Showing posts with label Westminster PW Public Works. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Westminster PW Public Works. Show all posts

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Repairs are part of an ongoing effort to preserve Westminster MD timepiece.

Repairs are part of an ongoing effort to preserve the city timepiece.

August 4, 2010  By Kevin Dayhoff







There are three versions of my story on the Westminster clock tower.

One, a long and comprehensive story, was published only on the Explore Carroll website at: http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/4596/clock-docs-make-timely-house-call-citys-historic-timepiece/  It mentions councilwoman Albert’s work and where folks may contribute to the clock tower fund.

An excerpt may also be found on my Westminster community website: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2010/08/dayhoff-clock-docs-make-house-call-to_10.html

There was a short version published in my Sunday history column, “Archives,” that appears in the Baltimore Sunday Sun.  It only appeared in the print version of the newspaper.

Then, there is a much longer version of the piece that was submitted, but edited a good bit for length.  I will eventually put that on my website… here:

A YouTube of the event may be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvICD3mOouw


~~~~~~~~~

In the early morning hours of Tuesday morning, Main Street of Westminster was relatively quiet, with the exception of Westminster street department superintendent Larry Bloom, and Jeff Glass, the city public works director standing on the sidewalk across the street from the old firehouse at 66 E. Main Street in Westminster and looking up into the sky.

Was it a bird, a plane – superman?  Well no, they were staring at the old clock which sits atop the old fire hall - which served our community from 1896 to 1998.

After the fire company moved to its new location on John Street in 1998 and the building was sold, the city retained ownership of just the clock and the clock tower which sits on top of the three-story building that once housed the Westminster city offices until the late 1930s, in addition to the fire company.

A plaque at the base of the clock tower reads: “Henry Baile; Born January 9, 1809; Died October 26, 1891.  The above clock erected to his memory by his wife Margaret Cassell Baile Sept. 1, 1896.”

A newspaper article from January 1896 reports that the clock tower was the source of a great deal of excitement in the community:

“It is pleasant to record the fact that the clock … (built by the) Seth Thomas Clock Company, of Stamford, Conn., for a tower clock which the company lists at $1010, and which will be a contribution to the department...”

Meanwhile, 114 years later, last Tuesday, on the sidewalk below the clock, the assistant city street department superintendent Wayne Reifsnider, and David Booth of Precision Repair, a timepiece restoration company, were busy sorting through brand new clock hands and safety belts.

According to Booth, Tuesday morning’s task was to replace “the cedar hands, which require painting every two years, with powder coated aluminum ones, and stainless steel counterweights.”

It’s neat to be here and be a part of history, said Glass as he and Bloom kept looking up.  It’s exciting to see the clock being preserved, said Bloom.

Moments later, a Thomas Bennett and Hunter crane arrived and city workers Shawn Lockard and Alan Miller joined Reifsnider as they set-up the crane and attached a steel cage on the end of a cable.

Keeping the old timepiece working has been challenging for the city workers in the last number of years.

Miller said it was good to get it worked on, as he looked briefly up at the old clock.  Lockard added, “I’m glad that we’re finally getting it fixed.”

Booth and Reifsnider subsequently jumped into the steel cage and away they were whisked into the air four stories to replace the clock hands on the old historic clock that has been a fixture in the center of town since it was dedicated at 3:30 in the afternoon on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1896.

Replacing the clock hands on the old timepiece is part of an ongoing effort to save and restore the clock that has been in need of repair for a number of years. 

Booth said that it was exciting to see the refurbishing come along…

Booth shared that on November 17, 2008 a group of clock historians from Chapter 11 of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors visited the old clock and did an assessment of the clock’s condition.

“After inspecting the clock, this group found the clock to be in surprisingly good condition,” although, “prior to (that) visit, vandals did extensive damage to the mechanism…

“The clock is a Seth Thomas (number 16.)  The nameplate is dated May 16, 1896, and it is clock #897, and marked ‘A. S. Hotchkiss.’” 

Just then, as traffic on Main Street began to increase, Ben Rogers walked up the street as he made his way to his office at Edward Jones, at the corner of Main Street and Longwell Avenue.

“It rings the time…  It will great to see the time on the face,” said Rogers just – as if on cue – the clock bell chimed.

Booth later e-mailed, “The bell was cast by J. Resister & Sons, Baltimore, MD, and measures 37” in diameter at the mouth…  It is inscribed ‘Westminster Fire Engine & Hose #1, Incorporated 1879’...  The other side has several names of officials on an 1881 executive committee.”

Nancy Hernandez of the Community Media Center was also there to film the repairs.  This is fun.  It’s exciting to be a witness… to record this.

Although Booth is donating his time, other expenses incurred in the clock repair are being covered by private donations collected by a fund spearheaded by Westminster councilwoman Suzanne Albert. 

Albert, the granddaughter of David E. Walsh, the city's mayor from 1912 to 1916, told Explore Carroll in 2008 that she has fond memories of the clock from the days when she grew up on Main Street in Westminster.

If you would like to contribute, send a donation to the Westminster Clock Tower Fund at the Community Foundation of Carroll County, 255 Clifton Boulevard, Westminster, Md. 21158.
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[20100804 SCE Wster clock tower gets new clock hands sceked]
LABELS: 
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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.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/

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

20071126 Municipal and Financial Services Group Westminster Water and Wastewater Rate and Fee Study presentation



Municipal and Financial Services Group Westminster Water and Wastewater Rate and Fee Study presentation

November 26, 2007 - Municipal and Financial Services Group Westminster Water and Wastewater Rate and Fee Study presentation

Presentation to the Westminster mayor and common council on November 26, 2007 by Edward J. Donahue III, CMC


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2pX2lmraZI



City of Westminster

Water and Wastewater Rate and Fee Study

Agenda

Project Team

Project Understanding and Approach

Policy Issues

Firm Profile

Specialized Financial and Management Consulting Practice
Focus on Municipal and Environmental Infrastructure
Efficient Delivery of Public Sector Services
National Practice Since 1976
Part of National CPA/Engineering Firms for 25 Years
Maryland-Based
Established as an Independent, Women-Owned Firm in 2002
Previous Clients Range from Very Large (Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Chicago, San Francisco) to Very Small (Marydel, Queen Anne’s County, Bramble Hills, North Slope Borough)
Clients Serve 45% of Nation’s Population

Project Team Synergy
Complementary Blend of Functional Skills
Broad Industry Experience
Seamless Service Delivery for Clients

Project Organization
Project Team Skills
Agenda

Project Team

Project Understanding and Approach

Policy Issues

Project Fundamentals

OBJECTIVES
Long-Term Financial Security and Stability
Lowest Rates Over Time (Optimal Management of Assets)
Equitable Rate Design
Rational and Defensible Basis for all Rates and Fees

Custom Tailored Financial Model
Model tied to official documents
Operating Budgets
Capital Improvement Plan

Can produce cost of service on multiple bases
Cash
Utility
Hybrid(s)

Easy/quick updates and iterations

Inexpensive feasibility studies for revenue bond issues

Project Work Plan/Schedule/Deliverables
Agenda
Preliminary Policy Issues

Lowest Lifecycle Cost

Paying for Growth

Existence / Adequacy of Reserves

Rate Design

Policy Issue: Lifecycle Cost

Assumption – City wants lowest total capital and operating costs for its utilities over their useful lives

Requirement: Adequate funding of maintenance to make facilities last as long as practicable – use of Asset Management approach to maintenance

Impact: Possibility of slightly higher rates now to assure lower rates in the long run

Policy Issue: Paying for Growth

Assumption - City does not want rates for existing customers to be impacted by growth

Requirement - Segregation of capital costs into growth / non-growth categories, then determination of capital cost recovery fees based on growth-related capital costs

Impact - Possible adjustment of capacity fees / connection fees; increase in user fees if growth does not occur as planned

Policy Issue: Financial Reserves
Purposes for Reserves
Insurance against unexpected events
Reduce borrowings
Smooth out rate increases
Designation of formal restriction on fund balance

Operating Reserve
Typically 90 days of operating cash (PSC provision for investor-owned utilities)

Repair / Renewal / Rehabilitation Reserve
Regular contribution towards cost of renewing long-lived assets
Annual contribution on formulaic basis

Policies on spending approvals

Policy Issue: Rate Design
Rate Structure
Fixed vs. Variable
Discounts for selected customer classes

Drought Rates

Inside-City / Outside-City Differential

Fund Balance

Transfers to / from General Fund
Reimbursement for services provided
Payment in Lieu of Taxes

Frequency of Rate Adjustments

####


Water and Sewer Westminster, Westminster Council Meeting Agenda, Westminster Dept Public Works, Westminster Dept Public Works Water and Sewer, Water and Sewer Westminster Rates and Fees

20071126 Municipal and Financial Services Group Westminster Water and Wastewater Rate and Fee Study presentation

Monday, November 26, 2007

20071126 Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting

20071126 Westminster Mayor and Common Council Meeting

City Council

City Council Members Minutes of City Council Meetings

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of November 26, 2007

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:00 P.M.

Fallfest Check Presentations

Water Sewer Rate Structure Presentation

2. CONSENT CALENDAR

October Departmental Operating Reports

3. BIDS

Recommendation to accept Bid from Seal Analytical for a

Discrete Analyzer for the Wastewater Treatment Plant

4. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

5. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

6. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

a. Resolution R-07-13 regarding Extension of Time for Final Action

on Sectional Map Amendment No. 07-1

b. Ordinance 772 Historic Tax Credits Amendment

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a. Revised Carroll Cable Regulatory Commission Agreement

8. NEW BUSINESS:

a. Brightview of Westminster, LLC – Deed of Easement and Deed of

Relinquishment

9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

10 CITIZEN COMMENTS

11. ADJOURN

This Meeting will be held at the John Street Quarters of the Westminster Fire Company,

28 John Street, Westminster, MD. Free parking is available.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

20070709 Water Expert Jeff Glass: Water restrictions only weeks away


Water Expert Jeff Glass: Water restrictions only weeks away

Drought and water issues persist

July 11th, 2007

Westminster’s Acting Public Works Director Jeff Glass told Channel 2’s Jeff Hager last Monday that perhaps “sooner than the next two weeks our drought management plan will be such that we've hit the triggers to cause us to go to code yellow at that point, and that's voluntary restrictions.

_____

What is amazing to me is that in spite of all the media attention to Westminster’s water challenges in the last 6 years, one can still travel about Westminster on a hot day and see folks watering their yards.

Now I made a living as a landscaper and nursery stock farmer for twenty-five years and I understand the value of plants and landscaping as much as the next person – but a green lawn is not more important that people and adequate supplies of drinking water is a basic health, safety, and welfare matter.

So I guess what folks who are watering their lawns are callously communicating is that their lawn is more important than the health, safety and welfare of their friends, neighbors, loved ones, family and fellow city residents…

Anyway, Channel 2 ran the story last Monday, July 9th, 2007, on the purchase of Hyde’s Quarry and the current lack of rainfall. Try as I might, I could not find the video on their web site. Nevertheless, Channel 2 said, in part:

July 9, 2007 8:29 PM Water Restriction For Westminster Weeks Away

http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=B5FB8B71-6426-43DA-B554-226A9F191FB1&gsa=true


Posted By: jeff hager

The experts believe this quarry due west of Westminster may hold as much as 150 million gallons of water, but tapping into it may be years away.

[…]


And that recurring problem will prompt the city to call upon its residents to cut back in just a matter of weeks, according to Acting Public Works Director Jeff Glass. "I'd say that sooner than the next two weeks our drought management plan will be such that we've hit the triggers to cause us to go to code yellow at that point, and that's voluntary restrictions."


[…]


In a matter of weeks, Westminster residents will be asked to cut back on watering their lawns, washing their cars and to adopt other conservation measures to keep the restrictions from becoming mandatory.

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Wednesday, July 4, 2007

20070703 City street department walking the streets


Westminster Eagle

07/03/07 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Westminster Street Department employees pause for a picture by the City’s new 2007 10-ton International multi-purpose diesel dump truck on June 15th, 2007. Photo by Caroline Babylon

When they are not operating equipment such as this you may very well find them walking the street.

Members of the Westminster Street Department include:

Larry Bloom, Butch DuVall, Bubba Strawsburg, Don Hann, Larry Pitinger, Michael Pupaza, Pat Walsh, Billy Walsh, John Robertson, John Linthicum, Hank Jarrell and Shawn Lockert.

_____

Email this story to a friend

If you've been out and about in Westminster in the wee hours of the morning near the playground and City Hall, you may have noticed a group of burly men walking together.

Recently the Westminster Street Department employees began "trying to do a wellness campaign," and have been walking a mile just before work two days a week, according to Larry Bloom, Westminster's superintendent of Parks, Buildings and Streets.

"We're trying to encourage the employees to be healthier," said Bloom. "Hopefully the city will see a reduction in our health insurance premiums as a result."

"We have a mile course laid out that takes us by city hall and around the playground and back," he said.

Showing off a picture of a grandchild, department employee Butch Duvall said, "hopefully exercise will keep me around longer to watch this little one grow up. Exercise helps; gives ya more energy for the day and wakes the body up. I ain't gettin' no younger."

Bubba Strawsburg, too, said he wanted "to get in shape," but coworker John Robertson Sr. rolled his eyes and said, "Some of 'em jog."

Bloom said members of the department would like to walk three days a week, but right now it's two.

Another employee, who asked not to be identified, said Westminster City Administrator Marge Wolf was scheduled to join the group, but so far has been a "no-show."

When reached for an explanation, Wolf pledged that she's "going to do it too," but hasn't been able to work it in her schedule.

She also said she usually walks with her dog and the dog would be annoyed if she walked without it.

But one employee responded that Wolf's dog, too, "is welcome to join us."

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Thursday, June 21, 2007

20070621 Westminster Eagle Week in Review

June 21st, 2007

Local News


News Briefs

By Kevin Dayhoff

City takes delivery of new diesel dump truck

Last Friday, instead of getting an early start on the weekend, many employees of the Westminster Street Department hung around the shop a few minutes after work.

They were waiting with anticipation for the expected delivery of a new, 2007 10-ton Inter...

[…]

The $125,400 truck replaces a vehicle that was 13 or 14 years old. The new truck was included in the fiscal year budget that will end June 30 and came-in $10,000 under budget, according to Larry Bloom, Westminster's superintendent of Parks, Buildings and Streets.

"We worked carefully with Bare Truck Center, used the state bidding contract, ordered it early, and saved the city money," said Bloom.

[…]

[Read full story]

Kevin E. Dayhoff


Carroll working to save and share 'Our Barn'

I recently had the opportunity to visit Carroll County's historic Marlin K. Hoff log barn, which was built between 1785 and 1795.

Those accompanying me included Community Media Center videographers Joe Cimino and Rod Boudreaux, who are planning an educational video of the barn and its relocation t...

[…]

These two talented artists have completed a number of great documentaries, including recent videos on the work of the Westminster Municipal Band and the Carroll County Children's Chorus.

[…]

Who could deny the appeal of a dancing chorus line including Dave Roush, County Chief of Staff Steve Powell and Commissioner Dean Minnich singing "Our Barn" to the tune of Petula Clark's hit, "Downtown?"

[…]

[Read full story]


Mom is the law

Prior to six months ago, Elizabeth Duvall of Westminster could be found driving her two sons around in her minivan.

While she still drives her family around in a minivan, Duvall's driving techniques have been "tweaked" a bit after attending the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission Academy in Sykesville.

Last Friday, Duvall graduated with the academy's latest class, and was recognized as the top driver of emergency vehicles.

"They would tease me that I probably don't drive my minivan the same way," Duvall laughed of her classmates' comments.

But she added ...
[Read full story]


Airport groups vow to continue opposition
Despite last week's approval by the Carroll's Board of County Commissioners to expand the runway at Carroll County Regional Airport, citizen groups say they will continue to oppose the issue as it enters its next phase -- a two-year environmental study.

The results of the study could still halt th...
[Read full story]


Family that plays, stays together

Ken, Stephanie and Ryan Koons have turned their love for music into a family affair.

The husband, wife and son trio, known as Wherligig, will perform traditional Celtic and Nordic music in celebration of the Summer Solstice this Thursday, June 21, at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster.

Initially formed in 1985, Wherligig has evolved over the years in the type of music the group plays, the instruments they use and the members who play in the band.

Ken and Stephanie have been the core of the band since its inception, and several years ago son Ryan joined them to make it a...
[Read full story]

Business Briefs


Main Street Minute
Turn up the heat for a new summer look

It's the first week of summer vacation and the transition from spring fashions to summer flip flops has begun.

If you're looking to add some pizzazz to your summer look without venturing too far from home, just take a walking, shopping tour of Downtown West...
[Read full story]

Recreation


Sideline View

Athletes offered a banner year in Carroll County

It wasn't long ago that Carroll County was barely a factor when it came to state high school championships.

With the significant population boom of the past 15 years and the accompanying growth of youth feeder programs throughout the county, Carroll's high school teams started to become more competitive.

County programs took another huge step during the 2006 -07 school year, as five of seven Carroll high schools won state titles.

The run began in the fall, when the Francis Scott Key boys cross country team won the Class 2A...
[Read full story]

Opinion


Familiar face at police barrack is benefit for Carroll County
Editorial

One of the first moves for the new Maryland State Police Superintendent Terrance Sheridan was a welcome one for Carroll County.

Last week Sheridan announced that he was reinstating longtime Westminster Barrack commander Lt. Dean Richardson to that post.

Richardson has been the comman...
[Read full story]

Wolf at the Door


It's all over but the shouting, unless there's a legal battle
When Commissioner Michael Zimmer voted against the expansion of the Carroll County airport last week, my faith in human nature was renewed. I remember clearly who was holding up his signs on election day.

Now that the expansion has been included in the airport's master plan, there's still much to ...
[Read full story]

The Passing Parade


There's a full house in the theater of the absurd ...
And it's little wonder, what with the series of absurdities that have dominated the media lately.

On center stage -- where I fear she'll remain until she's either carried off in a straight jacket or loses her girlish figure -- is that living Barbie doll, Paris Hilton, who was born into a fortune a...
[Read full story]

Healthy Recipe
Appealing taste comes from fresh bananas

This week's recipe focuses on the good health and taste of bananas, and is provided by JaDenna Jones, Health Educator and Cessation Coordinator for the Carroll County Health Department.

Discovered by Alexander the Great on his conquest of India in 327 B.C...
[Read full story]

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