Pocomoke City Police Dept. Will Get New Location

Written By

Bill Kerbin

POCOMOKE CITY -- The Pocomoke mayor and Council took a major step toward a new home for the Police Department when they accepted a $700,000 loan from Shore Bank for the purchase and interior renovations of the former Delmarva Collision building on south Market Street.

They also gave approval for City Manager Russell W. Blake to request proposals for architectural services to design the interior of the building.

Citing some of the benefits of the new building over the present police headquarters, Councilman Robert Clark said it is an almost new building (only seven years old), which will be energy efficient.

The police are presently housed in the former National Guard Armory. He said that there is more parking, which is secured, and the building was constructed by a local contractor.

Mayor Bruce Morrison expressed his pleasure with the idea that the Police Department and the Fire Department will both be in one location.

Another construction project received approval when the Council voted to authorize City Manager Russell

W. Blake to request bids for the construction of a new restaurant between the Delmarva Discovery Center and the Pocomoke River.

The town presently has two grants totaling $650,000 for the construction of the building.

The Council approved a resolution for the application of $575,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding. If funded it would include $300,000 for housing rehabilitation; $50,000 for the demolition of the former fire station; $75,000 for the demolition of vacant, substandard houses or commercial buildings; and $150,000 for the resurfacing of Fourth Street and other streets in eligible areas.

Reporting of the disposition of last year's grants, the city manager said that all funds have been disbursed for housing rehabilitation; construction of the ambulance garage is under way; and engineering has been completed on storm drainage improvements for Eighth Street.

The Council voted to authorize the mayor to sign a memorandum of agreement between Pocomoke City and the Virginia Department of Transportation for sewer service to the Virginia information center just below the state line. The center is reported to have a failing wastewater system.

The city manager said that Virginia will pay to run the line to the end of the Pocomoke line near the Maryland-Virginia line and will pay the town for the service.

He added that the town's system will have no trouble handling the additional load.

The Council also okayed an agreement with some minor changes with the B'oosurf Broadband Co. for the installation of antennas on the city water towers. The use of the towers will be free unless the company moves outside of Pocomoke City or if it is sold to a profit-making company. It is presently a non-profit.

Under other business, the Council approved the use of the city tent by the Assateague Peoples for their annual powwow; authorized a proclamation for Municipal Clerks' Week; and passed a resolution making elected officials wait a year after their term of office expires to be employed by the town.

Source; http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110505/WCT01/105050328