to home UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
November/December 2008

CONTENTS
From the Mayor's Desk
Community Deputy
Grant Project Update
Heritage Committee
Recycling Program
Shriner Court Apartments

  DATES TO REMEMBER

 
Council Meetings Nov 24 & Dec 22 – 7 pm.
Planning & Zoning Meetings  Nov 20 & Dec 18 - 6:30 pm.
Council Work Sessions  Nov 10 & Dec 8 - 6:30 pm.
Heritage Committee  Nov 6 - 7:00 pm.
     
Town Office will be CLOSED:
- November 27
- December 55
     
Articles for the January/February Newsletter are DUE IN CITY OFFICE December 15, 2008

Web Page www.carr.org/~unionbr     E-mail unionbr@carr.org

   

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK
The last time I wrote about a resident with whom I disagreed on the state of life in Union Bridge and may have offended them. If that is the case I apologize, for that was not my intention. I do however still disagree with their view of current affairs within the Town. Even though things are not as they once were, and perception plays a large role in this, life in Union Bridge is still quite pleasant. Watching a Varsity football game at FSK and the fireworks that followed was a not so quiet reminder of how good things actually are. There are few places left on earth where you can feel relatively safe and Union Bridge is one of them. It doesn't get much better than an evening at the game with family and friends. The new principal at Francis Scott Key, Mr. Seaman, has it right when he says to "make it a good day or not, it's your choice".

Bret D. Grossnickle, Mayor

UNION BRIDGE RESIDENT DEPUTY
Greetings Union Bridge: Don't let the rush and excitement of the holiday season make you careless in protecting your home form potential criminals. The following tips can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season:
- Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house even for a few minutes.
- When leaving home for an extended time have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
- Indoor and outdoor lights should be on a timer.
- Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
- Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
- When setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday displays, make sure doors and passageways are clear inside your home.
- Be sure your Christmas tree is mounted o a sturdy base so children, elderly persons or family pets cannot pull it over on themselves.
- If you use lights on your Christmas tree, ensure the wiring is not damaged or frayed. Frayed or damaged wiring can cause a fire.
- Place your Christmas tree in water or wet sand to keep it green.
- Never place wrapping paper in your fireplace.

PROTECTING YOUR ATM CARD:
- Keep your ATM card in a safe place and protect it just like you would cash, credit cards or checks. Do not leave it around where others can see your card, at home or at work. If your card is missing or stolen notify your bank immediately.
- Nerve write down your Personal Identification Number (PIN) anywhere, especially on your ATM card or on a note in your wallet. Keep your PIN number secret from everyone.
- If you receive a call supposedly from your bank or possibly the police wanting to verify your PIN number, do not give that information. Notify the police immediately if you receive such a call. Never give any information about your ATM card or PIN over the telephone or Internet.

Thought for this issue:
"If you work hard and keep a good attitude, good things will happen." the late Walter Payton, Hall of Game football player.
Wishing you the best this holiday season!


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

Grant Project Update
New Recreational Storage Building
The town has been working with the West Carroll Recreation Council toward finding suitable storage for park and recreational equipment. The town plans to demolish an existing building and replace it with a 20×30-foot storage structure. West Carroll serves the New Windsor and Union Bridge area. West Carroll has grown in recent years and has expanded their sports programs to include football, cheerleading, volleyball, rugby, karate, lacrosse, and field hockey. For information on these activities, or contact numbers, please visit the Union Bridge Website at www.carr.org/~unionbr
The town plans to build the new storage building at the Union Bridge Community Park sometime this fall. The new facility will be built near the large baseball diamond adjacent to Ladiesburg Road.
Funding for the new facility will come from a grant the town obtained through Maryland Program Open Space. The $130,000 dollar POS grant will be matched by $14,500 from the Town of Union Bridge and Carroll County. This grant amount also includes money for a future trail system at the Community Park.
The town engineer will finish the bid specifications this month, and the town is expected to advertise for contractors' bid proposals in early November 2008.
If anyone has any recommendations for community improvement projects or recreational facilities, please contact Jared Schumacher at the Town Office at 410-775-2711.

Recycling Program
Notification of changes to single-stream curbside recycling program in Carroll County.
Beginning September 15, 2008, the list of acceptable single stream items was expanded to include the following items:
- Wide-mouth plastic containers (empty) such as those from peanut butter, margarine/butter tubs, yogurt, cottage cheese, and sour cream, mayonnaise, whipped toppings and prescription medicine bottles.
- Empty gable top and "aseptic" milk and juice containers. Gable top containers are typically milk and juice cartons with the triangular lid. "Aseptic" containers are those from non-refrigerated liquids like broths and fruit juices.
Questions regarding these recycling program improvements, or any related topics, may be directed to the Bureau of Solid Waste at
410-386-2035.

Heritage Committee
Shop Locally this Holiday!
This holiday season share a bit of Union Bridge history with friends and family with note cards produced by the Union Bridge Area Heritage Committee. The cards provide a look at life in town a century ago. Scenes include the Bail, Engel & Company general store, the First National Bank, the Western Maryland Railway Station, and the Western Maryland Hotel. Purchase the note cards in Union Bridge at the Union Bridge General Store, the Buttersburg Inn, or Esquire Liquors. The cards are also available at the Historical Society of Carroll County located at 210 East Main Street in Westminster.

If you have an interest in preserving and promoting Union Bridge history or you would just like to earn more about your town, please join the Heritage Committee at our last meeting of 2008 on Thursday, November 6, at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. Refreshments will be served. We will be planning our 2009 activities. All are welcome. Contact: Katy Erb, 410-775-7450, kathyerb@verizon.net

Shriner Court Apartments
Senior Housing Community is accepting applications for occupancy. Apartment amenities include the following:
- One bedroom apartments
- Convenient one-level living - no stairs
- Wall-to-wall carpeting
- Modern kitchens
- Garbage disposals & trash pickup at your door
- Fire alarms & sprinkler system in each apartment
- On-site laundry facilities
- Community Building for recreation & socializing
- Plenty of parking at your front door
- Located near Union Bridge Community Center
Rents are subject to change. Some income restrictions apply.
For more information and a tour, contact Quantum Real Estate Management at 410-775-2940.

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

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

SEWER LINE BLOCKAGES
RESIDENTS: If your sewer line becomes blocked please contact the Town Hall at 410-775-2711 before calling a plumber.

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

JUNK VEHICLES
The town will be checking for "Junk Vehicles" in the near future. Ordinance #276 does not allow "Junk Vehicles" within the corporate limits of Union Bridge. To review this ordinance, please contact the Town Hall at 410-775-2711 between the hours of 8:00 and 4:30.

SNOW!!!!

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT MAIN STREET, ROUTE 75, IS A SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTE. NO PARKING IS ALLOWED WHEN THE SNOW EMERGENCY PLAN IS IN EFFECT.

ORDINANCE #263 B-2
Owner 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.