Harford Students Map HdG Infrastructure: City Council Recap

When the Havre de Grace City Council met on March 4, Patch was live blogging. The following is a recap of the meeting, which was approximately two hours and 15 minutes.

9:15 p.m. The meeting adjourned.

9:02 p.m. Bill Watson testified about his belief in the Second Amendment.

8:45 p.m. Councilman Bill Martin held up a publication that contained a multi-page article about the War of 1812 bicentennial commemoration in Havre de Grace. He said citizens should expect to see more about the War of 1812 in the coming months. He spoke about gun control and what was going on in Annapolis, urging constituents to consider history.

8:40 p.m. Councilman David Glenn said he met with the county executive and will meet with the Harford County Board of Education about what unfunded mandates are doing to local schools. The traffic advisory board is investigating traffic concerns that have been elevated by residents on Route 155, according to Glenn. Additionally, he said there was concern about the bus stop at the hospital, which some said was poorly located. The city has put out an RFP for work on Route 40 at Lewis Lane. Glenn concluded his remarks by saying that his thoughts and prayers are with Councilman John Correri, who has a family member that is very sick.

8:34 p.m. Councilwoman Barbara Wagner said the Havre de Grace Green Team will have several events this month. On March 13, there will be a networking meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at MacGregor's. The group is having a workshop on canning and preserving on Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m. at Restore Church (616 Ontario Street). No RSVPs are required and child care will be provided. Forks Over Knives, a documentary, will be shown March 22 at the Creative Sanctuary. Go to greenteamscreenings.eventbrite.com to register. On May 11, the Green Team will partner with the Maritime Museum to host a workshop on composting.

Wagner said that spots are still available for gardeners in the community garden. Councilman Joseph Smith had no report.

8:26 p.m. Mayor Wayne Dougherty encouraged citizens of Havre de Grace to honor the volunteers who serve the city. He said that last year, volunteers gave 1,514.5 hours, which he said equated to $33,001. He presented a copy of his proposed budget and said he tried to "keep it lean." He proposed a 2 percent tax cut in property tax, bringing the tax to 56 cents, "which has been a target of this administration." He said the city would still offer a personal property tax to businesses. The budget proposal will be vetted by the council and public before its adoption in June, after several public hearings.

8:20 p.m. Director of Public Works Larry Parks made an announcement about a "four-letter word" he said had been in the news of late: snow.

Parks asked citizens not to shovel their snow in the street if the road had been plowed already.

Chief of Police Teresa Walter asked citizens to be careful around fields as students were in school.

Deputy Director of Administration Joan Scarlato said candidates may begin filing for the upcoming election on Tuesday, March 5.

Director of Finance George DeHority said his report would be coming later in the form of the proposed budget for 2013–2014. Director of Planning Neal Mills had no report.

8:07 p.m. Steven Lay of the Marina Commission presented its "state of the marina" report. Two issues the commission called to the council's attention were silting and parking. The commission recommended that the city explore alternatives to the shared arrangement with Tydings Park and the Promenade because the area becomes saturated. The commission asked to be included in the future discussions about parking.

7:59 p.m. Garrett Lyttle of the Water and Sewer Commission presented the group's recommendations for the upcoming year.

"After six years of working on water and sewer issues in the city, I am cautiously optimistic that we are heading in the right direction," Lyttle said. He thanked Joe Kochenderfer and Bill Russell for their research on behalf of the commission.

Council President Randy Craig said the water and sewer problem lies in two primary areas: debt service to meet state-mandated requirements and capital projects in an older system.

"Most of the problems we have...are things that are mandated by the state or federal government," Lyttle agreed.

Mayor Wayne Dougherty said he thinks that 2016 will be the year that things turn around.

7:58 p.m. The council unanimously approved two special events: Havre de Grace Music Booster 5K Run on May 11, and the Walk on Water 5K on June 15.

7:52 p.m. Shyla Glassman, executive assistant to the mayor, read an ordinance for refinancing the city's bonds. The ordinance was adopted on first reading. There will be a public hearing about it on March 18.

7:49 p.m. An ordinance about utility rates was adopted on first reading. There will be a public hearing on the ordinance at the March 18 council meeting.

7:45 p.m. June Gangel was reappointed to the RAD Loan Committee and Matt Pramschufer was appointed to Economic Advisory Board. Pramschufer was not in attendance to be sworn into office, so the mayor said he would be sworn in later. There were no citizen comments on agenda items.

7:31 p.m. Havre de Grace Deputy Director of Streets, Parks, Facilities, Water and Sewer Distribution Joe Conaway introduced students and staff who participated in a geographical information system (GIS) program as part of a summer internship. Students at North Harford and Joppatowne high schools worked to map things like storm drains and sewers in the city of Havre de Grace.

City officials Will Berry and Jack Stuprich helped lead the program, which involved storing and manipulating geographical information on computers. The students mapped where all the sewers and water valves were in the city "so when the next storm comes, they'll know where to plow," Eve Bour, GIS teacher at Joppatowne High School, said.

The mayor noted that the students' work saves the city of Havre de Grace money.

"This will help the city of Havre de Grace as we consider infrastructure projects," Council President Randy Craig added. The two weeks of research the students undertook was "invaluable," Craig said. "There are a lot of cities that pay big money" for such work, continued Craig, who concluded by saying "thank you."

7:26 p.m. Allison Grabowski was recognized as student of the month at Havre de Grace High School. She had to leave shortly after her recognition to play first violin for the Harford County Youth Orchestra. The straight-A student played violin this weekend during three productions of The King and I. She is also a member of the .

7:21 p.m. Havre de Grace Middle School student Christina Wilson was recognized for being student of the month. Wilson is a sixth grader who makes honor roll, and is enrolled in eight classes (one more than the average course load) so she can take music. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up. She is learning to play the French horn, and she does soccer, drama and cheerleading. She was described as a "teacher's dream," an "outstanding and well-rounded student" and a "wonderful friend." 

7:15 p.m. Rishi Patel of Meadowvale Elementary School was recognized for being student of the month. The fifth grade student is involved in the STEM program, chess club, chorus and indoor soccer. After going on a trip to India, he gave his peers a presentation about the country, his teacher said.  "We're just very proud of our son," his mom said when asked for comment.

7:05 p.m. Eight students were recognized for their participation in the Havre de Grace Elementary School News Team: Jordan Breeden, Nikolas Mucha, Gabriella Vega, Connor Davis, Micah Jacobs, Hannah Goad, Savannah Adams and TaShawn Watters. The students introduced themselves as members of a group that produces a news program featuring daily announcements and school messages. Mayor Wayne Dougherty mentioned that while group members eat lunch, they write daily scripts. He said they edit their own videos and are performing a puppet soap opera called "Cheese and Quackers." For their service and dedication, he congratulated them on being recognized at students of the month.

7 p.m. Chaplain Frank Roth of the Susquehanna Hose Company delivered the opening prayer. The meeting opened with a call to order, roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman John Correri was not present. The mayor asked everyone to keep Correri and his family in their prayers. "There will be information later on," Mayor Wayne Dougherty said. Roth included the Correris in his opening remarks.

Patch will begin live blogging from the City Council meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 4.

View the meeting agenda.