City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing: Week of Monday, August 28, 2017.

     
    Office of the Mayor:

    • Thursday, August 24, 2017 Mayor Martin attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Affairs Extraordinaire by Marta located at 233 St. John St.
    • Saturday, August 26, 2017 The City of Havre de Grace held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the completion of the All-Access Playground at Tydings Park. We would like to thank County Executive Barry Glassman, Delegate Glen Glass, Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti, Council President Dave Glenn, Council Member Steve Gamatoria, Council Member Jason Robertson, Council Member Monica Worrell, Council Member Dave Martin, and all citizens who attended the event.
    • Saturday, August 26, 2017 Mayor Martin gave the opening remarks at Rage Against Addiction. During his remarks, he presented David Watson with a challenge coin for his extraordinary work organizing the event.   
    • Last week, the Department of Public Works installed a new water fountain at the entrance to the All-Access Playground at Tydings Park. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant fountain has a station to fill up water bottles & two other stations for people & pets to drink from. A second water fountain of this type will be installed at Concord Point Park in the next few weeks.


    Department of Finance:  

    • Water/Sewer Turn Offs will begin on Tuesday – Payments must be received no later than today to avoid the $50 fee.
    • Don’t Forget to register for e-billing!  Register online or call Michele at 410-939-1800
    • To find out if you qualify for homeowner tax credits, contact the state at (410-836-4800)

    Department of Public Works:

    • Phase I of BGE’s gas line replacement project will be finishing up this week with road paving.  Thank you for your patience.
    • The results of the recent water quality tests ​for THM’s (Total Trihalomethanes) show 23 ​ppb ​and 43 ppb (parts per billion).  This is an excellent result​!​  Maximum allowed is 80​ ​ppb.
    • Recycling collections are increasing!   As a City, collectively we have increased our recycling by 4% when comparing July 201​6​ to July 2017.  Please keep recycling – this keeps your trash collection dumping fees down. We do not have to pay for recycling because it does not go into a landfill.
    • A huge THANK YOU to all of the residents who are putting out their trash in cans and using recycling containers.  Reminder – all trash in bags must be in a trash can with a secure lid. Bags of trash not in a can will not be collected.
    • Job well done!  DPW staff worked many hours to make sure the ADA accessible playground was ready for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, August 26th. ​


    DPW – Division of Stormwater Management:

    • GIS-Based Mapping System – Beehive is an invaluable program and will be utilized to locate and track stormwater devices, drains, maintenance and work orders.  This system will be crucial to our reporting parameters as required by Maryland Department of the Environment.
    • The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water, and roads covered by water are prone to collapse. Attempting to drive through water also may stall your engine, with the potential to cause irreparable damage if you try to restart the engine. If you come upon a flooded street, take an alternate route.
    • If anyone notices someone dumping into a stormdrain please notify City Hall at 410-939-1800, ext. 1128.  Anything going into the drains except for stormwater is illicit.  

     
    Department of Economic Development:

    • The Havre de Grace Office of Economic Development would like to congratulate Backfin Blues Havre de Creole for their success during Harford County Restaurant Week August 18 to 27.
    • Maryland Historic Trust and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development notified the city of Havre de Grace’s Main Street Program of the favorable review of several Tenant Fit Out and Facade program applications. Public announcements for the awards to these individual businesses in the Havre de Grace Main Street District will be mad over the next several City Council meetings.
    • During the Monday, August 21 Havre de Grace City Council Meeting, Erika Quesenbery-Sturgill, who has been serving as Acting Director of the Havre de Grace Office of Economic Development for the past year was officially sworn-in as the Director, following a unanimous vote of council approving her contract.
    • Swing by 406 St. John Street and Coakley’s Pub where work is progressing rapidly on The Yard.
    • Announcement will soon be made for a new repair business coming to the 600 block of Revolution Street, which was formerly an automobile repair garage. Work is progressing rapidly on adapting the space for the new owner.
    • You may have noticed the windows are starting to look a bit  bare at Blue Earth Leather – that’s because the windows are looking quite impressive down the road at 316 St. John Street, the former Courtyard Redux (closed last year due to a retirement). Blue Earth Leather will be joining StickDesign Embroidery Studio in the space.

     
    Office of Tourism:

    • August 31- Thursday Night Sailboat Races

    Fish Fowl and Folk Weekend!

    • September 1- Join us for the best First Fridays in Harford County.  Featuring over 100 vendors, 7 restaurants offering café seating, food trucks and a live band on every block!  The kids will love our brand new kids-zone including a moon bounce and games!  Havre de Grace is the perfect place to relax after a busy week.
    • September 2- Fish Fowl & Folk Festival!  Celebrate our City by the Bay and its Maritime Heritage at the Concord Point Lighthouse! Live music, food and craft vendors, beer garden, kids zone. Free admission.
    • September 3- Blessing by the Bay- The Susquehanna Ministerium of HdG is sponsoring this afternoon of praise & worship, prayer & blessings at Concord Park next to the Lighthouse.  

    2pm- Boat Blessings, 5pm- Motorcycle blessings

    • September 2- Farmers Market at Hutchin Park
    • The Office of Tourism is now accepting applications from vendors interested in setting up at the 3rd Annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 14.  If interested please contact Bonnie or Lauri at 410-939-2100.

     
    Event Related Road Closures:
    First Fridays – Friday September 1, 2017 Traffic and Parking restrictions will be in effect from 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
    The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking on Friday, September 1, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

    •      N. Washington Street:  Closed from Congress Avenue to St. John Street.
    •        Pennington Avenue:  Closed from N. Lodge Lane to St. John Street.
    •        Franklin Street:  Closed from N. Union Avenue to St. John Street.  Closed from N. Union Avenue to the parking lot of Backfin Blues.  Union will remain open at all times (crossing guards will be present).
    •         St. John Street:  Closed from Franklin Street to Green Street.

     
    Fish, Fowl, and Folk Festival- Saturday September 2, 2017  Traffic and Parking restrictions will be in effect from 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
     

    • Lafayette Street: Closed from Young St. to intersection of Concord St.
    • Concord Street: Closed to Alliance St.

     
    Department of Planning:
    To follow up on our very well received Concept Plan guidelines and checklist and the Resident and Business Guide to the Permit Process, we are near completion on a Resident and Business Guide to the Property Maintenance Code. The Planning Department expects that this will be ready sometime in October. We hope that this will be a good resource to help everyone understand and plan for the home and business property maintenance outlined by the International Code used in Havre de Grace.