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    City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of April 16, 2018

    1. Havre de Grace
    2. City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of April 16, 2018

    City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing
    Week of April 16, 2018  

     
    Police Department:

    • Somerset Serve 2018
      by The Success Project, Inc.

      DESCRIPTION
      Come Out and Make a Difference in Your Community!
      Join with local individuals, families and organizations gathering together to meet area needs.
      Saturday, April 28, 2018
      8am to 12pm. Lunch provided.
      Beautification of Harford County’s Only Public Housing Community, Somerset Manor.
      410-939-2097

      Planned Projects include:
      Raking, Mulching, Trimming and Planting.
      Painting of curbs and benches.
      Bring These Items with You:
      Rakes, Shovels, Gloves, Leaf Blowers, Paint Brushes, Brooms, Dustpans and More.
      https://www.eventbrite.com/e/somersetserve-2018-tickets-33371949399
    • Crack Cocaine Drug Distribution Arrest

      For Immediate Release
      Contact: Cpl. Daniel Petz, Public Information Officer, (410) 939-2121

      Media Release: April 13, 2018
      Havre de Grace, MD –
      On April 5, 2018, The Havre de Grace Police Department arrested Mr. Bruce Pittman of Edgewood in the 1000 block of Pulaski Hwy for crack cocaine distribution. Investigators initially observed Mr. Pittman in the 800 block of Pulaski Hwy in Havre de Grace, where he was spotted engaging in an illegal narcotics transaction with a female subject in that area. That female subject was subsequently stopped after leaving the area in her 2008 Dodge Ram, however not before she destroyed the suspected sold cocaine she received from Mr. Pittman. The subject was however in possession of drug paraphernalia used to smoke crack cocaine and was detained.
      Simultaneously, Mr. Pittman attempted to leave the parking lot within the 800 block of Pulaski Hwy in a 2013 Ford car operated by a male subject from Aberdeen. Both the driver and Mr. Pittman were detained as a result of the drug investigation resulting in the recovery of 32 grams of suspected crack cocaine from Mr. Pittman. The driver was cited for criminal traffic charges and was released along with female subject in the Dodge Ram who is pending future criminal narcotic violations.
      At the time of this offense, Mr. Pittman was released on Parole from a 2013 criminal conviction of Heroin Distribution. Mr. Pittman had violated the provisions of his release and was wanted by authorities at the time of his arrest. He was transported to the Harford County Detention Center, where he is currently being held without bail.
      If you know where drugs are being used or sold in the City of Havre de Grace please contact us at 410-939-2121 or message us on social media.

    • It’s that time of the year where we are selling T-shirts and hats to benefit Special Olympics Maryland! If you would like to buy a shirt or a hat, they are $15.00 each. You can get them by stopping by the Havre de Grace Police Station and asking to speak to Cpl. Petz.

    • Havre de Grace Police Officers and Susquehanna Hose Company Firefighters played staff and kids from the Havre de Grace branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford and Cecil Counties in a game of basketball. We had fun and played hard.
     
    DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
    DIRECTOR’S OFFICE:
    • The Green Team will be building a Victory Garden on the City property located at 319 Lafayette Street. It is almost time to start building beds and planting. Thanks to a grant they have been awarded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust there will also be a new pollinator garden on that site. The pollinator garden will treat the water quality as will the rain barrels we will install, which will allow for the reuse of the rain runoff from the building for watering the plants.
    • The issuance of the City’s new MS-4 (separate storm sewer system) permit will occur this month.
    • WATCH for other stormwater pollution removal projects happening in the City. The smallest effort counts!!
    • A request for engineering work will be issued for a DNR/City regenerative stormwater improvement project at the Concord cove near the Maritime Museum.
    • Please report any illicit activity on the storm drains by calling City Hall at 410-939-1800 or by using the “REPORT” button on our website.
    • Be thinking of and planning small measures you can take on your own property to mitigate stormwater runoff around your home. For more information, please call Stephanie at 410-939-1800.

    PARKS:

    • Dredging of the channel at Tydings Marina is on schedule, and permits will be issued by June.
    • Design of pedestrian bridge abutments over Lilly Run near the Lock House continues. A request for proposal for construction advertised this week. The City has proposed this project for consideration as a grant request.

    WATER:

    • Repairs to the Lapidum Water Tower have been advertised for bid, and the pre-bid meeting held. Sealed bids will be accepted at City Hall until 4/23/18 at 2 p.m.
    • The City has advertised for construction of a 8 inch water line on a segment of Alliance Street and a segment of Lafayette Street. Sealed bids will be accepted at City Hall until April 23, 2018 at 3 p.m.
    • Construction will begin within the next couple weeks on the rehabilitation of the water main located at the 500-600 block of Camilla Street and the 900-1000 block of Otsego Street.
    • A request for proposal for upgrades to the Water Treatment Plant will occur within the next month.

    STREETS:
    DPW Staff have been focusing their attention on:
     

    • unclogging storm drains,
    • filling potholes on Morrison Lane and elsewhere,
    • cleaning brush at North Park Trail area,
    • removing a downed tree from backyard area of Bradford Green,
    • collecting trash and recycling from city parks and from containers along city streets, and
    • replacing light bulbs in city-owned light poles.

     
     
    Spring Hydrant Flushing to Begin April 21, 2018
    The Public Works Staff will begin hydrant flushing city-wide.  The purpose of flushing hydrants is to ensure proper chlorine levels  so that you receive the freshest water into your homes and businesses.  While flushing occurs, you may experience a brief drop in water pressure.  You may also see a discoloration in the water coming from your faucets. Simply run the COLD water faucet for a few minutes until the water runs clear.

     
    Planning

    • According to Farmers Almanac, this Spring starts out a little cooler than normal, with April and May slightly rainier than normal.  To help prevent excess flooding, please be sure storm drains are free of leaves and other debris. Check out the Floodplain Management page on the City website for helpful information.  You may also call Marisa Willis or Shane Grimm, (410) 939-1800, if you have any questions on the Special Flood Hazard Areas within the City.

      •  Planning Commission meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, as needed, at 6:30 p.m. at Havre de Grace City Hall.  In addition, Board of Appeals hearings are held on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., as needed, with required public notification in local newspapers and property postings.  For meeting agendas, please go to havredegracemd.gov/agendas-schedules/ or you may find them posted outside the main door of Havre de Grace City Hall.

      • 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, and all the required inspections have been approved.   Contact the Department of Planning (410) 939-1800 ext 1102 for permit fees and details.

      •  The City of Havre de Grace was recently notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that the City was awarded a Class 7 rating by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).  The City was previously recognized as a Class 8 community. The floodplain management activities implemented by our City benefits citizens by reducing flood insurance premiums. City residents now qualify for a 15 percent discount in the premium cost of flood insurance for NFIP policies issued or renewed in Special Flood Hazard Areas on or after May 1, 2018.  This was made possible by the City’s Certified Floodplain Manager, Marisa Willis, who navigated the rigorous recertification process that occurs once every 5 years. Marisa’s experience as a CFM and her continuous floodplain management training and education are invaluable to the City. Citizens can contact Marisa with permitting questions related to floodplain management or the CRS rating system.

      The NFIP Community Rating System (CRS) was implemented in 1990 as a voluntary program for recognizing and encouraging community floodplain management activities exceeding the NFIP’s minimum standards. Any community that is in full compliance with the NFIP’s minimum floodplain management requirements may apply to join CRS.

      Besides the benefit of reduced insurance rates, CRS floodplain management activities enhance public safety, reduce damages to property and public infrastructure, avoid economic disruption and losses, reduce human suffering, and protect the environment. Participating in the CRS provides an incentive to maintaining and improving a community’s floodplain management program over the years. Implementing some CRS activities can help projects qualify for certain other federal assistance programs.

    Department of Economic Development:
    Congratulations Washington Street Books!
    Hearty congratulations to the Klisavage family of Washington Street Books, Music and Entertainment Museum at 131 N. Washington Street, Havre de Grace. The shop appeared this weekend in the Best of Baltimore section of The Baltimore Sun as Baltimore’s Best Comic Book Store! On Yelp the store is ranked as the #7 Best Thing To Do when Visiting Havre de Grace, as well. Be sure to stop by and check out the authentic costumes from a variety of movies and shows from Beautiful Creatures to The Hunger Games, The Last Air Bender to Baby Driver and more.
    Havre de Grace Chamber marks 90 Years!
    Congratulations to the Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce marking their 90th Anniversary in 2018. The Mayor and City Council presented a proclamation to Executive Director Cathy Hutchins Vincenti and her Board of Directors to the Monday, May 16 Council Meeting. A special program will be offered by the Chamber in May and The Cecil Whig newspaper and other on-line publications announced the anniversary with feature articles last week.
    The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and partner GreenPlay, LLC, will host an information session and workshop to solicit public comment and stakeholder feedback on land conservation and outdoor recreation, with residents and non-residents invited to attend. There will be four such sessions with the closest to Havre de Grace and final session, incidentally, being held at Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area Auditorium, 5100 Deer Park Rd., Owings Mills, with the first sessions at 1 p.m. and a second session at 6 p.m., on Thursday, April 19. Session and survey results will be incorporated into the Maryland Land Preservation and
    Recreation Plan, which is
    required to receive federal funding from the National Park Service’s Land and
    Water Conservation Fund. Please RSVP to adamb@greenplayll.com.
    The Maryland State Arts Council will hold a Celebration
    of the Arts at The Walters Art
    Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Fri.,
    April 20, 6 to 9:30 p.m., to celebrate 50 years of service to the arts.
    There will be numerous performances, music, poetry, digital and visual art.
    RSVP and reserve your FREE tickets at www.eventbrite.com to reserve your tickets.
    Make sure you don’t miss APG Discovery Fest this Saturday, April 21, with a pinewood derby, 2K, 5K and 10K walk and run, STEM-based activities for kids and much more, including live music and food choices at Myers Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    NEXT WEEK:
    The Small Business Administration Baltimore District Office, 100 S. Charles St., Suite 1201 Baltimore, will hold HUB Zone
    Contracting Program Overview
    from 11 a.m. to noon, Tues., April 24.
    Learn about the benefits of the program and the application process for HUBs –
    Historically Under-Utilized Business Zones for government contracting. Space is
    limited so signing up early is strongly encouraged at www.sba.gov/offices/district/md/baltimore. Photo ID is required to enter
    building.
    Are you looking to start your own
    business? Do you have some great ideas and aren’t sure how to turn those ideas
    into a business? Do you need money to get your business off the ground or to
    move it forward? Get the answers to these and other questions at the free
    Entrepreneurship Workshop Series, Tues.,
    April 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Harford County Office of Community
    & Economic Development, 2021 Pulaski Hwy., Suite D, Havre de Grace. The
    topic for this date is Entrepreneurship Workshop: Graduation Ceremony
    & Entrepreneur Networking Event. The programs are led by industry subject matter experts. Please
    register at event brite under “entrepreneurship workshop series in Harford
    County.”
    The Secret is Out in Havre de Grace!
    Several Havre de Grace businesses are part of the Harford-Cecil Best Kept Secrets Tour that begins today, Thurs., April 26 and continues through May 12. To get a ticket
    entitling you to a tour book, map, coupons and entries for a shopping spree and
    prizes visit www.bestkeptsecretstour.com
    Office of Tourism:

    • Saturday, April 14- Inaugural Lock House Craft Beer and Wine Festival-   “The Lock House Museum would like to say thanks to all of our guests, vendors, volunteers, neighbors, and the City of Havre de Grace for a wonderful 1st Annual Lock House Craft Beer and Wine Festival. It was a beautiful day, and HdG shined to a ton of out of town visitors! Thanks for helping make it a HUGE success. See you all at the Lock House.” Tyler Buck, Executive Director Susquehanna Museum at the Lock House
    • Thursday, April 19 the Thursday Night Live Series present Beginnings the Premier Tribute to Chicago.  The concert will be held at the Opera House at 8 p.m. Tickets are going fast, get yours today. http://ow.ly/hfG130jwkQH
    • Friday April 20 the Arts by the Bay Gallery will hold “Spring Therapy” show and reception.  Offering light refreshments, hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. Come by and meet the artists and find the unique piece of artwork for the home or as a gift!
    • Saturday, April 21 the City will host our semi-annual Citywide Yard and Sidewalk Sale.  Stop by the Visitor Center or visit ExploreHavredeGrace.com for a complete list of those participating.

    • Saturday, April 21- River Sweep 2018!  The Lower Susquehanna Greenway will be holding its annual River Sweep, a volunteer shoreline and roadside clean-up in honor of Earth Day. The cleanup will take place in Havre de Grace, Conowingo, Perryville, Port Deposit, and Garret  Island. Contact Information brigitte@upperbaytrails.com 410-457-2482
    • For more information stop by the Visitor Center at 450 Pennington Ave, give us a call at 410-939-2100 or visit our website at ExploreHavredeGrace.com

     
    Cultural Center at the Opera House

    • “Young Frankenstein” on Tuesday, April 17 at 8pm
    • “Tuck Everlasting” featuring Scottfield Theatre Company’s Becky Titelman who previously directed “Tuck Everlasting The Musical” on Wednesday, April 18 at 8pm
    • “Beginnings- The Premier Tribute to Chicago” on Thursday, April 19 at 8pm
    • “Hugo” (Children’s Film Series) on Saturday, April 21 at 11am
    • “Rogue Swan” on Saturday, April 21 at 8pm