[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6286596,"mediaKeyId","2557791-38e9853a3ce4660f158b3bd891e207c9","parentId",2557791,"title","Hampstead police report: 18 accidents in February, five DUI arrests; new recruit in academy","audioSeconds",118,"startMs",1486000,"endMs",1604000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2557791-38e9853a3ce4660f158b3bd891e207c9&start=1486&end=1604","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2557791-38e9853a3ce4660f158b3bd891e207c9/thumbnail_1486000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286596/Hampstead/Carroll-County/Maryland/Hampstead-police-report-18-accidents-in-February-five-DUI-arrests-new-recruit-in-academy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286596-4754e41c01fa67ceed0d9724726eba91/orig.mp4?Expires=1775622836&Signature=mmx4Bii3HDs53WQQ5az4XzsT994~EZf6b9uQ4oGu3AiIAGuvr0mwDIaCWTr9jPsKD5Z5SKdt3ZD1~ZeqAew3PxrvuwWfIjBitPM90bFGjhP7tMyQJdjlYJsRo1t0wNG9-VY6dXYOM3~lYZyfk2wEQitu-~t1~rVg5Slj0FTDRxMiA9cEvop9qGWbzk8oHok06a5G27k-Tt7jO1tGaJZRY66pwUiqRIQ16Qq-N7CBxMmNhH-sL-5x0P-k-iAdcTEWhIlk-GX~ItszWk4mNARZErahWgTV4kQxLyCKOgP-KzUMxpij70RnCilFE9SOPqL7Vq7iFs~AY-Xiw65g1vIPpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hampstead, MD","date","2025-03-07T16:10:29Z","article","Police Chief Dave presented the department’s February activity report to the council, citing traffic enforcement, crashes, and recent training.

The department reported 18 accidents in February, seven of them reportable and 11 categorized as minor property-damage-only. The chief said five of the accidents occurred at the Circle on Route 42. Enforcement activity included six selective enforcements over roughly three and a half hours that resulted in three citations and 16 warnings during those operations; the department issued a total of 239 citations and 246 warnings in the month.

Chief Dave reported 659 property checks, four fraud reports, one theft of a motor vehicle and one theft of motor vehicle parts (tires) from a local business, and five individuals charged with driving under the influence. The department also handled three arrests on outstanding warrants and multiple traffic-related offenses including unlicensed, uninsured and suspended drivers. Officers completed nine hours of mandated training, including the state Juvenile Restoration Act and de-escalation training.

The chief introduced Kimberly Williams as the department’s newest recruit; she is a local resident and a second-week trainee in the police academy who previously served five years in the U.S. Coast Guard. The chief said she is expected to remain in training through August before returning to the department for field duties.

Council members discussed recurring crash patterns at the Route 42 circle and possible visibility improvements; the chief and council noted outreach to State Highway on traffic controls and signage.

The police chief closed by noting community engagement events including a mock-interview program with Shiloh Middle School and Roberts Field HOA outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hampstead Town Council Meeting 3-11-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Police Chief presented February department statistics including 18 accidents, 239 citations, 246 warnings, four fraud reports, multiple thefts, five DUI arrests, and a new trainee from the Coast Guard entering the police academy.","taxTitle","Hampstead, Carroll County, Maryland","taxId",71659,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286600,"Hampstead manager announces $5,000 Sustainability grant, elections, broadband and service updates",113,733000,846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2557791-38e9853a3ce4660f158b3bd891e207c9&start=733&end=846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2557791-38e9853a3ce4660f158b3bd891e207c9/thumbnail_733000.jpg","/articles/6286600/Hampstead/Carroll-County/Maryland/Hampstead-manager-announces-5000-Sustainability-grant-elections-broadband-and-service-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286600-67745d21ac4f8c1989b822773ffdbaa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775622836&Signature=UMrPNj0H3RW4H9Jp1ajpFccmn2-fEvxdkFI0Sblf30BkiRmoWAvZ5hNQp1KruBCP8VlFdRR1iuA2LGFhU87Y2FeYzsiCYEtq9OWLjybTfBsylDXtaI2o14jfqdlT5-uaNcAZWMoaHH4rlQOX-6PG18-x3ubVEASGSEo-UkZmZJdsJtFA5HclFtoBaS3uu4C~9hsWOt2VI3XU9pXtDCzaFxb5iXLDZDzTae0oHvLTYiQ~bsfxwNs~qC4a64E~FnxyEL2mH9fKrClya9FtwryTxcQEXNvHZT7i0D7RKcFbDK48Ag6ePOk7qRT89OTZn4RHHxi3LxR2XfKehX9Lp3hZqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the town manager’s report, Hampstead officials announced several operational updates, community programs and service notices for residents.

The town said it is one of the inaugural recipients of the Sustainable Maryland Action Grant and will receive $5,000 to create a community garden on the grounds of Crossroads Church. The town said the funds will pay for materials and garden boxes and that organizers hope the garden will be a hub for local collaboration.

Town staff also reported procurement and project milestones tied to the water treatment centralization project: the final set of construction plans and an approximately 800-page specification book have been submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for final review; the town expects to advertise the last phase of the project for bid in late April. Planning and Zoning approved the concept site plan for the water treatment plant and expected the final site plan at its March meeting.

Other items for residents included:

- Antietam Broadband: staff said about two-thirds of town residences are ready for fiber connection if residents choose to subscribe; the company’s quality-control team is rechecking sites to ensure properties are restored after construction.

- Online water billing: a new payment portal is live on the town website; residents can view balances, make payments, create accounts, store payment methods and set up recurring payments.

- Sustainable Maryland Action Grant: $5,000 awarded; garden to be located at Crossroads Church across the street from an identified site (town staff said materials and boxes will be purchased with the grant).

- Town elections: 2025 town election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Town Hall for three town council seats. Nomination packets are available beginning March 3; candidates must be at least 25 years old, registered voters, and have lived within the incorporated town limits for at least one year immediately preceding the election.

- Farmers market: Keith Johnson will remain market manager through the 2026 Christmas market; twelve vendors and eight paid sponsorships are already signed for the season. Advisory team discussed moving the market to a paved area to improve accessibility.

- Tree planting: the town’s Tree Commission said it will plant 30 native Maryland trees at Westwood Park with funding from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Tremendous Tree Program; Smart Energy Professionals plans to donate an additional 15–20 trees for spring plantings.

- Public works events and notices: bulk trash pickup is scheduled for Saturday, March 15 (with residents asked to set items out Friday evening); yard waste pickup begins Monday, April 7; hydrant flushing is set for April 9 and residents were told to run cold water until it clears if discoloration occurs.

Town staff provided contact information and indicated more details would appear on the town website and in the town newsletter.","Town manager reported an inaugural $5,000 Sustainable Maryland Action Grant for a community garden, progress on water project planning and bidding, Antietam Broadband fiber availability, online water billing, election dates, and upcoming public work events like hydrant flushing and bulk trash pickup.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286605,"Hampstead awards PFAS pipeline contract to Mid Atlantic Utilities, contingent on MDE funding",2220,468000,2688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2557791-38e9853a3ce4660f158b3bd891e207c9&start=468&end=2688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2557791-38e9853a3ce4660f158b3bd891e207c9/thumbnail_468000.jpg","/articles/6286605/Hampstead/Carroll-County/Maryland/Hampstead-awards-PFAS-pipeline-contract-to-Mid-Atlantic-Utilities-contingent-on-MDE-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286605-f75e10eec980ab3875477992e68c342f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775622836&Signature=A-4FfZgc5P4xQc2Hvv-U3xRyGC72PiVbsFLsKH9uwumAaPDD~0sEkB2k6RssxX~t9huSjdmet8IE5RayvOIZjA2Alrp6bfDgQe1OdFx5kHTkvWRLzkGs0HGvHrphHmn181~pa3yrbIxb7A5oiIB-IPm7hqGdIoNJWtEevx7kboCD6lxL625O7Hsz-JCD0Lsx~7fNaskAbx9TJyrfquGdoraXLO6lH9iOQAB2j24JxEJZKpThcOx6eB6e7GRJARbCPShQT7C5BUP9czKEuDalyNOiTXlzssFPDFyuuLjzBfFlnOVsLDQYDvF9HhIFg3OTunBos6ebYv5n4782oRC2gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hampstead Town Council voted to award the contract for the PFAS treatment centralization raw water mains to Mid Atlantic Utilities, contingent on funding approval from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE).

The project is part of a townwide water system centralization and PFAS treatment modernization effort. Council members approved the award after staff reviewed four bids and checked references; the council’s motion to award was passed with no recorded opposition.

Town staff told the council that ECM Corporation submitted the lowest bid at $2,295,000, followed by Metro at $2,386,000, Mid Atlantic at $2,726,000, and Monumental Paving at $3,100,000. An engineering estimate prepared before bids was $2,730,000, which placed Mid Atlantic’s bid near the expected cost. Town staff reported numerous deficiencies in references ECM provided and problems with ECM’s prior local work; Metro’s references initially looked stronger but staff cited reporting that Metro had been removed from Baltimore City worksites and temporarily barred for failing to pay subcontractors. Town staff said Metro answered “no” on its bid form when asked whether it had been barred within the last five years, and staff treated that inaccurate response as rendering Metro non-responsible for award.

“We spoke with three different MDE departments,” Town Manager said during the discussion, “and all three of the different people that I spoke to all said that we should take this course and go with Mid Atlantic.” Town Manager also said, “because they were not honest on their application, that basically deems them non-responsible in their bid,” referring to Metro’s bid responses.

Councilmember (unnamed) moved to award the contract to Mid Atlantic Utilities, contingent on MDE funding; another councilmember seconded. When asked, the council chair called for a vote: “All those in favor of the award? Okay. Anyone opposed?” The motion carried with no recorded objections.

The award remains contingent on MDE approving the town’s grant agreement and the procurement steps MDE requires, including paired approval of construction inspection services and the construction contract so inspection fees fall within MDE limits. Town staff said they have informed MDE of their review process and that MDE staff concurred with proceeding with Mid Atlantic.

Project documents discussed at the meeting note that construction inspection bid packages must align with the pipeline construction bid and that the town will present the contracts to the Board of Public Works for funding after MDE signs the grant agreement. The town’s staff estimate and the cited bids indicate the project budget will be in the low-to-mid $2 million range; final award is subject to state funding approval.

The council’s approval advances the PFAS treatment centralization project toward the construction phase but does not authorize expenditure until MDE’s grant agreement and Board of Public Works funding approvals are complete.","The Hampstead Town Council voted to award the PFAS treatment centralization raw water mains construction contract to Mid Atlantic Utilities after reviewing bids and contractor references; the award is contingent on Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) funding approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hampstead police report: 18 accidents in February, five DUI arrests; new recruit in academy

Hampstead manager announces $5,000 Sustainability grant, elections, broadband and service updates

Hampstead awards PFAS pipeline contract to Mid Atlantic Utilities, contingent on MDE funding