By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(March 22, 2018) A Pocomoke City Council meeting on Monday was rescheduled because outgoing District 4 City Councilman Brian Hirshman could not attend, according to City Manager Bobby Cowger. It will be his last official meeting.

The next City Council meeting will be on Monday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. inside City Hall on 101 Clarke Avenue.

Hirshman announced in January he would not seek another term in office. Two men, Todd Nock and Ryan Hurley, have filed for his seat.

District 5 Councilwoman Esther Troast is running unopposed.

The election will be held on Tuesday, April 3 at the Pocomoke Library on Market Street. Winning candidates will take office April 9 to serve a three-year term.

Cowger said the next meeting agenda will include a first reading for a small increase in water rates, $1 per 1,000 gallons, meant to offset the cost of solving a decades-old water-quality problem. The current rate is $6 per 1,000 gallons.

“It gets introduced and then it’s got to have two readings,” Cowger said. “So, anybody can comment on it either this month or the first meeting in April.”

He said a representative from the Pocomoke American Legion also asked to be on the agenda.

A shooting occurred at the American Legion in February and Sgt. Joe Bailey of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office said at a City Council meeting earlier this month that it was not an isolated incident. Cowger said the city and Worcester County Bureau of Investigations filed a complaint with the county liquor license board.

The meeting will conclude with a budget session, which is open to the public, Cowger said.

“I’ve got the budget all prepared for the council, but now it’s their turn to go through it and make any changes,” he said, adding, “We’ve got a while before it needs to be finalized.”

“They’re definitely not going to raise any taxes – that’s a definite,” Cowger said. “I’m still trying to prioritize this water and sewer issue that we’re having in the town, but we’re not raising any taxes.”

Cowger said water improvements in the Heights neighborhood have already produced results.

“It’s not fixed yet, but it’s 150 percent better than it’s ever been,” he said. “People aren’t changing their filters as often and the water is coming out clear now – it’s not tearing their fixtures up and staining things like it was. People are definitely noticing a huge difference, so that’s great and I’m really pleased.

“I know I’m on the right track. If I keep on with what I’m doing, I don’t think there’s any question the problem is going to be resolved this year,” Cowger added.

He said downtown revitalization is also a priority in the budget.