I would like to thank the residents that live on Main Street for working with the town on parking during the snows. Stambaugh’s has done a great job plowing snow. If you don’t think so, go visit some of the other towns. Notices were and will be sent to those who do not shovel their sidewalks.

At the Community Center during the snow, the three jeeps that were driving up and down the bank, your tag numbers were gotten. One was a gray Jeep and two were white Jeeps. I’m sure your parents would not like someone driving through their yards.

The Union Bridge wetland project is well under construction. Remember that this is a State Funded Project. The town will be having a contest to name the park. Please keep watching the paper for details.

We know that everyone is having trouble with the trash contractor. The service we got from Woods isn’t there anymore. The big companies just don’t care like the small companies.

Don’t forget that spring is coming and therefore May brings the Fireman’s Carnival. Please start your spring cleaning early!

The January Breakfast was a very special one to the Town Hall Funding Committee. It turned out to be the largest ever with 467 attending to enjoy the bake table and eat the eggs cooked to order, bacon, chipped beef gravy, pancakes, fried potatoes, fruit salad, coffee and orange juice. The Committee presented the Mayor and Council with a check in the amount of $6,129.84. $5,000 will be applied to the principal and $1,129.84 is a mortgage payment for our town hall. The committee also presented the Students and Staff of Bowling Brook Preparatory School with a plaque thanking them for their help over the years. Special recognition was given to Joe and Nona Swartzbeck of Peace and Plenty Farm for always donating the milk for the breakfasts. We hope to see you on Sunday, March 19 and April 16 for breakfast with us.

The Union Bridge Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m., on March 16, 2000, to review proposed changes to the town’s master plan. The commission will explain the proposed timetable to complete the master plan review and the various elements of the plan such as land use, roads, community facilities, etc.

The planning commission welcomes and encourages citizen participation. The commission would like to know how you think the town should grow, and what public services and facilities need to be improved, changed and planned for. Citizens and property owners may also request changes to the zoning district currently designated for their property.

Copies of the current town plan, adopted in 1990, are available at the town office for review. The review of the town master plan is very important. The adopted plan will guide the growth and development of the town for several years into the future. Please call the town office at 775-2711 for more information.

The town’s current water system is good, but it’s about to get even better with the installation of a new state-of-the-art DE Filtration system. The town is awaiting final funding approval from the Maryland Department of the Environment and the United States Department of Agriculture to install the new filters. The town’s consulting engineer, Harms and Associates, Inc., is completing the well house design and construction drawings. The DE filters will be installed in the new well house. The design plans for the well house and filters will be available for public inspection on or about April 24, 2000.

The town has applied to the office of Rural Development (RD), USDA, for $2.98 M in funding to complete several water improvement projects in the town of Union Bridge. Projects include upgrading and replacing substandard water lines, constructing new water lines, replacing the existing water tower on East Locust Street with a new elevated tank, etc. These improvements will not only provide upgraded water service to customers, but also will improve water pressure, fire protection, and water storage capabilities. The town is expected to hear for RD by the end of February regarding the status of our application. The mayor and council will also be holding a public meeting (the time and place will be advertised), regarding the RD application.

The construction work for the Little Pipe Creek restoration is progressing, with completion of the stream work expected on or about May 15, 2000. Park amenities will include the stabilization of Little Pipe Creek, wetlands, wildlife habitats, walkways, a footbridge over Little Pipe Creek, wildflowers, and lots of trees and landscaping. It will be a beautiful park and will offer walkers and bikers a convenient way from Main Street to Rt. 75. The local schools will also be involved in the ecological and educational aspects of the park system. The next phase of the project will be the planting of trees and the construction of the pathway and footbridge this summer and fall.

Problems or questions concerning trash pick up, please call York Waste Disposal, Inc. at

Every ten years the federal government conducts a population census across the United States. Every family and household is asked to fill out a census form. You say you never fill out government surveys or census forms? Well, here are a few reasons why you should!

1. The number of elected people that we send to the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington is determined by the number of people who live in our community. Where is this found? Right in our Constitution: Article. I. Section 2. Clause 3. A correct census count will directly determine our representation in Washington.

2. Every year over $100 billion in federal funds are awarded to local governments based on the census numbers. This means we can get some of our tax dollars back for the Union Bridge area. Filling out the census form will help the town of Union Bridge apply for and receive federal and State funding for local projects.

3. Census information is used to plan and fund new schools, roads, parks and other community facilities and infrastructure.

The town will be making improvements to the park concession building on Tomas Street. In order to comply with Carroll County Health Department requirements, the building will be upgraded to include a new commercial-grade sink, a hot water heater, a commercial-grade hot plate, waste water disposal to the town’s public sewage system, painting, window and door screens, and other items. Contractor cost proposals will be reviewed by the Mayor and Town Council at their meeting on February 28, 2000. This project is being coordinated with the Union Bridge Recreational Council. Funding for this project is being provided by the Town, Carroll County, and Maryland Program Open Space.

The town has installed an improved concrete sidewalk along the West Side of Main Street, beginning at Green Valley Road (Rt. 75). Improvements include a new walkway, pedestrian improvements to the bridge and fence structure over Little Pipe Creek, new curbs and gutter pans, new handicap ramps and drainage and inlet improvements. The town will be applying for additional funds to improve sidewalks on the East Side of Main Street in 2000.

A design consultant will be selected by the Mayor and Town Council to complete design and improvement drawings for Main Street. The project is being funded by the Maryland Community Development Block Grant program. The Main Street Revitalization Committee is coordinating the revitalization program and will be working closely with the design consultant. A community meeting will be scheduled sometime in mid April 2000. The purpose of the study is to recommend specific improvements for parking, streetscape, facades, infrastructure & Main Street design changes (State Route 75). Draft design drawings will be available for citizen inspection on or about March 31, 2000. Anyone interested in helping with this effort, including property owners and business owners on Main Street, should contact the town office at 775-2711.

The Union Bridge Area Recreation Council is sponsoring Baseball, Softball, and Lacrosse. For More Information about Baseball, call Brian Klein at 775-7992, for Softball information, call Missi Moser at 775-2820, and for more information about Lacrosse, call John Martin at 875-9311. The Recreation Council meets the 3^rd Monday of every month at 7pm at the Town Hall. Anyone interested in Council activities is welcome and encouraged to attend. Call Anita Staley at 301-898-9451 for general Recreation Council information.

Thank you to Stambaugh’s for doing such a great job of keeping our streets cleared during the winter storms.

Donated services: Clear snow from around meters, Clear alleys, Clear intersections, Haul snow to Community Center = $2,627.00.

The town of Union Bridge, Maryland is accepting applications for Operations and Maintenance of Water and Wastewater Systems. A Maryland Class 1 water and Class 111 wastewater certification is necessary. Specifications may be obtained by contacting the Municipal Office at 410-775-2711. Proposals must be submitted to the Town of Union Bridge, 104 West Locust Street, Union Bridge, MD 21791 on or before March 22, 2000.