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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Raises for the town of Maplesville’s office, street and depot employees were approved by the town council on Jan. 9.

Town Clerk Dawn Smitherman confirmed that the funds necessary for the increase in pay had been included in the budget the council approved at the start of the fiscal year.

She said the salaried janitor position had not been increased since 2016, and a $10 increase was recommended. Raising the town’s attorney payment rate to $325 and setting the new judge payment rate at $300.

The fire department presented information about expanding the scope of a concrete project to address a drainage issue in addition to the original project of improving the parking area and a concrete pad for a shed. Queen Morrow of the Maplesville Fire Department said the project went from being 58 yards to 135 square yards. A price quote was presented, but the council asked the department to come back with two bids because the scope of the project has changed.

The council also approved changes to the ordinance on non-domestic and dangerous animals to add a requirement that they be in a fenced in area. Changes were discussed after a community member was attacked by two dogs that belonged to someone else in the neighborhood.

Also, during the meeting, the council:

• Received updates from the police and fire department on vehicles that had been damaged when the vehicle hit a deer.
• Approved allowing nee Police officer Damian Smith to drive his patrol car home, even though he lives in Montgomery, for three months while he finds a place to live in Chilton County.
• Approved the Maplesville old Fashioned Christmas to host a Small Town Spring Fling event as a fundraiser.
• Approved a request for needed taser equipment and a hand-held radar device for the Maplesville Police Department.