Bill Kerbin
POCOMOKE CITY -- At their last meeting, the mayor and council learned the city has received $250,000 in funding for housing rehabilitation from the state Department of Housing and Community Development.
The funding will be used for deferred loans for owner-occupied homes and loans with 2 percent interest rates for landlords.
If the homeowners stay in their homes for five years (up to $10,000 loan), 10 years ($10,000-$20,000 loan) or 15 years ($20,000-$25,000 loan) the loans are forgiven.
City Manager Russell W. Blake said the program was started in 1976. The town has run out of funds and now has a waiting list for loans.
After seeing plans for improvements at the new police headquarters, the council approved them. The new location will be on Market Street near the firehouse. Blake said bids for construction should be available at the next meeting, with construction completed in February or March.
The police department is presently housed in the former armory on Second Street.
Although there was an increase in ambulance calls in Pocomoke City and lower Worcester County over the previous year, there was a significant decrease in calls to locations in Somerset County -- from 111 to 70 calls. Mike Thornton, the director of the ambulance company, said rescue companies in Somerset County had decided to increase their areas of coverage.
The council approved the purchase of two power life stretchers at a cost of $7,860 each. This will help ambulance personnel in lifting patients.
The council also authorized an $8,700 loan from John Deere for the purchase of an aerator for the golf course.
The funding will be used for deferred loans for owner-occupied homes and loans with 2 percent interest rates for landlords.
If the homeowners stay in their homes for five years (up to $10,000 loan), 10 years ($10,000-$20,000 loan) or 15 years ($20,000-$25,000 loan) the loans are forgiven.
City Manager Russell W. Blake said the program was started in 1976. The town has run out of funds and now has a waiting list for loans.
Police department improvements
After seeing plans for improvements at the new police headquarters, the council approved them. The new location will be on Market Street near the firehouse. Blake said bids for construction should be available at the next meeting, with construction completed in February or March.The police department is presently housed in the former armory on Second Street.
Ambulance report
Although there was an increase in ambulance calls in Pocomoke City and lower Worcester County over the previous year, there was a significant decrease in calls to locations in Somerset County -- from 111 to 70 calls. Mike Thornton, the director of the ambulance company, said rescue companies in Somerset County had decided to increase their areas of coverage.
The council approved the purchase of two power life stretchers at a cost of $7,860 each. This will help ambulance personnel in lifting patients.
Golf course funds
The council authorized the city manager to apply for funding under the state Community Park and Playground program. Specific areas to be addressed in the application will be paving two cart paths on the Winter Quarters Golf Course, the construction of a new maintenance shop at the golf course and installation of heating and air conditioning at the log cabin. The total amount to be requested will be about $100,000.
The council also authorized an $8,700 loan from John Deere for the purchase of an aerator for the golf course.
Source; http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110814/NEWS01/108140311/Pocomoke-receives-housing-funds