The Thorsby Town Council cleared up a gray area concerning employee vacation time during its Monday meeting.

The town’s current policy awards employees with five days vacation after a year of work and 10 days vacation after three years on the job.

The issue becomes tricky when considering the town’s police officers, which work 12-hour shifts. Several new officers have recently earned vacation time or will soon, according to Town Clerk Denise Gunn.

After discussing the matter, the council voted to change the wording to hours instead of days. For example, employees will earn 40 hours of vacation after one year of work instead of five days.

The council had talked about giving officers five full 12-hour days of vacation, but ultimately voted against giving one town department more vacation time than another.

In other business, the council took the following actions:
•Mayor Dearl Hilyer announced the town has been awarded a $1,930 Gateway Project grant from Alabama Power. The money will be used to put up welcome signs.

•City Superintendent Terry Jackson addressed the council about a problem the town is having with septic haulers illegally dumping waste into Thorsby’s sewer system. Jackson said it is a crime and charges will be pressed against anybody caught.

•The town’s Christmas party will be Thursday, Dec. 16 for town employees and citizens who serve on different boards and committees.