by Geoff Fox
Last month, Councilman David Kerns raised the issue of public complaints when the town closes the splash pad for weather-related concerns.
Those issues still remain a month later as Kerns said “people can’t use any common sense” when using the splash pad.
He said if people would download the lightning app, they’d see there’d be a circle around Hancock and if there’s a lightning strike inside that circle, the splash pad would not be turned on.
“Don’t be calling the town. Don’t be calling anybody to ask why the splash pad ain’t running,” he said. “I don’t care if the sun is shining or not, the rule is 15 miles. Period. It’s not getting turned back on,” he said.
Kerns said if they continue to call and ask about the splash pad, since there is a fence around the splash pad, the town would start charging for the splash pad and hire a babysitter to sit at the splash pad all day.
Mayor Roland Lanehart said the Saturday before the town meeting, he had turned off the splash pad due lightning.
The Hancock Police officer on duty received 15 calls asking why the splash pad was off and there was even a 911 call wanting to know who to call because the splash pad wasn’t on because there was no lightning.
“I can’t believe people would call 911 or keep calling our police,” Lanehart said.
He added he pulled up the camera at the splash pad on his phone at the time of the complaint and noticed about four inches of standing water on the pad.
Lanehart also mentioned he had a person message him asking about the splash pad being closed. While talking to the person, he pulled the camera up and saw lightning in the background.
“We try to do some good things, so everybody has to work with us on that, too,” Kerns said.
On the rules of the splash pad posted at the entrance it mentions inclement weather stating: “The Splash Pad must be vacated when the conditions for dangerous, inclement weather are present. Patrons must wait 30 minutes after last sign of dangerous weather before returning.”
The town also posts on social media when the splash pad is closed for inclement weather.
There are only a few more weeks to enjoy the splash pad as it closes on Sunday, September 13.
Pavilion roof projects
Bids for the repair and painting of the pavilions in Widmeyer Park and Joseph Hancock Park were opened during the June town meeting but weren’t approved as town officials needed time to look over each one more closely.
Town Manager Mike Faith said officials could award a bid or reject the bid during the August meeting.
Lanehart said the town has the grant money to do the project if they decide to go ahead and award the bid that night.
That grant money would cover $59,220 of the cost.
The pavilion roofs would have to be the same profile and material unless town officials approved in writing any changes.
Officials agreed to hire Norris Building Contractors to take on the roof project at a bid of $40,425.
Lanehart said the coloring of the roofs would be uniform like brown or black, but officials agreed on dark green.
Pavilion agreement being re-reworded
Town officials revisited the agreements on renting the Lions Pavilion in Widmeyer Park after changing the terms last month.
After hearing from citizens, Lanehart said the use of bathrooms needed to be added back into the rental terms.
He said people rent that pavilion because of the bathrooms on the back of the building.
Officials agreed to make the change. Originally they had said people using the pavilion could use the restrooms at the splash pad, but they heard from the public that would be difficult for some people with mobility issues.
Kirkwood fence to get fix
When Widmeyer Park and Kirkwood Park flooded a year or so ago, the fence at the bottom field was damaged.
Lanehart said Hancock Little League got the town estimates to replace the fence and are asking the town to make that replacement.
The property and fence belong to the town.
REM made a proposal of $6,900 to replace the fence, which the town accepted unanimously.
Town to enforce plates
Those who move to Hancock have 30 days to have their plates registered in Maryland but there have been people living in town still driving on out-of-state plates, town officials said.
Faith said he is working with Sgt. Shawn Faith of the Hancock Police Department on cracking down on those vehicles.
Town Manager Faith said the town placed ads in The Hancock News that ran for two weeks to alert residents who aren’t registered in the state of Maryland, they need to do so.
He said they’ve probably had a couple people already do that, but now there’s going to be an enforcement on those vehicles.
Warnings will be given first, Faith said, adding the enforcement has already started.
Lanehart said he’s already received a number of calls from people needing their vehicles inspected.
