April 2019 County News Briefs

MDOT SHA patrolling for potholes during busy season

Record Rainfall and Freeze/Thaw Cycle Creating Potholes on Roads and Bridges

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is actively patrolling for potholes on Maryland’s State-numbered roads and interstates. This year’s pothole season is off to a busy start as crews are performing mobile pothole patrols to repair these nemeses.

With saturated grounds from record-setting precipitation from 2018 and continuing into 2019, and the freeze/thaw cycle that is occurring during this transitional time of the year, potholes are popping up everywhere. Each day, MDOT SHA crews deploy mobile work zones and use cold patch asphalt to address the potholes on MDOT SHA highways and bridges.

A pothole is formed when moisture seeps into a pavement crack and freezes, then thaws during the warmer temperatures. This stresses the pavement and when traffic is introduced, potholes form. Click here for a video of how potholes form.

Cold patch asphalt is a temporary repair. When temperatures rise to 50 degrees and greater, consistently, crews can switch to more permanent hot-mix asphalt, which is applied at a higher temperature and seals the potholes.

Citizens are encouraged to report potholes on State roads. Click here to find out which roads are state routes. The easiest and most convenient way to report a pothole is to visit MDOT SHA’s webpage at www.roads.maryland.gov and click "Contact us." Here you can report the location of potholes by submitting a brief service request form. MDOT SHA appreciates pothole reporting by citizens.

In fiscal year 2018, MDOT SHA patched approximately 25,000 square yards of potholes at a cost of approximately $3.1 million. An average cost to repair a pothole is $95. This includes the material, labor and traffic control during pothole patrols.

While MDOT SHA and its transportation partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. Stay alert and look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don’t follow too closely. Work Zone Safety is in Your Hands. For a list of all major MDOT SHA projects, click on Road Ready, MDOT SHA's electronic construction brochure. For a look at real-time commute conditions, log onto www.md511.org.

Harcum Confirmed as Chief Administrative Officer

Rick Harcum has been officially appointed as chief administrative officer for Frederick County Government. The County Council confirmed the appointment this afternoon. Mr. Harcum has been serving as the acting chief administrative officer since February 1.

"Rick brings a wealth of financial knowledge and managerial expertise to this important position," Executive Gardner said. "He is well respected by government leaders and elected officials. His experience with the county budget is particularly beneficial. I am confident Rick will do an outstanding job."

Mr. Harcum was appointed county budget director in February 2016. Previously, he served as director of performance management, budget director and in other budget-related roles at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for over 25 years. He also worked at the Maryland Department of Transportation as a financial planner and as a financial analyst for a telecommunications corporation. Mr. Harcum earned his master’s degree in finance and his bachelor of science in business administration, both from the University of Maryland.

Mr. Harcum succeeds Ray Barnes, who previously served as chief administrative officer from March 2018 until his retirement on Jan. 31.

Public Meeting for Hornets Nest Road bridge replacement

The Frederick County Division of Public Works will hold a public meeting on Thursday, April 4 from 7 – 8 p.m. on the Hornets Nest Road bridge replacement project. The meeting will be held at the Emmitsburg Branch Library Meeting Room.

The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the proposed bridge replacement, along with the proposed schedule for the project, and allow for citizens to provide their comments and concerns. For more information, contact Amanda Radcliffe at 301-600-1959.

Local Company Selected for Detox Center

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner announced that Maryland Treatment Centers, Inc., has been awarded up to $710,000 in grant funds to offer detox services in the county. Medically supervised detox services will allow individuals to safely recover from withdrawal under the supervision of medical providers. Services will be available in Emmitsburg in approximately three months, and an additional center will open in Frederick in about 18 months.

"This is great news for Frederick County residents struggling with addiction," Executive Gardner said during her public information briefing. "Our community will have access to detox services much sooner than anticipated, offering hope for recovery."

Maryland Treatment Centers will renovate their Mountain Manor center in Emmitsburg, expanding the location to provide detox services for up to 18 people. An additional 28 patients will be served at the Work Release Center after it is renovated. Maryland Treatment Centers was selected, in part, because of its experience serving the uninsured, underinsured and indigent, who have a difficult time accessing substance-abuse recovery services.

Each day on average, someone in Frederick County overdoses from heroin or a related drug. Every week, on average another person dies from an overdose. There have already been 14 deaths in 2019, and another 40 non-fatal overdoses. Virtually everyone knows someone with an addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Last fall, the county issued a Grant Request for Proposals for medically supervised withdrawal management services. The grant includes $500,000 of county funds, and as much as $210,000 in additional state funds through the Health Department. In addition to the funds, providers were offered the option of using space at the county’s Work Release Center. Sheriff Chuck Jenkins offered the space because the Work Release Center is underutilized. It will take about 18 months to convert the space into a detox center. Governor Hogan has included $500,000 for facility renovations in his proposed budget.

During her briefing today, Executive Gardner also recognized the efforts of Dr. Barbara Brookmyer, Health Officer, and the Health Department to help break the cycle of addiction by individuals of all ages. For more information, contact the department at 301-600-1755 or visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/HealthDepartment.

Find examples of success stories of those who have recovered from addictions at www.TakeBackMyLive.org.

Conduct Community Preparedness Seminar

Frederick County Emergency Responders will conduct a free community preparedness seminar on Saturday, April 13, from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Public Safety Training Facility, 5370 Public Safety Place, Frederick. Attendance will be restricted to the first 80 registrants and will be closed on April 5.

Visit www.tinyurl.com/FCEmergencyPreparednessOct2019 to register for the seminar.

The Department of Fire & Rescue Services, Frederick County Department of Emergency Management, Frederick County Health Department, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Frederick County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, The City of Frederick Police Department, Maryland State Police and Maryland Department of Health have partnered to provide the emergency preparedness training in response to requests by county citizens.

The classes on April 13 will include: welcome and emergency preparedness planning; Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE); Stop the Bleed training; hands-only CPR (non- certificate class); Naloxone/Narcan training, closing remarks and the issuance of certificates of participation.

The opening will introduce the instructors and provide information on how to prepare for emergency and disaster situations. The CRASE training topics include the history and prevalence of active shooter events, civilian response options, medical issues and considerations for conducting drills.

Stop the Bleed training, a White House initiative launched October 2015, is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. No matter how rapid the arrival of professional emergency responders, bystanders will always be first on the scene. A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes, therefore it is important to quickly stop the blood loss. Those nearest to someone with life threatening injuries are best positioned to provide first care.

The Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR, hands only) class will provide non-certificate training in this lifesaving skill. Bystander hands only CPR provided after cardiac arrest can significantly increase the victim’s chance of survival.

Naloxone/Narcan is a prescription medicine that reverses an opioid overdose. Naloxone is safe and effective and has been used by emergency medical professionals and doctors for decades. Training will include: types of opioids, wow to recognize an opioid overdose, how to administer Naloxone and resources for family members, friends and loved ones.

Senior Services to Offer Smart Driver Classes

The American Association of Retired Person’s Frederick Chapter 636 is partnering with the Frederick County Senior Services Division and the Carroll County Bureau of Aging to co-host a four-hour Smart Driver classroom-training class at the Emmitsburg Senior Center, April 25, form 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The course is the nation’s first and largest refresher course designed especially for drivers over 50. The course provides updates on Maryland specific rules of the road and new traffic laws.

Participants learn the effects of aging and medication on the driver, how other health-related issues affect driving ability and ways to adjust to allow for these changes. Participants also learn when driving may no longer be safe.

The classes are scheduled for two hours in the morning, followed by an hour lunch break and then two hours in the afternoon. AARP-Maryland provides certified instructors to teach the classes. By taking this course, attendees may even get a discount on their car insurance.

Call the Senior Center at 301-600-6350 for more information and to register for a class:

Cost is $15 for AARP members (with valid membership card) and $20 for non-members. Only checks or money orders payable to AARP will be accepted on the day of the class. An optional lunch for $5 may be reserved with one-week notice – check the senior center for details.

For more information about the Senior Services Division, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/SeniorServices or call 301-600-1605.

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