By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
LANDIS ó Throughout the previous budget year, the town board has struggled with whether to maintain the town’s recreation department.
Recreation Director Julie Noblitt submitted a host of ideas at Saturday’s budget retreat to bring new vigor to the program.
For the next year, Noblitt discussed some construction projects that include putting a new roof on the pavilion, which would cost between $7,000 and $10,000.
The board discussed whether the pavilion was actually being used. Town staff said people do rent the building.
Many of the town’s facilities either need a facelift or major reconstruction.
The pool area needs some minor cosmetic changes, including paint and lighting. Noblitt said the area also needs chairs and grills.
Mayor Dennis Brown said he would like to see more done at the pool area because it would be more beneficial for those who use it.
Noblitt wants to have a teen night at the pool but stressed the need for more lighting. Also on Noblitt’s list are day trips for senior citizens. She hopes to coordinate with local churches for transportation.
Other ideas are dance lessons, a fall carnival, Wii tournaments for youth, jewelry classes, quilting, poker, chess and checker tournaments.
An idea the board really loved was to have a 911 barbecue where fire and police personnel would come out to meet and greet residents.
Noblitt said it would be a good way for the emergency personnel to talk to the people they help.
She said with many of these ideas and events, she’ll need the help of a part-time staffer.
“If this is the way we want to go, then I need help. We’ll need one or two staff people to coordinate these events,” Noblitt said.
The board agreed with many of Noblitt’s ideas but made no decision on how to fund the programs.
Noblitt did note a few grants she intends to apply for in the coming year.
Town Administrator Reed Linn said the fiscal year is only eight months in, but all funds are under the budget projected last year.
“We are not seeing a tremendous shortfall in revenues,” he said.
Linn discussed the accomplishments for the year thus far, including a new company, Turning House Millworks, which moved into the former Corriher Mill. The furniture company acquires old buildings and uses the wood to make furniture. It has about 30 employees.
In 2008, the town issued 68 building permits, mostly through new businesses or single-family home dwellings.
Linn mentioned some programs he’d like to implement ó for instance, a merit-pay system for employees based on job performance.
He also suggested establishing a salary range for all employees.
Linn also said all employees should have a defined job description. Most of the descriptions have changed over time.
The Administration Department would also like to hire an information technician to maintain the town’s computer systems.
Currently, a Landis police officer handles the computer problems. Linn said neither that officer nor the town is absolutely comfortable with him continuing to be the IT person.
Linn has been in talks with a company about its services. The IT person would come in for two to three hours a few times a week.
The town is paying the officer to work on its computers, but Linn noted that would change if they hired an IT company. It would also be more expensive, he said.
The administrative staff did not recommend any tax increases for the upcoming budget year.
The board discussed Linn’s proposal of giving a cost-of-living increase to all employees.
Alderman James Furr said he’d love to give a cost -of-living increase but it is just not going to be possible.
Public Works Director Steve Rowland requested the town find money to pave the lot behind Public Works. The lot is where the department’s vehicles are parked. They sink into the ground, and it’s even worse after a hard rain, he said.
The department has submitted all of its sewer and water projects to the state in hopes of obtaining stimulus money.
The town most likely will know within 30 days if it is eligible for stimulus money.
Rowland said he had not even factored into his budget requests for a new vehicle and major purchases.