Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Water Sewer Westminster. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Water Sewer Westminster. Show all posts

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Westminster Hydrants scheduled to be flushed in the Greens May 12th through the 21, 2014

Westminster Hydrants scheduled to be flushed in the Greens
 May 12th through the 21, 2014

WESTMINSTER SCHEDULED HYDRANT FLUSHING
Hydrants scheduled to be flushed in areas of the City

Westminster, MD – The City of Westminster Public Works Department hereby announces scheduled fire hydrant flushing for the following areas:

The Greens of Westminster

Hydrant flushing will take place from 8:00 pm to midnight on Monday, May 12th through Wednesday, May 14th and then will continue on Monday, May 19th through Wednesday, May 21st. Public water system customers may experience discolored water during this time, this is normal. As a precaution, it is advisable to draw water for consumption prior to 8:00 pm each night.

For more information, please contact the City of Westminster Utility Maintenance Department at 410-848-9565. 

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2014/05/westminster-hydrants-scheduled-to-be.html

Labels: Water Sewer, Water Sewer Hydrant Flushing, Water Sewer Westminster - See more at: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2014/05/westminster-hydrants-scheduled-to-be.html#sthash.5vBw00Gc.dpuf
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The City of Westminster Public Works Department is located at 56 West Main Street. The department is responsible for overseeing the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants, and the Utility Maintenance and Street Departments. For more information, call 410-848-9000 or visit www.westminstermd.gov.
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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
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Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
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E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Monday, October 04, 2010

City to move forward with more water

Gesell well project engineering approved at council meeting

9/29/2010

By Kevin Dayhoff

Westminster MD city officials decided at last Monday’s mayor and common council meeting to move forward with developing additional water resources for the municipality’s public water system.

Upon the recommendation of staff and public works director Jeff Glass, the common council voted to approve an $89,398.00 proposal from ARRO Engineering to perform “permitting, engineering design, and bidding/construction services” to develop the “Gesell” property well, located just south of Westminster on land owned by Carroll County government.

The project has been in the works for several years and is a cooperative effort between the county and the city.  According to Glass, “the city conducted successful exploratory drilling in 2008-2009,” of the area, in search for more water.

The Gesell well was identified in the city’s 2009 comprehensive plan, which was adopted a year ago, on September 29, 2009, and is in the current Westminster capital improvements plan.

According to the 2009 comprehensive plan, “the City is working with the County on this estimated $1.2 million (Gesell Well) project that will yield approximately 350,000 gpd (gallons per day) in new water supply to the City in 2012.”

The engineering phase for the Gesell well “is the next step for the design of (water) treatments facilities … which will provide additional water, crucial to extinguish the (current) MDE (Maryland Department of the Environment) consent order,” said Glass.

Since April 2007 the Westminster water system has been operating under a consent order with MDE to develop more water resources for the city and the outlying areas in the county it serves.

In a MDE press release on April 3, 2007, then-MDE deputy secretary Robert M. Summers, Ph.D. said, “The droughts of 1999 and 2002 highlighted the need to fully evaluate water system capacities, as many sources in Central Maryland, including Westminster’s, were unable to meet public water demand without seriously impacting the natural resources that also depend upon that water.”

At that time, the MDE consent order provided “the necessary framework to resolve the drought year deficit (and) require(d) a schedule for meeting both short and long term water supply needs…”

It also “establishe(d) a timeline for completing plans (water loss reduction and conservation plans) to better manage the existing system’s capacity; ensures that an interim contingency plan is in place to address drought conditions; modifies operating conditions of the City’s surface water withdrawal permit under drought conditions; and, grants a limited water quantity for planned development.”

According to the drought management section of the Westminster 2009 comprehensive plan, “During the summer of 2002, the State of Maryland experienced a severe drought that required the City to take extensive emergency measures to ensure adequate water was in the system to serve the entire service area.

“In response to the drought, The Mayor and Common Council adopted a ‘Drought Management Plan’ (in which) … the  Mayor and Common Council made it a priority to find alternative sources of water. In addition, the City has developed an emergency water supply, utilizing water from Medford Quarry to supplement the Cranberry system during drought emergency conditions.”

“It is likely that the City will receive authorization from MDE to allocate the remaining 39,000 gpd from the Consent Agreement by late 2009/early 2010. The City has (water) allocation requests totaling 228,000 beyond the 139,000 gpd total from the Consent Agreement,” according to further information gathered from the 2009 Comprehensive Plan…

The Gesell well project is part of a multi-faceted approach to bring more water on line for the city’s water users.  The 2009 comprehensive plan indicates, “While the Gesell Well will allow the City fulfill some of the backlogged requests in 2012, the completion of Big Pipe Creek Well Development project in 2015 will satisfy the drought of record deficit and move the City to a positive position.”

As far as the “Big Pipe Creek Well Development,” the comprehensive plan indicates, “the City is working with the County on this estimated $6.5 million project that will provide 500,000 in new groundwater to the City in 2015 from the Union Mills area…”

The city water system serves approximately 35,000 citizens, of which approximately 38 percent live outside of the city limits.  To service the 9,200 water connections in the system, the city utilizes two separate water systems, the Cranberry system, and the Wakefield Valley system.  The two systems are connected and can be operated together, but they are normally operated as separate systems.

Westminster’s water system is currently supplied by a blended source of groundwater and surface water.  The major source of water is tributaries of the West Branch of the Patapsco River.  That surface source is augmented by eleven wells throughout the community, which contribute 20 to 30 percent of the water supply.  The 115 million gallon Raw Reservoir, built in 1957, holds the bulk of the reserve water.

Meanwhile, Glass said, “The City strategically monitors its water resources…”  At the moment, under the city’s drought management plan and strategic monitoring, the water system is under a code “yellow” restriction.

“Effective September 13, 2010,” said Glass in a September 15 report, “due to the lack of precipitation during the last few months, the City has moved from Green in its Drought Management Plan to Yellow. This system, which was put into place in 2002 and amended in 2006 to monitor water resources, based on established water level triggers.

“As of today, the system has moved from stage one (Green) – conservation status – to stage two (Yellow) – voluntary restriction status.  Yellow voluntary restriction status applies to reduction of outdoor water use.  City recommendations are included in the Drought Management Plan.”

No word as to whether the recent rains will change the city’s drought status.

If you have questions regarding the Drought Management Plan, the Gesell well project or the city water system, please contact Jeff Glass, Director of Public Works at 410-848-9000.

---------

Photo: Westminster public works director Jeff Glass explains the engineering phase of the future construction of the Gesell well at the September 27, 2010 meeting of the Westminster MD mayor and common council.  Photo by Kevin Dayhoff

*****

Friday, September 24, 2010

Westminster MD experiences water main break http://t.co/yyYIQyt by Kevin Dayhoff


Westminster MD experiences water main break http://t.co/yyYIQyt by Kevin Dayhoff

City officials say water safe to drink.  System was quickly repaired by mid-afternoon.


By Kevin Dayhoff

A 12-inch water main cracked in the city of Westminster water system around 10:15 a.m. Sunday morning, according to Westminster Mayor Kevin Utz.

The break took place in the 300 block of North Cranberry Road near the city’s water treatment plant and occurred just as townsfolk and city workers were returning from church; but perhaps just as bad, it happened just as workers from the city’s utilities maintenance department were preparing for an afternoon of Ravens’ football… 

“Glad to see the (city) workers got here quickly knowing there were going to miss the Ravens’ game,” said Utz as he picked-up his phone and ordered pizzas and drinks for those working on the water line…


[20100919 sdosm SCE pubver Wster exps water main break.doc]

Explore Carroll: Westminster experiences water main break http://t.co/yyYIQyt By Kevin Dayhoff

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Westminster sewer, water rates to rise July 1


Westminster sewer, water rates to rise July 1

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

By Marc Shapiro, Times Staff Write 0 comments

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_6f51c366-7d9d-11df-a38a-001cc4c002e0.html


After an increase that nearly doubled water rates for many residents inside and outside the city's limits last year, Westminster residents will see another small increase in water and sewer rates July 1.

Those living inside city limits using 22,500 gallons of water per quarter, an average use figure provided by the Maryland Department of the Environment, will see water bills increase from $133.60 to $137.70 and sewer bills increase from $119.82 to $123.30.

Residents living outside the city using the same amount of water and sewer will see their water bill increase from $169.34 to $179.51 but will not see an increase in their sewer bill, which would be $182.80.

Acting City Treasurer Gary Ehlers said the revenue in both the water and sewer funds from residential customers is coming as expected and staying on budget. The nonresidential revenue for both funds is significantly down from where it should be, he said.

"Businesses are hurting, and they're probably not producing as much, so they're not consuming as much," Ehlers said. "A lot of it's going to be waiting for the economy to come back."

Read the rest here: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_6f51c366-7d9d-11df-a38a-001cc4c002e0.html

20100622 Shapiro Westminster sewer water rates to rise July 1

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Thursday, October 29, 2009

News brief: Westminster to get fed stimulus grant, names arts task force

Westminster to get fed stimulus grant names arts task force http://tinyurl.com/ygpgt76

Photo caption: Westminster director of public works Jeff Glass explains
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/nd594 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/226742793/westminster-director-of-public-works-jeff-glass

Westminster director of public works, Jeff Glass, explained the Westminster water department water meter replacement initiative at the Monday, October 26, 2009 meeting of the Westminster MD mayor and Common Council meeting at Westminster city hall. October 26, 2009 photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20091026 CowMCC Mtg (11)eGlass]

Westminster to get federal stimulus grant and names arts and culture task force

By Kevin Dayhoff

Westminster announced at last Monday night’s mayor and Common Council meeting, that skillful navigation of a “sea of paperwork” enabled the city to double a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – “ARRA” federal stimulus funds, to replace aging water meters throughout town.

Westminster director of public works, Jeff Glass, explained at the meeting that last May the city applied for a grant 2009 in the amount of $400,000 for water meter replacements.

The grant application process was complicated. “To our credit we met the deadlines… To our credit others did not,” explained Glass. As a result, “the City’s grant was increased to $821,200 which is sufficient to install ‘wireless’ read capable meters for the remainder of the City’s meter inventory and cover all costs associated with the project such as required advertisement etc...,” said Glass with visible pride.

The bidding process was performed in August and September; and the Maryland Department of the Environment signed off on the project on October 13. Glass presented the council with a proposal to approve a winning bid from Ben Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. in the amount of $817,139.19 to complete the water system upgrade.

Just before the council voted to approve the project, council president Damian Halstad said that the grant will “go a long way in our budget process… It is always nice to ask for $400,000 and get $800,000.”

Under new business councilman Greg Pecoraro gave a detailed six-month status report on the findings of the Tri-Street Advisory Committee.

The committee had been established by the city “on August 25, 2008 to address neighborhood issues and concerns in the area of Pennsylvania Avenue, Union Street and West Main Street, with the objective of creating an action plan for improvement,” explained Pecoraro.

One of the recommendations acted-on by the council at the end of Pecoraro’s report was “under the goal of building economic vitality.

“The report recommended the creation of a task force of representatives from the City, Carroll County Arts Council, Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee, property owners, artisans and others, to be called the ‘Arts and Culture Task Force,’ to develop an ‘arts, culture and small business overlay zone’ for the Tri-Street neighborhood. The report urged the task force to focus on the Carroll Arts Center as a critical anchor in the Tri-Street neighborhood.”

For more, read the Nov. 1 edition of the Carroll Eagle http://www.explorecarroll.com/

Read the Westminster press release on the water meter replacement project pasted below:

MEMORANDUM

TO: The Mayor and Common Council

FROM: Jeffery D. Glass, Director of Public Works

DATE: October 21, 2009

RE: Water Meter Replacement Project- ARRA Stimulus Funds

The Department of Public Works applied for a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Funds) in May 2009 in the amount of $400,000 for water meter replacements.

Due to the complicated nature of requirements and stringent deadlines, a number of applicants were culled from the initial applications. This decrease in applicants provided an increase in available funding available to the City.

As a result, the City’s grant was increased to $821,200 which is sufficient to install “wireless” read capable meters for the remainder of the City’s meter inventory and cover all costs associated with the project such as required advertisement etc.

This project was put out to bid on August 12th, 2009. Three bids were received, opened and read aloud on September 8th, 2009. The bids ranged from $817,139.19 to$1,043,752.00 with one bid disqualification. The apparent low bidder was Benjamin Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. This bid was reviewed by staff and found to be complete and acceptable for forwarding to MDE for review.

The City received a letter of confirmation from MDE on October 13 2009, which acknowledges the review and approval of the project, which in general terms provides the green light to proceed. The next step is to provide the notice of award to Ben Franklin, the low bidder

I recommend The Mayor and Common Council accept the bid of Ben Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. in the amount of $817,139.19 to complete the Water meter Replacement Project. This action will allow Notice of Award, and Contractual Documents to be executed.


20091026 sdosm d4 Westminster to get fed stimulus grant
*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Friday, May 29, 2009

Westminster Fire Hydrant Flushing Scheduled

City of Westminster

56 West Main Street
Westminster, MD 21158
Phone (410) 848-9000
Fax (410) 848-7476
Press Release

Contact: Mike Zechman

Phone: 410-848-5043

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, May 29, 2009

Fire Hydrant Flushing Scheduled

The City of Westminster, Department of Public Works, wishes to inform the public that Utility Maintenance Department personnel will systematically flush fire hydrants throughout the City from 8 pm to midnight on June 1, 2, and 3. This will cause some discoloration to the water and it is advisable to refrain from doing laundry the following day.

The Department recommends opening all faucets first thing in the morning and running until it is clear. In addition, draw enough water the night before to allow for your morning usage, such as making coffee, etc. Residents can rest assured that even if water is discolored that it is still fully treated and potable.

Please bear with us during this procedure as it is necessary for continued quality service.


Areas affected are:

Old Westminster Pike area
East of the city, including Walnut Ridge
Poole Meadows
East Main Street area, including Middlebrook
Hahn Road

For more information, please contact the Westminster Department of Public Works at 410-848-9000.

-End-

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack:
www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art:
www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster:
www.westgov.net

Recent columns and articles in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff


Recent columns and articles in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff

Celebration of memory and change
Published May 26, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
This year’s Westminster Memorial Day ceremonies witnessed many changes over the past — although the solemn tradition of 142 years continued. On Memorial Day the normal hustle and bustle of downtown Westminster paused to remember fallen veterans, and ... ...

Dayhoff: Maryland National Guard Company H, had its beginnings in the flower business
Published May 22, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... We are deeply indebted to those who fought and died to give us the unalienable right to live free and cherish liberty in the pursuit of happiness.

EAGLE ARCHIVE: Mulkey is one of many, yet a special son of Carroll County
Published May 22, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... thanks to Mount Airy councilwoman Wendi Peters and American Legion Post 191 commander Roy True for their help with this column. We will resume the history trivia quiz next Sunday. In the meantime, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com....

Celebrating Cockey's Tavern, birthplace of Carroll County
Published May 18, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
Thanks. When he's not hanging around old haunts such as Cockey's Tavern, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com....

Utz elected as new mayor of Westminster
Published May 18, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... with 130 votes; Eleanor DeMario, 105; William Gill, 130; and William Hughes, 58. — compiled by Kevin Dayhoff Incumbent, two newcomers elected council Hampstead Hampstead Town Councilman Wayne Thomas won election along with newcomers Jamey Ayers and ... ...

Dayhoff: The rebirth of the Cockey's Tavern building in Westminster
Published May 12, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... column in the Carroll Eagle of The Baltimore Sun for more of the rich history of Cockey’s.

Crunching numbers, and historic perspective, in Westminster election
Published May 12, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... “I’m humbled and anxious to get started.” The writer, Kevin Dayhoff, is a history columnist for The Eagle newspapers. He served as ... did his grandfather Frank Thomas Babylon for several years in the 1890s. Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com. ...

Utz elected as Westminster mayor
Published May 11, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... the top vote-getter of the evening with 512 votes. Others in the council race were Darcel Harris (130 votes), Eleanor DeMario (105), William Gill (130) and William Hughes (58).— compiled by Kevin Dayhoff...

For municipalities that still exist, elections renew a call to activism
Published May 10, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... who was the first mayor? Think you know? Drop me an e-mail at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com. Be sure to add Carroll Eagle in the subject line. Thanks. When he is not handicapping the municipal elections

Dayhoff: How water drove the growth Westminster ... and still does
Published May 4, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... 200 years after our community banded together to maintain a steady and reliable water supply. Feedback, questions, and comments are welcome in the readers’ comments section below. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com....

Readers revel in the details of the great baseball tater caper
Published May 3, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... who declared the caper the "hidden-ball trick to end all hidden-ball tricks." No history trivia question this week -- I'm missing the baseball game on TV. When he is not watching baseball, Kevin Dayhoff may reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com. ...

DAYHOFF: Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant
Published April 29, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... prosper. Note: next week's column will review a more in-depth history of the story of the early Westminster water systems. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster, where he served as mayor from 2001 to 2005. When he is not enjoying a great glass of Westminster ... ...

Cutting the 'Horse Train Stop' of Sykesville out of Howard County
Published April 26, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... line. Thanks. If you answer correctly, your name might be drawn for the coveted Carroll Eagle coffee mug, suitable for use in any county. When he's not straddling the line between two counties, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com....

Dayhoff: Getting the Community Media Center out of the closet
Published April 21, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... of not only the Community Media Center, but also everything that is great about our community.

Thoughts turn to baseball and Jackie Robinson
Published April 17, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... is this week's winner of the famed Carroll Eagle mug. For an extended version of this column, with even more on Jackie Robinson, go to explorecarroll.com. When he's not enjoying April showers, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com. ...

Dayhoff: Recalling Jackie Robinson, the great American experiment
Published April 15, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... comments below. That’s my two cents. What’s yours? Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

Mills' contributions to hospital follow a healthful tradition
Published April 12, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... me with information for this week's column. If you'd like to learn more about the work of the foundation, give her a call at 410- 871-6200. When he is not eating sushi with Sherri Hosfeld Joseph ...

Recalling the devastating Westminster fire of 1906
Published April 8, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... Spring Carnival. It is never too early to start teaching your children fire safety. As history shows us -- it's everyone's concern and it can be a matter of life and death. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

County jail started out 0-for-1 when it came to holding prisoners
Published April 3, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... you know? Drop me an e-mail at kevindayhoff@gmail.com. Be sure to add Carroll Eagle in the subject line. Thanks. When he's not "climbing down the spouting" to get away from his cell phone, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com....

Dayhoff: A brief review of the Westminster Navy, and its role in American history
Published April 1, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... Navy; a proud heritage few Carroll Countians know. Now you know it too. Well, perhaps not. Happy April Fool's Day. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com, or add your thoughts to the readers' comment section below....

20090527 SDOSM Recent cols and arts in Explore Carroll by KED

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Explore Carroll most read




Dayhoff: Celebration of memory and change
Posted: May 26th, 2009 in Westminster Eagle

Body identified in Hampstead truck fire
Posted: May 23rd, 2009 in Carroll Eagle

Grand: Whether off-shore or in deep pockets, tax loopholes need a quick fix
Posted: May 22nd, 2009 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Long and short end of the stick
Posted: May 22nd, 2009 in Eldersburg Eagle

For parents, a mix of pride and fear for our soldiers
Posted: May 22nd, 2009 in Carroll Eagle

Troopers arrest 2 in connection with Manchester burglaries
Posted: May 19th, 2009 in Carroll Eagle

Three New Windsor candidates win unopposed
Posted: May 13th, 2009 in Carroll Eagle

Incumbent holds on to seat in Hampstead
Posted: May 13th, 2009 in Carroll Eagle

Dayhoff: The rebirth of the Cockey's Tavern building in Westminster
Posted: May 12th, 2009 in Westminster Eagle

Dayhoff: How water drove the growth Westminster ... and still does
Posted: May 4th, 2009 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle


20090526 SDOSM Explore Carroll most read

Saturday, May 23, 2009

City of Westminster Fire Hydrant Flushing Scheduled


City of Westminster Fire Hydrant Flushing Scheduled

City of Westminster
56 West Main Street
Westminster, MD 21158
Phone (410) 848-9000
Fax (410) 848-7476

Press Release
Contact: Mike Zechman
Phone: 410-848-5043

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, May 23, 2009

Fire Hydrant Flushing Scheduled

The City of Westminster, Department of Public Works, wishes to inform the public that Utility Maintenance Department personnel will systematically flush fire hydrants throughout the City from 8 pm to midnight on May 26 and 27. This will cause some discoloration to the water and it is advisable to refrain from doing laundry the following day.

The Department recommends opening all faucets first thing in the morning and running until it is clear. In addition, draw enough water the night before to allow for your morning usage, such as making coffee, etc. Residents can rest assured that even if water is discolored that it is still fully treated and potable.

Please bear with us during this procedure as it is necessary for continued quality service.


Areas affected are:

Carroll Meadows
Eden Farms
Devlin Square
Sullivan Road
Hahn Road
Cranberry Road
Westminster Town Mall
Cranberry Square
Airport area

For more information, please contact the Westminster Department of Public Works at 410-848-9000.

-End-

20090520 City of Westminster press release hydrant flushed

Friday, May 15, 2009

DAYHOFF: Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant




DAYHOFF: Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant

Bottom photo: April 24, 2008 Westminster, state, county and industry officials cut the ribbon at grand opening ceremonies for the new Westminster Cranberry Water Treatment Plant. From right to left: Ben Movahed from Watek Engineering, Westminster Common Council president Roy Chiavacci, Dr. Robert M. Summers, deputy secretary from the State Department of the Environment, Westminster mayor Tom Ferguson, Carroll County commissioners’ president Julia Gouge, Westminster Common Council members Dr. Robert Wack and Kevin Utz. Photo by Kevin Dayhoff (20090424 NewWTPribbon (18)b and 20090424 NewWTPribbon (24)b)

(c) Kevin Dayhoff, Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/ 4/29/09 photos by Kevin Dayhoff picture dates: April 24, 2009 http://tinyurl.com/pcae4f

DAYHOFF: Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant Published April 29, 2009 by Westminster Eagle ... prosper. Note: next week's column will review a more in-depth history of the story of the early Westminster water systems. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster, where he served as mayor from 2001 to 2005. When he is not enjoying a great glass of Westminster ... ...

Dayhoff: How water drove the growth Westminster ... and still does Published May 4, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle ... 200 years after our community banded together to maintain a steady and reliable water supply.

*****

Last week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Westminster water treatment plant put the city on the cutting edge of water.

Carroll and Westminster officials gathered for a ribbon-cutting April 24 at the Westminster Cranberry Water Treatment Plant, on Lucabaugh Mill Road just north of Westminster.

Mayor Tom Ferguson and Dr. Robert M. Summers, deputy secretary from the State Department of the Environment, shared remarks and recognized folks in attendance for working hard to make the state-of-the-art facility a reality.

Westminster council president Roy Chiavacci, councilmembers Kevin Utz and Dr. Robert Wack and Board of County Commissioners President Julia Gouge watched with well-deserved pride.

Among the folks recognized were Westminster city administrator Marge Wolf, engineer Mike Matov, representatives from Watek Engineering Corporation (who designed the facility), Conewago Enterprises and Siemens Water Technologies.

According to Kelly Martin, the city's information and communications specialist, the design of the plant, by Watek Engineering Corporation, took into account future growth capacity, while minimizing operation and maintenance costs.

“The Plant is designed to currently supply 2.75 million gallons per day (MGD) of potable water into the City's distribution system,” said data provided by Martin.

Simply increasing the number of membrane modules — part of the technology noted as “best available” by regulatory agencies — could increase the plant's capacity to 5 million gallons per day.

Although construction of the new treatment facility started May 2007, the story of water in Carroll and Westminster has its beginnings in the 1700s.

Indeed, the very spot upon which the new water facility is now located has a history that dates back to 1795.

According to information researched at the Historical Society of Carroll County by historian Richard Hyson, one of the earliest references to Winter's Mill — which now also lends its name to the high school — can be found as early as 1795 when it a grain mill and sawmill operated by Ledwick Wampler.

Airhart Winters took possession around 1860 and the mill can be located on the Lake, Griffing & Stevenson 1877 “Illustrated Atlas of Carroll County, Maryland.”

The property is described as being that of “Airhart Winters, Farmer and Manufacturer of Flour, Feed &c. Custom Sawing and Grinding done promptly. One and a half miles east of Westminster.”

Unfortunately, a fire around 1960 destroyed the adjacent mill master's home and all the records of the early days of the mill and the water company perished.

The mill master's house was located on the exact spot where the new treatment plant is now situated.

In 1920, the old Cranberry Water Pumping Station was constructed by Westminster Consolidated Utilities Company at the Old Winter's Mill, taking advantage of a millrace there to bring water into the plant from a millpond upstream.

Water in Westminster was supplied by a private company from 1883 to 1964. The city purchased the Maryland Water Company, a successor to the Westminster Consolidated Utilities Company, in 1964 for $961,792 and sold approximately $1.45 million worth of 2.5 percent bonds to pay for the system and improvements and expansions.

Compare that to the $12.3 million cost of the new water treatment plant; most of which was borrowed from the Maryland Water Quality Bond Fund through the Maryland Department of the Environment at 1 percent for 29 years.

When the water system was purchased 45 years ago, Westminster consisted of 477 acres and had a population of 6,123 compared to approximately 4,000 acres and 17,000 folks today.

Today, the water system supplies more than 33,000 people with water when you include the households it serves outside the city limits.

Over the past decade, community leaders have been grappling with how to continue to supply fresh drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities for a growing population and meet increased (and unfunded) federal and state water quality mandates.

The history of the new water treatment plant really began in the 1990s when Ken Yowan was the mayor of Westminster.

Jeff Glass, the Westminster director of public works, recently helped refresh my memory about the early discussions about the need to build a new facility.

“Well, it all started a long long time ago” with a quality control process called a CPE, comprehensive performance evaluation, recalled Glass. The purpose of the CPE is “to find weaknesses and areas for potential improvement.”

The city's first CPE was completed by by Lenny Gold in conjunction with MCET, the Maryland Center for Environmental Training.

“Jake Bair was running (MCET) at the time,” said Glass.

Bair has since retired but Gold is still in the consulting business, based in Easton. Glass said “both are really good guys. ... Lenny is the one who taught me how to operate a treatment plant.”

In approximately 1998, the CPE identified that the city would one day need to upgrade its water treatment process to provide additional barriers to guard against Cryptosporidium, Giardia, bacteria, turbidity and suspended solids in the water system.

Discussions and long range planning continued for years. When I took office as the mayor in May 2001, my predecessor, Mayor Yowan, and I had a series of transition discussions and the need for improvements to the then-80-year-old treatment plant was one of the many items reviewed.

In January 2002, $565,000 was included in the capital budget for design and construction of the filter re-bedding and preliminary plant design.

As challenges were identified, “it was then that we went out to bid for an evaluation of the current plant. The concept was to decide what was the best option(s) available to us, to take us into the future,” recalled Glass.

Enter Ben Movahed from Watek Engineering.

Movahed, along with Sophia Liskovitch, also with Watek, and a team of city officials including Glass, then-water treatment plant superintendent Paula Martin and her successor Bret Grossnickle, Tom Owens, all the water treatment plant operators, Tom Beyard, then the city's planning and public works director, and (Westminster engineer Mike) Matov , checked through the old plant with the concept of upgrading.

An additional $300.000 was allocated in February 2003 and another $300,000 in March 2004 as complications and challenges were identified in the complicated process of replacing an old water treatment system that dated back to the 1920s.

It was ultimately determined that upgrading the old plant was not a cost effective way to move forward and the idea to build a new plant firmly took root.

However, to further complicate the matter, it was also determined that the existing sand filtration media in the old plant needed to the re-bedded — changed-out — before a new plant could be constructed and brought on-line.

Another complication was researching what membrane filtering system to use. Since this technology is cutting edge, few existing examples could be studied.

This required research trips to several of the few existing facilities in the world. One was in England. Another in California and yet a third was in Toronto.

It was the facility above Toronto that proved especially trying as Glass recalls that the trip coincided with weather which saw the temperatures plummet to 40 degrees below zero.

Yet even more complicating was determining whether to use the “Zenon” filter or the “MEMCOR” filter.

When the investigation and research began, both were manufactured by stand-alone companies.

Then MEMCOR was purchased by U.S. Filter, which was subsequently purchased by Siemens.

Zenon was purchased by GE.

By 2007 drawings and planning process were complete and the city was able to begin construction of the new facility in May 2007.

The ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday witnessed the completion of the first full scale membrane filtering water treatment plant in Maryland.

The story of the plant is like much of the history of Westminster — a story of teamwork, careful planning, thinking outside of the box and adapting to change.

Perhaps the only thing more important than water in Carroll County history is how the community has always come together to meet hardships and challenges and adapt to the changes.

By working together we can easily meet the current water challenges and prosper.

Note: next week's column will review a more in-depth history of the story of the early Westminster water systems.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster, where he served as mayor from 2001 to 2005.

When he is not enjoying a great glass of Westminster water, he may be reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com.

http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/2863/dayhoff-cutting-ribbon-history-westminster-water-treatment-plant/

http://tinyurl.com/pcae4f

20090429 Cutting the ribbon on the new treatment plant weked

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff


Recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff

May 14, 2009

Dayhoff: The rebirth of the Cockey's Tavern building in Westminster
Published May 12, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... column in the Carroll Eagle of The Baltimore Sun for more of the rich history of Cockey’s.Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

Crunching numbers, and historic perspective, in Westminster election
Published May 12, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... “I’m humbled and anxious to get started.”The writer, Kevin Dayhoff, is a history columnist for The Eagle newspapers. He served as ... did his grandfather Frank Thomas Babylon for several years in the 1890s.

Utz elected as Westminster mayor
Published May 11, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

For municipalities that still exist, elections renew a call to activism
Published May 10, 2009 by Carroll Eagle

Dayhoff: How water drove the growth Westminster ... and still does
Published May 4, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... 200 years after our community banded together to maintain a steady and reliable water supply.

Readers revel in the details of the great baseball tater caper
Published May 3, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... who declared the caper the "hidden-ball trick to end all hidden-ball tricks."

DAYHOFF: Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant
Published April 29, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

Cutting the 'Horse Train Stop' of Sykesville out of Howard County
Published April 26, 2009 by Carroll Eagle

Dayhoff: Getting the Community Media Center out of the closet
Published April 21, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

Thoughts turn to baseball and Jackie Robinson
Published April 17, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

20090514 SDOSM Recent columns in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff
Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Dayhoff writing essays, Westminster File Cockey's, Westminster Elections 20090511, Water Sewer Westminster, Sports Baseball, History Sykesville,

Monday, May 11, 2009

Please Vote in the Westminster municipal elections today May 11, 2009





Please Vote in the Westminster municipal elections today

May 11, 2009

Westminster is scheduled to hold municipal elections … (today,) May 11. Hampstead, New Windsor, Union Bridge will have municipal elections on May 12; and Manchester’s elections will be held on May 19. (From “For municipalities that still exist, elections renew a call to activism” Published May 10, 2009 by Carroll Eagle http://tinyurl.com/pdlfz4)

Candidates for election in Westminster today are: Mayor: Suzanne Albert, Dennis Frazier, Kenneth Hornberger and Kevin Utz. Council: Anthony Chiavacci, Eleanor DeMario, William Gill, Damian Halstad, Darcel Harris and William Hughes.

For more information see: Westminster Elections 20090511 on Westgov.Net: http://tinyurl.com/qud7wk

Also see: “Water at forefront for Westminster” By Bryan Schutt Times Staff Writer Tuesday, May 05, 2009 “Westminster officials have spent countless hours and millions of dollars trying to protect water supplies, find new resources and provide quality drinking water…”
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/05/water-at-forefront-for-westminster.html

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com

Water at forefront for Westminster elections today by Bryan Schutt



Water at forefront for Westminster” By Bryan Schutt Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Westminster officials have spent countless hours and millions of dollars trying to protect water supplies, find new resources and provide quality drinking water.

Still, the city has less water than it needs for future projects and has budgeted even more spending for water exploration projects. So balancing water resources protection with continued growth will be one of the tasks at hand for the incoming mayor and two Common Council members.

It wasn’t long ago when in the summer of 2002, the city actually had to truck water in from the Medford Quarry to supplement the city’s water supply. Now a multi-million dollar pipeline connecting the quarry to the city’s reservoir is near completion and the new officials will have one drought-protection solution under their belts.

Building the Medford Quarry Pipeline was part of an agreement with the Maryland Department of the Environment in April 2007. As the city meets MDE mandates, more water is freed up, but the current officials have noted how pricey each project is.

The Carroll County Times asked the candidates: How do you intend to balance water resources protection and conservation with continued growth?


Read the candidates’ responses here: Water at forefront for Westminster

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Recent Kevin Dayhoff columns in Explore Carroll com

Recent Kevin Dayhoff columns in Explore Carroll com

DAYHOFF: Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant
Published April 29, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

Cutting the 'Horse Train Stop' of Sykesville out of Howard County
Published April 26, 2009 by Carroll Eagle

Dayhoff: Getting the Community Media Center out of the closet
Published April 21, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

Thoughts turn to baseball and Jackie Robinson
Published April 17, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Dayhoff: Recalling Jackie Robinson, the great American experiment
Published April 15, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

20090429 SDOSM Recent Kevin Dayhoff columns in Explore Carroll com

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Residents say new rates give them a sinking feeling by K Jones


Westminster residents say new water, sewer rates give them a sinking feeling

Council, mayor urged to reconsider timing of implementing both rate structures

By Katie V. Jones Posted http://explorecarroll.com/ 3/24/09

Too much, too soon.

Westminster residents told the city’s mayor and Common Council at a public hearing Monday that they will be flooded with high bills if the proposed new water and sewer rates are in place all at once.

Water and sewer users — both in and out of city limits — said that the rates should be phased in gradually over time, even if that meant there would be a deficit down the road causing higher rates as the council warned.

[…]

Many people in attendance also argued that the average use of 18,000 gallons of water per household, per quarter was beyond reality, and that the rate structure should be based on a higher average such as 22,500 gallons.

Landlords requested that apartment dwellers be given the benefit of residential rates, too, though the main pipes to their buildings are deemed commercial, placing it in a higher rate category.

Others argued for equal rates between city and non-city residents on the water and sewer system.

[…]

Public comment will be accepted on the proposed rates until March 31.

If approved by the council, the structure would be phased in over two years starting July 1 and then again on July 1, 2010.

[…]

In addition to the hearing, written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. Call the city office at 410-848-9000 for details on how to submit comments via mail and e-mail. Upon the council's approval, the rate structure will be phased in starting July 1.

[…]


Read Ms. Jones’ entire article here: Westminster residents say new water, sewer rates give them a sinking feeling

20090324 Residents say new rates give them a sinking feeling by K Jones

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Residents ask council to alter proposed utility billing increases By Bryan Schutt


Residents ask council to alter proposed utility billing increases By Bryan Schutt, Carroll County Times Staff Writer Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A dozen Westminster residents spent more than an hour barraging the city’s mayor, Common Council and staff with reasons why they weren’t happy with the proposed utility rate structure changes Monday night.

Citing bills that’ll nearly double, unfair discrimination in charges among users and terrible economic times, the residents asked for phased-in increases, unified charges and an increased threshold for gallon usage at the public hearing for the proposed water and sewer rate increases.

About 30 others listened to the testimony, occasionally clapping or nodding.

Nearly all of the speakers agreed that a rate increase was reasonable enough but said changes needed to be made to the proposed ordinance.

Mayor Thomas Ferguson said changes would bill users the cost of providing water and sewer service, provide reserve funds for operating and capital expenses, encourage conservation and leave behind a simplified model that future city officials can use to analyze utility expenses.

A brief presentation from a consulting firm that analyzed the city’s current structure emphasized the city’s need to afford about $37 million in projected water and sewer fund expenses as part of the reason for an increase.

The projected expenses include paying back loans on water projects like the $4.5 million Medford Quarry Pipeline project, the $11 million water treatment plant upgrade and the proposed $14 million waste water treatment plant upgrade.

Should the Common Council pass the ordinance in its proposed form, new rates would be phased in on July 1 and again on July 1, 2010.


Read Mr. Schutt’s entire article here: Residents ask council to alter proposed utility billing increases By Bryan Schutt, Carroll County Times Staff Writer Tuesday, March 24, 2009

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2009/03/24/news/local_news/newsstory9.txt

20090324 Residents ask council to alter proposed utility billing increases
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Monday, March 09, 2009

Westminster Mayor and Council Meeting Agenda for March 9, 2009


Westminster Mayor and Council Meeting Agenda for March 9, 2009

City Council

City Council Members Minutes of City Council Meetings

AGENDA

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of March 9, 2009

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

Mayor’s Proclamation – Historic Belle Grove Square Neighborhood Association

Mayor’s Proclamation – Tri-Street Community Association

Appointment of New Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Member, Mr. Matt Purkins

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2009

3. PUBLIC HEARING:

Revised Capital Improvement Program (CIP) F.Y. 2009 - 2014

4. CONSENT CALENDAR:

License Agreement – Exploratory Well Drilling – Union Mills

5. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

6. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee Report

7. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution No. R09-2 – Solid Waste Rules

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. Adoption of Revised Capital Improvement Program (CIP) F.Y. 2009 – 2014

9. NEW BUSINESS:

a. None as of March 5, 2009

10. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

11. CITIZEN COMMENTS

12. ADJOURN

20090309 Westminster Mayor and Council Meeting Agenda

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

City of Westminster Water Rate Increase press release


City of Westminster Water Rate Increase press release

Press Release
Contact: Kelley Martin
Phone: (410) 848-4363 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Water Rate Increase for City

City of Westminster
56 West Main Street
Westminster, MD 21158
Phone (410) 848-9000
Fax (410) 848-7476

The City of Westminster has released the results of the Water and Sewer Rate Structure Study completed by the Municipal and Financial Services Group. The study recommends an increase in both water and sewer rates to be phased in over a two-year period with increases beginning July 1, 2009.

The last rate study performed by the City was completed in the 1970s and contained no less than 19 different categories of use, each with separate rates for water and sewer. However, even this complex rate structure was unable to produce enough revenue to cover the cost of operating the water and sewer system.

Mayor Thomas Ferguson indicated that the new rate structure had to meet the following criteria:

simplify the current rate structure,
design a rate structure to encourage water conservation,
comply with current industry standards in the development of a utility basis method for the calculation of rates;
and recognize that the system includes both users inside and outside the City.

After a competitive bid process, the Municipal and Financial Services Group was selected to develop the rate structure model. This firm has extensive experience throughout the United States.

“The basic rate structure divides users into categories based on meter size, inside the City or outside the City, and establishes a fixed fee based on the size of the meter used. If the customer uses 18,000 gallons or less per quarter, which is the average national quarterly usage, a nominal fee is charged for each 1,000 gallons used. A premium fee is charged if the use is over 18,000 gallons.

This new system gives customers the opportunity to control their costs through the use of their water resources,” commented Dr. Robert Wack, Council Finance Committee member.

“The City of Westminster operates the water and sewer funds as enterprise funds—which must be supported by the fees and charges collected from water customers—not general tax revenues.

We follow the same Public Service Commission guidelines which apply to other utilities like the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission,” stated Marge Wolf, City Administrator.

Having a major impact on both the water and sewer systems are the mandated upgrades required to meet the more stringent health and safety standards imposed by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Among these capital projects are the $11M new Cranberry Water Treatment Plant and the $4.5M Medford Quarry Pipeline allowing the Quarry to be used as an emergency water source under severe drought conditions.

While low interest loans are available from MDE for these capital projects, the debt service must be provided by the users of the system.

To help our customers determine how these new rates will impact on their individual water bills, the City will establish a Water and Sewer Bill calculator on our web site—www.westgov.com—effective March 1, 2009.

You will need your latest water bill and will use the information on that bill to fill in the yellow boxes on the calculator, click on return and the new rates will automatically be calculated for you. If you do not have access to a computer, you may visit the Westminster Branch of the library and they will assist you in calculating the rate.

“The Common Council and I know that this is not a welcome rate increase given the current economic situation but we are required to operate the water and sewer systems in a manner which ensures the health and safety of our system users. We are phasing in the increase over an extended period of time to cushion the impact,” Mayor Ferguson said.

“We will hold a public hearing on this rate increase on March 23rd at the John Street Headquarters of the Fire Department. Written comments will be received until 5:00 p.m. March 31, 2009. The rate structure model in its entirety is available for review at City Hall and at the City Administrative Offices at 56 West Main Street.”

-End-

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/