(Feb. 27, 2015) The Worcester County Commissioners discussed the following issues during their meeting last week.
Comm. wife passes
Sarah Lockfaw, wife of Commissioner Vice President Merrill Lockfaw, passed away last Thursday after a battle with cancer. The funeral was held on Monday. The Lockfaws were married for 48 years, and donations may be sent to Salisbury’s chapter of Women Supporting Women.
Pregnancy plan OK’d
New State requirements outlines what accommodations can be made for pregnant government workers, and Worcester County is required to include these in its employee handbook.
The proposal was approved, and it needs to be advertised for 15 days before it becomes officially adopted.
Bridge rating declines
Though it does not mean the bridges are structurally unsound, the Bridge Sufficiency Ratings for a number of Worcester bridges fell sharply since their last rating in 2012.
Bridges with a score below 50 may apply for replacement under the State Highway Administration Federal Bridge program. Those projects are funded with 80 percent State funds and 20 percent County funds.
The score for the bridge at Five Mile Branch over Coonfoot Branch fell from 75.2 to 44.4, the Meadowbridge over Dividing Creek fell from 61.9 to 36.7, Bayside over Paw Paw Creek dropped from 71.1 to 28, Ocean Parkway over the canal fell from 62.1 to 47.2, Clubhouse Drive over the canal went from 52 to 41.3 and Bayside over Tanhouse Creek increased from 52.1 to 52.3.
“We’re surprised, but the scores do not reflect structurally unsound bridges,” Public Works Director John Tustin said.
The total county contribution toward replacing the bridges is about $886,000.
Pier allowance heard
A proposed zoning code amendment that would allow the use of docks, piers or other passive recreational areas within a Resource Conservation Area is scheduled for March 17, during the commissioners’ regular meeting.
The docks could be used for public or private non-commercial docking for non-motorized watercraft under the text amendment.
Recycling scheduled
The next Household Hazardous Material and Electronics Recycling day is scheduled for April 18 at the Park and Ride parking lot in West Ocean City.
The towns of Ocean City, Berlin, Snow Hill and Pocomoke City are invited to participate.
