Washington Co. Votes Not To Fill Inspector Jobs

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- Washington County officials are citing a decline in construction activity in their decision not to fill two vacant inspector positions.

The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown reports that county commissioners voted Tuesday not to fill positions for a code inspector and construction inspector.

The rejection came despite a warning from County Administrator Gregory Murray that the employees are needed because the workload on other inspectors could lead to project delays or overlooked safety hazards.

Robert Slocum, deputy director of the Division of Public Works, says both positions are vacant as a result of retirements and promotions. He says the code inspector is responsible for reviewing private-sector projects, and the construction inspector is responsible for inspecting work on the county's projects.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)