Household hazardous waste vouchers available
The City initiated a new program this month for collection of household hazardous wastes such as antifreeze, fertilizer, motor oil, paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, or solvents.
Georgetown city residents may request to receive a voucher from the City of Georgetown to take household hazardous waste items to a facility in Round Rock. Email Georgetown Customer Care at hhw@georgetown.org to request information or a voucher.
The City of Round Rock offers household hazardous waste collection on the first Wednesday of each month from 3-6 p.m. at the recycling center, 310 Deepwood Drive. Visit Round Rock’s household hazardous waste site to learn about collection events and acceptable materials: roundrocktexas.gov/departments/utilities-and-environmental-services/solid-waste-recycling/household-hazardous-waste-disposal.
What is household hazardous waste?
Household hazardous waste products should never be poured out on the ground, down the drain, or put out for collection with regular household garbage. Improper disposal can contaminate groundwater and drinking water and injure those who come into contact with the waste since they are ignitable, corrosive, toxic, or reactive.
Household hazardous waste products are often labeled with words such as caution, toxic, poison, corrosive, or danger. Examples include:
- Aerosol spray cans
- Antifreeze
- Art and hobby chemicals
- Automotive products
- Fluorescent lights (tubes or CFLs)
- Household cleaners and disinfectants
- Mercury (from thermometers, thermostats)
- Motor oil or transmission fluid
- Paints and stains, especially oil-based
- Pesticides and poisons
- Pool and spa chemicals
- Thinners and solvents
- Vehicle batteries (wet cell)
The City of Round Rock household hazardous waste collection site does not accept vehicle tires, mattresses, appliances, explosives, medical waste, or radioactive materials.
Find out more about the new household hazardous waste vouchers or solid waste and recycling programs at recycle.georgetown.org.
Applications for fall Citizen Police Academy due Aug. 12
The Citizen Police Academy is a 12-week course taught by police officers and firefighters to educate citizens about the Georgetown Police and Fire departments’ protocols and procedures.
Classes in the fall 2019 academy include code of criminal procedure, criminal and accident investigations, lethal and less-than-lethal weapons, crime scene investigations, victim services, response to resistance, officer safety, and Fire response. The deadline to apply is Aug. 12 at 5 p.m.
Weekly classes are on Thursday evenings starting on Aug. 22 through Nov 7. Class sessions are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The first class will be held in the training room of the Public Safety Operations and Training Center, 3500 D.B. Wood Road.
There is no charge to attend the academy, but seating is limited and applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications are available at the Georgetown Police Department reception desk at the Public Safety Operations and Training Center or by emailing a request to randy.mcdonald@georgetown.org. All applicants will be notified of acceptance via email.
City hosts riverbank clean up event July 20
The City of Georgetown is hosting a riverbank clean up event in San Gabriel Park on Saturday, July 20 from 8-11:30 a.m.
During the event, trash bags and gloves will be provided. Participants are asked to wear appropriate clothing such as long pants, hats, and sunglasses, as well as comfortable closed toe shoes.
Individuals interested in volunteering can register online and find more information at transportation.georgetown.org/river-cleanup.
SportClips Way street renaming event July 11
On Thursday, July 11 at 9:30 a.m., the City of Georgetown will officially change a street name to SportClips Way to honor the headquarters of Sport Clips Haircuts in Georgetown. New street signs for SportClips Way will be revealed at the event to mark the renaming of Briarwood Drive.
Sport Clips representatives, City of Georgetown officials, and Georgetown Chamber of Commerce members will be at the street renaming event, which will be at the Sport Clips headquarters location at 110 Briarwood Drive. The new Sport Clips headquarters office address will become 110 SportClips Way.
Sport Clips is a national hair care franchise with more than 1,800 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Blazin’ Beer Crawl on Aug. 3
You’re invited to Georgetown’s first craft beer crawl event on Saturday, Aug. 3. The Blazin’ Beer Crawl from 3 to 6 p.m. is a self-paced walking event featuring craft beer tastings from Central Texas breweries inside of our Downtown retail stores and restaurants. Ticket holders will receive a map of all of the participating locations and can choose which order to sample and visit merchants. Hot and spicy snacks will be available at various participating merchant locations.
($25) General Admission Ticket includes a keepsake tasting glass and a map of all of the participating merchants (Ticket sales are limited to ages 21 and over; identification will be verified at pickup).
($55) VIP Admission Ticket includes a keepsake tasting glass, event hat, swag bag, and a map of all of the participating merchants (Ticket sales are limited to ages 21 and over; identification will be verified at pickup).
Proceeds from the event benefit the Georgetown Main Street Façade and Sign Grant Program, which has awarded over $469,000 in grant funds to downtown business and property owners.
Low Cost Shot Clinic for Pets July 27
The Georgetown Animal Shelter will conduct its next low-cost vaccination clinic of the year on Saturday, July 27, 8:30-11 a.m. The walk-in clinic is for cats and dogs. Help protect your pet from diseases they can pick up outside!
Pets may also get a FREE microchip with the purchase of any vaccine. No appointments. Cash or check only. The shelter is located at 110 Walden Dr., Georgetown, next to the McMaster Athletic Fields.
Dog Vaccines:
Rabies $5
DHPP Combo $10 (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parafluenza, Parvo)
Bordetella $5 (Kennel cough)
Cat Vaccines:
Rabies $5
FVRCP Combo $10 (Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia)
All dogs must be on a leash and cats should be in a carrier. Payment is by cash or check only. (Debit or credit cards not accepted.)
The shelter has committed to offer several more low-cost clinics this fiscal year. The dates of the next clinics are:
- Saturday, September 21, 2019
- Saturday, November 16, 2019
The clinic will be held at the City of Georgetown Animal Shelter at 110 W.L. Walden Drive near the McMaster Athletic Fields. Contact the shelter at (512) 930-3592 or by email at animalsvc@georgetown.org. The City of Georgetown Animal Shelter website is pets.georgetown.org.
Be aware of risks associated with swimming in rivers and lakes
While places along the San Gabriel River like Blue Hole as well as Lake Georgetown are popular summertime destinations, those using these natural water bodies should be aware of potential risks. Stormwater runoff flowing into our rivers and lakes often contains bacteria and other organisms, especially after rainfall.
During the summer months, warmer temperatures can lead to higher levels of bacteria in our rivers, streams, and in Lake Georgetown. Some of the highest levels of bacteria and other organisms can be found in areas where the river current slows or pools due to natural barriers or dams. Slow-moving water combined with higher temperatures can allow organisms to multiply in the water.
Swallowing natural water while swimming or diving or exposing cuts or open eyes to natural water can lead to a variety of illnesses or skin conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information about how to avoid recreational water illnesses.
If you have questions about health-related problems which you suspect may be the result of recreation in natural waters, or you would like more information, contact the Williamson County and Cities Health District at www.wcchd.org or call 512-943-3660.
Public invited to cast ballots for People’s Choice Award in library sculpture exhibit
For twelve years, the Georgetown Public Library has hosted the Texas Society of Sculptors’ annual summer show. The competitive, juried exhibit is a popular tradition in Georgetown that includes sculptures throughout the building on both the first and second floors. Participating sculptors work in wood, glass, bronze, ceramics, and more. Most pieces in the exhibit are available for purchase.
This year’s exhibit opened Sunday, June 23, and lasts through Saturday, Sept. 20. This year’s show includes a People’ Choice Award decided by library visitors, who cast votes for their favorite three pieces out of the 72 pieces in the show. To cast a vote, pick up a ballot in the library’s lobby and place it in the ballot box no later than 8 p.m. on July 16. The sculptor of the piece with the most votes will be awarded the People’s Choice Award and a cash prize at a reception in the library on Sunday, July 21, at 1 p.m.
Other prizes include the Librarians’ Choice decided by library staff, along with additional prizes for select categories.
The library will also host a sculpture demonstration featuring several of this year’s sculptors demonstrating their techniques and processes in clay, bronze, wood, stone, and glass. The free event will be held in the library lobby, 402 W. Eighth St., on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m.
For more information about this year’s exhibit and events, contact Fine Arts Librarian Dana Hendrix at dana.hendrix@georgetown.org or TSOS Exhibit Coordinator Linda Wilde at lzorawilde@gmail.com.
Linda McCalla awarded 2019 Main Street Star Award
Long-time resident and business owner Linda McCalla was recognized as the 2019 Georgetown Main Street Star Award recipient June 22 at the Texas Main Street Reunion held in Georgetown.
The Main Street Star award recognizes individuals for outstanding activity promoting downtown Georgetown, contributions making a lasting impact on downtown Georgetown, and meeting the Main Street Program’s mission of enhancing downtown vibrancy and historic preservation. The Georgetown Main Street Advisory Board voted to recognize McCalla for her service to downtown Georgetown during its annual retreat in early June.
McCalla was the first Main Street Manager in Georgetown, helping to develop the foundation of the program and start the revitalization of downtown in 1982. Since that time, she has been actively involved in further improvements to downtown. She has served on many boards and committees, including the Main Street Advisory Board, Historic Architecture and Review Commission and as past president for Preservation Georgetown. She now serves on the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. She recently completed a restoration project on her downtown property and worked with the Main Street Program, receiving a façade grant to complete the work.
“Linda is a great steward of her own property and as a past HARC commissioner has helped enhance preservation and new construction projects in downtown,” Downtown Development Manager Kim McAuliffe said. “She was one of the first people that reached out to me when I started working in Georgetown, and as soon as we met, I knew she and I would be fast friends. She has been a great resource and supporter.”
Since the establishment of the award in 2014, the Georgetown Main Street Program has recognized seven individuals in downtown Georgetown, including. Lucas Adams, Chet Garner, Rusty Winkstern, Judy and Len Lester, and Beverly and Don Adams.
The Georgetown Main Street Program, established in 1982, is a preservation driven, economic development program within the City of Georgetown’s Economic Development Department. To learn more, visit mainstreet.georgetown.org.
Homeowner associations asked to register with City
Starting July 1, the City of Georgetown will notify registered neighborhood, homeowner, and property owner associations of proposed land use changes for properties in areas governed by an association or within 300 feet of the association’s boundary. Association managers or representatives can go to planning.georgetown.org and click the “Neighborhood Association Notification Registration” button to begin the registration process. Changes in land use include rezoning and special use permits, as well as other changes.
At their June 11 meeting, City Council adopted new notification standards to increase public review and provide additional opportunities for adjacent residents to learn about, discuss, and provide feedback on proposed requests in advance of the public hearing process.
In addition, the changes increase the notification radius from 200 feet to 300 feet and require the City to notify property owners in the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction of requested changes.
“These changes go a long way to increase our outreach when it comes to changes in land use,” Mayor Dale Ross said. “Notifying property owners within 300 feet, homeowner associations, and people in the ETJ goes well beyond state law and is a model for transparency in governance.”
Registered associations will receive a notification for any land use changes requested for properties within their boundaries or within 300 feet of their boundaries. Registrations will be processed within five business days.
