yard waste will be picked up by the town's mowing contractor, same as last year.  Street sweeping on Main St. will be as weather permits.  If you see the red bags on the parking meters, please help us by not parking there that night. 
     Please pay attention to road closure signs when roads are flooded or if you see high water.  Three inches of water is enough to float your car away, and that puts fire fighters at risk when trying to help you.
     Detour signs will be in the area between Union Bridge and New Windsor for the next couple of years due to Lehigh starting the conveyor belt installation.  Please stay alert. 
     Potholes and street work will be ongoing during spring and summer, please be patient with us.
     Winter was very hard on all of us this year.  The town experienced frozen water meters more than ever.  Selby Black did a great job of keeping water to everyone during the very cold temperatures.
     The town budget has been prepared.  No new taxes this year, again.  The elected officials at the town have done a great job holding the taxes the same.  Some people complain about what we could have, but the town has not had growth and it is hard to tax the current residents for everything we want.  We would like to have more events in town.  Please bring your ideas to the town meetings on the 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.  You might think that your idea is dumb, but the only dumb idea is the one in your head that no one else knows about.
    The big city life has caught up with us.  Union Bridge is starting to see more homeless people and drugs.  Now is not the time to say not my child or family.  Stop by the town office or Health Department and get some information.  Remember a lot of drug use starts by pressure from the people you travel with or from stress. 

Perry L. Jones, Jr., Mayor

GRANT PROJECTS UPDATE
Wetlands Park Trail Extension
The Town of Union Bridge has been awarded grant funding from Maryland Program Open Space and Maryland Community Parks and Playgrounds programs for the planned third phase of the trail system in the town's Wetlands Park located off of RT. 75. The town plans to start the project in the spring of 2015. Once complete, the trail will "loop" around the park.

USDA Vehicle Truck Purchase
The Town of Union Bridge has been awarded a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture for $37,500 for the purchase of a multi-purpose municipal vehicle for town use.  The town will purchase the vehicle from Crouse Ford.  We are ready to put the truck to use.

Maryland Energy Administration Backup Generator
Union Bridge completed a grant application to the Maryland Emergency Management Agency  for the purchase and installation of an emergency backup generator for the Town's Water Treatment Facility.

For questions on these or any other projects, please call the Town Office at 410-775-2711.

Jared Schumacher, Town Consultant

PUBLIC ELECTION NOTICE
TO THE CITIZENS OF UNION BRIDGE: Mayor and two members of the council will be elected.

Election day is Tuesday May 12, 2015 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Town Hall 104 West Locust St.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TOWN ELECTIONS:
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 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Registration will close on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.

Qualification 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.

Qualification of Candidates for Mayor and Council:
1. You must have resided within the corporate limits for at least one (1) year.
2. You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
3. You must be a qualified voter of the Town.

***Terms of office are for four (4) years***

A candidate for office must file a “Certificate of Nomination” with the Town Clerk, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015.

Should you have any questions concerning this notice please call the Town Hall, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., at 410-775-2711.

WEST CARROLL REC
West Carroll serves Union Bridge, New Windsor and the surrounding areas.  Anyone interested in Rec Council programs or events is welcome to attend our meetings, which are held the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Old New Windsor School/County Government Offices/Library Administration Offices in New Windsor. 

SUMMER/FALL SPORTS
Summer Youth Rugby
Season runs mid-May to early-August
Co-ed Boys & Girls Ages 6-14
Walk in Registrations @ New Windsor Middle School Lobby, May 7th & 12th from 6-8 p.m.
Register online: http://sports,bluesombrero.com/maraudersyr
Website: www.westcarrollrugby.com
Contact: Tally Myers
410-259-2924 tallya@verizon.net

Soccer
Season begins late-July
Registrations will be held May 7th, 11th, and 13th 5:30 - 7:30 @ Union Bridge Lehigh ball field
Contact: Kitty Owings (410)371-4790
kittyaowings@aol.com
http://gowcrc.com/soccer

Field Hockey
Contact: Meilissa Lease
coachmellissa@yahoo.com

Cheer
Contact:  Kim Smith
410-775-1832
bkmasmitty@verizon.net

For general information about West Carroll programs, contact Community Coordinator, Penny Rockwood at 410-775-1506.  See our website:www.gowcrc.com  or like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gowcrc

Another source to check for upcoming sports registrations is “RecZone”’ found in the back of the Sports section of the Carroll County Times on Sundays.

Penny Rockwood, Community Coordinator

UNION BRIDGE FIRE COMPANY
Carnival - May 25-30

Monthly Cash Bingo -- second Monday of every month
Doors open at 5:30 pm
Games begin at 7:00 pm
5 Early Bird Games
BIGGER PAYOUTS
20 Regular Games, 3 Specials, 2 Split the Pots, and Jackpot
Jar & Pull Tab Tickets
Food will be available for purchase.
Any questions call: 410-775-7891
If snow emergency plan is in effect, event will be cancelled.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

FSK FOOD PANTRY
Francis Scott Key High School is currently operating a Food Pantry for residents of our community.
Food distribution is on Tuesdays, in Room 805, from 3:00 - 4:00. Please park in the lower school lot and wait for the buses to leave before entering the building. The food pantry is also collecting food, health and beauty items, cleaning items, household items, and paper product donations. Donations can be dropped off at the front office during the school day.
If there are any questions, please contact Kim Toston, the school nurse, at 410-751-3320.

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN - Neighbors Together
The Church of the Brethren has begun a new program on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. We are inviting any one from our community and congregation to gather for a meal and time to become acquainted while playing fun games and other activities. There will be activities for all ages. For more information please contact Jolinda at jolindabeers@comcast.net

SHRINER COURT APARTMENTS - Maintenance Man Position
Part Time/On Call for a 20 unit apartment complex. Must have own tools. Experience in electrical, plumbing, drywall repairs and general maintenance required. Submit resume to: Shriner Court apartments 550 Shriner Court Union Bridge, MD 21791 or call 410-775-2940 If no answer, leave message.

YARD WASTE PICKUP
Will begin in April. Bags for yard waste may be purchased at the Town Hall for $1.25. This charge helps to defray the cost of the pickup.

GRASS & WEEDS
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 under brush.

PET OWNERS
     The town is getting calls about residents not picking up after their pets.  Please consider those who come after you on your walk.  Put yourself in their shoes - literally.  Please be a good neighbor and pick up your animal droppings.  Union Bridge Code, Chapter 10, The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his animal(s) on public property, including sidewalks, recreation areas or on private property.

SEWER LINE BLOCKAGES
RESIDENTS: If your sewer line becomes blocked please contact the Town Hall at 410-775-2711 before calling a plumber.
FOR WATER AND SEWER EMERGENCIES PLEASE PAGE AMY KALIN 1-410-899-1200

ATTENTION
The newsletter is posted six times per year: January, March, May, July, September, and November and may be viewed on the town’s Web site at www.carr.org/~unionbr Also, upon request, paper copies may be picked up at the Town Hall (410-775-2711)  or at any local business. 

UNION BRIDGE COMPUTER CENTER
The Computer Center is open on Mondays from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. We follow the Carroll County Public Library holiday and snow closing schedule.

UNION BRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER
Is available for weddings, parties and reunions. Call the town office at 410-775-2711 to inquire about renting the center for your function.

MD STATE POLICE DRUG TIPS HOTLINE 410-875-0936
THEY CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOUR HELP!!!

PLEASE RECYCE
*IT’S STATE LAW.
*IT’S ENVIRONMENTALLY SMART.
*IT SAVES THE TOWN MONEY (YOUR TAXES).
*THE MORE YOU RECYCLE THE LESS TRASH YOU PUT INTO LANDFILLS.

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE
MAY 12, 2015
POLLS OPEN AT 7:00 A.M.
TOWN HALL 104 W. LOCUST ST.