City of Concord Christmas Holiday Schedule

City offices will be closed for the Christmas Holiday
Thursday, December 24, 2009 and Friday, December 25, 2009
 
Leaf collection
No collection scheduled Christmas Week, but some machines will be running to collect misses or to catch up if we are running behind.

Solid Waste
Christmas, week of 12/21/09
• Normal garbage & recycling collection Monday through Thursday
• Friday’s garbage & recycling will be collected on Saturday
 
Yard Waste
Christmas, week of 12/21/09
• Please place all yard waste by the curb before 7AM on Monday 12/21

For more information, contact the Customer Care Center at 704-920-5555 or check out the City of Concord website at www.concordnc.gov

Citizens Public Safety Academy Now Accepting Applications
The City of Concord believes in creating partnerships with the citizens who live and work in our City.  We believe this partnership keeps our quality of life at a high level and allows us to provide the best municipal services possible.

 To help build this partnership, the Concord Police Department, Communications Department and Department of Fire and Life Safety are proud to announce the fourth session of our Citizen Public Safety Academy.  This course will allow citizens to learn about the functions of Concord’s Public Safety Departments, meet our staff, and help us evaluate the services we provide.

 The ten-week academy will begin March 01, 2010 and end on May 10, 2010.  Consecutive classes will be held each Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

 Four classes will be taught by members of the Concord Department of Fire and Life Safety and will include presentations on the various services provided as well as how all of us can be safer in our daily lives.  Members of the Concord Police Department will instruct four classes on all functions of the police department as well as an in depth look at our Community Policing Philosophy.  One class will be presented by members of Concord’s Communications Department and will explain what happens when you call 911 or request any service from our Public Safety Departments.  The tenth week will be a graduation dinner when we honor academy participants.

We expect this academy to be very enlightening with class participants who are urged to participate in an exchange of information that will benefit all involved.  Class size is limited to 20, so please fill out the application found on our website www.concordnc.gov under Community News and the Citizens Public Safety Academy Now Taking Applications! article and mail or email it as soon as possible to Leslie Griffin, Concord Police Department, P.O. Box 308, Concord NC, 28026. If you are able you may fax it back to Leslie at 704-788-9313, or you may email it to griffinl@concordnc.gov.

Concord Police Department Safety Tips - Prevention of Larceny from Auto

No matter what county or city you live in, property crimes have risen.  One such property crime is theft of items from vehicles. Here are some helpful hints on how to avoid being a victim of a larceny from vehicle.

Always lock your car.  Whether you are at the mall, work, or home, always lock your car.  Lock the car even if you don’t have anything in it for a criminal to take.  The thieves could always take your car or hide inside and wait on you to get in.  You may have cash, credit cards, house keys, or other items they will take from YOU.

Never leave any valuables visible.  Never leave packages, purses, or money lying on the seats or between the seats.  DO NOT leave your garage door opener in the car. A thief can steal your garage opener and drive around the neighborhood hitting the button until your garage door opens.  If you leave your wallet or registration in the car, the suspect will know your address; go directly to your house; and use the garage door opener to enter your home.

Park your car inside the garage if possible.  Most criminals ride around looking for easy opportunities.  When you leave your car unlocked in the driveway with valuables sitting on the seat, you are providing criminals an easy opportunity.

Adding sensor lights on your house will keep subjects away who do not want to be seen. Sensor lights come on automatically when an object passes in its path.  They are fairly easy to install and relatively inexpensive.

The best way to prevent crime is to know your neighbors and your neighborhood.  Being a nosy neighbor is the best way to stop crime.  If you see something suspicious, emergency or not, CALL 911!!  When you are familiar with your neighborhood you will now if the activity is suspicious. You know what right looks like, so if it looks wrong CALL 911!!  Don’t be the second part of the wrong.

Don’t wait until you are the victim to lock your car, or to CALL 911; the police are there for that reason.  Do not assume your neighbor will call 911; you must call 911.  The more calls the police receive, the faster the response.  You may prevent a crime just by having an officer come out.  If you call 911, ask to see an officer.  Asking to see an officer gets the officer to your house, patrolling your streets, and puts a crime prevention element in your neighborhood.

2009-2010 Leaf Collection Dates
If your garbage collection day is Monday,  your leaves will be  collected: December 28-31

If your garbage collection day is Tuesday, your leaves will be collected: January 4-8

If your garbage collection day is Wednesday, your leaves will be collected:January 11-15

If your garbage collection day is Thursday, your leaves will be collected:January 19-22

If your garbage collection day is Friday, your leaves will be collected: January 25-29

Place loose leaves at curbside by 7 a.m. the Monday of your scheduled collection week so crews can remain on schedule. Keep loose leaves away from storm drains, mail boxes, and parked cars. Leaves must be free of tree/shrub limbs or foreign objects.

This schedule is subject to change due to weather delays and equipment breakdown.  Contact the Customer Care Center or check our website for updates.

 Receive timely notifications by telephone, cell phone, and e-mail. 
Sign up now for Connect-CTY on the City’s website Check the City’s website for more information. 
www.concordnc.gov - Customer Care Center 704-920-5555  Monday – Friday 7 a.m.—6 p.m.

The City of Concord Transportation Department Street Division will be performing brine application this morning on assigned bare pavement routes around the city in response to the Winter Storm Watch issued by the National Weather Service. Crews are pre-treating  major routes as necessary with a special salt and water solution called salt brine, which sticks to the roads and keeps ice from bonding to the pavement during the first few hours of a storm.
 
Motorists are asked to use caution and provide adequate distance around service vehicles in areas where these operations are occurring.  
 
A Winter Storm Watch is currently in effect from Friday morning through Saturday afternoon.
 
A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant snow…sleet…ice accumulations that may impact travel.  
 
*****
 
For conditions on area NCDOT routes, go to http://apps.dot.state.nc.us/tims   
 

Citizens Public Safety Academy Now Accepting Applications
The City of Concord believes in creating partnerships with the citizens who live and work in our City.  We believe this partnership keeps our quality of life at a high level and allows us to provide the best municipal services possible.

 To help build this partnership, the Concord Police Department, Communications Department and Department of Fire and Life Safety are proud to announce the fourth session of our Citizen Public Safety Academy.  This course will allow citizens to learn about the functions of Concord’s Public Safety Departments, meet our staff, and help us evaluate the services we provide.

 The ten-week academy will begin March 01, 2010 and end on May 10, 2010.  Consecutive classes will be held each Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

 Four classes will be taught by members of the Concord Department of Fire and Life Safety and will include presentations on the various services provided as well as how all of us can be safer in our daily lives.  Members of the Concord Police Department will instruct four classes on all functions of the police department as well as an in depth look at our Community Policing Philosophy.  One class will be presented by members of Concord’s Communications Department and will explain what happens when you call 911 or request any service from our Public Safety Departments.  The tenth week will be a graduation dinner when we honor academy participants.

We expect this academy to be very enlightening with class participants who are urged to participate in an exchange of information that will benefit all involved.  Class size is limited to 20, so please fill out the application found on our website www.concordnc.gov under Community News and the Citizens Public Safety Academy Now Taking Applications! article and mail or email it as soon as possible to Leslie Griffin, Concord Police Department, P.O. Box 308, Concord NC, 28026. If you are able you may fax it back to Leslie at 704-788-9313, or you may email it to griffinl@concordnc.gov.

This year's City of Concord Parks and Recreation Christmas card winner is Jaylyn Gilliam. 
She is 9 years old and attended the City of Concord Parks and Recreation Summer Playground Program at Caldwell Park. Jaylyn is in the 3rd grade at Rocky River Elementary School. Her card was chosen out of about 200

City of Concord Christmas Holiday Schedule

City offices will be closed for the Christmas Holiday
Thursday, December 24, 2009 and Friday, December 25, 2009
 
Leaf collection
No collection scheduled Christmas Week, but some machines will be running to collect misses or to catch up if we are running behind.

Solid Waste
Christmas, week of 12/21/09
• Normal garbage & recycling collection Monday through Thursday
• Friday’s garbage & recycling will be collected on Saturday
 
Yard Waste
Christmas, week of 12/21/09
• Please place all yard waste by the curb before 7AM on Monday 12/21

For more information, contact the Customer Care Center at 704-920-5555 or check out the City of Concord website at www.concordnc.gov

City of Concord Upcoming Meeting

Public hearings Held in the Municipal Building, 26 Union Street, S.

12/15/2009 at 6:00 p.m. Planning and Zoning Meeting
12/17/2009 at 7:00 p.m. Historic Commission Meeting
12/22/2009 at 6:00 p.m. Board of Adjustment Meeting

2009-2010 Leaf Collection Dates

If your garbage collection day is Monday,  your leaves will be  collected: December 28-31
If your garbage collection day is Tuesday, your leaves will be collected: January 4-8
If your garbage collection day is Wednesday, your leaves will be collected:January 11-15
If your garbage collection day is Thursday, your leaves will be collected January 19-22
If your garbage collection day is Friday, your leaves will be collected: December 14-18, January 25-29

Place loose leaves at curbside by 7 a.m. the Monday of your scheduled collection week so crews can remain on schedule. Keep loose leaves away from storm drains, mail boxes, and parked cars. Leaves must be free of tree/shrub limbs or foreign objects.
This schedule is subject to change due to weather delays and equipment breakdown.  Contact the Customer Care Center or check our website for updates.  Receive timely notifications by telephone, cell phone, and e-mail. 

Sign up now for Connect-CTY on the City’s website Check the City’s website for more information.  www.concordnc.gov

Customer Care Center 704-920-5555  Monday – Friday 7 a.m.—6 p.m.

Concord 101 Graduates

Concord 101 is a program designed to give citizens a first hand look at their local government. For 13 consecutive weeks these citizens have voluntarily learned about the City of Concord, its employees, mission, and organizational structure. Participants meet on Tuesday nights from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at various City departments from the Airport, Fire and Life Safety, and Police to Parks and Recreation and the Utilities at the Brown Operations Center. Applications are on line at www.concordnc.gov under the Residents Tab and Concord 101.

2010 Graduates
James Radlein, Michael Kerins, Vicky Albers, Rashaan Roberston, Bea Flower, Sherman Childers, Tara Heglar, Hannah Murr, Linda Maudlin, Faye Bedford, Randy Peterman, Delores Griffith, Eric Harrison, Ingrid Nurse, Travis Eudy, Julia Pacifico, John  Stanley, Leslie Cook Abby Claar.

Citizens Public Safety Academy Now Accepting Applications
The City of Concord believes in creating partnerships with the citizens who live and work in our City.  We believe this partnership keeps our quality of life at a high level and allows us to provide the best municipal services possible.

 To help build this partnership, the Concord Police Department, Communications Department and Department of Fire and Life Safety are proud to announce the fourth session of our Citizen Public Safety Academy.  This course will allow citizens to learn about the functions of Concord’s Public Safety Departments, meet our staff, and help us evaluate the services we provide.

 The ten-week academy will begin March 01, 2010 and end on May 10, 2010.  Consecutive classes will be held each Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

 Four classes will be taught by members of the Concord Department of Fire and Life Safety and will include presentations on the various services provided as well as how all of us can be safer in our daily lives.  Members of the Concord Police Department will instruct four classes on all functions of the police department as well as an in depth look at our Community Policing Philosophy.  One class will be presented by members of Concord’s Communications Department and will explain what happens when you call 911 or request any service from our Public Safety Departments.  The tenth week will be a graduation dinner when we honor academy participants.

We expect this academy to be very enlightening with class participants who are urged to participate in an exchange of information that will benefit all involved.  Class size is limited to 20, so please fill out the application found on our website www.concordnc.gov under Community News and the Citizens Public Safety Academy Now Taking Applications! article and mail or email it as soon as possible to Leslie Griffin, Concord Police Department, P.O. Box 308, Concord NC, 28026. If you are able you may fax it back to Leslie at 704-788-9313, or you may email it to griffinl@concordnc.gov.

Fire Safety Tips for Winter

Kerosene Heaters
•    Be sure your heater is in good working condition. Inspect exhaust parts for carbon buildup.
•    Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case the heater is tipped over.
•    Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room venting. Burning fuel (coal or kerosene or propane, for example) can produce deadly fumes.
•    Use ONLY the fuel recommended by the heater manufacturer.
•    NEVER introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that type fuel.
•    Keep kerosene, or other flammable liquids stored in approved metal containers, in well ventilated storage areas, outside of the house.
•    NEVER fill the heater while it is operating or hot. When refueling an oil or kerosene unit, avoid overfilling.
•    DO NOT use cold fuel for it may expand in the tank as it warms up.
•    Refueling should be done outside of the home (or outdoors).
•    Keep young children away from space heaters - especially when they are wearing night gowns or other loose clothing that can be easily ignited.
•    When using a fuel burning appliance in the bedroom, be sure there is proper ventilation to prevent a buildup of carbon monoxide.

Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Wood stoves and fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in homes. Careful attention to safety can minimize their fire hazard.
To use them safely:
•    Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Woodstoves should have adequate clearance (36”) from combustible surfaces, and         proper floor support and protection.
•    Woodstoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be UL listed.
•    Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time.
•    Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.
•    Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.
•    The stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.
•    Don’t use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire.
•    Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
•    Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials.
•    Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.
•    If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. NEVER break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.

Furnace Heating 
•    It’s important that you have your furnace inspected to ensure that it is in good working condition.
•    Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition.
•    Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists. Do not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified.
•    Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line. If the wall is hot or discolored, additional pipe insulation or clearance may be required.
•    Check the flue pipe and pipe seams. Are they well supported; free of holes, and cracks? Soot along or around seams may be an indicator of a leak.
•    Is the chimney solid, with cracks or loose bricks? All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry.
•    Keep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system.

Other Fire Safety Tips
•    Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.
•    Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of potentially toxic fumes.
•    If you use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit. Only use extension cords which have the necessary rating to carry the amp load.
•    TIP: Choose an extension cord the same size or larger than the appliance electrical cord.
•    Avoid using electrical space heaters in bathrooms, or other areas where they may come in contact with water.
•    Frozen water pipes? Never try to thaw them with a blow torch or other open flame, (otherwise the pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the wall structure inside the wall space). Use hot water or a UL labeled device such as a hand held dryer for thawing.
•    If windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them in the event fire should strike. Be sure that all the windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended.

Finally. . .
Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke alarm, and be sure to check and clean it on a monthly basis.
Plan and practice a home escape plan with your family.
Contact the Concord Fire and Life Safety Department for more safety tips at 704-920-5528

City of Concord Upcoming Meeting

Public hearings Held in the Municipal Building, 26 Union Street, S.

12/10/2009 at 6:00 p.m. City Council Meeting
12/15/2009 at 6:00 p.m. Planning and Zoning Meeting
12/17/2009 at 7:00 p.m. Historic Commission Meeting
12/22/2009 at 6:00 p.m. Board of Adjustment Meeting