Hennessey’s outdated storm sirens are being upgraded.

“The storm siren at the water tower on Main Street has been in operation since 1956, and we can’t get parts for it any more.”

That’s how Hennessey Mayor Bert Gritz started his proposal to go out for bids to upgrade the town’s five existing storm sirens at Thursday night’s town board meeting.

He estimated it would cost between $150,000-$175,000 and it must be able to be activated from the police radio or portable radio instead of by electricity or phone.

Gritz, who is also the fire chief, recommended an electronic siren in the 100 block of East 1st Street, and replacing the existing sirens with mechanical rotating sirens at 625 Arapaho St. and at the southeast corner of Iowa and Walnut streets.

New locations for rotating sirens would be at the southwest corner of Third and Oak streets, the northeast corner of the 200 block of West 6th Street and at the West end of Ike’s Avenue in Ike’s Acres.

“I realize Ike’s Acres isn’t in the town limits,” Gritz said, but it would be heard north and south of there.

The proposal also shows that one of the downtown sirens would be equipped so it could be used as a public address system. A speaker and amplifier shall also be equipped to play other sounds and play “Westminster Chime” each weekday Monday-Friday at noon as a daily test.

From the audience, Jack Quirk said he has been a storm chaser for many years and he knows that people can get their storm information from their TVs and phones.

“But there is nothing like hearing those storm sirens going off in your town to make you take notice and take action,” he said.

(Reporter’s note: Ironically, when Gritz made the comment about the activation by police or portable radio, it was a reminder of the Jan. 30, 2002, ice storm that knocked out both the electricity and phone/cell service in Hennessey for several days. Tim Riddle, the mayor during that time, happened to be in the audience Thursday night on another matter.)

The board eventually approved the upgrade by a unanimous vote.

In addition to Gritz, the other three members present were Vice Mayor Clif Vogt, Richard Simunek and Harold Shaw.

Sewer System Problems Addressed

A $16,500 contract with OK Water was approved to install iTrackers in the sewer system to help identify infiltration problem areas.

Fifteen iTrackers will be installed for about four months, starting at the end of October, OK Water representative Steve Wheeler told the board. He said rainfall will decide how long the devices need to be in place so they could get enough data to analyze and give the board a complete report.

Sewer Superintendent Bryan Burch and assistant Kyle Watkins were at the meeting and left with Wheeler.

At the board’s July meeting, Administrator Tiffany Tillman said the sewer lines were full of rain water in March and the town was unable to irrigate sewage water properly, but DEQ gave the town a temporary discharge order so they could get the lagoons at a manageable level.

June smoke tests showed “problem areas,” Tillman told the board.

Some of the old lines were never capped and they found manholes that they didn’t know existed, she said.

Three Firefighters Hired

Firefighters Kyle Keeton, Levi Copeland and Dustin Grellner were officially hired by the town board. They were recommended by senior firemen James Matousek, assistant chief, and Tim Riddle.

Matousek said he was proud of them for completing Firefighter I, II and III classes and said that was quite an achievement. Both Matousek and Riddle are former Hennessey mayors.

Zoning Map

Tillman showed the board a large rendition of a zoning map draft that will be part of the town’s comprehensive plan. She said it will be on display for 30 days at Town Hall so the public can view it and it will also be on the town’s website.

Other Business

The board routinely approved renewal of contracts on financial computer software and property/liability insurance.

Most of the 3 1/2 hourlong meeting was spent on discussion and interviews with candidates for the vacant seat on the board (see story on Page 1).