Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems

Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art One-half Banana Stems - www.kevindayhoff.com Address: PO Box 124, Westminster MD 21158 410-259-6403 kevindayhoff@gmail.com Runner, writer, artist, fire & police chaplain Mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist & artist: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, technology, music, culture, opera... National & International politics www.kevindayhoff.net For community: www.kevindayhoff.org For art, technology, writing, & travel: www.kevindayhoff.com

Showing posts with label Westminster Employees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Westminster Employees. Show all posts

Friday, September 03, 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.
####

[20100804 SCE Wster clock tower gets new clock hands sceked]
LABELS: 
*****
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/


*****
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/


Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/) http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Funeral Service for Laurell Taylor to be held today

Funeral Service for Laurell Taylor to be held Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 1 pm

A funeral Mass for Westminster City Clerk and former county attorney for Carroll County Laurell Elizabeth Taylor, 58, of Westminster will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. John Catholic Church, 43 Monroe St., Westminster.

She died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster of natural causes. (See also: Westminster city clerk dies - Laurell Taylor was also former county attorney; By Charles Schelle and Kevin Dayhoff Posted http://explorecarroll.com/news/3514/cityclerk/ 10/09/09 [@CarrollEagle Westminster city clerk dies http://tinyurl.com/ygnyc9a]

According to a published obituary: Taylor was born Aug. 23, 1951, in southern California. She was the daughter of Valerie Trousdale Brown, of Washington, and the late Jack Reynolds Brown; and stepdaughter of Richard Mailander, of Washington.

She was a graduate of Towson University and the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she graduated with honors.

She was admitted to practice law in Maryland in 1985. Before her work with Carroll County and Westminster, she served as an appellate judicial law clerk with Alan Wilner, then on the Court of Special Appeals.

Surviving, in addition to her mother, are children James "JR" Taylor, of College Park, and Miles Taylor, of Westminster; niece and nephew Laura and Alex Brown, both of Washington; and a brother, Lance Brown, of New York City.

Submitted by Kevin Dayhoff

20091024 WE Funeral Service for Laurell Taylor to be held Sat
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Monday, October 12, 2009

Recent Explore Carroll columns by Kevin Dayhoff

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http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/recent-explore-carroll-columns-by-kevin.html http://tinyurl.com/yla2ess

ARCHIVE: Guy Babylon made world class music, but never really left Carroll
Published October 11, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... a kind-hearted family man and friend ... who happened to play keyboard for Elton John. When he is not listening to "Madman Across the Water," Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

Westminster city clerk dies
Published October 9, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Westminster and Carroll County officials are mourning the loss of City Clerk Laurell Taylor, who died at her home Thursday morning.“She was a very dedicated city employee,” Mayor Kevin Utz said in an interview with The Eagle. “She did everything asked of her ... ...

Budget woes dominate Westminster council meeting
Published October 5, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
The meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council last on Sept. 28 began with plenty of smiles, but the mood quickly turned somber as a discussion on budget woes dominated the balance of the evening.Mayor Kevin Utz conducted a public hearing on the ... ...

Truman on television and German POWs on the farm
Published October 4, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... has had a lasting impact that certainly wasn't predicted at the time. When he's not watching President Barack Obama on television seven days a week, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

DAYHOFF: Dedication of fire hall in 1899 was a hot time in Manchester
Published September 27, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... They protect you night and day, 365 days out of the year.When he's not putting out fires somewhere, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

DAYHOFF: Silver Run is rich in history, yet still a real hometown
Published September 20, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... call them at 410-346-6816 or visit them at www.budsatsilverrun.com. When he is not watching Anthony Bourdain, Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/...

DAYHOFF: what should we think when Kanye West grabs the mic from Taylor Swift?
Published September 14, 2009 by Westminster Eagle, Carroll Eagle
... say you? … the actual moment West grabbed the microphone from a visibly startled Swift. When he is not listening to Lawrence Welk, Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/...

William Henry Rinehart found his true calling in Union Bridge
Published September 13, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... in Washington while he was working in Italy. Rinehart died at age 49 on Oct. 28, 1874, from tuberculosis. When he's not checking out art in Union Bridge, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... or at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

President Eisenhower shared Carroll County's love of farming
Published September 6, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... regarding Finksburg with the Carroll County Genealogical Society and the Carroll County Historical Society. When he is not roaming around Gettysburg, Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

Guy Babylon of New Windsor, long-term keyboardist for Elton John
Published September 4, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Guy Babylon, 52, died Wednesday evening in Los Angeles, Calif., according to family sources and Elton John’s official website.He was born on December 20, 1956, in New Windsor, the son of Graham and Mary Babylon, owners of the Babylon Vault Company, a ... ...

Spiritual and historical pilgrimage to the Seton Shrine in Emmitsburg
Published August 30, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... for a spiritually moving and truly meaningful experience. For more information go to setonshrine.org. When he is not on the road exploring local history, Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/...

Dayhoff: Mythologizing the great unwashed self-importance of Woodstock
Published August 27, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... Me, I was moved to watch a lot of the Food Channel.When he is not listening to Jimi Hendrix, Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/...

Appetite for history and cuisine both satisfied in Union Bridge
Published August 23, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... Inn. Just tell them a "well-rounded" writer and artist from Westminster sent you. When he is not eating, Kevin Dayhoff is asleep. Nevertheless, he may be reached at ... , or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

Shriver remembered for Special Olympics and also for a connection to Carroll
Published August 16, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... ; and the mother-in-law of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, it is through the Special Olympics that she will live on through the ages. Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Not a great president, but Harding sure was a busy guy
Published August 9, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... his death was caused by a heart attack, triggered by complications of exhaustion. Gee, I wonder why? When he's not feeling sorry for Mrs. Harding, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Dr. Ira Zepp, 79, McDaniel College and Westminster civil rights leader, dies
Published August 4, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
The Rev. Dr. Ira Gilbert Zepp Jr., professor emeritus of the religious studies department at McDaniel College, died peacefully at his home on Aug. 1. He was 79.In a memorial tribute by McDaniel College president Joan Develin Coley, she recalled that Dr. ... ...

Charles Carroll influenced world view of 'Democracy in America'
Published August 2, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... Maybe we inherited it from our namesake. Or maybe we've just read enough of "Democracy in America." When he's not channeling Charles Carroll, Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

High winds in Sykesville might not be a twister
Published July 27, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle
SYKESVILLE — Strong winds whipped through Carroll County’s rolling hills Sunday evening was enough to cause damage to homes, but the National Weather Service says that it did not appear to be a tornado. The storm downed trees and power lines, damaged cars ... ...

Lighting the faces of children, and a dark day for taxation
Published July 26, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... of state and national government, we may be feeling "very blue over the outcome" for many years. When he is not feeling blue over taxes, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... , or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...
Hoby Wolf advocates for things the county has already done

Published July 26, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... on this project.They have. On Feb. 26, 2007, Commissioner Michael Zimmer visited Harford County's facility (along with Eagle columnist Kevin Dayhoff.) Then, the board traveled to York, Pa., on April 30, 2007, to view that operation. They have also been to ... ...

Westminster council meeting details city improvements and comprehensive plan
Published July 25, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... for the annual Christmas parade.With that, council president Damian Halstad gaveled the meeting to a close and folks quickly paraded out the door.Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/...

Jackson's death created a wave of empathy in Westminster
Published July 19, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... our citizens on hearing the mournful intelligence of Jackson's death ..." When he is not listening to the music of the "Jackson 5," Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... , or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Hampstead man arrested for setting Greens Apartments fire
Published July 13, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... s damage is estimated at $450,000, according to fire marshals.Kevin Dayhoff contributed to this report....

DAYHOFF: 11th Air Cavalry Troop memorial recalls service of Carroll natives
Published July 11, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... to help honor these men and their families, as well those others named on the memorial who paid so dearly in the service of their community and nation. Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... , or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Bringing Corbit's Charge, and Douglass, back to Westminster
Published July 5, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... for his age," Crutcher responded that Douglass has "rested a lot" over the years. When he's not traveling back in time to the 1800s, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

DAYHOFF: Margaret Mitchell wrote what she knew; the rest is gone with the wind
Published July 2, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... And that is all I know for right now. Hope you and your family have a great Fourth of July weekend.Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Westminster was all abuzz for the great fly roundup of 1914
Published June 28, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... reminds me that it was Groucho Marx who once said, "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." When he is not swatting flies, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

DAYHOFF: Hoffa Field and the Sheathing of the Sword
Published June 23, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... . Lightner and the June 1922 American Sentinel newspaper article have left us with an extensive and fascinating account of the “The Sheathing of the Sword.”Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

'Year without summer' killed crops ... and created a monster
Published June 21, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... village folk that it's not a bad idea to keep a torch handy on these cool summer nights. When he is not playing with laboratory-harnessed lightning, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

Historic Blue Ridge College bell dedicated In Union Bridge
Published June 20, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
UNION BRIDGE — Several hundred folks braved threatening weather June 20 to witness the unveiling and dedication of the historic 1900 Blue Ridge College bell in Lehigh Square, the original site of the college which had thrived in Union Bridge from 1898 to ... ...

When city got 'sole' in the 1920s, it was cause for a celebration
Published June 14, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... be the guest speaker. There will be a retirement ceremony for worn flags. Guests may bring old flags for retirement. When he is not waving the flag, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

20091011 sdosm Recent SCE columns by KED

Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Fire CC Depts 04 Manchester, Media TV, Music Babylon Guy, Pres 1945 1953 33 Truman-Harry S, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster Employees

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Monday, May 18, 2009

Andy Cashman and Caroline Babylon at Carroll Co Ag Center event



Andy Cashman and Caroline Babylon at Carroll Co Ag Center event

May 8, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff

Andy Cashman and Caroline Babylon take a short break and catch up on business at the pig weigh-in - inside the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County Riding Arena - for the annual Carroll County 4-H FFA Fair.

After a long winter, the annual spring weigh-in is a great opportunity for families in the Carroll County ag community to catch-up and share plans for the Annual Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair.

For more information on the fair go to: http://www.carrollcountyfair.com/

Dayhoff Daily Photoblog
20090508 Annual Fair pig weigh in (21)bw Andy CB

Friday, May 15, 2009

DAYHOFF: Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant




DAYHOFF: Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant

Bottom photo: April 24, 2008 Westminster, state, county and industry officials cut the ribbon at grand opening ceremonies for the new Westminster Cranberry Water Treatment Plant. From right to left: Ben Movahed from Watek Engineering, Westminster Common Council president Roy Chiavacci, Dr. Robert M. Summers, deputy secretary from the State Department of the Environment, Westminster mayor Tom Ferguson, Carroll County commissioners’ president Julia Gouge, Westminster Common Council members Dr. Robert Wack and Kevin Utz. Photo by Kevin Dayhoff (20090424 NewWTPribbon (18)b and 20090424 NewWTPribbon (24)b)

(c) Kevin Dayhoff, Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/ 4/29/09 photos by Kevin Dayhoff picture dates: April 24, 2009 http://tinyurl.com/pcae4f

DAYHOFF: Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant Published April 29, 2009 by Westminster Eagle ... prosper. Note: next week's column will review a more in-depth history of the story of the early Westminster water systems. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster, where he served as mayor from 2001 to 2005. When he is not enjoying a great glass of Westminster ... ...

Dayhoff: How water drove the growth Westminster ... and still does Published May 4, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle ... 200 years after our community banded together to maintain a steady and reliable water supply.

*****

Last week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Westminster water treatment plant put the city on the cutting edge of water.

Carroll and Westminster officials gathered for a ribbon-cutting April 24 at the Westminster Cranberry Water Treatment Plant, on Lucabaugh Mill Road just north of Westminster.

Mayor Tom Ferguson and Dr. Robert M. Summers, deputy secretary from the State Department of the Environment, shared remarks and recognized folks in attendance for working hard to make the state-of-the-art facility a reality.

Westminster council president Roy Chiavacci, councilmembers Kevin Utz and Dr. Robert Wack and Board of County Commissioners President Julia Gouge watched with well-deserved pride.

Among the folks recognized were Westminster city administrator Marge Wolf, engineer Mike Matov, representatives from Watek Engineering Corporation (who designed the facility), Conewago Enterprises and Siemens Water Technologies.

According to Kelly Martin, the city's information and communications specialist, the design of the plant, by Watek Engineering Corporation, took into account future growth capacity, while minimizing operation and maintenance costs.

“The Plant is designed to currently supply 2.75 million gallons per day (MGD) of potable water into the City's distribution system,” said data provided by Martin.

Simply increasing the number of membrane modules — part of the technology noted as “best available” by regulatory agencies — could increase the plant's capacity to 5 million gallons per day.

Although construction of the new treatment facility started May 2007, the story of water in Carroll and Westminster has its beginnings in the 1700s.

Indeed, the very spot upon which the new water facility is now located has a history that dates back to 1795.

According to information researched at the Historical Society of Carroll County by historian Richard Hyson, one of the earliest references to Winter's Mill — which now also lends its name to the high school — can be found as early as 1795 when it a grain mill and sawmill operated by Ledwick Wampler.

Airhart Winters took possession around 1860 and the mill can be located on the Lake, Griffing & Stevenson 1877 “Illustrated Atlas of Carroll County, Maryland.”

The property is described as being that of “Airhart Winters, Farmer and Manufacturer of Flour, Feed &c. Custom Sawing and Grinding done promptly. One and a half miles east of Westminster.”

Unfortunately, a fire around 1960 destroyed the adjacent mill master's home and all the records of the early days of the mill and the water company perished.

The mill master's house was located on the exact spot where the new treatment plant is now situated.

In 1920, the old Cranberry Water Pumping Station was constructed by Westminster Consolidated Utilities Company at the Old Winter's Mill, taking advantage of a millrace there to bring water into the plant from a millpond upstream.

Water in Westminster was supplied by a private company from 1883 to 1964. The city purchased the Maryland Water Company, a successor to the Westminster Consolidated Utilities Company, in 1964 for $961,792 and sold approximately $1.45 million worth of 2.5 percent bonds to pay for the system and improvements and expansions.

Compare that to the $12.3 million cost of the new water treatment plant; most of which was borrowed from the Maryland Water Quality Bond Fund through the Maryland Department of the Environment at 1 percent for 29 years.

When the water system was purchased 45 years ago, Westminster consisted of 477 acres and had a population of 6,123 compared to approximately 4,000 acres and 17,000 folks today.

Today, the water system supplies more than 33,000 people with water when you include the households it serves outside the city limits.

Over the past decade, community leaders have been grappling with how to continue to supply fresh drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities for a growing population and meet increased (and unfunded) federal and state water quality mandates.

The history of the new water treatment plant really began in the 1990s when Ken Yowan was the mayor of Westminster.

Jeff Glass, the Westminster director of public works, recently helped refresh my memory about the early discussions about the need to build a new facility.

“Well, it all started a long long time ago” with a quality control process called a CPE, comprehensive performance evaluation, recalled Glass. The purpose of the CPE is “to find weaknesses and areas for potential improvement.”

The city's first CPE was completed by by Lenny Gold in conjunction with MCET, the Maryland Center for Environmental Training.

“Jake Bair was running (MCET) at the time,” said Glass.

Bair has since retired but Gold is still in the consulting business, based in Easton. Glass said “both are really good guys. ... Lenny is the one who taught me how to operate a treatment plant.”

In approximately 1998, the CPE identified that the city would one day need to upgrade its water treatment process to provide additional barriers to guard against Cryptosporidium, Giardia, bacteria, turbidity and suspended solids in the water system.

Discussions and long range planning continued for years. When I took office as the mayor in May 2001, my predecessor, Mayor Yowan, and I had a series of transition discussions and the need for improvements to the then-80-year-old treatment plant was one of the many items reviewed.

In January 2002, $565,000 was included in the capital budget for design and construction of the filter re-bedding and preliminary plant design.

As challenges were identified, “it was then that we went out to bid for an evaluation of the current plant. The concept was to decide what was the best option(s) available to us, to take us into the future,” recalled Glass.

Enter Ben Movahed from Watek Engineering.

Movahed, along with Sophia Liskovitch, also with Watek, and a team of city officials including Glass, then-water treatment plant superintendent Paula Martin and her successor Bret Grossnickle, Tom Owens, all the water treatment plant operators, Tom Beyard, then the city's planning and public works director, and (Westminster engineer Mike) Matov , checked through the old plant with the concept of upgrading.

An additional $300.000 was allocated in February 2003 and another $300,000 in March 2004 as complications and challenges were identified in the complicated process of replacing an old water treatment system that dated back to the 1920s.

It was ultimately determined that upgrading the old plant was not a cost effective way to move forward and the idea to build a new plant firmly took root.

However, to further complicate the matter, it was also determined that the existing sand filtration media in the old plant needed to the re-bedded — changed-out — before a new plant could be constructed and brought on-line.

Another complication was researching what membrane filtering system to use. Since this technology is cutting edge, few existing examples could be studied.

This required research trips to several of the few existing facilities in the world. One was in England. Another in California and yet a third was in Toronto.

It was the facility above Toronto that proved especially trying as Glass recalls that the trip coincided with weather which saw the temperatures plummet to 40 degrees below zero.

Yet even more complicating was determining whether to use the “Zenon” filter or the “MEMCOR” filter.

When the investigation and research began, both were manufactured by stand-alone companies.

Then MEMCOR was purchased by U.S. Filter, which was subsequently purchased by Siemens.

Zenon was purchased by GE.

By 2007 drawings and planning process were complete and the city was able to begin construction of the new facility in May 2007.

The ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday witnessed the completion of the first full scale membrane filtering water treatment plant in Maryland.

The story of the plant is like much of the history of Westminster — a story of teamwork, careful planning, thinking outside of the box and adapting to change.

Perhaps the only thing more important than water in Carroll County history is how the community has always come together to meet hardships and challenges and adapt to the changes.

By working together we can easily meet the current water challenges and prosper.

Note: next week's column will review a more in-depth history of the story of the early Westminster water systems.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster, where he served as mayor from 2001 to 2005.

When he is not enjoying a great glass of Westminster water, he may be reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com.

http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/2863/dayhoff-cutting-ribbon-history-westminster-water-treatment-plant/

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20090429 Cutting the ribbon on the new treatment plant weked

Kevin Dayhoff: http://www.westgov.net/ Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Arbor Day in Westminster



Arbor Day in Westminster

For this article and other community and family oriented news about Carroll County go to: http://www.explorecarroll.com/

Workers put the finishing touches on planting one of the three Yoshino cherry trees at Belle Grove Square on Thursday. From left to right, Westminster assistant street department superintendent Wayne Reifsnider, city arborist Eric Schlitzer, and Tree Commission chair Joe Barley. Kevin Dayhoff photo

Arbor Day in Westminster

Planting kicks off city's tree replacement effort

Posted 4/03/09

WESTMINSTER — In commemorating Arbor Day, the City of Westminster Tree Commission this week announced a project to replace dead or dying trees in downtown Westminster.

As part of the effort, the city planted three cherry trees at Belle Grove Square in a ceremony April 2. At the event, Mayor Tom Ferguson read an Arbor Day proclamation.

The trees are replacements for others that were in poor health. Another three trees, also replacements due to poor health, will be planted on Willis Street in cooperation with the Parkview condominium association.

An additional 11 trees will be installed on West Main Street, Pennsylvania Avenue and John Street, replacing trees that have been removed or have died.

http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/2694/westtrees/

20090403 WE KED Arbor Day in Westminster weked
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/)

Friday, July 18, 2008

Westminster will impose job cuts by Katie Jones for the Westminster Eagle

20080718 Westminster will impose job cuts by Katie Jones for the Westminster Eagle

Westminster will impose job cuts

Layoffs, revision of benefits announced

By Katie V. Jones

Originally Posted on the Westminster Eagle 7/16/08

Westminster Mayor Thomas Ferguson announced Monday the elimination of several jobs within city government as a means to cut the city’s budget in the face of what he called a “challenging year.”

A press release issued Monday said the cuts are needed “to facilitate a balanced budget.”

The city will not fill two vacant positions in the Office of Finance and the Mayor’s Office, and will eliminate the position of Housing Rehabilitation Coordinator and Manager of Planning.

Additionally, the city’s Code Enforcement Officer and Section 8 Housing Inspector positions will be merged into one job, and the City Clerk position will be trimmed from a full-time position to part-time.

Two administrative assistant positions will be cut, but two “staff assistant” positions will be created.

The release said a severance package, including pay and benefits, will be set up for employees whose positions have been eliminated.

In addition, the release announced changes to current city employees’ benefit packages.

Employees will be asked to double their contribution to health care policies from 7 percent to 14 percent.

Also, retirees’ health care benefits will be modified, and employees hired after July 1 of this year will not be eligible for this benefit, the press release stated.

“This has been a challenging year for the city as revenues have declined and expenditures have continued to increase,” said Ferguson in the release.

“Our three-year operating projections do not indicate this situation will improve significantly in the immediate future,” he addded. “Accordingly, I am reluctantly outlining the steps we have taken to adapt to this financial situation.”

Borrowing $3.5 million

The job cuts were not discussed at Monday’s meeting of the mayor and council.At the meeting, though, city officials did discuss how they would spend the $3.5 million loan that the council authorized in a special session July 9.

The bond money is targeted at road overlay projects, and Jeff Glass, director of public works, briefed the council on which streets would be slated for repairs and the possible order of completion.

Glass said that while his office has organized 11 groupings of streets for “some orderly fashion,” the future contractor of the project may have their own suggestions on how the work should proceed.

Glass noted that while plans are to complete all 11 groups, the rising cost of asphalt could prevent all from completion.

At the special session on July 9, Ferguson had noted that if asphalt prices continue to rise, the city may opt to stall the road repair program and return some of the $3.5 million without using it.

Prices, he said at last week’s meeting, are “going due north,” and will already affect the number of projects the city thinks it can accomplish.

The general obligation bond will be with BB&T Bank and is structured for nine years, with a two-year interest-only component. If the city chooses not to use the full amount, there is no penalty for early repayment, officials said.

At Monday’s session, the council agreed to put the overlay project out to bid instead of extending an existing order with C.J. Miller. While this will delay the project, it is necessary, Ferguson said, to get “the best price we can.”

That process will take 30 days, which Glass described as “the fast track.”

“It has to be advertised and the companies have to put their bids together,” he said. “Thirty days is cutting it.”

While Glass was fairly confident that the first two groups of streets would proceed as planned, Ferguson reminded everyone that the proposal was a “plan.”

“This is a plan and it is subject to modifications and change,” he said.


Jim Joyner contributed to this story.


http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/221/westminster-will-impose-job-cuts/

Thursday, July 05, 2007

20070630 Daily Photoblog - Jim Pullen in the spotlight


Daily Photoblog - - Jim Pullen in the spotlight

June 30, 2007 – posted July 4th, 2007

Last Saturday, Grammy, Mrs. Owl, and I had dinner at “Legends Café” off Rte 140 in Westminster. We had a great dinner.

On our way out, we noticed that Westminster Police Officer Jim Pullen - who is well known for his “Thurmont Maryland accent,” and which is often mistaken for a special English accent, was on the bulletin board for an eating accomplishment…

Police officer Pullen (he has received a promotion or two since I worked with him in an official capacity… so I am no longer aware of his rank… Professor R1 will need to tell me…) is one of my many favorite officers in the Westminster Police Department – in a department full of common-sense and community oriented police officers that are just wonderful folks with which to work.

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Legends Café is owned by Jim and Amy Fields and is located at 532 Baltimore Blvd., Westminster Maryland, 21157. Their phone number is (410) 871-9599.

Why not give them a try sometime soon. It is not a chain and it is locally owned…

We really enjoyed our meal, the atmosphere and decorations. Our server was attentive and very pleasant.

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