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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

The Maplesville Town Council has approved funds to provide a book for each student in first and fourth grades from The Ambassador.

Town Clerk Dawn Smitherman said The Ambassador prints character building books for children. The Town Council agreed to a 2-year contract with The Ambassador at a cost of $300 per year during a meeting on March 12. Each book will be given to the student for them to take home and keep.

The vote was unanimous. Council members Shelia Hall and Richard Davis were absent.

A survey for the property that the town wants to purchase from Maplesville Methodist Church is being completed.

Speed bumps will be added on Main Street to address speeding and safety concerns.

A contract with a company for garbage service to the town is being reviewed by the Town Council attorney.

The Town Council approved $1,000 for the development of a strategic plan for the town by Next Site, which the Chilton County Industrial Development Authority will also help with.

Additional security cameras outside of the police department have been approved for the department to be a Safe Exchange Zone for exchanges such as a noncustodial parent to bring children to the custodial parents or for community members to meet people to pick up items they have ordered from the individual online.

A motion to increase the rate of pay for police officers was tabled so the proposal could be more thoroughly reviewed in light of the town’s finances.

Also during the meeting, the council approved:

• Accepting the resignation of Vanessa Lawley from the Police Department.
• Hiring Tera Easterling as Part Time Officer and Justin Wilson as reserve officer.
• A new Policy and Procedure Manual for the Police Department.
• Accepting a bid for $5,500 to sell a white Dodge Charger.
• Purchasing an SUV from 17th Judicial for $25,000.
• Accepting a $7,000 donation toward a Speed Radar Trailer and paying the remaining $1,200.