UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
November/December 2003

INSIDE

From the Mayor's Desk
Resident Deputy
Special Projects
Funding Committee

DATES TO REMEMBER

 NEWSLETTER ARTICLES DUE IN CITY OFFICE December 15, 2003

Web Page www.carr.org/~unionbr

E-mail unionbr@ccpl.carr.org

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK

      At the meeting last month, the Bowman Property annexation was approved by a three to one vote by the Council.  I support their decision and hope that most of you will too.  We believe that the development of the Bowman and Phillips properties can be accomplished in a controlled and positive manner, with minimal effect on the existing residents.  The Council has worked extremely hard at negotiating with the Developers and the resulting annexation agreement is very good.  There will also be a Public Works Agreement that will further safeguard the Town from runaway development.  The additional revenue generated by an increase in residents will also allow us to provide better service to everyone.  Right now if there is an issue such as a water leak or sewer backup, we must rely on outside contractors for help.  Although the people we use are competent and effective, they cannot always respond in a timely fashion,  which sometimes causes problems and hard feelings among the residents.  At some point in the near future we will be able to hire one or two fulltime public works employees, and trouble will be handled in a more efficient manner.  Remember too that you have talented and capable people on the Council who always have your best interests in mind.  They have and will continue to do a fantastic job.  As always we welcome your input and look forward to seeing you at the meetings.

Bret Grossnickle

UNION BRIDGE RESIDENT DEPUTY

      Have a safe and Happy Holiday season.  If you go away on vacation, leave emergency contact information with a neighbor or drop it at the Town Hall so I can make patrol checks at your property.  Leave a light or radio on.

      The weather is changing so remember to provide proper shelter for outdoor pets.

      Thank you for your cooperation.

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

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Water Treatment Plant
A contract was approved with Conewago Enterprises from Hanover PA for construction of the new Water Treatment Plant on West Locust Street. The facility will cost approximately $1.26 M. Project construction is approximately 3% complete.

Main Street (Rt. 75) Revitalization Work
Ross Construction Inc. started work on Main Street in early September. Project construction is approximately 9% complete The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will fund a $2.5 M improvement project for Main Street, 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 Maryland 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 and Broadway, (electric and cable wires), and a parking area at the entrance into the Little Pipe Creek Park and trail (next to the car wash). The town has hired Stambaugh’s Inc. to complete the parking lot improvements. Construction should begin in late Fall 2003.

In addition, the town will be 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 above mentioned improvements are major in nature and will take almost a year to complete. Please consider what impact the construction activities along Main Street will have on your home or business. The first work item will be to install the storm drain pipes and the new 8” water line (including work at the RR crossing). This will be done for the full length of the roadway. After the underground infrastructure is installed, the contractor will then work block-by-block to install the new patterned sidewalk, curb, gutter, streetlights, etc. Please contact the SHA District 7 Engineer with questions or complaints, or contact the town office and we will try to address your concerns with the State.

Fair Housing
As part of the town’s receipt of grant funds from the Maryland Small Cites Community Development Block 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. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107-9344, or call 1-888-799-2085.

New Parking Lot
Stambaugh’s Inc. has been awarded a contract to install a small parking lot at the entrance to Little Pipe Creek Park on North Main Street. The entrance is located just north of the Western Maryland Historic Railway Museum. Construction may begin in late October 2003.

FUNDING COMMITTEE FUTURE BREAKFAST DATES

Nov. 16, 2003

Jan. 18, 2004

Feb. 15, 2004

Mar. 16, 2004

Apr. 18, 2004

May 16, 2004

For information please call Jane Davis at 410-775-7678.

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IMPORTANT

PATRICIA STONESIFER, COUNCIL MEMBER IN CHARGE OF WATER AND SEWER HAS A PAGER # FOR YOU TO CALL **410-899-1200**

To page Tricia, call herpager #, then key in the # you are calling from and press pound button (the # key on your phone) and hang up.  Tricia will call you back and do what she can to take care of the problem.

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LEAF PICKUP
Leaf pickup will begin toward the end of October and will continue until the end of Nov., or the first part of Dec.  Call the Town Hall at 410-775-2711 for pickup if you are missed.  There are NO set days for pickup.  Bags will NOT be picked up if they contain anything other than leaves.  You do not need special bags for leaves.

HOLIDAY DECORATION CONTEST
There will be a decoration contest again this year.  There are three categories and three winners in each.  The categories are lighting, traditional and original. 

INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES
The Town of Union Bridge wishes to congratulate council member Karen Kotarski, who graduated from the Institute of Governmental Services Academy for Excellence in Local Governance.  Classes are offered to meet professional needs of municipal and county officials.  Classes enhance understanding of local governance, ethical standards in public service and develop a foundation for informed policymaking.

COMMINITY CENTERT
he town wishes to thank VFW Post 8806 for the donation of a new flag for the Community Center.  Sad to say the flag from the center had been stolen. 

HURRICANE ISABEL
A special thank you goes out to all who helped during the hurricane.  To name a few: Union Bridge’s mayor, council members, town employees, helpful citizens, civic organizations, Union Bridge Fire Department, Sheriff’s deputies and County and State Road departments.

COMMUNITY SERVICE    
Anyone that needs Community Service hours should call the Town Hall at 410-775-2711.  Things to be done are to rake leaves and pick up branches, at the Town Hall and the Community Center.

NEEDED 
If you are interested in the Holiday Season and love to decorate, your help is needed to select decoration and banners for the “New Main Street”.  Please call the Town Hall at 410-775-2711 or Karen Kotarski at 410-775-7197.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HOLDS A BREAKFAST THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. 

It's that time again! SNOW
Main Street is a snow emergency route, NO PARKING is allowed when the snow emergency plan is in effect.

ORDINANCE #263 B-2
Owners or occupants of premises fronting on any street with paved sidewalks shall remove any snow and ice from the traveled portions of the sidewalk, to a width of at least 30”, within 24 hours after snow or ice ceases to fall.