Maplesville’s police and fire departments gained new personnel after the town council approved two additions April 10.

Kenny Barrett of the street department applied and was approved as a member of the volunteer fire department.

Following Barrett’s application approval, the council voted to remove three inactive volunteer fire department members from the roster.

In the police department, Casey Ofarril was hired as a full-time officer.

Ofarril will work under the supervision of other officers until he graduates from the police academy April 29.

“He does a lot of work for the city, free of charge,” Police Chief Todd Ingram said of Ofarril. “He has been a reserve officer here for two years.”

The council also approved a 2-percent pay increase for Officer Josh Hammond, in accordance with the town’s policy to grant police officers a raise after they have worked for one year and met department standards.

Maplesville residents Johnny Herrod and Jimmy Jones voiced concerns to council members Tuesday night regarding recent flooding on Graham Avenue.

Herrod said nearby ditches failed to keep the area from flooding as a storm swept through March 30.

“There was considerable damage to a home,” Herrod said, adding that health risks exist with standing water.

Mayor Aubrey Latham and council members said the town would clean out any ditches that it owns to try to prevent future flooding.

“As a municipality, we cannot do work on private property,” Town Clerk Sheila Haigler said.

Latham said he had no problem with town employees cleaning up residents’ ditches as long as they could do so legally.

“We’ll get it taken care of,” Latham said. “We’ll try to get it cleaned out.”

In the street department, Barrett gave the council a quote for putting a roof on the Brown Brothers’ building and suggested it be used as a shop for repairing and servicing town vehicles and equipment.

“That would get us out of the rain, out of the mud,” Barrett said. “We could do it right here, in-house.”

Councilman John Caudle said having the shop would save the town money by eliminating trips to service centers.

“When I heard about this idea, I liked it,” Latham said.

In old business, the council approved business garbage rates to change from $50 back to $35, which is the amount listed in the garbage ordinance.

Repairs to a decorative street light damaged in January’s storms will be $5,843 and will not be finished before Heritage Day on April 14.

Heritage Day will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to attend.

This year, the event will include an open casting call for Cypress Moon Productions’ upcoming feature film “The Story of Bonnie and Clyde,” from 1-4 p.m. in the train depot.

The fire department is selling $1 raffle tickets for a 32-inch Sony TV. Tickets may be purchased at Heritage Day, and all proceeds benefit the fire department.