Public Works

 

What's New?

 

Household Hazardous Waste/Electronics Collection Event was held on Saturday at the Nicholson Drop Off Center in Kent County.

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Chestertown, MD., April 27, 2019 – Kent County Department of Public Works Environmental Operations Division announced that another successful Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Collection Event was held on Saturday April 27, 2019 at the Nicholson Drop-off Center. 391 vehicles/residents from Kent County, Queen Anne’s County, Talbot County and Caroline County participated. The following quantity of materials were collected:

Electronics - 17,240 lbs.
Latex Paint - 6,460 lbs.
Household Hazardous Waste Material - 17,260 lbs.

This project was funded by the Midshore Regional Recycling Program, operated by Maryland Environmental Service and the County Commissioners of Kent County. The next event will be held this Fall in Caroline County.

 

 

 

Rock Hall Harbor Entrance Channel Dredging Project Completed

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Rock Hall, MD., April 26, 2019 – The Kent County Department of Public Works Environmental Operations Division today announced that on April 23, 2019, the Rock Hall harbor entrance channel dredging project was completed. Approximately 4,500 cubic yards of dredged spoil material/sand was removed from the 130 ft. wide channel 1,090 ft. long channel. This project was funded by the County Commissioners of Kent County and grant funding from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Waterway Improvement Fund.

 

 

 Skinners Neck Public Landing – Boat Ramp & Pier Construction Completed

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Rock Hall, MD., April 15, 2019 – Kent County Department of Public Works, Environmental Operations Division today announced the completion of improvements to the boat ramp at the Skinners Neck Public Landing. The old boat ramp was replaced with new prefabbed concrete sections and a new pier was constructed. This project was funded by the County Commissioners of Kent County.

 

 

Department of Public Works Roads Division

Shows our support of “Kent Goes Purple”

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The County Roads team members participated in a group picture wearing their
“Kent Goes Purple” bracelets in support of the substance abuse awareness and prevention initiatives
sponsored by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and Chestertown Rotary Club during the month of September.

 

 

Water Treatment & Waste Water Treatment Plant Lighting Upgrades

 

LED Lightbulbs

The Department of Public Works recently completed a project 
to install energy efficient LED lighting at four County
water treatment plants and three wastewater treatment plants. 

The County was able to secure a $129,720 Grant from the 
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Energy Water Infrastructure Program.  

 

Light Bulbs

 

 

The transition to LED lights and associated fixtures will reduce energy   consumption by an estimated 60% at an annual savings of $7,800.  The LED   bulbs also have a longer life reducing maintenance costs. Over 340 lights   were replaced.

 

 

 

 

 

Betterton Day 2018

 

Kent County Department of Public Works, Grounds Maintenance Division and Environmental Operations Division, worked diligently last week preparing Betterton Beach for the annual Betterton Day event on Friday evening and Saturday, August 3rd and 4th.  Maintenance crews performed mowing, trimming, and weeding around the County Park, as well as beach cleaning and painting of the curbs and cross walks for traffic and safety control.

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Environmental Operations supplied recycle bins to collect water bottles and other recyclables.

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The Kent County Sheriff’s Department participated to ensure a safe event for all.  

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 Deputy Sheriff Lockerman brought his dog Lokie to the event for some socialization. Lokie is currently in training to be a drug and search dog. 

 

 

Shoulder Cutting Work

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The Kent County Department of Public Works, Roads Division is currently busy cutting shoulder berms along our County Roadways. Over time the shoulder berm builds up from vegetation trapping dirt at the edge of the pavement. If left unattended, water is unable to drain off the road, creating ponding that can cause vehicles to hydroplane and lose control. This particular location is on Fish Hatchery Road. County specialized heavy equipment is utilized to efficiently cut, pickup, sweep and truck the material away in a continuous motion.

Roads Division staff working as a team to improve road safety are Lee Layton, Grader operator, Belt loader operator Bill Skinner, Mike Clothier on the broom tractor and dump truck operators Joe Johnson, Joe Starr, Ricardo Ramirez, Tom Wingate, Tyrell and Lucas Barton.

 

 

Conowingo Dam Flooding Impacts on Kent County

With the recent rainstorms in the region, record amounts of rain have flooded the Conowingo Dam and produced historic flows. It was reported that parts of Harrisburg, PA had major flooding’s with up to 13.5 inches of rain as of Thursday, July 26th.

21 miles upstream from Kent County’s shorelines is the Conowingo Dam, on the border of Cecil and Harford counties. The drainage area behind the dam is more than 27,000 square miles and extending to Cooperstown, New York. The Conowingo Dam is the last stop for debris along the Susquehanna watershed. During flood events the operators can open up to 53 flood gates. During this flooding event at least 20 gates had been opened resulting in a river of floating trash and wood debris being swept into the upper bay.

One of Kent County’s nearby beaches located in Betterton is a prime location for the debris to end its journey. The Kent County Department of Public Works, Grounds Maintenance Division and the Environmental Operations Division is responsible for maintaining Betterton Beach and 29 other Public Landings in the County. Crews have been inspecting the facilities and working to remove debris as a result of the Dam flood release. In addition to tree branches, logs and other floating wood, crews also deal with steel and plastic drums, tires and other floating trash.

 

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The Department along with Kent County Parks and Recreation also holds an annual Betterton “Beach Clean-up Day” in April. This is a great annual event to work with the local community to improve and maintain this important recreational asset.