Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Maplesville Town Council unanimously approved specifications for a garbage collection service bid during a meeting on May 10.

Council member John Caudle was absent.

Bids for the garbage contract will be opened at the July 12 meeting.

The contract had been reviewed by the town attorney prior to the vote.

However, a contract to provide mutual aid to Adamsville Police Department being considered had not been reviewed by the town attorney. The Town Council approved the agreement contingent on attorney review.

Emergency services were also a topic of discussion later in the meeting as the council received an update that the severe weather siren had been fixed. Residents likely heard it during the last severe storm that came through town.

Council member Shelia Hall asked about the possibility of having a second storm shelter built. The existing storm shelter was full during the last tornado warning, according to Town Clerk Dawn Smitherman. Mayor W.C. Hayes was authorized to research what it would take for this to be done.

The Fire Department requested permission to research getting a generator that would turn on automatically when the power goes off to be used at the fire station. The council approved allowing the department to come back with a price.

Prices for long-term disability and cancer insurance for the volunteer fire department are also being researched.

“The state passed a law that long-term disability and cancer insurance have to be provided for paid fire department members,” Smitherman said. “We don’t have any paid fire department members.”

However, the council will consider the fire department offering this insurance, once a cost is presented.

The Council also approved:

• A raise of 25 cents per hour for Police Officer George Fanning for his three months with the department.
• Allowing police officers who work over 40 hours to have the choice between time and a half of pay or one and a half hours more of time off later as vacation time. Smitherman said this is helpful to new employees because they are not eligible for vacation time until they have worked for the town for a year.

• Setting the minimum bid for a white Dodge Charger that has been declared surplus at $4,000. Smitherman said bids had been accepted previously for the vehicle but the winning bidder later changed his mind. Bids will be opened at the June 14 meeting.
• Renewing the annual contract with Middle Area Agency on Aging for the meal program partnership. M4A covers $803.92 toward running the program and the entire cost of the meals. The town covers the building maintenance cost and any additional costs.