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Snow Hill Council Briefs

By Greg Ellison, Staff Writer

(Nov. 23, 2017) The Snow Hill Council discussed the following items during a regular meeting at the Old Train Station on Belt Street last Tuesday:

Clean-Up Day results

Randy Barfield, public works director, said the annual Town Clean Up Day on Oct. 23 made a positive impact on the towns’ appearance, with the city collecting 8.68 tons of recycled materials.

“It was a little larger,” he said. “More people took advantage of it than the first year in 2016.”

The one-day free bulk trash pickup program allowed residents to discard materials like appliances, mattresses, box springs and furniture.

Barfield noted that unlike 2016, few restricted items were placed outside.

“We will not pick up any liquids, poison, batteries, medical waste, tires, fuel tanks, electrical equipment, yard waste, wood [or] demolition materials,” he said.

Barfield said the town would hold another Town Clean Up Day this April.

“The town is trying to help people and save them the cost for bulk pickup,” he said.

Speed camera update

Police Chief Tom Davis provided updates on the oft-disputed accuracy and recent relocation of the speed camera on West Market Street near the Snow Hill Middle School.

Following up on a discussion from the council meeting on Oct. 19, Davis contacted camera operators Redspeed Maryland after Mayor Charlie Dorman voiced concerns about placement.

“The camera was moved and moved back and then moved again,” he said. “Where it is now is across the street getting people coming into town.”

Maryland state law permits speed cameras to be operated in school zones between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. from Monday-Friday. Citations are issued to vehicles going at least 12 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

After consulting with Redspeed officials, and conducting private tests with fellow officers, Davis disputed claims over capturing precise speeds.

“This equipment is high-tech and it’s accurate,” he said. “If you get a citation it’s because you were actually going that speed, period.”

Dr. Small book project

Mayor Charlie Dorman highlighted an appearance by retired professor Dr. Clara Small at the council’s next work session to update a book project chronicling the historic and current racial dynamics that have shaped Snow Hill.

“Dr. Small, who we had started out three years ago to write a book on us, will be here on the 28th at our work session,” he said.

In the pursuit of historical clarity, the town contracted with Small to research a volume incorporating and preserving memories from community elders.

Before retiring in 2013, Small spent four decades teaching African-American History at Salisbury University and wrote several books on the history of ethnic groups on the Eastern Shore.

The work session, which is open to the public, will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Old Train Station on Belt Street.

“I want to see how far she’s gotten and what she has done,” he said.

Cold weather fire safety

John Holloway, EMS supervisor with the Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Department, offered a seasonal safety reminder as colder temperatures begin to descend upon the region.

“We just want to remind everybody in cold weather to make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to protect you in your home,” he said.

As thermometer readings plummet, Holloway advised residents to exercise special caution when using electric portable heaters as supplemental sources for warmth.

“Be careful with space heaters,” he said.

His advice: When purchasing a space heater, look for models that feature thermostat control mechanisms that automatically turn off units if tipped over.

Never plug a space heater into an extension cord or power strip and turn heaters off prior to sleeping. Keep children and pets away from space heaters and only purchase models approved by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory.

Museum brief closure

Dr. Cindy Byrd, executive director of the Julia A. Purnell Museum, said an unforeseen problem with the building’s heating system will limit activities for a brief time.

“The museum will be closed for a few days because the heat is being repaired,” she said.

After the equipment malfunctioned last week, Byrd said chilly weather made it difficult for staff to work comfortably and left a less-than-hospitable environment for guests.

Although the repairs should be completed shortly after Thanksgiving, Byrd said the exact date has yet to be determined.