Woodsboro News-Briefs

(3/2022) Code Enforcement Officer Sought

At its February 8th meeting, the Woodsboro Town Council approved moving forward in seeking applicants for a code enforcement officer.

When discussing town needs with other municipalities, such as Walkersville, the utilization of former law enforcement and social security personnel who are experienced with the court system is a benefit in code enforcement. "Experience with court systems is an important aspect for a role that requires going door to door for citations", Burgess Heath Barnes said. "I don’t want to send just anybody to people’s doors if they’re handing out citations".

The position aims to "alleviate headaches" of extra work put upon other positions and ideally work with the maintenance department identifying projects to be brought up to code and identify aspects on scene to be brought to code.

"We have seen some code issues popping up these last few weeks," he said, including chickens and parked vehicles issues, "So we do have some duties that would keep them busy."

Approval from the council has opened the door to go ahead with advertising for candidates.

The town plans to make the code enforcement officer a part time employee position at no more than 20 hours week at approximately 30-35 dollars an hour.

The council anticipates a cap of $40,000 a year out of the budget.

"It will be money well spent," Commissioner Bud Eckenrode said.

Recreation Funding Discussed

At the February Town Council meeting, commissioners discussed plans to utilize Program Open Space grant funding.

Program Open Space is a statewide program under the Department of Natural Resources which provides funding to develop plans for acquiring or development of recreational land or open areas.

The council discussed potential use of the funding for a new American flagpole at the town monument as well additional flag poles for the state flag and the creation of a Woodsboro Town flag.

Commissioner Bud Eckenrode also began the discussion regarding the town skating pond and the potential of getting the overgrown pond to skating condition. "We haven’t had cold weather in umpteen years," Eckenrode said.

"It would be nice to have a skating pond," Town Clerk Mary Rice said, noting a skating pond would be no more liability than the surrounding hills or the fishing pond.

The final submission for the funding is due by May 6. "So, we’ve got some time to think about it…All we have to do is apply and see if they say yes or no. If we don’t apply, we’ll definitely get a no," Barnes said.

Concerns About Speeding & Manhole Covers Raised

At the public comment portion of the meeting, discussion continued around the subject of sensible speed enforcement on Main Street.

Resident Brenda Hedges noted at various times of the day, drivers with a "lead foot on the gas pedal," have increased "tremendously," throughout the area. "It’s a little scary," she said, noting nail biting moments of concern when children get on to busses in the mornings.

Commissioner Eckenrode said the speedy drivers are primarily those aiming to bypass streetlights.

Enforcement to curb speeders should be put on the "Mid-burner, not the back burner," Hedges said. Barnes said he would reach out to the sheriff’s department to seek more presence on Main Street.

Resident Rick Bontz’s request to look into two disruptive manhole covers on Main Street was also revisited. Bontz sought information about the unlevel manhole covers in front of his house that made loud noises whenever driven over.

Although the covers were identified as a "little low," they were technically "not out of code," Barnes said. It would cost thousands of dollars to raise the manholes up, and because it is not a "necessity" it is unlikely it would be covered by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

While the manhole covers are technically a little low, they comply with state standards, are not damaging any cars, and no one is at risk for falling in, Barnes said.