Monday, September 5, 2011

Exception Under Consideration in Worcester County

WBOC
NEWARK, Md. - Worcester County government is considering a special exception that would allow a local defense contractor to test products at the county firing range.

Bud Church, president of the Worcester County Commissioners, said allowing Pocomoke-based Hardwire LLC to occasionally test on the Newark range might keep jobs in the area.

"We can probably maintain a company that's continuing to grow in the county. It's someone we want to keep in the county, and the purpose is to help our military," Church said. "It would probably add additional jobs, so that's a plus-plus-plus for us."

Michael Cullen, who lives next to the firing range, says he is concerned about the testing affecting his property value or impacting wildlife.

"The shooting of small caliber pistols, that's not a big deal," Cullen said. "Very rarely does the government do some testing on cars. What effects will this have on property value?"

Church said environmental agencies have already approved testing at the county firing range.

A  public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals for Worcester County regarding the special exception is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

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