Four Press Releases

Pirates Bay Recruiting Lifeguards

 With the opening of Pirates Bay Waterpark just a couple of months away, the City of Baytown will hold its final lifeguard swim test prior to the park’s opening at the Sterling High School Natatorium (300 W. Baker). Those interested in applying for a lifeguard position at the new attraction must participate in the swim test, which will take place Sunday, March 7 from 9 am – 1 pm.  

 To qualify as a life guard, candidates must be able to swim 300 meters (100 meters Front Crawl, 100 Meters Breast Stroke, and 100 meters either Front Crawl or Breast Stroke) untimed but without stopping.  Upon completion of the 300 meters, candidates will be asked to swim 25 meters, surface dive to retrieve a 10 lb brick, and return to the pool deck in 1 minute and 40 seconds or less.

Candidates who meet these qualifications will be interviewed and continue through the hiring process. 

 Pirates Bay will soon be hiring Concession Workers, Ticket Sales, and Maintenance staff.  Applications will be accepted for these positions beginning Mid-March. These positions will be listed on the City’s website at www.baytown.org and on BTV – Comcast Channel 16 once the hiring process has begun.

 Questions about the positions available at Pirates Bay may be directed to Michael Flinn at (281) 420-6594 or via email at Michael.Flinn@baytown.org.

City Official to Host District 3 Town Hall Meeting

 Council Member Brandon Capetillo will host a District 3 Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, April 20, at the Baytown Junior High School Library ( 7707 Bayway Drive ). The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. District 3 residents and business owners are encouraged to attend and voice their concerns or ask questions. Staff from the City Manager’s Office, as well as various other city departments will be on hand to answer questions and participate in the conversation.

 For more information on the meeting, contact the City of Baytown at 281-420-6501. Council Member Capetillo may be contacted via email at district3@baytown.org.

 Police Urge Compliance with Speed Limit as Alternative to Tickets

 The Baytown Police Department is stepping up its message to drivers – slow down on your own and prevent getting ticketed. The message is part of a public awareness campaign that Police Chief Keith Dougherty hopes will encourage people to be more aware of their driving habits. “Compliance with the speed limit is our real goal, so anything that helps encourage drivers to follow the speed limit is a tool for us to use,” said Dougherty.  “We’re taking a layered approach which begins with public awareness and voluntary compliance and goes all the way up to issuing tickets.”

 This includes the use of technology such as speed trailers and pole-mounted speed tracking devices that advise motorists if they are speeding, and the use of laser speed guns in each police vehicle. In addition to electronic technology, the City of Baytown is also investigating other traffic calming concepts and devices such as speed cushions (which slow cars, but do not affect emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances). 

 Neighborhood traffic management studies have shown that often it is residents themselves who are contributing to a perceived speeding problem within a neighborhood and many drivers who exceed the speed limit do so because they are distracted or unaware of the posted speed limits. Dougherty urges drivers to remember that when you are behind the wheel, driving should be your top priority, and that includes attention to speed limit signs, and knowing where and how fast you are driving. Speeds that are totally appropriate on a highway or non-residential road are dangerous in our city’s neighborhoods and residential areas.  Simply by paying attention and following posted speed limits, motorists can do their part in making Baytown safer, all the while avoiding a costly ticket.

  Green Center Aids Residents in Spring Cleaning

 Spring is in the air and for many people that means it’s time to clean out the house, garage or spruce up the yard.  To help Baytown residents with their beautification efforts, the Baytown Green Center , 1601 W. Main , is gearing up for a busy spring cleaning season.

 The Green Center , which is available for Baytown residents only, is open Monday – Wednesday from 3 -7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Items that can be disposed of at the Green Center include household debris, brush/tree limbs, and recyclable materials. No debris from commercial users will be accepted.

 Materials which are prohibited from being disposed of at the Green Center include: shingles, motor oil and filters, tires, batteries, hazardous materials, bricks, concrete or dirt, appliances and Freon, plastic b ag s with debris, and lumber.

 Rates for solid waste disposal are as follows: cars, pickups and trailers up to 8 ft. are $5; trailers 8 ft. – 16ft. are $10; and trailers over 16 ft. will not be admitted. The Green Center accepts payment on a cash basis only. Baytown residency is required and must be demonstrated by presenting a current City of Baytown water bill and matching driver’s license.

 There is no fee to dispose of the following recyclables: newspaper, aluminum, white office paper, cardboard, glass (clear, brown and green), tin cans, plastic (type 1 & 2).

 For more information, or to receive additional guidelines on the proper disposal of residential waste, call the City of Baytown Public Works Department at 281-420-5300 or visit online at www.baytown.org/residents.