News Briefs

+ Town regains Class 3 ISO rating
The town’s Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule for residential and commercial properties has been restored to a Class 3 by the Insurance Services Office Inc. (ISO), according to Planning Zoning & Building Director Monica Simpson. Simpson said that the town was notified last year that its ratings would be downgraded to a Class 4 because of departmental changes, including a decrease in the percentage of the budget reserved for training and a decrease in the cumulative amount of personnel experience. Simpson said that the town worked to regain its rating through increased documentation and administration. The rating impacts insurance premium discounts for eligible properties.

+ Town dismisses auditing company
The town has ended its relationship with the Bradenton-based Shinn & Co., which has been the town’s auditing firm for more than a decade. Commissioner Phill Younger said at the commission’s Monday, Sept. 26, meeting that towns typically change auditing firms every three to four years and described the change as “long overdue.” The town has not yet selected its new auditing company.

+ Female spinner dolphin dies at Mote
Harley, a female spinner dolphin who lived at Mote Marine Aquarium since March 2005, was found dead Friday, Sept. 23. The dolphin was considered non-releasable because she was separated from her mother at a young age and suffered from a chronic stomach condition. Scientists will perform a necropsy to help determine the causes of death.

+ Town receives pension boards applications
The town has received applications for each of its three employee pension boards. Shannon Gault and retired firefighter Michael Murphy have applied for reappointment to the Firefighter Pension Board. Dorian Irizarry has applied for his first appointment to the Police Officers Board, while Rabbi Peter Kasdan is seeking reappointment. The General Employees Board has one resident vacancy and has had no applicants respond to its last six advertisements. Ron McDonough has applied for reappointment to the General Employees Board.

+ Correction
The Sept. 22 article on Marcia Freedman incorrectly stated that Betty Warren was John Ringling’s first wife. Warren was the co-founder of a group of women artists known as the Petticoat Painters.

Meetings & agendas
• Planning & Zoning Board Vision Subcommittee — 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29
• Town Commission Special Comprehensive Plan workshop —
1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3
• Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3
• Code Enforcement Board Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10
All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.