Gas Modernization Has Arrived

Gas Modernization Has Arrived

By J.E. Szech

               This summer, BGE began work in west Linthicum, upgrading and replacing existing gas mains in Linthicum along Hammonds Ferry Rd. and its connecting side streets.  This initiative is part of BGE’s Strategic Infrastructre Development and Enhancement (STRIDE) plan that was approved by the Maryland Public Service Comission in 2014.  BGE has invested over $116 million thus far the 2016 phase of the project.  You can anticipate more utility work to continue along Hammonds Ferry Rd. from Maple Rd. to Shipley Ct. Residents should also be prepared for major gas line work on Hawthorne, Cleveland, Shipley, Forest View, Oak Grove, and Shipley Ct.

               In addition to replacing and upgrading the mains, BGE contractors will also be replacing service lines to individual properties for many homeowners.  This intitiative is designed to improve long term gas service safety and reliability.  BGE is also planning to move meters that are located in basements to outdoor locations. Int eh firat two years of the STRIDE project, BGE replaced 12,000 service lines to individual homes. A BGE rep or contractor will contact you or leave a door tag should your home be one of those that requires meter relocation. 

As always, be sure to ask for ID from BGE or their contractor on this project, Miller Brothers.  The contractor is planning to use spot excavations to minimize disturbances on the property as well as the amount of time the plumbers may need to spend inside your home.  For many residents this will require taking a day from work while the contractors on site.  BGE has stated that all sidewalks, that must be disturbed will be patched and all excavated areas will be re-seeded.

               As expected there will be numerous patches and steel plates on the roadways until the project is complete, hopefully the roads will be repaved by BGE’s paving contractor before the winter weather sets in.  Please be mindful that severe weather in the late fall or summer could add some level of delay to the project.  Patience will be critical when driving through west Linthicum, especially as students return to school and the vacation season ends.  Please consider what route you take out of the neighborhood on your daily commute, as there will be workers continuing to control traffic throughout the fall.

               Please be aware during this project that the contractors ARE working with natural gas.  If at any point you smell natural gas natural gas near a worksite or in your home, leave the property and call 1-800-685-0123.  Gas emergency calls are handled 24 hours a day.  If you have concerns about how this project affects your property you can call BGE Operation Pipeline at 410-470-7700 or email a manager at OperationPipeline@BGE.com

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Linthicum Park Care

               LSIA was recently informed by the Director of Recreation and Parks, Mark Garrity, that individuals may be dumping their yard waste in the wooded areas of the park.  Please remember that this area is a public space for all, we ask that you please bag your yard waste and follow the new county protocol for disposing of leaves, grass, and branches.

New Meeting Location

               IMPORTANT!  Due to a new policy that would require LSIA and other community groups to now pay a fee to use county school facilities after hours, LSIA will be holding its General Membership and Board Meetings at St. John’s Church in the Fellowship Hall.  Parking is available in the rear of the church.  Meetings will continue to be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00PM.

Changes To Yard Waste Collection begin on January 1, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT OWEN MCEVOY

443-679-8397

Anne Arundel County to Institute New Environmentally Responsible Yard Waste Collection Requirements

Annapolis (July 12, 2016) – Anne Arundel County will this week begin a six-month outreach effort to inform residents about new curbside yard waste collection requirements.  

Beginning January 1, 2017, the Department of Public Works will no longer accept plastic bags as a container for grass clippings, leaves, Christmas Trees, and other yard waste materials set out for curbside collection.

After the new requirements are implemented, residents will still have three choices when setting out yard waste for collection:

· Bag it using compostable lawn and leaf paper bags, available at most home or hardware stores.

· Bin it in your own reusable containers marked with an “X”.

· Bundle it in collectable bundles.

The practice of accepting yard waste in plastic bags has nearly eliminated the County’s recycling options.  Refining the County’s program is necessary to address the litter problems and increased processing costs that result from the use of plastic bags.  The new requirements follow composting industry trends and will immediately increase the County’s available recycling outlets.

“Making this change not only reduces waste, it is the fiscally responsible way to manage County government,” said County Executive Steve Schuh.  “Expanding our yard waste processing options will decrease our operating expenses back to sustainable levels and ensure our ability to continue recycling this material as the law requires.”

For years, private companies within Anne Arundel Countyand the Prince George’s County Yard Waste Composting Facility in nearby Upper Marlboro ensured that the County could recycle its leaves, grass, and brush.  The County has incurred significant increases to its yard waste processing costs over the last three years during which time all but one area composting facility have prohibited plastic bags or gone out of business.  

Since 2015, the Department of Public Works has recycled yard waste by shipping materials collected in plastic bags 40 miles away to its lone remaining option in Carroll County.  The private company in Woodbine, Maryland charges a $12 per ton premium to handle yard waste delivered in plastic bags.  Annually, the County collects approximately 30,000 tons of yard waste as part of its curbside collection program.

The Recycling and Waste Reduction Division of DPW’s Bureau of Waste Management Services will utilize several different outreach methods to ensure residents are effectively informed in advance of the new requirements.  All customers will receive two postcards over the next six months; an announcement and a reminder of requirements.  Notices will be provided to customers who use plastic bags this Fall as a reminder ofthe new requirements to begin January 2017.  Other outreach methods will include the posting of useful information on the County’s website and through social media outlets, providing presentations for Homeowner’s Association Meetings, and producing flyers suitable for use in neighborhood newsletters and distribution in the community.

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Linda S. Harris

Legislative Assistant to

Councilman Peter I. Smith

County Council District 1

410-222-6890 ext 116

410-222-6774 Fax

linda.harris@aacounty.org

Councilman Smith Proposes Third Term for Council Members

District 1 Council member, Pete Smith, has proposed a resolution to amend the county charter to allow council members to run for a third term.  Please read the following and educate yourself on the issue.  A hearing will be held at the Arundel Center in Annapolis on July 18.  Members of the community will be able to speak between 7 and 11:30PM. 

http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/government/ph-ac-cn-council-third-term-0710-20160710-story.html

Arundel Hills Development

Notice: Our neighbors in Arundel Hills will be holding a Q&A session with their attorney regarding the Trevillian Properties planned development near B&A Boulevard. Arundel Hills won Phase 1 and is now preparing for the appeal process. The meeting will take place Tuesday, July 19 at 7PM in the lot at B&A & McHenry. There will be refreshments and a 50/50 raffle. LSIA is opposed to this development as we have concerns over how it will impact traffic entering B&A.

Ash Tree Removal

June 16, 2016

Dear Resident,

The invasive pest, Emerald Ash Borer, has killed millions of ash trees across the United States and is now a serious threat in Anne Arundel County.  These infested ash trees die one to three years after infestation and are a hazard when located in close proximity to people and property.  To protect public safety and avoid property damage, the Department of Public Works (DPW) is now working to treat or remove the “street trees” occupying county –maintained roadside property that have been identified by the County Forester as ash.

               Identifying the presence of this pest can help retain ash trees through treatment and minimize risk from hazard trees.  It can also contain costs for tree removal and replacement.  However, it is important to note, most ash trees that have been identified within the County right-of-way are too damaged for treatment to be effective and are considered hazardous.  Therefore, they must be removed to avoid potential injury or property damage.

There are a number of things you can expect to encounter over the coming months:

1.      Prior to removal or treatment, DPW will install temporary ‘No Parking’ signs on the street to facilitate treatment or removal of the ash trees.  Please keep these areas clear so that treatment/removal can proceed quickly and efficiently.

2.      Parking restrictions will typically be in place for a week or less, depending on the extent of work.

3.      After work crews have left the area, you may see some flags placed near remaining trees.  These flags mean that the ash tree was determined to be well enough for treatment.  There are no special precautions required, but please leave these flags in place as they are required per safety regulations.

4.      There are many communities affected by EAB so it may take several months for crews to reach your street.  In the meantime, please be mindful that ash trees are naturally brittle when dead.  Dead tree limbs can fall without warning and can cause serious damage.

5.      Anne Arundel County cannot remove trees on private property.  It is recommended that homeowners and community associations inspect their properties for ash trees and treat or remove those trees as necessary.

Further information about identifying ash trees and about EAB can be found at:

http://mda.maryland.gov/plants-pests/Pages/eab.aspx

Please feel free to contact DPW Customer Relations at 410-222-7582 if you have any questions or seek additional information.  You can also email Customer Relations at pwcust00@aacounty.org.

Matt Diehl, Manager

DPW Customer Relations