Historic City ParkHagerstown Neighborhoods 1st Community

The grant finally came through for the City to plant trees! Urban Greening Grant is funding the city to play 160 trees in between the curb and the sidewalks and 80 trees in private yards. I’d like to get us together and pick which trees we like and try to get our neighbors involved and plant matching trees down our streets. The deadline for applying for them from the city is the 22nd of March so we have to move quickly if we are going to get any of these trees! Here are the types they are thinking of planting between the curbs and sidewalks. I personally like the Accolade Flowering Cherry.

Accolade Flowering Cherry

American Hornbeam

Thornless Honeylocust

Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac

Golden Raintree

Please fill out the tree application if you would like a tree! I will try to bring copies to the next meeting and motion that we try to get our neighbors involved.

Tree Application

An opportunity to learn about the organization, operations and services of city government,
the Hagerstown Neighborhood College is sponsored by the City of Hagerstown as part of its
Neighborhoods 1st program. Over the course of 9 sessions every Monday beginning in March
college participants will receive a wealth of information in order to further empower them in
leadership roles.

Schedule and Curriculum

Hagerstown Neighborhood College Spring Session 2010 will begin Monday, March 8, 2010.
Classes start at 6:30 p.m. at municipal facilities throughout the city. Transportation is the
responsibility of participants. Light refreshments will be provided. The curriculum includes the
following subjects:

• Introduction to City Governance Utility Department
• City Hall Departments Parks and Recreation
• Police Department Public Works
• Fire Department
• Presentations of Participants’ Projects
• Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for Hagerstown Neighborhood College, an applicant must Commit to attending at least 7 of the 9 sessions

Selection Process

Space in each session of Hagerstown Neighborhood College is limited to 20 participants.
Applications will be selected to create a diverse participant population from as many Hagerstown
neighborhoods as possible. Applicants who are not selected for a particular session will be put on a
waiting list with weighted consideration for future sessions. Applications received by February 26,
2010 will be given priority consideration; applications received after this date will be accepted as
space is available.
How to Apply
Applications are available through the City of Hagerstown’s Community Development
Department on the fourth floor of City Hall, or may be downloaded from the Neighborhood’s 1st
website at www.neighborhoods1st.net.
For more information, please contact the Community Development Department at
301-766-4055 or email cblackstock@hagerstownmd.org.

Download Application

The monthly traffic meeting has been canceled this month due to inclement weather. The next meeting will be held March 11th at 4pm on the 3rd floor of city hall. Our intersection of Reynolds and Summit issue will be brought up at the march meeting. This gives us more time if anyone else wanted to write a letter about their experiences of speeding and accidents on Summit.

Some pictures from around the neighborhood, enjoy!

Project Guidelines

Traffic Issues

• Determine the area (street, intersection, etc.) of concern.  Create a written document outlining both specific problem and the chosen solution or goal of the group.
• Gather documentation
  • Request the use of the speed board to collect necessary data
    • Use Engineering Department as POC
  • Inquire about police reports
• Invite staff from Engineering to discuss data and share information about requirements for traffic signals or changes in the current traffic control and possible options
• Include other departments in discussion if project requires their expertise or lies within the scope of their responsibility
• Have the group discuss what method/ change they would like to pursue
  • Ensure that the project is supported by the majority of the entire group
    • City staff must guarantee that any change to affect the neighborhood is well advertised and endorsed by those residents
      • The use of flyers and letters is common
• Investigate both cost and funding
• Have item placed on the Board of Traffic and Parking agenda
  • Have several neighborhood members present to show strength in numbers
• Request improvement at Mayor and Council session
  • This may or may not have the recommendation of the Board of T & P
  • Again, have several neighborhood residents present for the session

Beautification Projects

• Have the group discuss and decide what amenity they would like work toward
• Develop the details: materials, location and cost
• Involve the appropriate City departments: i.e.: Engineering, Public Works, CDBG, HPD
  • Seek assistance in determining that project will not effect traffic, right of way, site distance or create any inconvenience to residents
• When all questions are resolved request improvement at Mayor & Council session

Additional comments:

• Advise the City’s Community Development Coordinator of projects prior to their inception.
• For maximum efficiency have one point of contact within each department that is involved and maintain that individual as your contact throughout the life of the project.

Helpful contact info:

Cindy Blackstock, Community Development, cblackstock@hagerstownmd.org

Tim Young, Engineering, tyoung@hagerstownmd.org