UNION BRIDGE NEWSLETTER
September/October 2003

INSIDE

From the Mayor's Desk
Resident Deputy
Funding Committee
Special Projects
Local Walking Trails
West Carroll Recreation
Trick Or Treat
Notice from Clerk

DATES TO REMEMBER

 NEWSLETTER ARTICLES DUE IN CITY OFFICE October 15, 2003

Web Page www.carr.org/~unionbr

E-mail unionbr@ccpl.carr.org

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK

      Last month we held the annual Appreciation Day picnic, to thank and honor those who give of their time and skills throughout the year.  These are special people that the town could not do without.  If seems that no matter what is needed, there is always someone in town willing to help, and the Council and I are truly thankful.  For all those who were unable to attend, we thank you too, and hope to see you at next year’s picnic.

Bret Grossnickle

UNION BRIDGE RESIDENT DEPUTY

      There is a new stop sign on Elger Street at Buttersburg Alley.  Please be aware of it.  Engine brakes are illegal within the town limits of Union Bridge and the residents deserve that courtesy. 

Any one with information on the illegal septage dumping into the sewers of Union Bridge, contact Deputy Cromwell immediately.  Try to obtain a description of the vehicle (type, color, tag number, etc.).

 Sheriff’s Deputies have been conducting foot patrol during the nighttime hours in an effort to deter criminal activity.

 Please remind your kids about safety at the school bus stops and walking to and from school. 

The Town Hall is not a police station!  Please call the Sheriff’s office with police-related requests for service or tips.

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

Extra Lighting Planned for the Community Park
To better illuminate the Community Park and playground equipment, the town was awarded a $30,000 grant from Maryland Program Open Space. The extra lighting should reduce vandalism and park graffiti. Funds will also be available to install a new fence around the tennis courts. Parking will also be improved near the entrance to the playground. Construction should begin in the spring of 2004.

PLEASE NOTE THERE HAS BEEN VANDALISM TO THE NEW SIGNS ERECTED AT THE COMMUNITY PARK.  PLEASE REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY!!!!

Clerk

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. Construction and mobilization began in late August 2003.

Main Street (Rt. 75) Revitalization Work Set to Begin in July 2003
Ross Construction Inc. (from Mt. Airy), has mobilized to begin improvements for Main Street. 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 town will be meeting with the SHA, Ross Construction, town engineer (and others), during the next few weeks to review the phasing and sequence of construction. We understand at this time that construction will start at the south end of town near the Rt. 75 bridge over Little Pipe Creek, and will involve storm drain systems, the 8” water line, work at the RR crossing, and other items. 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.

FUNDING COMMITTEE

FUTURE BREAKFAST DATES - Mark your Calendars!
Oct. 19, 2003
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.

Town Office Notice

The town clerk will be on vacation the first week in September.  There will be limited hours of service at the office that week.  If there is no answer at the office (410-775-2711) please call:

Bret Grossnickle, Mayor – 410-307-5128 (pager)

Or Council Members -

Donald Wilson – 410-775-2907 (Streets)

Patricia Stonesifer – 410-775-0295 (Water/Sewer)

Karen Kotarski – 410-775-7197 (Street Lights)

Dawn Metcalf – 410-775-0187 (Community Center)

Jason Erb – 410-775-7450 (Police & Trash Service)

Payments may be dropped in the “money drop box” near the front door at the Town Hall.

The office will reopen at the regular time and hours on September 8, 2003.

Violette Hobbs

LEAF PICKUP  

      Leaf pickup will begin toward the end of October or first part of November and will continue until the end of Nov.  Call the Town Hall at 410-775-2711 for pick up if you are missed.  There are no set days for pick up.  Bags will not be picked up if they contain anything other than leaves. 

TRICK OR TREAT

      Trick or Treat will be held on October 31, 2003 from 6:30 to 8.  If you wish to participate by giving out candy please put on your porch light.

REMINDER - MARYLAND VEHICLE LAW

13-616. Special registration plates for individuals with disabilities

2. (ii) May park in a parking space equipped with a parking meter only for:

1.      Except as provided in item (ii) 2 or this paragraph, twice the maximum time period permitted on the parking meter but not to exceed a maximum of 4 hours; and

2.      If the parking meter permits parking for more than 4 hours, the period permitted on the parking meter.

LOCAL WALKING TRAILS BY MARYLOU STONE

LITTLE PIPE CREEK PARK WALKING TRAIL

If you are into finding different birds, this is the trail for you.  I spotted the following: Cedar Waxwing, Willow Flycatcher, Orchard Oriole, both male and female Red Wing Blackbirds, American Kestrel (he was actually sitting on the electric wire with a mouse in his claws), Red Bellied woodpecker, Goldfinch, Eastern Phoebe, Mockingbird, Robin, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow, Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, and Tree Swallow.  All of these birds were spotted within one hour.

To find this trail take Md. Route 26 east from Frederick to Libertytown.  Then take Md. Route 75 north to Union Bridge.  The trail begins on the right-hand side of Md. Route 75, next to the car wash.  There is parking available for about three cars at the trailhead, or you can park at the Western Maryland Railroad Museum, which is open on Sundays from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

The trail is paved, so it is perfect for either strollers or wheel chairs.  The trail is about one-half mile long, or round trip, a mile.  It passes through a wetland that had a very sweet smelling flower blooming, and crosses over Little Pipe Creek.  Be on the lookout for
deer.  I spotted one jumping across the park even at midday.

WEST CARROLL REC. COUNCIL

The West Carroll Rec. Council is sponsoring the following fall sports programs: Karate at New Windsor Middle for 10 weeks, beginning on Tues., Sept. 16 for ages 5-12, $40 & adults 13 – up, $50.  Registration forms are available at Elmer Wolfe Elem., New Windsor Middle, & FSK High.  For more information, call TKA at 301-840-9262.  Competitive, Pick-up, Drop-in Volleyball for adults, will be offered at Elmer Wolfe Elem. on Thursdays from 6:45 to 9:30, Sept. 4 through May 6.  For more information, call Steve Keeney at 410-775-7780. 

The West Carroll Rec. Council, which serves the Union Bridge and New Windsor communities, meets on the 3^rd Mon. each month at 7 p.m.