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City
of Hagerstown News
Traffic Advisory - East Antietam Street
Recycling Increases 30% since January
Public Information Meeting: Parking Mgmt Plan
Trash Recycling Collection on Presidents Day
Businesses Can Sponsor Blues Fest
Cabin Fever Blues Bash Performer Announced
Traffic Advisory - Mill Street
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Snow Angels Program
Traffic Advisory - East Antietam Street| |
Weather permitting, beginning at 7:00 AM on Thursday, February 23, 2012, work crews from Dustin Construction will be receiving building materials on the north side of the Washington County Free Library site. This work will require the placement of delivery vehicles and equipment in the eastbound lane of East Antietam Street. Consequently, the eastbound lane of Antietam Street will be closed to all traffic between Potomac Street and Renaissance Way. Eastbound motorists approaching the work zone will be forced to detour via other City streets; a detour route will be established to direct traffic around the closure. The westbound lane of Antietam Street will remain open to traffic. Motorists approaching the work zone should expect to encounter cones, barricades, detour signs, and other traffic control devices. The work is expected to be completed by 11:30 AM on Thursday morning, at which time the eastbound lane of the street will be reopened to traffic.
Eastbound emergency vehicles will not be able to pass through this section of East Antietam Street while this closure is in effect.
Please contact the City’s Department of Parks and Engineering at 301-739-8577 extension 125 if there are any questions regarding this advisory.
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Recycling Increases 30% since January| |
Since the City of Hagerstown’s new recycling program launched on January 1, recycling is up 28% in the first four weeks compared to the same period last year. At that rate, Hagerstown could recycle enough materials to fill the lake at City Park in less than a year! Still, there are even more positive changes on the way for city residents.
Recycling tonnages weighed in at 76.2 tons in the first four weeks of 2011 compared to 97.8 tons in 2012. Rodney Tissue, City Engineer who has been overseeing the transition to the new program, says, “The initial results are very encouraging that we are on the right track toward improving our recycling program. Just going to single-stream and the convenience of setting out all items in one night has shown significant results.” As expected, less trash is being collected as well; 878 tons of trash were thrown away in the first four weeks of 2011. In 2012, that number fell to 827 tons.
Residents will soon have more reasons to recycle with the launch of the incentive program and the roll-out of new recycling totes. Residents will be receiving a postcard in the mail, asking them to specify which size cart they would like based on their recycling habits. If the City does not receive a response, a default tote will be issued; this has been determined by the size and type of your home:
• Townhome-type structures: 35 gallon tote
• Apartments: 95 gallon tote
• All other residences: 65 gallon tote
Each cart also has wheels and a hinged lid, making it easier to set out your recycleables each week. The new recycling carts will be delivered to homes between April 10 - 22.
April also marks the start of the recycling incentive program. The City of Hagerstown is working with Waste Management and Recyclebank, a program that rewards people based on how much they recycle. The Waste Management hauler will read a unique identifying chip in each tote when recycling is collected, and residents will earn points for participating. Those points can be redeemed for gift certificates to local businesses or donated to city schools for green education programs.
“The distribution of the totes and the immediate launch of the Recyclebank program will push recycling rates higher,” Tissue adds. “Programs like we are implementing have as much as doubled the recycling rates in other communities.” Each household must register their recycling tote on-line to participate in the program.
Residents should look for their postcards in the mail within the next month. For more questions about the recycling program changes, call the “Hagerstown Recycles” hotline at (301) 739-8577 ext. 106 or visit www.hagerstownmd.org.
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Public Information Meeting: Parking Mgmt Plan| |
A Public Information Meeting will be held by City Staff and parking consultants, Rich & Associates, Inc., on Thursday, February 23, 2012 to discuss the preliminary findings of the parking study and to seek public input regarding parking in the City Center.
The meeting will be held at City Hall, Council Chamber, at 7:00 p.m. All citizens will have the opportunity to give written and oral comments. All citizens are encouraged to attend and comment. Individuals with questions regarding this meeting may call the Public Works office at (301) 739-8577 ext. 178. Hearing impaired persons or individuals requiring special accommodations may call (301) 797 6617 (voice/TDD).
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Trash Recycling Collection on Presidents Day| |
All residents of the City of Hagerstown should note that Monday, February 20, 2012 is designated as the “President’s Day” holiday. However, there will be no interruption of normal recycling and trash collection service.
As always, set trash and recycling at curbside after 4:00 p.m. on your set-out day.
If you have any questions please contact the Department of Parks and Engineering at 301-739-8577 extension 125 or visit us at www.hagerstownmd.org
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Businesses Can Sponsor Blues Fest| |
Businesses, organizations and individuals are now able to join the Western Maryland Blues Fest Family of Sponsors! The 2012 Western Maryland Blues Fest Sponsorship Packages are now available.
The 2012 Sponsorship Packages include special recognition and marketing tools for sponsors and complimentary Blues Club VIP Tent tickets for the Friday and Saturday shows. The packages range from $250 to $10,000 so that it would allow a variety of businesses to sponsor the festival.
"It is the generosity of Hagerstown’s leading businesses and individuals that underwrite this terrific, not-for-profit, weekend party. We are proud that Blues Fest has become a substantive regional tourist attraction, and we couldn’t have achieved that status without the kind past support of local and area businesses," stated Founder and Chair Carl W. Disque. "But our continued success depends on continued support from community leaders."
Sponsors completing their sponsorship contracts before February 24, 2012 will receive additional advantages, including complimentary tickets to our special Thursday, March 1, 2012 Cabin Fever Blues Bash preview in the historic Maryland Theatre, sponsored by M&T Bank, Antietam Cable Television and The Herald Mail Company, where you will get an early bird taste of International Blues Guitar Legend, Bobby Parker Band.
"We encourage anyone who is interested in sponsoring Blues Fest to review and be a sponsor for the 2012 festival," stated Fundraising Chair Paula Keser. " We have a great fundraising committee, and they can work with you at any level." Packages can be found online at www.blues-fest.org or by calling 301-739-8577 ext. 116.
Mr. Disque concluded by saying, "Please help our crusade to keep fun, festive and positively entertaining community events alive. Your generous sponsorship, at any level, will do just that."
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Cabin Fever Blues Bash Performer Announced| |
The City of Hagerstown and the Western Maryland Blues Fest Committee will host the Cabin Fever Blues Bash 2012 on Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Maryland Theatre, 21 South Potomac St. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. The Cabin Fever Blues Bash raises funds and awareness for the 17th Annual Western Maryland Blues Fest, which will take place on May 31, June 1, 2, and 3 in City Center and the City Park. This year’s Blues Bash entertainer will be Guitar Blues Legend, Bobby Parker Blues Band.
Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Bobby Parker has had a legendary career. Having appeared in the 50’s on the Ed Sullivan Show as Bo Diddley’s lead guitarist, Mr. Parker has also toured with Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, LaVern Baker, The Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Little Richard, Bobby’s 1961 R&B classic, “Watch Your Step,” featured a compelling guitar riff that John Lennon admittedly adapted for The Beatles 1964 chart-topping hit, “I Feel Fine”. Bobby has been a recent onstage guest at shows by Joe Bonamassa and Carlos Santana, to name just two of the many famous performers who are still giving Bobby his just due. Fronting a crack band that includes both harmonica and saxophone, Mr. Parker''''s friendly and energetic stage presence belies his 74 years.
" Blues Bash is a fun evening to shake off your winter cabin fever and warm your soul with some “old-school” blues guitar,” stated Carl Disque. Founder/Chair of the Western Maryland Blues Fest. Mr. Disque went on to explain that the winter bash allows Blues Fest to rally its fans and to thank financial sponsors who make the annual summer event possible, all combined within an evening of great music by a blues legend.
The Cabin Fever Blues Bash is the mid-winter blues party where Blues Fest’s upcoming schedule, poster artwork and new event merchandise are preliminarily unveiled.
Tickets to the Cabin Fever Blues Bash are available by calling the Maryland Theatre box office at 301.790.2000 or by visiting the Maryland Theatre website, www.mdtheatre.org or www.blues-fest.org. Tickets are $10, and the seating is general admission.
The Cabin Fever Blues Bash is proudly sponsored by Antietam Cable Television, Inc., The Herald-Mail Company, M & T Bank, and The Maryland Theatre. For more information, individuals may call 301.739.8577, extension 116.
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Traffic Advisory - Mill Street| |
Brandenburg Industrial Service Company, the contractor for the demolition of the former Washington County Hospital complex, is continuing to demolish the buildings and structures that front on Mill Street over the next few weeks. Given the height of these structures and their proximity to the street, Brandenburg has requested the daytime closure of Mill Street between East Baltimore Street and South Cannon Avenue for the following time periods:
• February 6th – 11th
• February 13th – 18th
• February 20th – 25th
Each day, beginning at 7:00 AM, this portion of street will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians in order to allow the contractor’s equipment to safely demolish the adjoining buildings. The street will remain closed until approximately 6:00 PM each day, at which time it will be reopened to traffic. A detour plan will be implemented to direct motorists around the work area via other City streets. Motorists approaching the closure should expect to encounter barricades, detour signs, and other traffic control devices.
Emergency vehicles will not be able to pass through this section of Mill Street while these closures are in effect.
Please contact the City’s Department of Parks and Engineering at 301-739-8577 extension 125 if there are any questions regarding this advisory.
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Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Snow Angels Program| |
The City of Hagerstown is once again coordinating the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Snow Angels Program for eligible City residents. This program is designed to assist homeowners in maintaining clear public walkways as required by the City Code. The City arranges for the exchange of contact information- matching willing volunteers with individuals in need.
Some homeowners have difficulty clearing their public sidewalks after a snowfall. The Snow Angels program is designed to aid City homeowners who have no resources available to them.
To be considered eligible for this program the following criteria must be met:
• Be the actual property owner of a home within the City limits
• Live in the residence at which assistance is needed
• Have a physical or medical condition which prohibits activity of this nature
• Be financially unable to pay for snow removal assistance
• Have no additional resources that could assist such as family, neighbors, friends or social institutions.
Volunteers are also being sought to for this program.
Volunteer to shovel will be matched with eligible participants on a first-come first-served basis and will continue to be matched as long as there are available volunteers. Although a match cannot be guaranteed, the City will do its best to fill the need. Interested individuals are asked to contact the City as soon as possible so that they can be matched prior to a major snow incident.
Anyone interested in volunteering or requesting to be matched with a volunteer should call 301-739-8577, ext. 116 or email kgiffin@hagerstownmd.org.
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