Maryland Department of the Environment to Measure Vehicle Emissions
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) will conduct its biennial remote sensing study of motor vehicle emissions across the State of Maryland beginning this spring.
The study will be conducted as part of Maryland's Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) to collect on-road emissions data for vehicles operating in the State.
Envirotest Systems Corporation will use vans with portable emissions measurement equipment which will be set up along the shoulder of highways to measure exhaust emissions of passing vehicles. The emissions sensors are specially designed analyzers that measure the exhaust emissions of vehicles in a fraction of a second as they pass the sensors.
The equipment will be safely positioned out of the traffic pattern and will not alter or interfere with the flow of traffic or the vehicles' mode of operation at the selected monitoring site. The equipment will be staffed by at least one trained operator at all times.
On-road measurements will begin on or about April 27, 2015. MDE will provide notification of the specific sites selected and scheduled sampling days in the coming weeks.
St. Mary's County Library to Introduce Hoopla
Thousands of movies, TV shows, audiobooks and music to be available for free, instant streaming
Through a generous donation from the Friends of the Library, St. Mary's County Library (SMCL) is excited to present Hoopla! Library customers can now stream thousands of movies, TV shows, audiobooks and music for free with no wait or holds! With a valid St. Mary's County Library card, customers may download the free hoopla digital mobile app on their Android or IOS device or visit hoopladigital.com to browse thousands of titles - from major Hollywood studios, record companies and publishers - available to borrow for instant streaming or temporary downloading to their smartphones, tablets and computers.
Hoopla has a simple sign-up and attractive, easy-to-use interface, for an optimum listening and viewing experience, including easy browsing and searching. Customers are able to borrow up to six hoopla selections per month with their SMCL cards. Movies and television shows are available on patrons' devices for three days after check out. Music is available for seven days. Audiobooks are available 21 days. Customers don't need to return or worry about their borrowed items; Hoopla will automatically return checked-out items. No late fees or waiting to borrow popular movies, TV shows, albums or audiobooks. Please speak with library staff to address any questions or problems with the process.
"The Library Board is very grateful to the Friends of the Library. The hard work of their volunteers and the enormous success of their annual books sale has allowed the library staff to provide yet another online service for the convenience and enjoyment of our customers," stated Library Board President Joan Springer.
Additional digital services, free to SMCL cardholders, include Overdrive eBooks and audio books, Zinio digital magazines and OneClick Digital audiobooks. Find more information on available digital content on the SMCL webpage, www.stmalib.org.
Drinking water supply unaffected by sewer overflow
On March 19, the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission reported a sanitary sewer overflow that occurred in the wooded area to the rear of the Hickory Hills community in California. The overflow occurred as a result of debris blocking the sanitary sewer main and the total estimated volume of the overflow is 70,000 gallons. Receiving waters affected by this leak include an unnamed stream between the Hickory Hills, Barefoot Acres, Greenview West and Meadowlake communities. The drinking water supply serving these areas and surrounding neighborhoods is not impacted by the sewer overflow.
Employees Honored for Years of Service and Dedication to Duty
The Commissioners of St. Mary's County held a ceremony to recognize and thank employees for their years of dedicated service to the county and its citizens.
49 county workers were on hand to receive an Employee Service Award. Each recipient was presented with a certificate and pin from the Commissioners for reaching career milestones of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service.
A second ceremony was held for employees who were nominated for a "People's Choice" Award. The People's Choice Award honors county employees who go above and beyond the call of duty and exceed expectations while working to support the mission of St. Mary's County Government. Each recipient was nominated by a fellow employee for bringing a sense of teamwork and quality to their job which is supportive, encouraging and beneficial to county government, its departmental operations as well as to the daily lives of their customers and co-workers.
Commissioners presented each People's Choice Award recipient with an engraved plaque.