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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Maplesville Town Council approved a number of personnel-related items during its March 9 meeting.

First in the agenda was paying for a hotel for a Maplesville police officer while he attended training. Town Clerk Dawn Smitherman said the training was free and was a part of Officer Jason Reeves required continuing education.

Chris Jones was approved to be hired as a full-time officer as of April 1 to begin riding with an officer. Jones has been a reserve officer and graduates from the police academy on June 1.

Purchasing new radios to work with the countywide emergency communications system that is being established was delayed to research which would be the best model. Smitherman said the Maplesville portion had not been constructed yet.

The Council also approved allowing the members of the Maplesville Fire Department to be on the town’s health insurance, with the members paying the full cost for the coverage. Shelia Hall abstained from the vote because she is a member of the fire department.

Also during the meeting, the Council:

• Established a form for requesting public records.
• Approved an up to $500 donation for the Maplesville Library.
• Declared a utility trailer surplus. Smitherman said sealed bids with a minimum required bid of $50 will be accepted and opened at the April meeting on April 13.
• Approved combining its fax, phone and internet bills with AT&T for a two-year contract with an expected savings of $330.