Staff writer
By a 3-2 vote, Peabody City Council approved a more restrictive curfew for Halloween revelers. Anyone younger than 18 years of age must be off streets 8:30 p.m. Oct. 31 until 5 a.m. on Nov. 1.
The extra restrictions were put in place to curtail the damage and vandalism that took place Halloween 2009.
Council members David Scott and Janice Woodruff voted against the measure.
The council also approved five ordinance changes to the city’s building codes. The codes had not been updated in Peabody since 1997.
Approved were adoption of the 2005 National Electrical Code, 2006 International Building Codes, Plumbing Codes, Fuel Gas Codes, and codes regulating the upgrades of existing buildings.
The city planning and zoning committee had approved the codes and recommended the council adopt the changes.
In other business:
- Marion County Sheriff Rob Craft told the council the state fire marshal rescinded his order limiting the number of prisoners Craft can house in the Marion County jail. Craft attended to discuss options, costs, and projections concerning the county’s jail needs. No action was taken.
- A zoning change at 801 N. Walnut St. was approved for Mike and Jenny Hurst. The zoning will change from R-2 residential to a service/office district to allow Jenny Hurst to operate a beauty salon in one-half of a detached garage on the property.
- A Class “A” Club liquor license was approved for American Legion Post 95.
- After an executive session to discuss personnel with Police Chief Bruce Burke, the council approved an adjustment to Justin Weertz’s salary retroactive to his first day as a police officer. Because of a clerical error, Weertz was paid $13 per hour, but his beginning salary should have been $14 per hour.
- Stephanie Ax received permission to attend a clerk’s training school in November.
- Mayer Specialty examined sewer lines at the south end of town to see if the June flooding had caused any breaks or damage. Public Works Director Pickens said except for a line from near Cameo Rose Antiques to a manhole in Santa Fe Park, the lines were in surprisingly good shape.
- Council member Janice Woodruff asked to have the back wall of the city building inspected as the guttering has pulled loose and twisted, and mortar appears to be crumbling in some areas.