City Hall damage payment options discussed

(6/11) As a possible court-date nears for a 55-year old suspect accused of ramming his truck into the front of the Taneytown City Hall, the town is considering options regarding recouping the money spent on the repairs and renovation.

The Town Hall sustained what was then characterized as “significant” structural damage in August 2019, after the building was rammed by a pickup truck. According to court documents, the accused driver, who was identified as Rodney Davis, 55, was upset over his city water-bill (according to newspaper accounts at the time).

Mayor Bradley Wantz called the incident “nothing less than a terroristic attack on the city” in the immediate aftermath of the destruction.

Town Attorney Jack Gullo told the Town Council at its June meeting, “There is going to be a status conference on the Davis matter, and at that point-in-time there might be some plea, or at least a trial-date set.”

Gullo said, in acting on behalf of the town, that he is going to begin to amass the total damages sustained in “the attack” on the hall, “and hopefully make that (payment of damages) a condition to whatever has to happen (plea deal or court ordered settlement).”

If full compensation is made in conjunction with a plea-deal, or awarded by the court, “hopefully, that (a settlement), will resolve the situation with the attack on the town hall.”

The attorney stated that if neither occurs to such a degree that it covers all the costs suffered by the town, “We're going to have to have a discussion about a civil suit “

The town recently entered into a contract for the City Hall renovation to address what was described at the time of the attack as being significant structural damage. Initial demolitions necessary for the renovations began May 11.

Acting City Manager James Wieprecht said the only problem, as such, that has arisen thus far with the restoration, was that a sub-contractor was having a difficult time matching the former carpeting in the hall.

Wieprecht gave the council an update on the progress of the renovations at the council's June meeting, stating staff is waiting for a partial Use and Occupancy permit for the second-floor offices to facilitate moving the finance-staff up to the second floor. Doing so, he said, would clear the way for demolition work to commence on the ground-floor.

The acting city manager added that there was still some final paint and touch-up work to do, and some punch-list items left to attend to, on the second-floor. Additionally, a new sidewalk has been poured and bollards have been installed.

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