menu

    City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of Monday January 1, 2018

    1. Havre de Grace
    2. City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of Monday January 1, 2018

    City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing
    Week of Monday January 1, 2018

     
    Office of the Mayor:

    • On January 1, 2018 Mayor Martin attended the Havre de Grace Duck Drop to celebrate the New Year.

    Job Openings:

    Police Department:

     
    Department of Finance:

    • January Water/Sewer bills will be mailed this week.
    • Coming Soon Resident Self-Service – resident self-service portal is a web portal that allows residents to make requests or file complaints from the web.  The resident has the ability to attach documentation or pictures and designate his or her contact preference, either by email or phone. At any point, the resident can go to the portal to check on the status of the case. The resident will automatically get notification along with any other applicable parties. The resident self-service portal smoothly integrates with the my town app allowing each resident the ability to stay on top of all town events and notifications.  
    • Coming Soon Permitting self-service – permitting self-service portal allows contractors and homeowners access to a web portal that integrates directly into the city’s system. It allows homeowners and contractors to review permit statuses and inspections. Contractors can apply for a permit, request an inspection, and pay any associated fees all from within the portal.
    • Don’t let a running toilet run up your water bill.  Visit the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’S website for tips on eliminating leaks in your home and ideas on how to conserve water at: 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 penalty.

    Department of Public Works:

    • The City of Havre de Grace is pleased to announce it is partnering with Harford County Office of Recycling to collect used or leftover Christmas Cards. This clever idea, spearheaded by Harford County’s Recycling Specialist Wendy Doring, offers a new life to Christmas Cards that may have just ended up in the trash or recycling bin. Ms. Doring shares, “The Office of Recycling is planning a Christmas in July event that will have children making wooden ornaments decorated with used Christmas cards. We need as many as we can get!”   Please bring your used or leftover Christmas Cards to either location for drop off:  
    1. City Hall located at 711 Pennington Avenue and/or
    2. Activity Center located at 351 Lewis Lane. (next door to Havre de Grace Middle School)
    • Promenade to be re-decked!  Plans are underway to replace the decking at the Promenade.  A Request for Bids will be announced in the newspaper Friday, January 5th and Wednesday, January 10th.
    • Tis’ the season of Frozen Pipes – Public Works staff is busy responding to calls from residents about frozen pipes.  To prevent your pipes from freezing, Please run the cold water faucet at a moderate drip.  The cost is minimal compared to the costs associated with replacing broken pipes and the damage this can cause to your home.

     
    STORMWATER MANAGEMENT UPDATES
    CURRENT HAPPENINGS:

    • The City has 100% design for Lilly Run Phase I, Wetland Enhancement.  Watch for next steps.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Design of the City’s stormwater management pond retrofit and habitat creation at Bradford Green is underway.  Watch for these enhancements soon.
    • Stormwater outfall inspections have been completed for 96 of the outfall pipes and surrounding structures related to stormwater conveyance throughout the City.  Maintenance of those requiring repairs or upkeep have been performed or are being scheduled.
    • Inspections for illicit discharges have been completed for the year with none testing positive for harmful elements.
    • WATCH for other stormwater pollution removal projects happening in the City.

    * Reminder:  Please keep your storm drains 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.

    Department of Planning:
     

    • Please remember, property owners or their lessees are responsible for removing snow and ice from public sidewalks fronting their properties within 24 hours of any weather event resulting in snow and/or ice.
    • 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.  Contact Marisa Willis if you have any questions or suggestions on the content of the Floodplain Management page (410) 939-1800 ext 1123.  As always, please keep your storm drains clear of leaves, grass, trash and tree debris at all times to minimize flooding in the streets and on your property.
    • 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.

    Department of Economic Development: 

    • Did you know that an average of 362 weddings are held EACH YEAR! One of the popular venues for weddings is the Vandiver Inn at 301 S. Union Ave., Havre de Grace. On Sunday, January 7 a selection of vendors will be on hand from 1 to 4 p.m. for those planning nuptials to meet and jump start wedding planning. Take a tour of the venue and talk directly to vendors. RSVP is required for this free event at chasi_vandiver@comcast.net.  Learn more by visiting www.vandiverinn.com or email vandiverinn@comcast.net.
    • The Chesapeake Professional Women’s Network will hold their monthly luncheon at the Richlin Ballroom in Edgewood on Tues., January 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and are available at www.cpwnet.org.
    • The Harford County Office of Economic Development will take the January meeting of their Economic Development Advisory Board on the road Wed., Jan. 10, at 8 a.m. Attendees will meet at Harford Transit, 1311 Abingdon Rd., for this month’s meeting and presentations.
    • The Route 40 Business Association meets Wed., Jan. 10, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for their monthly luncheon at Richlin Ballroom in Edgewood. Tickets are $25 per person and available at www.route40business.com.
    • Maryland Recovery and Havre de Grace’s Ashley Addiction Treatment will host Understanding Pain Management and Opioid Prescribing Tues., Jan. 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, 500 Upper Chesapeake Dr., Bel Air. Dr. Greg Hobelmann will present. RSVP to Marc Butler at mbutler@asheytreatment.org
    • The Maryland Economic Development Association or MEDA Winter Conference will be held Thurs., Jan. 11, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Annapolis at the Governor Calvert House. The Havre de Grace Office of Economic Development will be in attendance for the conference.
    • The Havre de Grace Downtown Merchant’s Association meets at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, at Coakley’s Pub on St. John’s Street for a tour of the Cornerstone and Yard from 6 to 6:30 p.m. followed by the regular monthly meeting at Coakley’s at 6:30 p.m.
    • January 12, 2018- Maryland State Comptroller Peter Franchot will be at The Residence Club at Bulle Rock with a wine tasting reception for Reform on Tap regarding Maryland’s brewery legislation. The event is at 6 p.m. and tickets are $50 per person. Details are available on Facebook.
    • Keep your eyes peeled for the opening of Get Fit Gym at the foot on Congress Street alongside Hutchins Park in the coming weeks!

     
    Office of Tourism:  

    • Hot Off The Presses!  The 2018 Destination Guide is in, stop by the Havre de Grace Visitor Center for your copy.
    • Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year from the Tourism Office.

    Cultural Center at the Opera House

    • Lewis Lane Players are in rehearsal for the opening of “The Odd Couple” on January 12 & 13.