Town marshal's role more clearly defined
Defining Town Marshall Don Pearson's scope of authority was the focus of the Cloverdale Town Council's first meeting of 2008 on Tuesday evening.
Pearson appeared before the council and requested that there be open communication between his department and council members regarding the marshall's appointments of deputies and reserve officers. Pearson went on to say that he planned to appoint 10 reserve officers at some time in the future.
An ordinance (2008-1) was presented in draft form that would specify the number of deputies and reserve officers available to Pearson. In addition, the ordinance would give Pearson the authority to hire those officers. Finally the ordinance would allow Pearson to "restructure" the department as he sees fit.
The ordinance, drafted by Alan Yackey, who was formally approved as Cloverdale Town Attorney for 2008 at Tuesday's meeting, was to undergo revision and go up for approval at a later date.
Later in the meeting, questions were raised over charges placed on credit cards accessed by town officials.
Council member Dennis Padgett asked Clerk/Treasurer Patti Truax to clarify charges for restaurants and hotels that had come to his attention via reports that Truax routinely issues to council members. Padgett said he was concerned that the reports listing credit card charges were not specific enough regarding the nature of those charges.
It was agreed that when Truax paid the credit card provider in the future, separate checks for each charge would be issued, thereby enabling council members to have access to more detailed reporting on those charges.
In other business:
* The council elected Don Sublett as President and Steve Caulkins as Vice President.
* A $100,750 payment to Bowen Engineering for the wastewater treatment plant was authorized.
* A request from former council member Judy Whitaker to examine town billing documentation was denied. Whitaker had filed a public access complaint requesting the viewing.
The Cloverdale Town Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.