Town weighing second fire district

Later this year, Hillsborough town board members will consider creating a second fire district in town.

According to a release from the town, the primary district would include the downtown core and the second district would include the rest of the town under Orange Rural's jurisdiction.

The move could improve Orange Rural's future insurance ratings. Orange Rural is the primary fire agency for the town.

Each district would have certain restrictions. In the first (downtown):

• No open flame devices could be used inside a building or outside in a parking lot or other open space. Homeowners, however, would be allowed to use approved outdoor fireplaces.

• A sprinkler system would be required in all new construction — commercial and residential. Existing commercial buildings would be required to install a sprinkler system when a building’s square footage or occupancy increases.

• The use of pine straw in landscaping would be prohibited.

In the secondary fire district:

• Open burning of landscaping and vegetative debris originating on site would be permitted when materials cannot be transported to the road for pickup due to undue hardship.

• The same sprinkler system rules would apply.

• The use of pine straw in landscaping would be prohibited within 10 feet of any building except single-family dwellings.

To create the two districts, the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners would need to adopt the fire marshal’s proposed ordinance. The proposal will be presented this summer to the board. A date has not been set.

Also for next week's paper:

— County budget talks continue tonight, and the town could adopt its budget next week.

— County commissioners approved the Efland Sewer System rate increase.

— We'll have some trial updates.

— And a story about a dog kennel in the rural buffer that neighbors say they will continue to fight.

Oh, and don't forget the "Meet the Grads" section. We've been spending many hours fixing photos today.