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    City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of Monday December 4, 2017

    1. Havre de Grace
    2. City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of Monday December 4, 2017

    City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing
    Week of Monday December 4, 2017

     
    Headlines:

    Office of the Mayor:
    On Thursday November 30, 2017, Mayor Martin  

    • Filmed a video promoting the City’s holiday decorating contest.

    • Attended the retirement luncheon for PFC Dennis Rittershofer at the Havre de Grace Police Department. During the event, the mayor presented PFC Rittershofer with a proclamation and challenge coin.
    • Handed out ribbons to the winners of this year’s Business Wreath Decorating Contest.
    • Attended a Community Leadership social at Rockfield Manor in Bel Air.
    • On Friday, December 1, 2017, Mayor Martin participated in Holly Jolly First Friday .
     
    Department of Administration:

    Office of Marketing:

    • Post people are talking about on Social Media:  

    Below is a list of the top five most talked about post from the City Havre de Grace on Facebook during November.

    -Concord Point Lighthouse this evening.

    -Crews are in the process of decorating the city. When completed our parks, downtown, and walkways will be illuminated for the holiday season. Lights will officially be turned on Friday, December 1, 2017 as part of the Holly Jolly First Fridays and Light Up Night celebration.

    -Sunset this evening.

    -Downtown looking extra beautiful this evening 🙂

    -Concord Point Lighthouse is always beautiful, but we especially love it during the holiday session. This morning’s sunrise was extra joyful, with the holiday lights and decorations adding a festive spirit.

    Department of Public Works:

    • A sign of growth ~ ​Between August 31 to November 30, a total of 41 water meters have been installed for new homes going in at the following sub-divisions: Greenway Farm, Bulle Rock,and Scenic Manor.  

    Improving Our Utilities

    • An old water main valve will be replaced with a new one tomorrow in the 500 block of Alliance Street.
    • BGE Gas Line replacement – crews will be working in the area of Washington, Alliance and Giles Streets.
    • Canvasback Drive – the pipes for the culvert have been delivered!

    Recycle this Holiday

    • Newspaper packages tied up with string – this is truly a beautiful thing! and it is recycling at its Best!
    • Christmas Trees – they are considered Yard Waste and will be collected curbside on Mondays through January.  Please make sure the tinsel has been removed.  

    Avoid Sewer Back-ups in Your Home

    • Holiday Cooking – this is the season with lots of buttery dishes, gravies, fats from turkeys, etc.  Do not pour Fats, Oils or Grease into your sink drains. Prevent your drains from backing up this holiday season.  Solution: Pour the leftover fats, etc. into a can or plastic container with a lid, let it firm up (fridge or freezer will help quicken the process) and then place the container in your regular trash can.

    Coming to a Street Near You!

    • The DPW Streets Crew is actively preparing to get the snow plows and blades ready for wintry weather.

      Pictured here is a sure way to avoid getting plowed in after you have already shoveled.

     
    ANIMAL CONTROL – WHO TO CALL?

    • Harford County Sheriff’s Office has staff who attends to animal control issues.  Please call 410-638-3505 (The Citizen Newsletter had an incorrect number.)

     
    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.
     
    A clogged drain will flood the surrounding area.  A clear drain accepts the heavy rains. 
    CURRENT HAPPENINGS:

    • 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 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.
    • Repairs being made to the stormdrain pipe running under Canvasback Drive in the vicinity of Teal Ct.
    • Design of the City’s stormwater management pond retrofit and habitat creation at Bradford Green is underway.  Watch for those enhancements soon.
    • WATCH for other stormwater pollution removal projects happening in the City.

     
    SPOTLIGHT:  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!
    CTRL CLICK Link        http://extension.umd.edu/watershed/smart-tool
    Department of Planning:

    • Per the International Building Codes, Property Maintenance Codes, and for Emergency Services, please be sure your dwelling or business is clearly identified with proper address numbers – numbers should be a minimum 4″ tall, contrasting to their background, and visible from the street.  Rear or side entrances should also be clearly identified.
    • 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.

    Police Department:

    • Big thank you to the Hogs and Heroes Maryland Chapter 2 for their generous donation of toys to our holiday toy drive. It is much appreciated and will help those in need.
    • Christmas is fast approaching, please when doing holiday shopping do not leave the items you bought in plain view in your vehicle. Place them in your trunk or put them in an area of your vehicle where they can’t be seen. This will make your vehicle less desirable to thieves.
    • HdG officers enjoyed working the Christmas Parade. We are so lucky to serve such a great community!
    • We celebrated the retirement of Dennis Rittershofer after 37 years of service!
    • If you know where any illegal drug activity is taking place around Havre de Grace please fill out the Havre de Grace Drug Tip Form https://goo.gl/SnD2v9 Together we can stop the drug trade in our community.

     
    Department of Finance:

    • Last business day to pay your Real Estate Tax 2nd Half and avoid penalty is Friday, December 29, 2017.  Avoid the waiting in long lines and pay early.  Or better yet, use the convenient drop box at the front doors of City Hall or pay online by e-check or credit card.   
    • Water/Sewer bills for December will be mailed out today, 12/4/17
    • Please prepare for Winter!  Drain and shut off outside water spigots.
    • Don’t let a running toilet run up your water bill.  Visit the EPA’s website for tips on eliminating leaks in your home and ideas on how to conserve water.https://www.epa.gov/watersense
    • All unpaid User Benefit Accounts are subject to a 1.5% penalty per month.
    • Make sure all payments have the correct Account Number/Account type listed on the remittance or memo area of your check.  Payments are applied to the account designated on the check.  Please verify you have the right information on your payment, whether a personal check or bank check.  
    • All “Bill Pay”  Bank Checks are sent through the regular mail and are receipted the day of delivery.  Make sure you allow enough time for the bank to print and mail the check to avoid penalties.

    Office of Tourism

    • Citywide House Decorating Contest-   Show us your holiday spirit, add your house to our judges list by calling the Visitor Center at 410-939-2100  Judging will take place on Friday December 14 and Saturday December 15.  Winners will be announced at the City Council Meeting on Monday December 18.  Good Luck!
    • Holly Jolly First Friday and Light Up Night was a huge success.  Thousands of visitors joined us to celebrate our First Holly Jolly First Fridays on December 1.  The event included stilt walkers, roaming carolers, fire pits, s’mores, vendors, hot chocolate bar, gingerbread house decorating, train rides and of course a parade.  The Mayor and Santa lit our Christmas tree followed by Mrs. Claus and Santa listening to all the children’s Christmas wishes in Santa Land.  If you missed this event there is still so much more happening this holiday season.
    • Concord Point Lighthouse will be hosting their annual Christmas Gift Shoppe on Saturday December 9 from 10-4 and Sunday December 10 from 12-4.  The keeper’s house will be filled with treats, crafts and holiday goodies.
    • Susquehanna Lockhouse Museum presents their 45th Annual Candlelight Tour of Historic Havre de Grace this Saturday December 9 from 4-8pm.  Tickets are just $20 ($25 Day of Tour) available at the Lockhouse or the Havre de Grace Visitor Center.
    • The Susquehanna Lockhouse will also be hosting a Christmas Boutique.  Stop by for handmade holiday gifts, fresh greens, gourmet baked goods and raffles on Saturday December 9 from 9-5 and Sunday December 10 from noon to 5.
    • Catch the spirit of the holidays early as Dickens comes to life with “A Christmas Carol” as told by Ebenezer Scrooge’s sister, Fan. Join us at the Steppingstone Farm House for a Victorian Tea featuring Professional Storyteller and Historic Reenactor Alisa Dupuy. Tickets are $25, which includes your Afternoon Tea (hot tea, tea sandwiches, scones, and sweets), the Performance, a great dose of Christmas Spirit, and a donation to the museum.
    • Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa Land before they return to the North Pole.  They will be available to hear all your Christmas wishes on December 9 and December 16 from 12-2.
    • Be sure to check the Opera House website for all their holiday events this month.  Hdgoperahouse.org

    Cultural Center at the Opera House

    • National Players present “Alice in Wonderland” on Tuesday, December 5 at 7pm (75 minutes so the kids get to bed on time
    • Lewis Lane Players present “It’s a Wonderful Life- A Live Radio Play” on Friday, December 8 at 8pm and Saturday, December 9 at 2pm & 8pm
    • Candlelight Tour Stop- Saturday, December 9 from 4pm to 8pm