Safety was a major topic during the Thorsby Town Council meeting on Monday.

Mayor Robert Hight brought to the council’s attention the dark areas at night along West Medical Center Drive, which results in poor visibility.

After visiting the area of concern with Public Works Director Terry Jackson, Hight came to the conclusion that at least two streetlights were needed to brighten up the area.

According to Hight, there is a large contingent of older residents in the area and the streetlights would be an embraced addition.

Councilwoman Marilyn Collins motioned to have Alabama Power look at the area and come back with an estimate at a future Council meeting. The motion was unanimously approved.

Police Chief Rodney Barnett continued the road discussion by recommending that the dead end sign at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Michigan Road be moved up from its current spot to give drivers more warning.

He also asked that two stop signs be added to make the intersection a four-way stop, as well as the placing of a “children at play” sign. The Council approved all three requests for the intersection.

The town’s Christmas parade took place on Saturday and Barnett stated that everything went as smooth as possible.

“There were no injuries or bog downs during the parade,” Barnett said. “Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.”

Lee Gunn opened up bids for new packs for the fire department through a grant that the department received.

The bids included Sunbelt Fire for $123,464 and NAFECO for $113,058.

Gunn informed the Council that Sunbelt Fire would be the best option, because the NAFECO pack did not meet the required specifications. The Council approved the bid from Sunbelt Fire.

According to Gunn, there will be money left over in the grant account that he plans to use to buy new thermal imagers for the department.

Because both of the January meetings fall on holidays, the dates for those meetings have been re-scheduled to Jan. 9 and 23.

In other news from the meeting, the Council:

• Approved a plan in place for the municipal departments in the event of an active shooter situation.
• Approved Edwin Freeman as a part-time officer with the Thorsby Police Department.
• The Council’s annual safety meeting is scheduled for Dec. 15.
• The Thorsby Fire Department has begun preparation for the annual Santa Run on Christmas Eve.
• Approved to pay the town’s bills.
• Approved the minutes from the previous meeting.