A New Year is starting and there are a few problems going into the New Year with us.

Number one biggest problem is drugs in Town. The Mayor and Council are aware of this problem and we have told the proper agencies. We ask that people continue to let police know of anything that may look important to you. Property owners can also help, because if they know that there is drug activity in their properties they can be a big help. The law says that a PROPERTY CAN BE CONFISCATED IF USED TO SELL DRUGS OUT OF. Property can be sold at sheriff’s sale. I will be talking to the States Attorney’s office and will push hard to see that happens. Some town people say that we are not doing enough, but some of the property owners are walking with blinders on.

Trash pickup also is a big problem. This company has until June 30, 2001 and we are looking to put bids out soon. York Waste did not bid the last time, but they bought Woods Trash Company. You should know that York Waste has saved the town lots of money. They haul trash to PA for $28.00 a ton. Carroll County landfill charges $47.00 a ton.

The new construction at Lehigh also has increased traffic in town. This is only a temporary problem. Although every business in town has seen the effects of this.

I would like people to write down their three top priority issues that you would like addressed. Mail them to the Mayor or drop them at the town office in the Drop Box if you don’t want to sign your name. I will go over the issues with the council at our workshops, and try to address them all.

Don’t forget that this May will be town elections. If anyone has interest, they should at least come to council meetings before then, to see what is happening in town.

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to all.

We’re getting closer to completing the improvements at the Little Pipe Creek Park (along Rt. 75 across from Myers grocery store). A grand opening is planned for this summer. Since the last newsletter, several things have happened. First, Morris and Associates Inc. have planted almost three thousand trees and bushes on just under 17 acres. Some examples of the variety of trees include Sycamore, Red maple, Green Ash, Black Willow, River Birch, Black Walnut, Juneberry, Cottonwood, Tulip Poplar, Silver Maple, Flowering Dogwood, and more!

Secondly, the planned walkway and footbridge have been designed and will go out to bid sometime in February 2001. The trail will be five feet wide and about 2,500' long.

Thirdly, we had a very successful tree-planting event at the park on Saturday, November 4, 2000. About 200 people visited to plant trees and learn more about local fish, trees, turtles and insects in the local park environment. There were ongoing tree planting demonstrations by a local forester, instructing participants in the best method for tree planting and mulching. Many people received a FREE tree for participating.

On the banks of the stream, a water expert caught and displayed fish and tiny water creatures for everyone to examine. And, there was a hands-on turtle exhibit.

Our special thanks to everyone for participating, including residents, students, members of Cub Scout Troop # 582, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Baltimore Sun and Channel 3 photographers, and Mayor Perry Jones and members of the town council, who planted the symbolic tree. Also, our thanks to Fogle's Septic Service for providing a free spot-a-pot.

As soon as the date for the grand opening event is scheduled, it will be advertised in this newsletter.

Construction of the new batting cage is almost complete. The cage is located between the small ballfield and the tennis courts on Thomas Street. The Union Bridge Recreation Council will install ground material and make adjustments to the interior netting. Once the Recreation Council completes these final improvements and approves the cage for use, the batting cage will be available for teams and players.

Following a bid advertisement by the town, Myers and Sons was selected to construct the picnic pavilion beside the big ballfield. The new pavilion will be about 20' X 24' in size. It will overlook the big ballfield and should be a great place to picnic while enjoying the game (or waiting during a rain delay!). The pavilion is planned to be completed by early Spring.

Since our report in the last Newsletter, the Main Street Revitalization Committee has been very busy. A small group toured Emmitsburg and Frederick to look at various aspects of street lighting. Members of the committee met with Allegheny Power engineers to study placement of current and replacement light fixtures. The committee sought to learn more about historic reproduction lighting from the company that manufactures the lighting installed by Allegheny Power. The ornamental outdoor lighting selected by the committee is made by Hadco and has a Victorian style refractive globe with a finial on top and a pole outfitted with an electrical box (for holiday decorations). To view the type of lights we plan to purchase see existing pole lights at Town Hall.

Lighting recommendations, along with the associated costs for installation and maintenance, will be made to the Town Council at its December 18 meeting. This item will be included in the grant proposal that the Town will submit by February 1, 2001, once the full grant request has been reviewed by the Town Council at its meeting on January 22.

Members of the Main Street Revitalization Committee also participated in the Preliminary Investigation Meeting called by the State Highway Administration for November 28, 2000, at Union Bridge. The group reviewed the preliminary design plans (30%) covering the streetscape project.

The next meeting of the Main Street Revitalization Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, January 10, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. For more information about this project, please contact Jim Schumacher at the Town Hall (410-775-2711) or committee chair Joan McKee (410-775-2976).

The Union Bridge Recreation Council will be holding registrations for Spring sports on January 27^th and February 3^rd from 10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. and on February 1 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Elmer Wolfe Elementary School. Spring sports will include baseball for 5-12 year olds, softball for 6 & under up to 18 & under and Lacrosse for children in grades 1^st – 8^th. An Aerobics class will be offered on Monday and Thursday nights at New Windsor Middle School starting January 29. Additionally, a Yoga class will be offered at the Union Bridge Community Center.

Businesses interested in sponsoring spring sports can contact Cheryl Keeney at 410-775-7780. The next council meeting will be held on January 15 at 7 p.m. at the town hall. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. New program volunteers and paid instructors are always needed. For more information about the Union Bridge Recreation Council, call Anita Staley at 301-898-9451.

Owners 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.

The Union Bridge Lions Club is sponsoring a blood drive for the Union Bridge Community on Monday, January 22, 2001 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Community Center. For additional information or to schedule your life-saving donation please contact Wayne Adams at 410-775-2625.

Thank You!