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The Board of Aldermen discussed creating a written policy banning smoking in town-owned buildings and vehicles.
The Guilford County Department of Public Health is requesting that all towns create no-smoking policies.

However, at the Feb. 16 meeting Police Chief Mike Woznick told the board he opposed the policy because it would affect interactions between police and crime suspects at the police department.

Woznick said he dislikes smoke, but cigarettes can relax people from whom police are trying to get information.

"Oftentimes, that's all it takes to get someone to cooperate with you," he said.

Woznick said only one employee in the department smokes and asked if that person's office could be an exception to a no-smoking policy. Police could bring smokers into only that room, he said. The office has a smoke-eating machine, and the windows can be opened, he said.

Discussion on the matter will continue at the March 2 meeting. The board also discussed the 15-minute parking signs near the Just Pizza store.

Last year, the town erected two such parking signs near Just Pizza after the store's owner complained that her customers can't find places to park to pick up pizza, especially on weekends.

April Murray, the owner of Just Pizza, has told the police and mayor that the spots are not sufficient, and people are parking longer than 15 minutes.

Mayor Lenny Williams said he believes that word got around that the 15-minute time would not be enforced and people are taking advantage of that.

Woznick said even if the town decided to ticket the people misusing the parking spaces, it would be impractical for the police department to dedicate officers' time to watch the spots and keep track of vehicles.

"Is it really going to be something we can truly enforce?" Woznick said.

Also at the meeting, town officials stressed that the 15-minute signs are for cars in town for any purpose. The parking spaces are not only for Just Pizza customers.

At the meeting, the board also:

• Approved fee increases for the town's softball, baseball and tee ball participants. New fees are $35 for residents, $45 for nonresidents. They include uniforms, trophies and an end-of-season party. The increase will take some financial burden off volunteer coaches, said Mike Dupree, parks and recreation director.
• Voted to move forward on a plan to enlarge the window in Town Hall's front office. Right now the customer service window can only handle one customer at a time, creating a long line at times. The bidding process for the renovation is under way.

Contact Jamie Kennedy Jones at 449-4610 or jamie.kennedy@news-record.com