County announces changes in operating hours
The county administrator approved the following holiday closures and modified operating schedules for the months of December 2016 and January 2017: Saturday, Dec. 31 Port Tobacco Recreation Center, Elite Gymnastics, indoor pools, and all schoolbased community centers will be closed. • The Nanjemoy Community Center and all other senior centers will be closed. • VanGO last departures from the Waldorf transfer point will be at 5:30 p.m. on the 301 Connector, Business A, Business B, and Charlotte Hall routes. Last departures from the Waldorf transfer point will be at 6 p.m. on the Berry Road, Indian Head, Pinefield, St. Charles A, St. Charles B, and St. Charles C routes. Last departures from the La Plata transfer point will be at 5:30 p.m. on the 301 Connector, Bryans Road, and Nanjemoy routes. Last departures from the La Plata transfer point for Newburg will be at 4:30 p.m., and for La Plata will be at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1 All indoor pools will be closed for open swim (Lackey, Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center, and North Point). • The Crain Memorial Welcome Center and Port Tobacco Village (Port Tobacco Courthouse, Burch House, Stagg Hall) will be closed. Monday, Jan. 2 All Charles County Government offices and the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville will be closed. • The Nanjemoy Community Center, senior centers, Port Tobacco Recreation Center, Elite Gymnastics, indoor pools, and all school-based community centers will be closed. The Charles County Landfill and Recycling Center on Billingsley Road in Waldorf, and the Pisgah Recycling Center on Route 425 in Pisgah will be closed. Curbside recycling and yard waste collection will be delayed one day for the entire week, Tuesday, Jan. 3 through Saturday, Jan. 7. Charles County Public Library (all branches) will be closed. Charles County Health Department will be closed. Monday, Jan. 16 All Charles County Government offices and the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville will be closed. All school-based community centers will be closed. All indoor pools will be open 1 p.m. — 9 p.m. for open swim (Lackey, Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center, and North Point). • The Nanjemoy Community Center and all other senior centers will be closed. • VanGO will operate on a reduced holiday schedule. Last departures from the Waldorf transfer point will be at 5:30 p.m. on the 301 Connector, Business A, Business B, and Charlotte Hall routes. Last departures from the Waldorf transfer point will be at 6 p.m. on the Berry Road, Indian Head, Pinefield, St. Charles A, St. Charles B, and St. Charles C routes. Last departures from the La Plata transfer point will be at 5:30 p.m. on the 301 Connector, Bryans Road, and Nanjemoy routes. Last departures from the La Plata transfer point for Newburg. will be at 4:30 p.m., and for La Plata will be at 6 p.m. • The Charles County Landfill and Recycling Center on Billingsley Road in Waldorf, and the Pisgah Recycling
Center on Route 425 in Pisgah will be closed. • Charles County Public Library (all branches) will be closed. • Charles County Health
Department will be closed.
For questions about County Government holiday closures, contact the Public Information Office at 301-885-2779 or PressRoom@CharlesCoun- tyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
County public library seeks art for new mobile library
The Charles County Public Library is encouraging local artists to submit high-quality graphics for the Mobile Library Art Contest. The chosen submission will be featured on the outside of the new mobile library vehicle, expected to begin in April 2017. The theme is “learning, discovery, and technology.” Submissions are due no later than 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30. Send submissions via email to marketing@ ccplonline.org in a TIFF, JPG, or PSD format with your name and contact information. All art must be original and un-copyrighted.
The mobile library will be a 26-foot long vehicle with 17 feet of loading space. The vehicle will feature wheelchair lifts for accessibility, a side awning for outdoor programming, four public computer stations, and the capacity to hold up to 2,000 books. The mobile library will offer access to adult, teen and children’s collections, online resourc- es and databases, free Wi-Fi and public use computers. Special visits to schools and community events will be available upon request. Partnering opportunities are available.
For more information, go to http://ccplonline.org/ services/mobilelibrary, or call Sarah Guy at 301-6451385, ext. 417. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Public may provide input on Hughesville Village draft zoning
The Department of Planning and Growth Management is developing new zoning regulations for the Village of Hughesville. The public is invited to provide comments and input on the draft zoning text and map, posted at www.CharlesCountyMD. gov/pgm/planning/ hughesville-village-revitalization-plan-and-implementation. The county is offering this additional opportunity for public input in advance of the required public hearings before the planning commission and board of commissioners.
The new zoning is a key component in implementing the 2007 Hughesville Village Revitalization Plan, which calls for promoting infill development and revitalization while preserving and enhancing the village character. The project area contains land currently in the Village Residential (RV), Village Commercial (CV), and Light Industrial (IG) zoning districts.
Comments may be sent to Amy Blessinger at Bless- ingA@CharlesCountyMD. gov or by mail to Charles County Government, Attn: Planning Division, P.O. Box 2150, 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646. Please send comments by January 13. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Maryland Transit Administration to hold online meeting Jan. 9 for So.Md. Rapid Transit
The Maryland Transit Administration invites interested persons to attend an online public meeting on Monday, Jan. 9 concerning the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT) Study. The interactive meeting allows the public to participate by logging on to their computers to view a live presentation and submit questions and comments in real time. Materials for the meeting and instructions for joining the webinar are available on the SMRT project website: mta. maryland.gov/smrt.
A viewing of the public meeting will be available for citizens without online access at the Waldorf West Library, (10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf) starting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9.
For more information, contact Jason Groth at 301-396-5814 or GrothJ@ charlescountymd.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 866-269-9006. Tri-County Animal Shelter announces January promotions
The Tri-County Animal Shelter is pleased to announce the following January monthly promotions and reminders: Free Feline Fridays
Adoption fees will be waived on Fridays during the month of January for adult cats who are 1 years old and older. Keep Pets Safe during winter
Be mindful of the temperature. Even with a fur coat, pets should be kept inside during extreme temperatures. Always check your car hood. Because cats like the warmth of a car engine, bang on the hood or honk the horn before starting your car. Also, remember to wipe off your cat or dog’s paws. Their paws can pick up toxic chemicals from outside and need to be checked for cracked or bleeding paws. For more pet safety tips, visit www. Ready.gov. Free spay/neuter clinics for the income disadvantaged
Low-income residents who reside in specific places in the county may qualify for free altering of their pets. Call the Paw Prints Animal Hospital at 301-885-0263, or the Humane Society of Charles County at 301-645-8181 for qualifications and additional information.
The Tri-County Animal Shelter is located at 6707 Animal Shelter Road in Hughesville. Shelter staff can be reached at 301-932-1713 or 800-9031992. Adoption hours are Monday-Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.