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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

The Thorsby City Council approved a quote to hire a preservationist company to make repairs to Helen Jenkins Chapel at its meeting on Dec. 19. The council had been looking into multiple repair businesses to make the improvements to the 119-year old building. The repairs will address the windows of the church that need to be replaced, but it will keep the old style of the windows and not change it to a more modern design. The quote will cover other additional repairs that come about as the building is being worked on. The council’s biggest concern when seeking help to repair the chapel was keeping it as original as possible.

An amendment proposed by Thorsby municipal judge Craig Cleckler to give him the ability to raise the failure to appear fees was approved unanimously by the council. The amendment grants Cleckler the ability to raise the fee if a defendant misses a court appearance multiple times. The fees can increase up to $500. The original fee was $150 for traffic court and $250 for non-traffic each time an appearance was missed.

The Thorsby Police Department was granted approval to advertise for a full-time police officer position to help combat the absence of officers due to injury. Police Chief Rodney Barnett said he has a few part-time officers interested in the full-time position, but encourages anyone with law enforcement experience that is interested to apply.

The council moved both of its January meetings due to holidays. The Jan. 2 meeting will be on Jan. 3, and the Jan. 16 meeting will be on Jan. 17.