Staff writer
Peabody City Council discussed establishing an ordinance Monday setting out rules for the volleyball pit at Second and Walnut streets. Greg Jones and Beth Peter were present, representing the Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission.
The council agreed on six rules but could not find common ground on hours of use. Because the volleyball pit is adjacent to a residential area, there have problems with noise and lights at night.
The regulations would curtail use of car radios and headlights, but the city wants to post hours of use and the recreation commission wants no restriction on hours of use.
Peabody Police Chief Burke said he did not care what hours the groups agreed on but he did not want ambiguous time limits that might not be enforceable, such as “dawn to dusk” or “daylight hours only.”
After considerable discussion, it was determined time restrictions could be handled under curfew regulations already on the books. The problem of headlights and car radios could be eliminated by requiring the users park a distance from the pit itself.
Burke, Jones, and council member Tom Schmidt will meet again to measure a perimeter around the volleyball pit where parking will be allowed.
Signs listing the rules will be installed.
In other business:
- Burke requested Municipal Court Clerk Cindy Harms be allowed to attend a training session in September. There is no charge for the training. The request was approved.
- A resolution for public hearing about a nuisance property was tabled. A council member had concerns about the legal address for the property. The hearing will take place at another meeting.
- Burke reported he was having trouble recruiting extra officers for the Fourth of July. He was able to hire four security guards and four officers from other communities.
- City Administrator Mac Manning distributed a sample ordinance to establish a minimum housing code for Peabody. Council members will study the document and discuss it at a future meeting.
- Manning told the council he and Peabody Economic Development Director Shane Marler had been working on finding assistance for homeowners with flooded property on Maple and South Olive streets. They have contacted Habitat for Humanity, The United States Department of Agriculture, and Mennonite Housing, among others.
- Darren Pickens reported a problem at the pool that created some unusual tints to the water during the weekend. The pool was closed until repairs could be made.
- Pickens reminded the council of its plan to order a new grinder pump for the lift station on Fifth Street. The price has increased steadily. The council approved making the purchase now with funds from the water and sewer accounts.
- Beth Peter presented a report about the municipal swimming pool. She has had a problem with boys defecating in a wastebasket in the shower room. The council approved her plan to bar those involved from the pool for the season if she finds out who it is.
- Manning will check on state labor laws to see whether 15-year-olds who have passed a lifesaving course can work as lifeguards at a public pool. Peter said when football and basketball practice start, she will be short several lifeguards if she cannot use 15-year-olds.
- Communities In Schools representative Linda Ogden gave a presentation. The city made a $500 contribution to the program.
- A request by Rex Watson for barricades at the July Fourth Car Show was approved. Watson also was hired by the city for $1 to oversee the show.