Driving along Main Street, past McDaniel College in Westminster, could be more dangerous this winter, all thanks to budget cuts affecting several county services.
When winter hits, snow and ice removal will take longer.
"I think it's going to be hazardous for people who are trying to go to and from work. This is the time when we need to be worrying about people's safety," said Michael Doran, “Spare Room” employee.
The impact on snow and ice removal could be significant. County officials say it could take four hours longer to clear the county roads. Commissioner Michael Zimmer says the change was needed, as the county looked to save about $3 million dollars.
"It's going to take a little longer, and it's going to have an impact, no question," said Zimmer.
The Carroll County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to layoff 18 employees and keep more than 40 positions vacant. Snow removal is just one service cut back.
The changes will trim 12 percent of the county's work force, also impacting the senior centers on weekends only.
"We don't have a lot of heavy weekend usage. So we looked at the usage numbers that we had and also the saving energy costs because now we'll be able to close the buildings down," said Patty Whitson, Bureau of Aging.
So that means community groups will no longer have access to the centers on weekends. At the county's parks, there will be fewer programs and only one naturalist per center; four positions were eliminated.
"Fortunately, the Board to Commissioners agreed ahead of time that they would have the opportunity to buy health insurance ahead of time at the rate employees pay," said Vivian Laxton, spokeswoman, Carroll County Government.
The layoffs will be effective in February. County officials say more cuts are possible.
