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    City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of Monday November 6, 2017

    1. Havre de Grace
    2. City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of Monday November 6, 2017

    City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing
    Week of Monday November 6, 2017

     
    Office of the Mayor:

    Department of Administration:

    • The Mayor and City Council will meet this evening at 7:00 P.M.  View Agenda.
    • City Hall will be closed Friday, November 10, 2017, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.
    • At the beginning of 2017 The City of Havre de Grace installed an Electric Vehicle Charging Station at David Craig Park.

    • Since being installed:
      • Average session length is 1 hour – 48 minutes
      • Positive impact to the environment: 121 kg of greenhouse-gas emissions has been avoided, which is like planting 4 trees and letting them grow for 10 years.
      • Use of the charging station is cyclical, i.e. usage increases each month from June through September and declines in October.
      • Customer feedback has been great and what we had hoped for, “Went on a run via Lafayette trail today in good old Havre de Grace. Charge was great, got me about 3-4 kilowatts in 40 minutes.”

    Office of Marketing:

    • Each Wednesday this November we will be participating in Municipal Government Works Wednesdays. A social media campaign created by the Maryland Municipal Leagueto highlight significant accomplishments by municipalities across Maryland.  Last week we showcased The New Culture Center at The Opera House which opened on August 5, 2017 bringing high-quality entertainment to our area and region. #MGWMonth


     

    • #HdGProud


     
    Police Department:

      • We had our November Safety Club, which was a major success. If you have a child in elementary school and live in Havre de Grace you’re welcome to come to Safety Club, which meets the first Wednesday of each month. Contact any school in Havre de Grace and speak with the SRO for further information.

    • With the holidays coming up, please consider doing a residential or commercial crime prevention survey on your property. Contact Cpl Petz or PFC T. Adams at 410-939-2121 if you would like this done at no cost. These surveys will give you tips to make your home more secure and safe.

     
    Department of Public Works:

    • Bulk Collection- This a correction to a CTY message that was sent out on Friday November 3rd regarding bulk pick up. The CTY message stated that bulk pick up was suspended through the month of November. The Department of Public Works would like to correct that statement. Due to city hall being closed on Friday November 10th for Veteran’s Day and Friday November 24th for Thanksgiving, bulk pick up will not occur on those days. However, bulk pick up WILL take place on Friday November 17th. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused, and we urge our citizens to call with any questions.
    • Tydings Park Sidewalks – to ensure safety for all, a new handicap accessible sidewalk is being installed from the City Yacht Basin to the park grounds. You may have also noticed the old brick sidewalks have been replaced with stamped concrete.
    • Culvert Replacement Project  – Comer Construction  has been awarded the contract to replace the culvert at Canvasback Drive and Chapel Road.
    • Holiday Decorations – City employees are in the process of stringing thousands of lights, hanging banners and flags for the upcoming holiday season.
    • Recycling Containers – Residents who may be interested in getting the big, blue, commercial grade recycling containers from Waste Industries (WI) can make arrangements by calling WI directly at 410-457-0404.  The containers can be rented for $4.00 per month – you will be billed quarterly from WI.  There is a one time initial delivery fee of the container.  WI provides all maintenance and replacement of the container if it gets damaged through normal usage.​
    • Chapel Road Resurfacing Project – currently underway.  Work is being done by Harford County.
    • Lane Paving Project – Lodge Lane from Franklin St. to Fountain Street, and Linden Lane’s 800 block.
    • BGE Phase 2 – road paving and sidewalk construction is currently underway and may be completed within 3 weeks (weather permitting).

    Office of Stormwater Management

    • Reminder:  Since fall, is here keep your stormdrains clear of leaves, grass, trash and tree debris at all times to minimize flooding in the streets, and on your property when it rains.
    • 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.
    • A random collection of stormwater outfalls were tested this year for illicit discharge detection with none found to be out of compliance with national pollutant discharge regulations.
    • 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.
    • WATCH for other stormwater pollution removal projects happening in the City.
    • Design services for the dredging of the City Yacht Basin will begin this month.  Watch for updates on this work to commence.
    • SPOTLIGHT:  It’s time to observe the beauty of the trees around us.  Take a stroll through Tydings Park, Joe K Trail, Horseshoe Bend or one of the many locations in the City where the native trees are displaying a show of color for us all!

    Department of Planning:

    • 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.
    • Seasonal reminder to business and property owners:  You are responsible for removing leaves, snow and ice from public sidewalks fronting your properties.
    • Home values and neighborhood quality are negatively impacted when property is not kept up.  If you notice a property that has abandoned vehicles, appliances, furniture, trash, or tall grass and weeds, please contact the Department of Planning (410) 939-1800 ext 1102.
    • 167 Building Permits were applied for between July 1 and October 31, 2017, with the following breakdown –
      • New Construction  –  48  (includes Residential & Commercial)
      • Renovation / Additions  –  49  (includes Residential & Commercial, as well as Decks, Porches & Screen Rooms)
      • Other  –  70  (includes Sheds, Fences, Carports, Driveway/Curb Cuts, Construction Dumpsters, Signs, Solar Panels, U & O’s for New Businesses, Pools, Antenna Towers, Windows, Doors, Gas Fireplaces, Grading & Subdivision)

     
    Department of Finance:

    • November Water/Sewer Bills were mailed on Friday, November 3, 2017 and are due November 30, 2017.
    • 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’s bills, 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.

     
    Department of Economic Development:

    • Director Erika Quesenbery will be representing Havre de Grace at the quarterly meeting for Maryland Main Street, including on the planning committee Monday, November 6, and all day Tuesday, November 7. The meetings rotate between State Designated Main Street communities, with the Fall 2017 meeting being held in Thurmont.
    • The Route 40 Business Association Luncheon will be held Wednesday, November 8, at the Bayou Restaurant on Route 40 in Havre de Grace.
    • The Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce will host their Prayer Breakfast this Thursday, November 9, at Silks Restaurant.
    • The Havre de Grace Downtown Merchants Association will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. at Coakley’s Pub on St. John’s Street, Thursday, November 9. The Havre de Grace Office of Economic Development, which signed on as a Neighborhood Champion for the American Express Small Business Saturday Promotion, November 25, will bring swag bags to merchants participating in the Downtown Merchants Association Meeting as provided at no cost by American Express.

    Office of Tourism:

    • Saturday, November 11- Veteran’s Day Observances will take at Tydings Park, please join the American Legion at 11 am in recognition of our veterans.
    • Farmers Market will continue until Saturday November 18th at Hutchins Park
    • Saturday, November 18- Tickets on sale now for The Great Havre de Grace Oyster Feast!  This is a community gathering to support local nonprofits.  Enjoy oysters on the half shell, steamed oysters, fried oysters, homemade oyster stew, MD crab soup, old bay wings, bbq ribbies, beef, turkey and country smoked ham on the pit, sauerkraut & kielbasa, beef BBQ, salads, sides, fresh fruit, assorted cheeses, vegetables and dip, desserts, can beer, wine, soda and coffee.  Tickets are available at the Visitor Center, 450 Pennington Ave.


    Cultural Center at the Opera House

    • The Tidewater Players are in rehearsal for Beauty & the Beast opening on November 17th!