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    City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of Monday January 8, 2018

    1. Havre de Grace
    2. City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing Week of Monday January 8, 2018


    City of Havre de Grace Weekly Briefing
    Week of Monday January 8, 2018

     
    Headlines:

    • The Aegis:  “Havre de Grace mayor looks forward to 2018 .” View

    Police Department:

    • On behalf of Havre de Grace Public Safety (Susquehanna Hose Company, Havre De Grace Ambulance Corps, Havre de Grace Police Department)
    • It may look frozen and safe to walk on but looks can be deceiving. Never walk on the ice, even to rescue a pet or another person. Call 911 immediately for help. We don’t want anyone to get hurt or die from playing around on the river, so please don’t do it
    • With temperatures in the arctic conditions please keep an eye on your neighbors who are elderly.
    • Havre de Grace Officers Brett Kowalewski and Phil Paciocco are participating in the Maryland Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Maryland Special Olympics if you would like to make a donation please go to this link Brett and Phil take the plunge
    • We mourn the death of retired Detective/Corporal Will “Bill” Dill, the city flies the flag at half-staff to honor him.


     
    Department of Finance:

    • January Water/Sewer bills were mailed on Thursday, January 4th.
    • 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.  Water/Sewer turn offs for non payment will be on Tuesday, January 23rd.  To avoid the turn off fees please pay by Monday, January 22nd.

    Department of Public Works:

    • Tis the Season of frozen pipes!  Last week and throughout the weekend into this morning, City crews have been repairing broken pipes due to the extreme cold temperatures.  We cannot stress enough the importance of letting your cold water faucet trickle to avoid pipes freezing.  The cost to run your water at a trickle is minimal compared to the costs of replacing broken pipes and the damage it causes.
    • A reminder during this wintry season that businesses and residences are responsible for shoveling snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of and the sides of their location.
    • Promenade Decking Project  – the City is currently open to receiving bids from contractors up to January 24th at 2pm.
    • Christmas Trees are considered Yard Waste and will be collected curbside on Mondays through January.  No paper bag required for Christmas Trees.  🙂
    • Harford County Office of Recycling announces Hazardous Waste Collection Days for 2018.


     
    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 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.
    • 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.  The smallest effort counts!!
    • 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.  Also keep inlets free from trash and debris as it all drains to the Bay.

    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.
    • 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.
    • 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 stormdrains clear of leaves, grass, trash and tree debris at all times to minimize flooding in the streets and on your property.

     
    Department of Economic Development:
     

    • On the morning of Wed., January 10, HDGOED will attend Harford County Economic Developments’ meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Board at the Harford Transit Center in Abingdon. HDGOED will be part of the presentation at this event and in the afternoon attend the Route 40 Business Association first luncheon of 2018 at Richlin Catering & Event Center in Edgewood.
    • The Maryland Economic Development Association Winter Conference will be held at the Governor Calvert House this Thursday, January 11, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the HDGOED attending this informative event on Legislation impacting businesses throughout the state. The office will also attend the reception following that evening for several Department Secretaries and Legislators from 5 to 9 p.m., again the Calvert House.
    • Comptroller Peter Franchot will returned to Havre de Grace on Fri., January 12, at The Residences at Bulle Rock from 6 to 8 p.m., for a wine tasting event serving as informational function for Brewery on Tap on brewery legislation in Maryland. Tickets are $50 for this event.
    • The Harford County Public Library will hold their first Women’s Summit Tuesday, March 6, featuring speaker Deborah Phelps at Abingdon Library, 7:30 a.m. to noon. Tickets for the summit are $45 each and go on sale at www.HCPLonline.org Monday, January 15.
    • The Regional Manufacturing Institute will hold the Women in Manufacturing Conference at Star Academy in Timonium with Mary Steinebrunner, General Manager of Dunlop Protective Footwear USA, of Havre de Grace, on the leadership panel as a presenter. The conference is Wednesday, January 17.
    • There have been some changes to businesses in Havre de Grace recently with Harbor of Grace Recovery Center opening another facility at 323 S. Union Ave., as well as their facilities at 319 S. Union Avenue, and 433 and 437 Girard Street, which will be connected utilizing a covered corridor. In addition, Instant History Tattoo & Art has moved from 119 N. Washington Street to 214 N. Washington Street.

    Cultural Center at the Opera House

    • Lewis Lane Players present “The Odd Couple” on Friday, January 12 at 8pm and Saturday, January 13 at 3pm & 8pm
    • “I Am Not Your Negro” (Film) on Sunday, January 14 at 2pm