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City
of Hagerstown News
Recycling Rates Up in 2012!
Traffic Advisory - South Potomac Street
Cabin Fever Blues Bash Performer Announced
Traffic Advisory - Mill Street
Behind the Badge: Citizen’s Police Academy
Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Snow Angels Program
Recycling Rates Up in 2012!| |
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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Traffic Advisory - South Potomac Street| |
Weather permitting, beginning at 7:00 AM on Friday, February 3, 2012, work crews from Dustin Construction will be receiving deliveries of concrete at the Washington County Library site at 100 South Potomac Street. This work will require the closure of the eastern thru lane on S. Potomac Street in front of the library in order to accommodate the construction/delivery vehicles. The western thru lane will remain open to traffic. Motorists approaching the work zone should expect to encounter cones, barricades, advisory signs, and other traffic control devices. The contractor expects the work on Friday to be completed by 4:30 PM, at which time full access will be restored on South Potomac Street.
Emergency vehicles will be able to pass through this portion of South Potomac Street while the lane 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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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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Behind the Badge: Citizen’s Police Academy| |
The Hagerstown Police Department has a few more spots left to fill its bi-annual Citizen’s Police Academy. The 12-week course gives ordinary citizens an extraordinary look at the duties and responsibilities of the police force.
Television crime shows give people an unrealistic and impractical view of law enforcement, but the academy uses real scenarios to show citizens how investigations and procedures are actually conducted. Officer Gerard Kendle organizes the courses and serves as an instructor. He says, “Attendees get an inside view of the many different aspects of a municipal police department and the different strategies we employ to keep the citizens of Hagerstown safe and to create and foster the great quality of life we enjoy.” Students cover a range of topics, including firearms training, crime trends and natural disaster response.
The course is open to people ages 18 and older who live, work or play in Hagerstown; there is no cost to participate. “Those people who are involved in their communities seem to get the most out of the program,” Kendle adds. “People from all walks of life from students and business people, neighborhood volunteers to retired professionals, have all enjoyed the academy.” Participants who enroll must pass a criminal background check before the course begins.
Classes are held for three hours each Monday from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and there are three Saturday courses included. The program kicks off on February 13th when students will meet the Chief and see a K-9 demonstration. Students will be recognized at a course graduation on Tuesday, May 1st at the Mayor & Council meeting.
Applications for the Citizen’s Police Academy are available at HPD headquarters located at 50 N. Burhans Boulevard. You can contact Officer Gerard Kendle at (301) 739-8577 ext. 308 or gkendle@hagerstownpd.org for more information.
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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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