Rules and regulations could halt food bank's expansion
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MALTBY, Wash. -- A local food bank is becoming a victim of its own success, and plans to expand have hit a high-priced snag in the form of county rules and regulations.
The Maltby Food Bank opens its doors every Thursday afternoon to help 130 local families. It gets crowded in the summertime, and the organization wanted to use its $300,000 budget to expand.
That's when the problems started.
"Well, between the county -- Snohomish County -- and Cross Valley Water, they have so many regulations and issues that we can't afford it," said food bank operator Fran Walster.
In order to make the expansion a reality, the food bank would need to add two new fire hydrants to the one already in the area. The fire department also said the organization would need a 12-inch water main. A new parking lot would cover part of the septic system and they'd have to connect to the sewer.
In all, the upgrade would cost $700,000.
"We knew there would be hoops to jump through and utilities to deal with. We just had no idea that the requirements would be that high," said Food Bank committee member Scott Senter.
Local officials say they don't want to be the Grinch.
"I wish they could go forward because I think the food bank is a valuable service to the community," said Gary Hajek of the Cross Valley Water District.
Senter and others wish the powers that be would consider the food bank a non-profit, but Hajeck said that's just not possible.
"The district, being a public agency, doesn't make exceptions for a food bank as opposed to a private developer," he said.
As it stands, the plans can't go forward unless the county changes its rules or the food bank finds an extra $400,000
The Maltby Food Bank opens its doors every Thursday afternoon to help 130 local families. It gets crowded in the summertime, and the organization wanted to use its $300,000 budget to expand.
That's when the problems started.
"Well, between the county -- Snohomish County -- and Cross Valley Water, they have so many regulations and issues that we can't afford it," said food bank operator Fran Walster.
In order to make the expansion a reality, the food bank would need to add two new fire hydrants to the one already in the area. The fire department also said the organization would need a 12-inch water main. A new parking lot would cover part of the septic system and they'd have to connect to the sewer.
In all, the upgrade would cost $700,000.
"We knew there would be hoops to jump through and utilities to deal with. We just had no idea that the requirements would be that high," said Food Bank committee member Scott Senter.
Local officials say they don't want to be the Grinch.
"I wish they could go forward because I think the food bank is a valuable service to the community," said Gary Hajek of the Cross Valley Water District.
Senter and others wish the powers that be would consider the food bank a non-profit, but Hajeck said that's just not possible.
"The district, being a public agency, doesn't make exceptions for a food bank as opposed to a private developer," he said.
As it stands, the plans can't go forward unless the county changes its rules or the food bank finds an extra $400,000
Maybe what they should do with their budget money is open a satellite store in , oh, say, Cathcart so the needy in that community don't have to travel so far?
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Just an idea...
Only in America does this happen. The Democrats are turning us into communist Russia.
 @ObsidianOne Idiot!
"Well, between the county -- Snohomish County -- and Cross Valley Water, they have so many regulations and issues that we can't afford it," said food bank operator Fran Walster.
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Well, Fran, keep votin' "D" and maybe that will change...
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BWAHAHAHAH
All they really need is a water tower with enough water to put out a fire and a sprinkler system. If the food burns more will come in. Leave the septic as is. There are parking lots made of grass nowadays and they filter the car fluids too and can be sent to a nearby pond after being cleaned or just let runoff.
red tape red tape
heh. And people wonder why private businesses aren't growing. Have a look at the insane and contradictory thicket of bureaucratic regulations some time and you will know why.
The food bank folks shouldve known. The government is only there to help you if youre a rapist or child molester looking to get out of prison early so you can get back to raping and molesting.
 @thatsjarrod Way to go straight for the unconstructive hyperbole.  You know well and good the gub'mint helps in more ways than freeing molesterers.  You just sound angry.
 @blackdogsinging  @thatsjarrod People can thin for themselves It is not rocket science to know gee I need fire protection and I have to build this so it won't collapse. And gee I need to hook up my waste line to a sewer! People can govern themselves. It is when the nannies AKA progressives poke their noses in is when people who are free thinkers get bent. And this state and local governments have been very kind to the criminals and that includes illegals. Â
Lets see the government controls the food. The government controls the money, the Government controls the educations system. Ever wonder why American's are getting fat poor and stupid!
Why should fire safety and sanitation rules change just because the customer is a non-profit?
 @Middle Ground Exactly. It should not change anything just because it is a non-profit. Maybe people will start understanding just what over burdensome regulations are all about.