BAUMHOLDER, Germany — Parking at Smith Barracks, pets and upcoming projects were the major topics discussed at the quarterly Baumholder Military Community housing town at Wagon Wheel Theater last month.
Deputy Garrison Manager Jae Kim led the event, which was also broadcast via social media.
During the town hall, Kim, Housing Officer Harald Kastner and housing Sgt. Maj. James McCloskey provided updates, fielded questions and offered reminders on not only parking, but also housing area maintenance, the looming winter, pets and projects.
According to Kim, garrison and housing leaders decided on issuing parking permits after they met with building coordinators and reviewed parking challenges. The garrison’s goal is to help ease parking issues particularly near Smith Elementary School. Kim said they worked with the consultants to determine if there is adequate parking and if the parking spaces are being optimized.
“What we have determined so far is that we do have adequate parking for the residents we have,” said Kim. “As residents come to pick up their parking permits, we can account for spaces, access further parking needs and go from there.”
Kim explained that there’s a one spot per housing unit rule and that parking spots marked for visitors are on a first-come, first-served basis. Further, loading zones being used as parking spots have been properly marked to clear any confusion, according to Kim.
Several questions involved complaints about landscaping and general housing maintenance. McCloskey said the best way to address these concerns is to start with stairwell and building coordinators. He said if that is not working, then to contact the housing team who can provided additional assistance.
McCloskey also addressed concerns on how the housing office selects stairwell and building coordinators. The sergeant major said they have looked into the current selection process and have proposed adjustment to that process in the Family Housing Reference Guide which is awaiting approval. Currently, BMC housing has the potential for 164 stairwell and building coordinators
TIPS TO WEATHER BAUMHOLDER WINTER
With the temperatures starting to dip, Kim provided the following reminders for a healthy and safe winter season:
• Vent your house daily to avoid mold and mildew development
• Allot enough time to clear snow and ice from vehicles and providing enough time to drive at a slower, safer speed to your destination
• Ensure vehicles have the right tires for the season
• Monitor the garrison’s website and app, social media and AFN for the latest road and weather conditions and for childcare, school or post closures
Pet management was s were also a hot topic at the town hall. Leadership said that two pets are authorized per household and require registration through a veterinarian before being registered with the housing office. Also, according to the housing guide, the responsibility of the pet falls on the adult owners. Additionally, if a child under the age of 12 is walking a pet, the child must be supervised by a parent.
Questions came in about the dog park’s condition. An issue Kim said they will “get after.” Kastner agrees. “The dog park near the commissary is in bad shape. It needs a lot of loving care,” he added.
NEW PROJECTS
Changes and construction projects are on the horizon for the family housing community. According to Kim, the garrison will spend more than $500 million over the next nine years for additional town house projects, new schools and quality-of-life initiatives like more balconies and rolling shutters.
“Rolling shutters afford an opportunity for that ‘European privacy’ and they help out quite a bit to keep heat in the winter months, as I just learned,” Kim said about the rolling shutters.
Kim, Kastner and the housing team said the town hall isn’t the only time residents can submit input and feedback. Garrison leaders are always looking for new ideas to improve our family housing community, Kim said.
“As the deputy garrison manager, I’m open to all ideas. And even though the town hall is focused on housing, all of the directorates are going to work together to develop solutions for our housing areas.”
To view the town hall and to keep up to date on all things Baumholder Military Community, be sure to follow https://www.facebook.com/USAGRheinlandPfalzBaumholder/ and https://home.army.mil/rheinland-pfalz/index.php
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