Category:garrett county
Mainstreet Matters - Oakland Maryland
Marta at deepcreektimes.com linked a note to this the other day and I agree that its worth nominating Oakland as a potential community for painting from Benjamin Moore.Reading through the , you can see a lot of Oaklanders have already nominated Oakland – we have a fair shot of winning! How great would that be? Spend a few minutes and say some great things about Oakland here.
Here is what the project is all about:
“It’s the place where your banker recognizes you by name, shopkeepers are willing to open early for you, and where you catch up with friends at your favorite coffee shop.
Since 1883, our network of local retailers has been an integral part of the communities we serve. Main Street is a part of all our histories, which is why we should all take care of them, preserve them, and work to keep their businesses thriving.
That’s why Benjamin Moore is committed to repainting 20 main streets across the U.S. and Canada- a program we call “Main Street Matters.” We’ll be completing all of the projects over the next year with the help of local Benjamin Moore retailers and painting contractors.” More here.
Garrett Medical Group Urgent Care Medical Center at Deep Creek Lake
I had a close friend recently need immediate medical attention, and she called to see if I knew the phone number to the Urgent Care center in McHenry. So, just making sure there is another place to find it on the web:
Md. officials OK local projects
New Germany Park expansion, more trails being added:
Matthew Bieniek Cumberland Times-News
CUMBERLAND — The state board of public works approved several projects for funding, along with contracts in Allegany and Garrett counties on Wednesday, including more than $1 million for the Jennings Run sewer rehabilitation project, according to Susan Brogan, the deputy treasurer for public policy of the state treasurer’s office.
Jennings Run sewer customers are slated for a rate increase despite the state funding, county officials have said. The funding approved Monday was for $1,187,042 of state bond proceeds. Jennings Run customers could see an $8 increase per quarter for sewer surcharges, according to a recent presentation by Mark Yoder, the county’s utilities division chief.
The county is under a consent order by the Maryland Department of the Environment to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows during and after heavy rains.
The project is part of a long-term plan to meet the requirements of the consent order.
This project includes relining and/or replacement of sewer pipes and manholes. The project is expected to minimize sewer backups and overflows, according to board of public works documents.
Frostburg’s water system also benefitted from the board’s actions.
The board approved funding up to $269,250 for the Savage Raw Water and Energy Conservation project.
Frostburg plans to conserve water and reduce energy consumption by rehabilitating the city’s drinking water collection system in the Savage River basin in Garrett County.
The aging system experiences leakage and uses some out-of-date equipment and deteriorating facilities. The project will involve the replacement of pipes, spring houses, pumping equipment, the lining of basins and other improvements, according to board documents.
The purchase of more than 11 acres to expand New Germany State Park was also approved Wednesday. The state agreed to pay $101,000 to buy land from William K. and Kathleen R. Tunney.
“Acquisition of the property will allow the expansion of trails at New Germany State Park and provide a buffer between park activities and private property. The property is populated with apple and cherry trees, making it an excellent habitat for wildlife,” according to board documents.
At Swallow Falls State Park, ice cream will once again be available for the summer, since the board approved a contract with Lakeside Creamery, who has been providing cool refreshments at the park since 2003.
“Historically, Lakeside Creamery has been the only bidder for this contract since 2003. It is believed that because Swallow Falls State Park is located in a rural area where there are very few ice cream vendors with trailers is why there were no other bidders,” according to the board agenda.
“Lakeside Creamery agrees to sell solely hand-dipped ice cream and smoothies made with hand-dipped ice cream,” the agenda reads. The contract is expected to generate $150,000 in gross sales, with 12 percent going to the Department of Natural Resources.
The Allegany Museum will also gain $100,000 for capital improvements. The museum has been working through a capital improvement plan over the last several years, utilizing their own funds and state bond bills. The updates will allow the museum to become involved in loan exchange programs with other museums and upgrades to the interior of the Pershing Street building.
The board also approved funding for two smaller Project Open Space projects. The first project will provide $40,000 in funding for improvements at the Ellerslie Community Park. The funds will be used to add new fencing, upgrade restrooms, the concession stands and make bleacher improvements. The Ellerslie park is just over 11 acres in size. The second smaller project ap-proved $38,990 in funding for improvements at the Grants-ville Playground and Park.
The monies will be used to add a walking path around the 14-acre park and add new backboards for the basketball courts along with new bleachers and playground equipment, according to board documents.
Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com.
Murals Added To Museum Wall
A strikingly colorful addition to downtown Oakland are several murals placed on the backside of Garrett County’s Transportation Museum. The historical photos, collected by Bob Boal, president of the Garrett County Historical Society, and Don Callis, museum volunteer, are of scenes from virtually every community in Garrett County, with some form of transportation being the common thread.
Several hundred of the photos were then presented to designer/artist Barry Domenick of Domenick Signs, who then worked with members of his creative crew to complete the project. The project was financed in part with state funds from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, an instrumentality of the state of Maryland. However, the contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. More here.
Ad Valorem Tax Rates To Increase For Some Water, Sewer Customers
Director Linda Lindsey, Garrett County Department of Public Utilities, on Tuesday presented the county commissioners with her calculated ad valorem tax rates for water and sewer service in the Garrett County Sanitary District for fiscal year 2014.
Rates for Bloomington water, Chestnut Ridge sewer, Deer Park water and sewer, Friendsvile water and sewer, Keysers Ridge water, Meadow Mountain sewer, and Mtn. Lake Park/Loch Lynn sewer customers will remain at their current rates.
Lindsey plans to increase the Deep Creek Lake sewer ad valorem tax rate from $.06 to $.07.
“The ad valorem tax rate is based [in part] on the assessed valuation of the properties within the service area boundaries,” she explained about the increased. “There was a decrease in some of the assessments, and then an additional cost for the loan refinancing that we recently conducted. We consolidated all of the [Deep Creek Lake] Sanitary District’s debt.”
The Jennings sewer rate will increase from $.13 to $0.22.
“That’s due to additional expenses for constructing the main line sewage pump station on the conveyance line from Jennings to the Chestnut Ridge area,” Lindsey explained. “That money – $1,000 – was borrowed to do that.”
McHenry water customers will see a $.01 increase.
“It goes from $.04 to $.05, and that is due to the loan refinancing of the previous USDA loan and M&T construction loan,” the director said.
The Mtn. Lake Park/Loch Lynn water rate will go from $.02 to $.05.
“That [increase] is based on the debt incurred for the new the water treatment plant, new 500,000 gallon water storage tank, the new wells for the new water source, and distribution system rehabilitation that’s been undertaken,” Lindsey said.
The rate for the new Thayerville water system will be $.20.
“That’s based on the new construction of the system that’s ongoing at this time,” the director said.
Retired Garrett emergency services chief receives state EMS award
From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News
CUMBERLAND — Brad Frantz, former director of the Garrett County Department of Emergency Management, is the recipient of the Leon W. Hayes Award for Excellence in Emergency Medical Services and was honored during a Tuesday ceremony in Annapolis by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems.
Frantz recently retired after 38 years of service and was recognized by MIEMSS for his “many positive changes in emergency services and management over his distinguished career and many years of service to the citizens of Garrett County,” according to the award nomination.
Tuesday’s ceremony also honored children who provided a life-saving service to someone in their community and included presentation of the annual Stars of Life Awards to EMS personnel, citizens and EMS programs.
The award presentations are part of Maryland’s observance of EMS Week, part of a national celebration to honor approximately 750,000 EMS providers nationwide. This year, the theme is One Mission. One Team. This year’s theme emphasizes the true team approach that is practiced by emergency services providers.
Maryland joins the nation in recognizing its 27,000 prehospital care providers, both career and volunteer. “Working as an emergency medical services provider is different from any other career,” said Dr. Robert Bass, executive director of MIEMSS. “You get tremendous satisfaction from helping others and knowing you have made a difference between life and death. Our Maryland EMS providers perform a vital service for their local community and the state of Maryland.”
Crellin Elementary Documentary Aired On PBS
May. 16, 2013
Crellin Elementary School (teachers, students, parents, and community members) was filmed in the fall of 2011 for a documentary to be aired on television’s PBS channel across the nation. The title of the documentary is “Schools That Change Communities” by Bob Gliner. Crellin was one of five schools from across the nation highlighted in the film.
“We were honored they asked us to be part of it, the whole process was a great reflection exercise,” said Dr. Dana McCauley, principal of Crellin Elementary School.
The documentary has already been airing on PBS stations in various states, but will be aired in Maryland on Sunday, May 19, at 5 p.m. The program will air on Maryland’s PBS second station, MPT2.
On the web site for documentary filmmaker Gliner, he states:
“When we think about schools, it usually evokes images of places separated from the larger community, a place where students go to learn.
New Fracking Rules Proposed for U.S. Land
By JOHN M. BRODER
Published: May 16, 2013
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Thursday issued a new set of proposed rules governing hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas on public lands, moving further to address industry concerns about the costs and reporting burdens of federal regulation.
The new Interior Department proposal, which is subject to 30 days of public comment and further revision, disappointed environmental advocates, who had pushed for full disclosure of the chemicals used in the drilling process and tougher standards for groundwater protection and well integrity.
The new rule allows oil companies to keep some components of their drilling fluids secret and will allow them to run well integrity tests on one representative well rather than all wells in a field where the geology and well construction techniques are similar.
The proposed regulation, which revises one proposed a year ago, also allows drillers to comply with state regulations in places where federal officials deem them as tough or tougher than the applicable federal rules.
I-68 welcome center reopens in Garrett
Youghiogheny facility located at 6-mile marker near Friendsville
For the Cumberland Times-News Cumberland Times-News
FRIENDSVILLE — Garrett County will hold a grand reopening of the Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center on Friday at 10 a.m. The center is located off Interstate 68 eastbound at mile marker 6, between Friendsville and U.S. Route 219 exits.
The free public event will feature a ribbon-cutting, refreshments and remarks from various speakers and dignitaries, including Garrett County Commissioner Jim Raley.
“We are excited to reopen the Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center to visitors,” said Raley. “Tourism is one of the economic engines of Garrett County, and the Maryland Office of Tourism, the county and the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce have all worked together to once again welcome visitors to our beautiful area. We hope everyone will come out and celebrate this reopening with us.”
The Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center offers travelers not only information about Garrett County but the state of Maryland as well. The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce will staff the center, which will be open Thursday through Sunday through Oct. 13 and Friday through Sunday from Oct. 18 through May 18, 2014. The reopening of the center will give Garrett County two welcome centers, as it joins the Garrett County Visitors Center in McHenry near Deep Creek Lake.
For more information, call Sarah Duck at 301-387-8746 or email sarah@garrettchamber.com.
Glendale Rd. Proj. To Continue Into Week Of May 20
The Garrett County Department of Public Utilities announced on Tuesday that installation work is progressing on the water line along Glendale Road, Deep Creek Lake. Because of construction difficulties that have been encountered, however, the department anticipates that work will continue into the week of May 20–24.
The roadway will continue to be closed to through traffic (no traffic will be allowed to cross Glendale Bridge) during normal working hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Only public school buses and emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass through the work zone.
A flag person will be on site to direct traffic accessing and exiting businesses and residences located on Glendale Road between Route 219/Garrett Highway and the Glendale Bridge; however, delays may be experienced. All other traffic will be directed to detours.
Daily updates are posted on the DPU web site at www.co.garrett.md.us/public-utilities. Questions may be directed to the department at 301-334-6983.
