Noise, dogs the talk of Landis board
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009
By Shavonne Potts
Salisbury Post
LANDIS — It seemed Monday night’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen went to the dogs.
Literally.
Board members spent a great deal of time discussing a much-debated noise ordinance until talk turned to a problem with barking dogs.
No decision was made on the noise ordinance or the dog situation.
There have been several complaints from residents who live near a business, Audio Wizard, which installs audio and stereo equipment. According to the neighbors, the shop owner tests his equipment at night and loudly. At last month’s meeting, the board decided to look into it’s current ordinance, which is from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Based on the current ordinance, the owner is within the time range.
At previous meetings, board members talked about the barking dog complainants need to be willing to go to court to testify to the noise problem. Town Attorney Rick Locklear said he would check with the Rowan County animal control officer to see what he could do to help with in this case.
In other matters:
* The board approved a petition from Castle & Cooke for voluntary annexation. The real estate development company requests a little more than 20 acres be annexed. The property is part of a new subdivision planned by Castle & Cooke.
The property, purchased from Kannapolis Church of God by the development company, is located at the intersection of West Fifth Street and Airport Road.
A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 19.
* Town Administrator Reed Linn clarified a previous article in the Post saying money to replace an existing roof on Fire Station No. 2 was a budgeted item that the town had already set aside to pay for any construction changes.
He also reiterated that the delays had nothing to do with the LaFave Construction company, but weather, material delays and approval of the roof changes. He said he had a few concerned phone calls.
“LaFave’s Construction has done an outstanding job,” Linn said.
* The Rev. Bill Coughlin of Landis First Assembly gave the invocation. This comes after a decision by the board at its January meeting to have, on a rotating basis, a clergy member pray before the meetings commence.
* Tabled a proposed computer policy and set up violations for misuse of the town’s computers. The proposed policy also addressed e-mail tampering and e-mail monitoring.
The board first discussed establishing such a policy in September, a month after former Police Chief Charles Childers was accused of improperly using the Internet.
Board members spent an extensive amount of time, mostly disagreeing with using the current personnel policy or adopting a proposed policy introduced by Alderman James Furr.
Furr outlined specific violations and punishments if an employee is caught abusing town computers. Mayor Mike Mahaley recommended instituting random checks by supervisors to ensure employees are following the rules. Alderman George Pless said there should not be any personal use on town computers by any employees.
Linn said the current policy addresses misuse of town equipment. Alderman Craig Sloop suggested just amending the current policy to add any specific details the board deemed necessary.
Attorney Locklear said the current policy seemed sufficient, but he’d look into the matter further to be discussed at the town’s next meeting.
* Approved a four-way stop at the intersection of South Zion and West Sixth streets. Alderman Furr proposed the change saying it’s a high traffic area with “quite a few near-misses.”
Police Chief Reggie Faggart said that although his department hasn’t had any recent complaints, there have been some in the past.
* After canceling the town newsletter last year, the board agreed to bring it back with a slight change — all of the aldermen will examine the document before it’s printed.
* Appointed Joe Almond, Jack Keith, John Hall to the Planning Board and Joe Strickland as an alternate. All of the aldermen approved the decision except for Alderman Will Beaver who wanted to make Strickland a regular member instead of an alternate.
Contact Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253 or spotts@salisburypost.com.
