UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
November/December 2007

INSIDE

From the Mayor's Desk
Community Deputy
4-H Recycling
West Carroll Rec.
Union Bridge Fire Company
Heritage Committee
Leaf Pick-Up

DATES TO REMEMBER

Web Page www.carr.org/~unionbr

E-mail unionbr@carr.org

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
We hope that everyone has had the opportunity to watch our regular Council Meetings on channel 19. They are broadcast live on the fourth Monday of every month at 7:00 P.M., and at other times during the following weeks. We started this to allow those who cannot make it to the meetings to be able to keep up with what is happening in the town. It has been a positive experience so far, and we look forward to increased interest in the future of Union Bridge.

As I'm sure you're aware, it has been very dry this year and there seems to be no significant weather pattern changes in the near future. Ground water levels are dropping throughout the region and without regular rain and snowfall this winter we will start the next year with a deficit. We have never had a water supply issue in town, but if the current drought continues, we may. It is never all right to waste water, and now it becomes even more necessary to practice conservation. We don't want to be in a situation where water restrictions are the yearly norm as they are in other towns and cities. Good conservation practices now will keep us out of trouble in the future.

Bret D. Grossnickle, Mayor

UNION BRIDGE RESIDENT DEPUTY
I suppose it is a good thing that I am having trouble coming up with a topic for this month's article, as it means that things are going relatively smoothly in town. Therefore, I will share a few somewhat random thoughts.

I want to encourage you to continue the immediate reporting of suspicious activity, both in and out of town. Recently, a crime was witnessed (outside of town) but not reported immediately. Where there might have been an immediate arrest and possible restitution made, now it will be much more difficult, if not impossible, to locate and charge the person.

On a related topic, sometimes people find out important information about crimes well after they are committed. Please remember that this information is often still important to the investigation, and don't assume that someone has already told us.

Please keep these things in mind and help keep the community safe.

Jon Light, DFC
Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
410-386-2900 ext. 4106
jlight@ccg.carr.org
Tips 1-888-399-TIPS
Emergency 911
Non-emergency 410-386-2900

West Carroll Rec Council
Meetings are held the 3rd Monday of the month at the Union Bridge Town Hall at 7 p.m. Next meeting date is Nov. 19th - no meeting in Dec.

Elections for new officers will be held in November. Nominations were accepted at the October meeting. Additional nominations will be accepted until November 19th.

West Carroll is in need of a Concession Stand Coordinator for the Union Bridge ball diamonds. Contact Sandy Sullivan if interested at 410-857-9170.

WINTER SPORTS
BASKETBALL is underway. For questions, please contact: GIRLS' Coordinator: Missy Gallagher 410-848-4650 BOYS' Coordinator: Rufus Lee 443-278-6552
ADULT VOLLEYBALL
Adult, competitive, pick-up volleyball at Elmer Wolfe Elementary School. Games are Thursdays from 6:45-9:30 p.m., now until May. Contact Steve Keeney 410-775-7780.

SPRING SPORTS
LACROSSE Registrations begin November 1st , with an early bird discount for returning players (save $10)~(Registration will be sent via e-mail). Early bird discount for new players: 11/15/07 (Contact Coordinators)~Open Registration: 10/01/07-1/31/08. Open clinics after school for kids to try out LAX for free at Elmer Wolfe: Jan. 2008/TBA. Late registration: 2/01/08. Cost $75.00. For more information www.fsklax.com
**For general information on West Carroll programs contact Penny Rockwood at 410-857-3549.

Union Bridge Fire Company
UNION BRIDGE FIRE COMPANY PUBLIC BREAKFAST will be held in the Union Bridge Fire Hall located at 8 W. Locust St., in Union Bridge, MD from 7 - 12 noon Sundays:
November 11, 2007
December 9, 2007
January 13, 2008
February 10, 2008
March 9, 2008
April 13, 2008
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.
If snow emergency plan is in effect event will be cancelled.

RECYCLING NEWS - PAPER RECYCLING PROGRAM
The residents of Union Bridge are being given the opportunity to support the Carroll County 4-H Program in a fundraising program that does not cost anything. There is a bright green and yellow bin in the parking lot behind the Union Bridge Town Hall. Please bring all of the paper items that you would normally discard and throw them inside this bin. The recycling company picks up the paper and weighs it and the Carroll County 4-H Program receives a payment based on this amount.
Every year more and more cuts are made in the amount of money that is allotted to the 4-H Program. This fundraiser will help to replace that money that has been cut and it does not cost you anything.

The following items CAN be put in the bin:
Newspaper, typing paper, junk mail, magazines, catalogs, shredded paper (which you can put in plastic bags) and paper.

The following items CAN NOT be put in the bin:
Phone books, cardboard, cereal/food boxes, folders, trash.
Every little bit helps. Please bring all of the paper that you normally discard and put it in the bin behind the Town Hall.

This recycling program is available to anyone - both residents and businesses in the The Town of Union Bridge are more than welcome to place their discarded paper in the bin.

Thank you for your support.

UNION BRIDGE AREA HERITAGE COMMITTEE MEETING
Mark your calendar to attend the Union Bridge Area Heritage Committee meeting on Wednesday, November 14, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. at the Union Bridge Town Hall at 104 West Locust Street. A private collection of Union Bridge memorabilia that was purchased through eBay will be on display, and refreshments will be served.
Other topics for discussion include the following:
1) Election of officers and Board of Directors
2) Continued lawn care at the historic Farquhar Cemetery
3) Inventory and display of Heritage Committee collectibles
4) Update on funding to reprint Union Bridge Walking Tour Brochure
If you cannot attend the meeting but would be willing to serve in a leadership position, to help maintain the cemetery, or to get on the mailing list, please contact Joan McKee at 410-775-2976 (or email jupuppypaws@msn.com).
We tried to get the Heritage Committee started last fall and earned a "thumbs down" from the Carroll County Times for the small turnout at that meeting. Looking through past minutes of the Heritage Committee revealed an interesting mix of interest, educational opportunities and events over the last decade. These things can happen again, but we need your help and support. Please plan to join us on November 14. Let's keep our local history alive in Union Bridge!

SEALED BIDS
The Town of Union Bridge is accepting sealed bids for the town chipper in an "as is condition". Anyone interested in viewing the chipper must call the town office at 410-775-2711. Sealed bids will be accepted through November 25, 2007. Please furnish name, address, and phone number with bid submission.
The town reserves the right not to accept a bid if the mayor and council deem none acceptable.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
The owner of every animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his animal(s) on public property, including walks, recreation areas, or on private property.

SNOW
Main Street is a snow emergency route, NO PARKING is allowed when the snow emergency plan is in effect.

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.

SEWER LINE BLOCKAGES
If your sewer line becomes blocked please contact the Town Hall at 410-775-2711.

STREET SWEEPING
Street sweeping is done each week. Council member in charge of streets, Donald Wilson, asked that you please obey "no parking" meter bags and signs on designated days.

LEAF PICK-UP
The town will again offer leaf pick-up. Please call the Town Hall at 410-775-2711 to schedule a pick up.

WATER/SEWER RATES
Current water/sewer rates in the corporate limits are:
Quarterly minimum charge per unit for water is $38.50.
Charge per 1,000 gallons of water consumed in addition to the quarterly minimum charge is $2.50.
Quarterly minimum charge per unit for sewer is $43.50. Charge per 1,000 gallons of water consumed in addition to the quarterly minimum charge is $3.50.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY