WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE!

MEETING WITH MDE

On November 21, 2019, PITTSVILLE Town Officials traveled to Baltimore to meet with MDE staff and the Assistant Secretary to review and discuss the latest municipal operations for the water treatment plant. The meeting was very informative, cooperative, and much ground was covered to include how the town was progressing on the mini upgrade and potential funding available to the town from MDE. Accompanying town officials was Delegate Wayne Hartman. Senator Mary Beth Carozza, unfortunately could not attend due to another state meeting. MDE expressed their support for the town’s efforts and were placed with our progress and commitment to enhance water quality for our citizen residents.

WATER RATES

With the additional costs to the Town for water repairs, maintenance, and operations, The Town Manager will be working on a proposal to increase water rates only to be presented to the Town Commissioners for consideration at the December 16, 2019 town meeting.  The Town has already spent over $200,000 in necessary repairs and with the recent hiring of a professional company contracted to operate the water treatment plant, additional revenue will be needed in order to maintain our successful progress and curtail the use of funds from the water reserve account.

LEAD/COPPER TESTING

Every year, the town is required by MDE to conduct lead/copper testing in various locations throughout the Town. This year two (2) homes were detected with elevated levels in their water and notices have been sent out to homeowners as required by MDE.  IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE TOWN’S WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM DO NOT HAVE ELEVATED LEVELS OF LEAD IN THE WATER!

AND ON ANOTHER NOTE!

 Please be advised that town policy for receiving complaints is to provide name, address, contact number and nature of complaint for any action required to be taken by any town department except police department.  The police department has established its own. No anonymous complaints or requests will be considered.  Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Clarification regarding October 8, 2019 Lead and Copper Sampling

We are making adjustments to the PH to help homeowners that have older piping.

Some older plumbing used lead soldering.

Our water source, water treatment plant and distribution do not contain lead.

Thank you for understanding.

For more information call 410-835-2386.

 

 

[Content of Written Lead Public Education Materials – Community Water Systems]Town of Pittsville11/20/2019

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD IN YOUR DRINKING WATER

Town of Pittsville found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes/buildings.  Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.  Please read this information closely to see what you can do to reduce lead in your drinking water. Health effects of lead. Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources.  It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body.  The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women.  Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children.  Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults.  Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life.  During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development. Sources of lead. The main sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust or soil, and some plumbing materials.  In addition, lead can be found in certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, food, and cosmetics.  Other sources include exposure in the work place and exposure from certain hobbies (lead can be carried on clothing or shoes).  Brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free,” may contribute lead to drinking water.  EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent of a person’s potential exposure to lead may come from drinking water.  Infants who consume mostly formula mixed with lead-containing water can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.

 Steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead in drinking water.

1.         Run your water to flush out the lead.  If water hasn’t been used for several hours, run water for 15 – 30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking.

2.         Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula.  Lead dissolves more easily in hot water.

3.         Do not boil water to remove lead.  Boiling water will not reduce lead levels.

4.         Look for alternative sources or treatment of water.  You may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter.  Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters.

5.         Test your water for lead.  Call us at 410-835-2386 to find out how to get your water tested for lead.

6.         Get your child tested.  Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead, if you are concerned about exposure.

7.         Identify if your plumbing fixtures contain lead.  Brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free,” may contribute lead to drinking water.  The law currently allows end-use brass fixtures, such as faucets, with up to 8% lead to be labeled as “lead-free.”  Visit NSF International’s Web site at www.nsf.org to learn more about lead-containing plumbing fixtures.

 On October 8, 2019 during routine testing it was discovered that two out of ten locations had exceeded action level allowable limits for lead.

  We are adjusting the pH to try to correct the exceedance. We are also working on a more efficient plan of removing iron. In turn, we are hopeful these two combined will decrease lead levels bringing them back into compliance.  For more information, call us at 410-835-2386, or visit our Web site at http://pittsvillemd.com/

  For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/lead or contact your healthcare provider.

TOWN MUNICIPAL ELECTION

 

The Town of PITTSVILLE held its 2019 municipal election on November 5, 2019 to elect two (2) members to the Town Commission. There were four (4) candidates competing for the two (2) seats.

There are 968 registered voters in the town and 224 votes cast in the election of which 3 were absentee ballots. Total percentage voting was 23.14% and the voting results are:

SEAN MCHUGH:        150      67% of votes cast

BETHANY MILLER:     143      64% of votes cast

JARED SCHABLEIN:      80      36% of votes cast

IVORY SMITH:              58      26% of votes cast

CONGRATULATIONS to all the candidates for their participation and willingness to serve the PITTSVILLE community.

Commissioner Elect MCHUGH and Commissioner Elect MILLER will take their oaths of office at the next Town Commission meeting scheduled for Monday, November 18, 2019.

Also, a “big thank you” to all registered voters who exercised their right to vote AND to those members of our Board of Elections to include Town Clerk, Kathy Schemm for managing the election so well!

CHESAPEAKE WASTE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Holiday Schedule:

 

For Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, trash will be picked up Saturday, November 30^th.

For Wednesday, Christmas Day, trash will be picked up Saturday, December 28^th.

For Wednesday, New Year’s Day, trash will be picked up Saturday, January 4^th.

Please make sure your trash is out the night before as we may be in your area earlier than normal.

We will then return to your normal scheduled pick up day.

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

TOWN MANAGER’S TALES

WATER

The Town Commissioners and Town Manager are very pleased and happy to have Mr. Chandra Singh (SINGH OPERATIONAL SERVICES) and his crew on board to operate and maintain the town’s Water Treatment Plant. The contract with SINGH OPERATIONAL SERVICES (SOS) is for 3 years and we look forward to a very productive working relationship. Along with SOS coming on board, the town has also begun the “mini upgrade” to the plant which will enable us to operate with the present plant for many more years than we previously thought. In the long run, the Town will be saving much needed financial means in the water fund.

SEWER

The Town through the free services of SERCAP (Vikki Prettyman) received a $22,000 grant from USDA to begin the preliminary engineering study that will be required to pursue the construction of a new waste water treatment plant. There are many steps in this process which will progress over a 5 year period. Further information will be provided to our citizens as we proceed.

SOLAR PANELS

The Town “won” its fight to undertake this project by offering to remove the old housing structure that has been abandoned for many years with local funds. This should occur in the very near future and hopefully by spring we will finally be under construction. It is anticipated that the installation of the solar panels (funded by a MDE grant of $530,000) will reduce the Town’s WTP energy costs by $30,000 annually. Thanks to our Town Engineer, Rob Duma for his work on this.

BULK TRASH

Bulk Trash is scheduled for Thursday, November 14, 2019. See the town’s web site for specific details.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The draft revised edition of the Town’s comprehensive plan is completed and a public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 20, 2019 before the Planning/Zoning Commission to hear and receive public input regarding the plan before it heads on to the Town Commissioners for final approval. The public hearing will commence at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall. A copy of the draft plan is available at the Town Hall during normal Business hours.

NOTES FROM TOWN COMMISSIONERS MEETING/21 Oct 19

The Town Commissioners approved 2 resolutions at the meeting. One was to recognize and thank Commissioner Ted Farlow for his many years of dedicated service not only to the town, but his tenure with the Pittsville VFD.  Commissioner Farlow is retiring at the end of his term effective 18 Nov. The other resolution was to thank town resident and dedicated citizen Colbi Custis for her work on compiling the history page for the Town’s web site and assisting in various community projects along with others for the Pittsville Community.

Also, the Town Commissioners approved a contract with COASTAL MEDIA CONSULTANTS to provide services to deliver a complete social media and integrated government crisis communication training designed to improve communication with the public, basically the establishment of a town face book page.

NEW EMPLOYEE

The Town would like to “welcome” Anthony Maldonado to the town’s work force as our new employee in the Department of Public Works. Anthony’s employment began on 7 Oct 19.

HALLOWEEN

TRICK OR TREATING HOURS ON October 31, 2019 are 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Please be careful as you all go door to door.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

TOWN MANAGER’S TALES

WATER

The Town Commissioners at a special meeting held on September 11, 2019 approved a three (3) year contract with SINGH OPERATIONAL SERVICES (SOS) to provide operations and maintenance to the Town of Pittsville’s   Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to become effective October 1, 2019. SOS has been in operation for many years and will be a tremendous. SOS will provide the water operators, perform the required testing and maintenance and prepare the necessary reports that are required by the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE).

Along with the above, the Town’s commitment to perform a mini upgrade to the WTP will be commencing soon to be paid from funds reserved in the Town’s water impact fee account. The Town Manager has informed MDE of the above change in the operation of the WTP.

BULK TRASH

Bulk Trash is scheduled for Thursday, November 14, 2019. Look for specific details in a separate News Event listing on the Town’s web page

SPECIAL EVENTS

Should you have a community special event you want listed to be included in the utility billing soon to go out in the mail, please provide details to the Town by Monday, September 30, 2019 so we can include in our mailing. Events should be for the upcoming quarter (Oct thru Dec).

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The next scheduled meeting of the Town’s Planning/Zoning Commission will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 commencing at 6:30 pm to finalize discussion on the new draft comprehensive plan before being presented to the public for further input or comments.

SOLAR PANELS PROJECT

GOOD NEWS!  The issue regarding the demolition of the old building structure on town property to be the site of the solar panels project has been resolved. All parties (MHT, MDE, and Town) have agreed to the town’s request to remove the structure using local funds, and not any grant funds. This removes the last obstacle in the way of beginning these very important and worthwhile endeavor that once completed is projected to save the Town $30,000 annually on our electric costs.

SEWER

The Town with the assistance of SERCAP, a non -profit organization that helps write grants for rural communities for sewer/water projects, has been awarded a grant from USDA Rural Development of $22,000 to begin the initial engineering study for the new waste water treatment plant (WWTP). This is only the very beginning of a lengthy process to upgrade the WWTP.

DITCH WORK

Unfortunately, our grant application to clear and clean out the town’s storm ditches was not approved at the State. However, the Town will consider alternative ways and resources to undertake this project as the Town Commissioners consider this a “priority”.

BUILDING PERMITS

Please remember and be advised and aware that before you undertake any building construction or repair, contact the Town Hall to ascertain whether you need a building permit. Beginning a project without a town AND county permit may result in halting of work and municipal citation with fine being issued. BEST ADVICE!!!  ASK BEFORE STARTING!

NEW RENTAL HOUSING REGULATIONS/REGISTRATION

As advertised, the Town Commissioners have approved new rental housing regulations that requires the registration with the town of ALL rental dwelling units along with a formal inspection to be done by the Town.  A letter describing the procedure and application to be completed has recently been sent to those interested parties owning rental housing units. Letter is posted on the town’s web site.