Council District Updates (County)

Harford Park is currently in County Council District 5, but will be part of District 6 in the future.

Parkville Main Street (County)

Photo by Chris Campbell

January Board Meeting (Harford Park)

In our January Board of Governor’s meeting we discussed updates on a property issue on Moore Avenue, the new Shoprite store at Parkway Crossing, voted in favor of our new rental fee schedule and deposit policy, created a four-phase plan for repainting and repairing the downstairs of the hall, and scheduled our major events and fundraisers for 2012.

Vice President Mike Kaspar who leads the Hall Improvements committee is looking for volunteers to help with some indoor painting. In addition to being a good deed for your community, younger volunteers may be eligible for Service Learning hours. Check with your Service Learning coordinator to make sure.  For information email vicepresident@harfordpark.org.

Our major events for 2012 have been scheduled as follows:

• Stream Clean – April 14
• Shrimp Feast – 4th week of April, 4/28-29
• Parkville Fair – September 9 (as a booth)
• Beef and Bingo – September 16
• Hall of Horrors – October 1-31 setup, Event on Fri, Sat, Sun, Halloween

We also have several events that are contingent on grant funding, county budgets, and willing volunteers to coordinate them.

• Dumpster Day – Not before May, contingent on county funding
• Pool Party/Open House – June, contingent on finding a grant
• Flea Market/Community Yard Sale – July if a volunteer coordinator can be found
• Professional Networking – If a volunteer coordinator can be found

If any of these appeal to you, please come to our next meeting to show your support.

February Meeting (Harford Park)

Our next meeting is Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 7:30pm at 2522 Linwood Road, Parkville. We invite you to join us at the next meeting to learn about our exciting events and efforts to connect with our own neighbors and the communities around us.

Letter from the President (Harford Park)

Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to a new year. If you haven’t had a chance to begin your new year’s resolutions, trying to make it to a couple of our community meetings would be a good one. It would be good for us to see all of you, and you might even enjoy yourself. We have made some changes in the hall and are looking to make more. Also, just a friendly reminder that all dues for the calendar year 2012 are now due.

Looks like the local economy will be getting a shot in the arm. A new ShopRite supermarket is under construction in Parkway Crossing on Darlington Drive where the old Superfresh once was. Last week I attended a community meeting where the Klein and Brown families presented to us their plans for the location. They seemed to be extremely excited and motivated to be in our area. Listening to them I came away thinking they consider community involvement very high on their list of priorities. They will be hiring between 150 and 200 people. Interviewing for managers and department heads will begin in February with applications for other positions being taken starting in March. Scheduled opening for the new ShopRite is June 1, 2012. Their focus will be on fresh produce and homemade products. Another larger meeting is scheduled for February 27th at 7:00 pm at a location to be determined. If you are interested in attending, let me know and I will tell you where as soon as I find out.

With winter now upon us this is just a reminder, it is state law that you must have your sidewalks (and driveways if they cross a sidewalk) cleared of ice and snow 24 hours after a winter event such as we had this past weekend. I was walking my dogs on Sunday morning around the neighborhood and no less than 20% of the homes were in violation. This is extremely dangerous and could be quite costly. Households in violation are subject to a fine for every day the sidewalks are not cleared and also legally responsible for any injuries that occur from slips and falls.

For more information on our association, please visit our website.

Bob Stadnik – President HPCA (president@harfordpark.org)

Zoning (Harford Park)

No zoning hearings are scheduled for our neighborhood.

Crime Report (Harford Park)

Mayor Rawlings-Blake and Commissioner Bealefeld are reporting a reduction in crime in 2011.

Baltimore County’s “Police Report” TV show for January 2012 has been released. The January edition highlights winter weather crime prevention and forensic artistry. Police Report is available to watch online.

Schools (County)

Our State Senator Katherine Klausmeier forwarded us a press release from Baltimore County Public Schools. The Board of Education of Baltimore County has initiated its search for a new superintendent and is looking for community input. Sen. Klausmeier adds, “I strongly encourage you to give any input you might have to the Baltimore County Board of Education during the process of making this important decision.”

Photo by Steven Depolo

January Meeting (Harford Park)

In this meeting our treasury showed an increase over last month and we welcomed back some members we hadn’t seen in several years.  The association is planning improvements to the hall and property and we are figuring out how to fit it into our busy rental schedule. Baltimore City Council President Jack Young’s Community Outreach Liaison Liam Davis is helping us deal with some property and code issues in the city, and spoke about the city’s desire to revitalize local ball fields like the one at North Harford Park. The county police report included 9 calls for service in December, HARBEL report for the city showed 11 crimes in the last 90 days.

February Meeting (Harford Park)

Our next meeting is Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 7:30pm at 2522 Linwood Road, Parkville. We invite you to join us at the next meeting to learn about our exciting events and efforts to connect with our own neighbors and the communities around us.

Christmas Trees (County)

The collection of Christmas trees for recycling will take place over a two-week period, beginning Monday, January 9, 2012. To ensure collection of Christmas trees, residents must have the trees out at the curb no later than Saturday, January 14. For more information, see their press release.

Christmas Trees (City)

DPW will provide Christmas tree mulching Monday through Saturday during the entire month of January 2012. Mulching services will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Reedbird Avenue Citizen Drop-off Center, 701 Reedbird Avenue.  Residents may bring their own bags or containers if they wish to collect mulch for their own use. Community groups are also encouraged to bring bags or containers and collect free mulch for neighborhood gardens while supplies last.

For residents who cannot bring their trees for mulching, the Bureau of Solid Waste will offer curbside tree collection from Tuesday, January 3, 2012 through Tuesday, January 31, 2012.  Residents should set out trees on their regularly scheduled trash collection day at the same location where their trash is collected.  All tinsel and ornaments must be removed from trees before they are set out for curbside collection or mulching.

Crime Report (Harford Park)

From Parkville Patch: A burglary in the 2100 block of Taylor Avenue on 12/5/11 between 7:20 a.m. and 3 p.m, and another burglary in the 7700 block of Queen Anne Drive from unoccupied home.  As of the new year, Captain Gordon Skinner is the new head of Precinct 8 (Parkville).

Redistricting (Harford Park)

Our Maryland Delegate John Cluster writes that a proposed restricting would exclude Delegate Joe Boteler’s residence.

Please join us to learn about our exciting events and efforts to connect with our neighbors and improve our community.

Water Meter

Holiday lights and favorite things (Harford Park)

Please send in your favorite things about living in Harford Park, what you like about your neighbors, and the best parts of living in Baltimore County or Baltimore City. Answers will be collected for use in the next newsletter.

Do you or your neighbors decorate for the holidays? Please email in pictures of houses on your street along with the address (we’ll only post the street name) so we can feature them on the web site. You can reply to this email or send everything to info@harfordpark.org. You can ask to be anonymous if you’d prefer, just say so in the email.

Newsletter Help (Harford Park)

We’re looking for volunteers to help write and update the newsletters with information from residents, local news sources, and releases from Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

Training on how to update the web site and newsletter only takes about an hour and is simple for computer savvy folks and non-techies alike. If you’re interested, just reply to this email or send a message to info@harfordpark.org.

GPCC Annual Night of Holiday Fun (County)

The Greater Parkville Community Council will host an informal evening with friendly people, pot luck food, live music, trivia games and prizes. It will be Thursday, December 8th, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Parkville Recreation and Senior Center at 8601 Harford Road, Parkville.

Parkville Main Street Tree Lighting Ceremony (County)

A festive evening filled with fun for the entire family. Including: caroling with Saint Ursula School Choir, lighting of the Holiday Tree, and a visit from Santa by fire truck. The event will be held Saturday, December 10th, 6:00 PM at the Old Parkville News Stand (Now – The Sports Connection) at Harford Road & Taylor Avenue, Parkville.

Holidays on Harford (City)

Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street invites you to take part in the 4th annual Holidays on Harford on December 10, 2011. Santa & Elf will arrive on a motorcycle sidecar again this year, but there will be other Santa sightings, too. This event begins at 10:30 and will end at a campfire at 4500 Harford Road, home of the Tuesday Market in Lauraville. Santa will start the campfire around 4:30. Hot cocoa & s’mores will be on hand to keep you warm! This is a family friendly event. There are a lot of activities planned for the day. Many businesses are hosting holiday events. You can also check for updated activities on the website www.BmoreMainStreet.com/HoH

Zoning (County)

Councilwoman Bevins provides an update on the Comprehensive Zoning Master Plan for the 6th District in the Parkville Patch.

Water Meters (Harford Park)

In order to improve the efficiency and accuracy of our utility billing system, the Bureau of Water and Wastewater will be replacing your water meter. Approximately 40 years ago an internal meter was installed at your property. These meters are now obsolete and their internal location complicates obtaining an accurate read.

This is part of a longer-range project to completely automate the entire metering system. Over the next several weeks you will see a new meter vault being installed in your sidewalk. This will be covered with a temporary asphalt and sand patch. Try not to walk on that to avoid tracking it in
your house.

This will be followed with an actual meter installation a week or two. This will involve a very brief (up to one hour) interruption to your water service. Our crews will knock on your door to alert you when this installation occurs. This will be done at no cost to you. There is a very slight chance that if you have deteriorated plumbing in your building that you may need to have your plumber do some internal upgrades. Finally, the existing meter inside your building will remain in place. It will not impact your water service.

Since water service will be interrupted during the performance of this work, you may experience discolored or cloudy water. Once service is restored, it would be beneficial to open a tap in the basement of your property and let the water run until clear. If you have any questions about this project or if your water does not clear, please call the contacts listed above or call 311.

While we endeavor to do everything we can to make operations run smoothly and with minimum disruptions for you and your neighbors, there are times when that will not be possible due to the nature of our work. We do want to hear from you, whether it is a suggestion on how we can improve our work, or to acknowledge a successful outcome. Thank you in advance for your patience.

Contact Person:

Paul Burgee
410-396-3671

Photo by Tony Hisgett

From the President (Harford Park)

Friends and Neighbors,

On behalf of the Harford Park Community Association, I would like to wish you all a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

I know we are all very busy this time of year, but don’t let that be a reason to let your guard down. As you might expect, crimes such as robbery and burglaries are up this time of the year. When you are out shopping, be aware of your surroundings. Keep your packages out of site in your locked car. When you get home, especially if it is dark, take a second or two to check around the area for anything out of the ordinary.

On Thursday we will be holding elections of officers for the upcoming year. There are a couple seats open on the Board of Governors for anyone interested in getting involved with our organization and to help with the planning for next year. Remember, you have to have attended at least 6 meetings in the past 12 months to run for President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer.

For more information on our association, please visit our website at www.harfordpark.org.

Bob Stadnik, President HPCA

Next Meeting (Harford Park)

Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 7:30pm at 2522 Linwood Road, Parkville. We invite you to join us at the next meeting to learn about our exciting events and efforts to connect with our own neighbors and the communities around us.

Possum on Hillcrest (Harford Park)

A neighbor in the 2600 block of Hillcrest reported a possum hanging around the street. Please remember to put out your trash in covered containers and not leave pet food or other food matter out on your property that may attract them to the area.

Crime Report (Harford Park)

A neighbor contacted us to report a theft of a wallet from an unlocked vehicle in the 2600 block of Wentworth Road on Thanksgiving morning at 1:20am. They had not called county police and we strongly encouraged them to call 410-887-2222 to file a report as soon as possible.

A neighbor on Glencoe Road contacted BGE to report tampering with a utility pole. A BGE employee told the neighbor that there have been recent thefts of copper grounding wire in the county. BGE has asked that if anyone sees someone fooling with a utility pole to call 911 immediately.

Yard Waste Collection (County)

Separate yard materials recycling collections will end for this year on Wednesday, December 14.  For more information see the news release.  Lost your trash and recycling collection schedule? You can download a new copy from Collection Connection.

Trash Schedule (City)

Director Alfred H. Foxx reminds Baltimore City residents that, since Christmas Day is a City holiday, Department of Public Works’ offices and yards will be closed on Monday, December 26, 2011, in observance of the holiday; offices will also be closed on Friday, December 23, a Mandatory Furlough day.

On the Mandatory Furlough day – Friday, December 23:

• Trash and recycling, both curbside and City containers, WILL BE COLLECTED as regularly scheduled.
• There WILL BE NO BULK TRASH collection scheduled.
• Citizen drop off centers WILL BE CLOSED (all yards including Quarantine Road Landfill, the Northwest Transfer Station and the Eastern, Western and Northwestern Sanitation Yards).
• All City buildings WILL BE CLOSED with the exception of the Police Headquarters complex.  Citizens will be unable to pay City bills or obtain permits at City offices.  Some bills can be paid online; please visit www.baltimorecity.gov.
• Parking meters WILL BE IN EFFECT.

On the Christmas Day holiday – Monday, December 26:

• Trash and recycling, both curbside and City containers WILL NOT BE COLLECTED.
• There WILL BE NO BULK TRASH collection scheduled.
• Citizen drop off centers WILL BE CLOSED (all yards including Quarantine Road Landfill, the Northwest Transfer Station and the Eastern, Western and Northwestern Sanitation Yards).
• All City buildings WILL BE CLOSED.
• Parking meters WILL be in effect.  NOTE: Parking meters WILL NOT be in effect on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25.

Shopping Locally (City)

And a happy turkey day to everybody!

Next Meeting (Harford Park)

Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 7:30pm at 2522 Linwood Road, Parkville. We invite you to join us at the next meeting to learn about our exciting events and efforts to connect with our own neighbors and the communities around us.

Stream Cleaning (Harford Park)

Debra Lenik, Volunteer Coordinator with Blue Water Baltimore along with about 40 volunteers come out to Harford Park on November 19 and removed 71 bags along with assorted bulk trash out of our stream. We appreciate their support in keeping our park clean and environmentally friendly.

Trash Collection (City)

City of Baltimore Holiday Trash/Recycling Schedule:

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 25

• The Department of Public Works will be closed
• Trash and recycling will NOT be picked up (Make-up day is Saturday November 27th)
• Bulk trash will NOT be picked up and
• Bulk trash drop off centers will be closed

On Black Friday, Friday November 26

• The Department of Public Works will be closed
• Bulk trash will NOT be picked up and
• Bulk trash drop off centers will be closed
• HOWEVER, trash and recycling WILL be picked up

Zoning (County)

There are no proposed zoning hearings and meetings for the Baltimore County portion of Harford Park in November.

Proposed Changes to Liquor Laws (County)

A task force to review and recommend changes to Baltimore County’s liquor license laws relative to restaurants to encourage economic development has finished their meetings and will release a report soon.  To read their meeting minutes and see the purpose and goals of the task force, visit the Baltimore County Liquor Board page.

Citizen’s Police Academy (County)

The Citizens’ Police Academy’s primary objective is to afford an opportunity for community, business and religious leaders to become informed and educated about the many aspects of police work. The Academy is designed to give the attendees exposure as to why police respond to various situations in a particular way and how they ultimately handle those situations. For more information call the Youth and Community Resources Section at 410-887-5901 or view our Citizens’ Police Academy web page.

The 31st Citizens’ Academy is scheduled to start on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 and will conclude on Tuesday, June 12, 2012.  The Academy will be a 16 class (15 week) program, 15 consecutive Tuesdays and one (1) Saturday (date pending at this time).  The evening classes run from 6:30 – 9:30 PM and the Saturday class runs from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.   The majority of the classroom sessions will be held at the Public Safety Building.  Class size will be limited to a maximum of 50 attendees.

Fifth District Newsletter (County)

From Councilman David Marks, in this November’s issue:

• Message from the Councilman
• Councilman Marks Blocks Apartment Complex in Cub Hill
• In Towson, County Focuses on Revitalization and Schools
• In Loch Raven, a Focus on Lighting and Code Enforcement
• Meeting Provides Answers on Perry Hall Square Shopping Center
• A Plan to Complete the Restoration of the Perry Hall Mansion
• Opportunities Available for Scouting Organizations

Go to the District 5 News page to download November’s issue and back-issues to January 2011.

Thanks

Thank you for reading!  Please invite your friends and neighbors.

Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 7:30pm at 2522 Linwood Road, Parkville. Please come in through the front entrance.

We invite you to join us at the next meeting to learn about our exciting events and efforts to connect with our own neighbors and the communities around us.

2011 Hall of Horrors

HPCA Vice President Mike Kaspar wrote in to say:

I would like to thank everyone for helping out at the Hall of Horrors! This was the best year so far. We had 314 people go through the Hall of Horrors and we generated over $1,700+ dollars from the event.

But we still need your HELP cleaning up the hall! The hall is rented this Sunday and we have the general board meeting Thursday night at 7:30PM. If you can come out tonight, 6:30 PM, and help restore the hall back to normal that would be great! And if not, please try to make it to the general meeting and find out what is going on at the HPCA!

Oh and if you liked us on Facebook go to the Harford Park page and check out the video of 2011 Hall of Horrors, especially if you missed the event.