Maitland City Talk

Halloween fun and safety

It is hard to believe that fall is already upon us. Our city has been busy during the last month, and there are many things to look forward to during the remaining months of the year.

With the arrival of fall comes cooler weather, fall festivals, football games, and of course Halloween!

The city of Maitland is again making safety a top priority during this evening’s hours of Halloween trick or treating. Parents and drivers are reminded to be extra cautious on Halloween when children will be dressed in their costumes and running from house to house looking for those special treats.

The Maitland Police Department is actively involved with our city’s families each and every Halloween. The Police Department will have a full complement of police cruisers out during the trick or treat hours from 6 to 9 p.m. to add an additional safety presence across all neighborhoods in the city. Continuing their yearly tradition, Maitland police officers will be busy handing out glow sticks for the kids in our neighborhoods. Not only do the kids love them, but they are a great safety feature for kids walking in the neighborhoods.

We would urge anyone who is planning on going out trick or treating this Halloween to stay safe. Listed below are some safety tips to help make your Halloween more enjoyable and safe!!

Halloween safety tips:

Do not allow children to go trick-or-treating alone. Be sure older children take a friend, and that a trusted adult accompanies small children.

Be certain to accompany small children to the door of every home they approach.

Be certain parents and guardians are familiar with every home and all people from which the children receive treats.

Children should be cautioned that they should not enter any home without prior permission from their parents or guardians.

Children should be cautioned not to approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless they know the owner and are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Make sure all children wear reflective clothing and carry a glow stick when out at dusk and it is dark. Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

When using facial masks, make sure children are able to see and breathe properly and easily. All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant.

Children should be warned to never approach a home not well lit without a porch or outside light on.

Eat only factory wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.

Children should be cautioned to remember any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents, guardians, and/or the proper official.

Sgt. Louis Grindle

Maitland Police Department

Special Operations / Community Policing

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

City Council Meeting of Oct. 22

The Maitland City Council met on Oct. 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Below is a synopsis of that meeting.

Special Presentations:

Mayor Schieferdecker presented Battalion Chief Jeffrey Hite with a Retirement Resolution in appreciation of his 25 years of faithful and devoted service to the city as a member of the Fire Rescue Department and wished him continued good health and prosperity during his retirement years.

Consent:

Approved the Council Minutes of Sept. 24, 2012 and received several Advisory Board Minutes.

Renewed a three-year Interlocal Agreement with Orange County for the purpose of funding and contributing to the Orange County Watershed Atlas Project.

Approved the release of three existing drainage easements and adopted the proposed drainage easement at 551 Dommerich Drive.

Decisions:

Dick Wells, Community Development Director, was appointed Member and Mayor Schieferdecker, Alternate Member to the South Seminole & North Orange County Wastewater Transmission Authority.

Brad Dunn was appointed to the Pension Review Committee effective immediately

A decision to accept the Charter Review Commission’s report was tabled and will be discussed again at a special Council Meeting scheduled for Oct. 29.

The Classification, Compensation & Benefits Report submitted by City Consultants, Evergreen Solutions, LLC, was accepted as presented.

The decision to allow Mr. Dan Bellows to separate impact fees from an existing development (Gem Lake Apartment) and make them available on the open market was tabled until the Nov. 12 Council meeting.

Jeff Flowers was appointed to Council Seat #4 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Councilman Phil Bonus.

To listen to a recording of the meeting, please check our website at itsmymaitland.com