UPDATE: Howard County has just announced significant service adjustments and closures for New Year’s Day on January 1, 2024, impacting residents during the holiday celebrations. Essential services will remain active, but many county facilities will close their doors as the community welcomes the new year.
Government offices, community centers, and local courts will all be closed on January 1. Residents are encouraged to check the Howard County Government’s official website for a complete list of closures. Notably, waste collection services will be suspended on the holiday, following a “slide” schedule: Thursday collections will shift to Friday, and Friday’s to Saturday.
While parks will remain open, they will not have staff available. Regular county operations will resume on January 2, designated as an Energy Saving Day, reflecting a commitment to resource conservation even as routine services restart.
On December 31, the day before the celebrations, community centers will close early. The Gary J. Arthur, North Laurel, and Roger Carter Community Centers, along with the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, will close by 5:00 p.m. Meanwhile, the Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum will shut its doors even earlier at 3:00 p.m.
Public transportation will also be affected, with the Regional Transportation Agency (RTA) ceasing operations on New Year’s Day. For those needing information regarding the RTA schedule, residents can call 1-800-270-9553 or visit their website.
In a move to ease concerns for residents, Howard County will not enforce parking fees on January 1. Despite these changes, essential services including the 9-1-1 Center, police, and fire departments will remain fully operational throughout the holiday. Residents are reminded to call 9-1-1 for emergencies and 410-313-2200 for non-urgent inquiries.
Stay tuned for further updates as we approach the New Year, and make sure to plan accordingly for these important changes!
