City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of Monday November 27, 2017 Havre de GraceCity of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of Monday November 27, 2017 City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of Monday November 27, 2017 Office of the Mayor November 20, 2017 City Council Meeting: Mayor Martin swore in Casi Tomarchio to the Havre de Grace City Council. Mayor Martin recognized the B Squad Warriors for their victorious season and presented each member of the team with a challenge coin. Saturday November 25, 2017 Mayor Martin attended and gave remarks at the commissioning of Engine 515 at Susquehanna House Company Division 5. The new apparatus features a 1500GPM Hale QMax Pump, 1900-gallon water tank, 30 gallon integral Class A Foam Tank, 120 gallon integral Class B Foam Tank, 2000′ of 5″ LDH, 850′ of pre-connected hand lines, portable Hurst pump with cutters & spreaders, and seating for a crew of six Mayor Martin participated in Shop Small Saturday. Police Department: On December 9th from 4 pm to 8 pm is the Havre de Grace Candle Light Tour, during this time there will be extra pedestrian traffic so please drive cautious and alert. The organizer specifically is concerned for the area Erie Street, Stokes Street, and Water Street. On giving Tuesday please don’t forget that the Havre de Grace Police Department is still accepting donations for Christmas gifts for the less fortunate. Please contact Cpl. Petz or PCO Kilgore at 410-939-2121 for more information or see the donation box in the lobby of the police station. Department of Public Works BGE’s Phase II paving is complete. Phase III – has begun which includes removing the old gas lines and replacing with new lines in the area south of Revolution Street and west of Union Avenue. Contract has been awarded to Gradeline Construction to pave sections of Linden Lane and Lodge Lane. Beginning date to be determined. The signs and markings indicating Right Turn Only have been installed at the intersection of Ontario Street and Ohio Street. Maryland State Flags have been lowered to half staff in honor of Det. Sean Suiter of the Baltimore Police Department, who died in the line of duty on November 16, 2017. RECYCLE FOCUS: When selecting Holiday wrapping paper – consider using newspaper and old maps. The comics and advertisements are colorful and the plain newsprint can be festivel with a simple ribbon. When the holidays are over, these wrappings can go loosely in your recycle bin. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UPDATES * Reminder: Please keep your stormdrains clear of leaves, grass, trash and debris at all times to minimize flooding in the streets and on your property when we have a weather event. CURRENT HAPPENINGS: Design of pedestrian bridge abutments over Lilly Run near the Lock House will begin this month. Watch for more information on this connection of the Joe K Trail loop. Please report any illicit activity on the stormdrains by calling City Hall at 410-939-1800 or by using the “REPORT” button on our website. Stormwater pond revitalization and landscape infiltration areas work will begin at Concord Point Park after the first of the year. These improvements will help protect the River and Bay from stormwater runoff and the pollutants it carries. Design services for the dredging of the City Yacht Basin will begin this month. Watch for updates on this work to commence. Repairs being made to the stormdrain pipe running under Canvasback Drive in the vicinity of Teal Ct. WATCH for other stormwater pollution removal projects happening in the City. SPOTLIGHT: Start planning your rain garden now. It will give you a welcome break from the colder weather and make those around you wonder why you are smiling. https://www.bbg.org/gardening/article/make_a_lasagna_garden_in_a_raised_bed Check out this link to start conditioning your planting bed now. Stormwater Management and Restoration Tracker (SMART) Stormwater remains one of the most difficult and expensive sources of Chesapeake Bay pollution to control. While a great deal of attention and resources have been committed to wide scale adoption of Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs), many counties and towns receive a large volume of stormwater from smaller scale residential and private properties. Actions on these smaller properties, such as the installation of rain barrels, rain gardens, green roofs, or changing of lawn fertilization practices on an individual property, when considered in aggregate, can show significant nutrient and sediment reductions. Every Practice Counts! http://extension.umd.edu/watershed/smart-tool Department of Finance: Water/Sewer Turn Offs will be Tuesday, November 28, 2017. Payments must be made by Monday, November 27, 2017 to avoid the $50 Turn Off Fee. User Benefit Fees were due September 20, 2017. Please pay by Thursday, November 30, 2017 to avoid additional penalties. 2nd Half of Real Estate Taxes are due by Friday, December 29, 2017. To avoid unnecessary penalties when paying by your bank, please schedule payments at least 10 days in advance of the due date. Post mark is not accepted, and payments must be received by the due date. Register for Water/Sewer e-Billing online or call Michele or Donna at 410-939-1800. Yacht Basin Slip Contract Renewal payment of at least 50% is due by December 1, 2017. The balance will be due February 1, 2018. Department of Planning: Although this hurricane season is coming to a close, any heavy or prolonged rain can cause extensive flooding in our City. The City of Havre de Grace has had our Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) revised by FEMA which became effective on April 19, 2016. Although flood boundary lines on the map may have changed, floods can still happen outside those areas. Property owners, buyers, sellers, real estate agents, lenders, or insurance agents may contact the Department of Planning at (410) 939-1800 ext 1123 to find out the flood zone and map information for your property, what the estimate Base Flood Elevation (BFE) may be for a property, information about historic flooding, LiMWA’s, V-zones, the floodway, and natural floodplain functions in a specific area. Ask your insurance agent about flood insurance, which is also available for renters. A Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) offers lower-cost protection for homes and apartments in areas of low to moderate flood risk. These are areas shown as B, C, or X, zones on a FIRM. Check out our new Floodplain Management page on our City website – go to the Government heading, and the link is under Organization, just below Stormwater Management. As always, please keep your stormdrains clear of leaves, grass, trash and tree debris at all times to minimize flooding in the streets and on your property. Please contact DPW if you notice anyone dumping into a stormdrain or stream. Building permits are required for sheds, fences, renovations, decks, and other alterations to buildings and property. If your property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, there may be State requirements to comply with also. When hiring a contractor, be sure they are licensed by the State of Maryland. Contact the Department of Planning (410) 939-1800 ext 1102 for permit fees and details. Department of Economic Development: The Law & Your Business to be presented Wednesday The Harford County Office of Economic Development 2021-G Pulaski Hwy., Havre de Grace, will host the Small Business Seminar: The Law and Your Business from 6 to 8 p.m. Nearly all businesses will encounter legal questions along the way. This free workshop on Wednesday, November 29, will provide answers to these questions and explore some of the fundamental legal issues facing small business owners. For information about this and other business seminars visit www.harfordcountymd.gov register at www.harfordcountyoed.eventbrite.com Black Friday & Small Business Saturday in Havre de Grace We hope you enjoyed Small Business Saturday, November 25, 2017 in downtown Havre de Grace where the Havre de Grace Downtown Merchants Association busily distributed swag to merchants. In turn that swag was passed on to shoppers who experienced the unique gifting opportunities in downtown Havre de Grace. Giving back on Giving Tuesday The after Thanksgiving calendar is a busy one with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and, of course, #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving. The date is a powerful opportunity to engage in the causes that matter to you while creating a purpose-driven culture. National Entrepreneurship Month November is National Entrepreneurship Month. If you want to make your best idea your new business visit the Small Business Administration website at www.sba.gov to use their handy guide entitled 10 Steps to Starting Your Business and join the ranks of entrepreneurs this month! What are the 10 steps you’ll be reading about? We’re glad you asked: Conduct Market Research Write Your Business Plan Fund Your Business Pick Your Business Location (We strongly recommend Havre de Grace!) Choose a Business Structure Choose Your Business Name Register Your Business Get Federal and State Tax IDs Apply for Licenses & Permits Open a Business Bank Account Mix & Mingle is “Jingle Mingle” this December The Harford County Chamber of Commerce will hold a Jingle Mingle, rather than their monthly Mix & Mingle this December. The Jingle Mingle will be Thursday, December 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Rockfield Manor, 501 E. Churchville Rd., Bel Air. The cost is $45 for members and $60 for prospective members for the event catered by Pairings Bistro. For details or to register visit www.harfordchamber.org or call 410-838-2020. Harford Leadership Academy taking applications The Harford Leadership Academy is taking applications for the 2018 class. The HLA encourages attendance of mid- to upper-level management personnel who have: the goal of providing leadership to the community; an interest in accepting new and rewarding challenges; and demonstrated leadership skills and a desire to learn more about Harford County. If you are interested in learning more about HLA visit www.harford.edu or email vcyran@harford.edu Steppingstone Museum in HDG seeking support this season The Steppingstone Farm Museum at 461 Quaker Bottom Road, Havre de Grace, needs a little local love. This year two structures on the property sustained major damage – the black shop and the stage. In late winter the chimney to the blacksmith shop collapsed under the weight of snow from a storm. It was at this blacksmith shop from 1892 to 1958 that Harford residents went to register and vote. Indeed, the first woman to vote in Harford County, May Bradfield in 1920, cast her ballot in the building. Since the damage to the building the shop has been closed to the public disallowing demonstration of this heritage trade. The concert stage also requires repairs. Built a decade ago by students from Harford Community College, in early spring the stage’s foundation was discovered to have termite damage. Since then the stage has been unavailable for concerts or private events including ever-popular weddings. The Steppingstone Farm Museum staff have put out a community appeal seeking monetary support for the costs to repair these structures and reopen them to the visiting public. “Help us preserve the past so that it may be enjoyed in the present and for future generations to come,” explains Lara Murphy, Executive Director. “Your tax deductible monetary gift is greatly needed and appreciated.” Checks may be sent, payable to the Steppingstone Farm Museum, to: Steppingstone Farm Museum, 461 Quaker Bottom Rd., Havre de Grace MD, 20178. Office of Tourism: Lights, Lights, Lights!- The City of Havre de Grace has been adorned with thousands of lights. Be sure to visit the main streets in town…you will feel like you are in a winter wonderland. Don’t forget to visit the Lighthouse, Promenade and Tydings park. Kudos to The Winter Wonderland Committee, DPW crew and Christmas Decor by L&B, Inc. The City looks amazing and is sure to put you in a Holly Jolly Mood! Holly Jolly First Fridays and Light Up Night- Join us for our inaugural First Friday Holiday Market on Pennington Ave & kids crafts and fun on Franklin St. The events will feature the 42nd Street Carolers, holiday stilt-walkers and Santa’s express. The tree lighting ceremony will follow the parade with Santa & Mayor Bill Martin. Don’t forget to share your wishes with Santa at Santa land on Washington Street following the parade Wreaths- Over 75 businesses have agreed to participate in a holiday wreath decorating contest. Walk the streets of the town to see all the uniquely decorated wreaths…the shop owners have done an amazing job. Winners will be announced at the Tree Lighting on Friday December 1. Cultural Center at the Opera House “City Lights” (Black & White Film Series) on Tuesday, November 28 at 8pm Tidewater Players present “Beauty & the Beast” on December 1 & 2 at 8pm and on December 3 at 2pm (Final weekend)
