Hadlock sewer project traffic impacts

Port Hadlock sewer system work continues and drivers can expect changes along Chimacum Road this week.

According to project managers, on May 28, crews closed the southbound lane on Chimacum Road through the project area — from Elkins Road to just south of Ness’ Corner Road. Two-way traffic will be maintained with a lane shift that uses the center turn lane for southbound traffic. Side streets and driveways will remain open.  

For Jefferson Transit riders, the Chimacum Road southbound bus stop, just south of Blanche Avenue, will also close. The bus should stop in the lane for pickup. Bus riders can visit the Jefferson Transit rider alert web page for the latest updates.

Construction of the Port Hadlock Low-Pressure Sewer (LPS) Collection System started on May 6. Workers have been focused on site prep for installation of welded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping. These pipes will carry sewage from connected properties to the wastewater treatment plant, also currently under construction.

As work progresses on Chimacum Road, sewer lines will also be installed on Elkins Road, Lopeman Road, Church Lane, Faith Way, Morrissey Avenue, and Lawn Street.

For updates and details on the project timetable and work locations, visit the county’s “Low-Pressure Sewer Collection System” web page. The page features a “clickable” map that provides an in-depth look at project time lines and construction areas.

Textbooks available for review

The Port Townsend School District announced a public review period for new, grades six to 12 social studies textbooks. The review period begins May 29 and ends June 11.

After research and evaluation, the Blue Heron Middle School and Port Townsend High School social studies team chose textbooks from McGraw Hill, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and National Geographic for the following courses: Ancient Civilizations, World History, U.S. History, Civics/Government and Advanced Placement U.S. History. 

A full sample of the textbooks will be available at the Port Townsend School District Office, 1610 Blaine St. All comments should be sent to Victoria Kalscheuer via email at vkalscheuer@ptschools.org by 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 11.

Java with police

The Port Townsend Police Department will be hosting Coffee with a Chief on Friday, May 31. Everyone is invited to the event, which starts at 9 a.m. at Velocity Coffee at 431 Water St., according to a press release.

In addition to Chief Thomas A. Olson, other “friends in blue” will be there. The event provides the public with an opportunity to chat with police in a casual setting. It’s also a way for the department to show that building community trust “is a priority.”

Mens national Pétanque

At FORT Worden

The Port Townsend  Pétanque Alliance is hosting the national mens’ double qualifier tournament on June 1 and 2, at Fort Worden, across from NCO Row.

This is the first time Port Townsend was selected as the venue for the national mens double qualifier tournament by the Federation of Petanque USA. The winners will represent the USA at the world championships in Rome. In all, 54 men are expected from across the country to compete for a chance to represent the USA on the world stage of Pétanque. Pétanque, like bocce, is a boules sport, meaning players or teams play their boules (balls) towards a target ball. Play will begin at 9 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The public is invited.

Second meeting for QBC

The second Quilcene and Brinnon Connections (QBC) meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 6 at the Quilcene Community Center. The meeting is focused on growth management and county planning, with about a half hour of the meeting focused on the county’s state-required Growth Management Act (GMA) update for 2025, which involves planning out the next 20 years. It is a way for the public to learn about the role the government and county representatives play; the role businesses play, and the important role the community can play. Chamber membership isn’t required, and anyone in Jefferson County can attend. QBC started post pandemic thru sponsorship by the Quilcene Lions Club, and the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce (NHCCC). “I was surprised and so pleased by the turnout and the depth of our community members at the April meeting,” said NHCCC Board Member and organizer Andrew Schwartz. More than  30 people attended, including county representatives, service organizations, businesses, and citizens. “I’m hoping we can create more opportunities to have civil public discussion and learn about a wide range of topics and I’m grateful the NHCCC is supporting the QBC meetings.” The intent is to foster public meetings creating opportunities to converse and share information, needs, issues, ideas, and possible solutions, and nurture learning and face-to-face networking as an alternative to social media. For more information, email emeraldtowns@gmail.com or call 360-765-4999.