OOLITIC – The Oolitic Town Council on Monday, December 18, voted to end the Town Marshal’s canine program due to costs, effective immediately.
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Councilman Dillon stated the program had excessive costs and financially burdened the town. Costs included damages to the police vehicle, insurance rates, and gas expenses when the unit was called out to assist other departments.
Councilman Kerr praised canine Deny Joe and Marshal Harrington on the number of drug arrests and amount of drugs removed from the county, however, Councilman Dillon stressed other canine units in the county could assist the Oolitic officers, sparing the town of Oolitic the expense of having its own program.
Councilman Dillon replied, “Absolutely not,” when questions were raised if his decision was based on the fact that he did not personally like Marshal. Dillon continued, stating the Marshal’s job is not just about making arrests but also about getting to know the town’s citizens, looking out financially for the town, and attending town events. Councilman Dillon also mentioned the goal was to keep Marshal Harrington in the town of Oolitic, not assisting on calls in the county. He said he had received numerous complaints and comments that Marshal Harrington was spending more time outside the town limits than in it, and residents were tired of it. He said it was time to start listening to concerns. Councilman Dillon added the town was already working around Marshal Harrington’s other full-time job.
Council Vice President Brenda Cory, along with Councilman Dillon and Broglin voted to discontinue the program while Kerr voted against the motion.
In other business:
Clerk-Treasurer Annette Norrick stated the employee Axiom Timekeeping System is up and running. She provided the council with a report example that is available from Axiom to help monitor employees’ time records.
An Old Firehouse Restoration Committee meeting is planned for January 2024. The goal is to have a roof on the building by next summer. Currently, there is $1,310 in the Old Firehouse Restoration Fund.
Town officials are working to create a social media policy. Once the policy is drafted, it will be presented to town attorney Greg Pittman for review.
The council also voted to:
- Approve the sewer adjustments for December.
- Pay an invoice for water supplies for $326.32 to Waller’s Meters.
- Pay an invoice from E&V Paving LLC for $244.80 for cold patchwork.
- Pay two invoices for $968.11 and $542.85 to Commonwealth Engineering for surveys at Goose Creek from a sewer leak earlier in the year.
- Pay an invoice for $3,250 to Commonwealth Engineering for a preliminary engineering report.
Resident Steven Shaw asked if Oolitic had any regulations regarding the minimum square footage of a house. He explained that he is considering purchasing property and building a smaller home but wanted to ensure it would be okay first. The council advised Shaw there are no requirements for minimum square footage and advised him of the process of applying for a building permit.
Councilman Kerr stated the town was not selected for the most recent Community Crossings Grant for paving and will follow up to determine why the town was not selected.
Councilman Broglin will seek legal advice from Attorney Pittman regarding the possibility of charging spectators for parking during the 2024 eclipse. Proceeds would be placed in the Old Firehouse Restoration Fund.
