Hennessey’s town board voted to apply for a $45,000 water line grant and an $18,730 library/history center preservation grant.

Both grants require cash matches, the board was told at its Oct. 7 Town Hall meeting.

Water Lines

The $82,103.40 water line project calls for a $37,103.40 match to upgrade four-inch water lines to six-inch lines between two water wells that run into the water plant.

The lines are located a mile east and north of the town and will increase the volume of water needed, especially during summer months.

The REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) grant is administered through NODA (Northern Oklahoma Development Authority) in Enid.

The board also approved a resolution to amend its Capitol Improvement Plan to include that water line project.

Library/History Center

The board joined the Friends of the Library in giving its OK to apply for an Oklahoma Heritage Preservation Grant through the state Historical Society.

The library group is required to match $1,872 to provide archival supplies and other resources to supplement the organization, development and exhibit creation in the existing History Center.

“This is the first phase in the strategic plan to turn the History Center into a full-fledged non-profit museum,” said Library Director Ruth Ann Replogle.

She said they needed the board’s OK because the town will pay the state each month for the hours the person works and then the state would pay the town at the end of the program.

If received, the grant would pay a contract person for one year for 30 hours (six hours every weekday) at $12 an hour to organize the existing collections, including cataloguing and archiving, she said.

That person could also give tours and Replogle said they have someone in mind for the position.

Trustee Wes Hardin asked who takes care of the History Center work now and Replogle said the library staff does.

“But our hope is that we can take this first step to turn the History Center into a 501(c)(3) non-profit museum,” Replogle added.

PD Gun Range

The town’s attorney, John Wynne, said he “encourages the police department to have an in-house gun range first. There are a myriad of issues when you open it up because many people use gun ranges now.”

A range near the town water plant was discussed at last month’s meeting. No action was taken Monday night.

Trail Life Troop

Three leaders of the Trail Life troop and four of their members were at the meeting.

Chad Hurst spoke for the group and thanked the board for use of the Scout Cabin. He said they are planning to have a fire pit there soon and brought the boys so they can see how government works.

Board members thanked Hurst and his group for their work at the cabin and park located on Second and Cheyenne streets.

Hurst said they plan to purchase flags for businesses and homes who want holders so their team can put out American flags the day before holidays and then pick them up the next day.

Other Action Items

At the request of Police Chief Hank Weber, the board tabled an executive session and approved his recommendation to hire Jeremiah Loper as a reserve police officer.

Weber said Loper is now getting his CLEET certification in classes held in Hennessey.

The board routinely approved renewal of its property/liability insurance with the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group after Tillman said there was a $500 increase. That does not include the new pool and bathhouse that is still on schedule to open Memorial Day next year, she said.

Trustees at the meeting were Mayor Bert Gritz, Vice Mayor Clif Vogt, Wes Hardin and Richard Simunek. Absent was Trustee Keith Meek.

Staff at the meeting were Tillman, Replogle, Public Works Director Curtis Turner, Treasurer Teresa Weber, Police Chief Hank Weber and Assistant Chief Ed Cangiano.

Visitors in the audience included Mickey and Kelly Bullis and Trail Life troop leaders Chad Hurst, Steve Matthews and Blake Victor, and troop members Kyler Walters, Brendon Hurst, Acen Victor and Jaret Matthews.