On Wednesday evening, February 16th, BGE conducted a community meeting at Wilde Lake High School to inform residents about an upcoming project to clear trees and shrubs from its natural gas pipeline easement that originates in Clarksville, passes through Columbia and terminates in Elkridge. We discussed the background on the pipeline and the easement and had a lengthy discussion on gas safety and BGE's maintenance and inspection programs to ensure public safety. Part of those programs includes ensuring a clear line of sight from the air to enable effective aerial inspections. As the letter BGE sent to adjoining property owners in February indicated, in addition to removing trees and shrubs within 10 feet of either side of the pipeline center, BGE will also clear the canopy in a similar fashion. BGE conducts monthly inspections by helicopter, looking for obvious signs of leaks, encroachments, missing pipeline markers, and construction activity near the pipeline. Having a clear line of sight from air to ground will make these inspections more effective.

Clearly this work will change the appearance of the easement. We understand the concern customers will have with that change but the ultimate goal is to ensure BGE can continue to operate, inspect and maintain the pipe to ensure the safety of the public and of our employees. BGE’s forestry contractor, Mercier’s Inc., will be contacting every property owner abutting the easement to ensure people understand the scope of work. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and we'll work to stay engaged. If necessary, a BGE representative will participate.

BGE intends to engage with the community and will work to properly balance community concerns with our operating needs, always with a focus on maintaining the integrity of our infrastructure to ensure the safety of the public. For more information call BGE at 410-685-0123 or visit us online at www.bge.com.

TOT LOT RENOVATIONS

The Columbia Association is currently reviewing their tot lot inventory with an eye towards closing some of the under utilized tot lots.  Based on resident comments, The Harper's Choice Village Board is considering asking CA to eliminate the tot lot on Endymion Way.  The Board would like to hear from you by March 1 regarding this tot lot.  Please call or email the village manager or plan on speaking at one of the upcoming Board Meetings on January 18, February 1 or 15 or the meeting on March 1.  All meetings begin at 7:30 at Kahler Hall.

Harper’s Choice Community Association has been selected  by the National Association of Town Watch as a National Night Out All Star Award winner for outstanding performance in the 27th National Night Out on August 3, 2010.

Get Village News By E-Mail

Harper's Choice residents can now sign up to receive e-mail notification of community events and activities. Send your email address to  hcevents@columbiavillages.org.  Please be assured that your e-mail address will not be given to any third party, and only community news will be sent to you. If you have questions, call Wendy Tzuker or Susie Jordan at 410-730-0770. County Council representative Mary Kay Sigaty has asked us to share the following information with our residents. "In an effort to keep the community as up to date as possible on Council Bill 29-2009, the County Council website now has a page which lists all of the proposed amendments for the bill." http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CC_CB29-2009_Draft_Amendments.htm, If the above link doesn't work, you can find the new page under current legislation.