A Hennessey town trustee said he couldn’t vote for specific items without having more information in front of him.

“I can’t vote to approve purchase orders that I haven’t seen,” said Hennessey Town Trustee David Jones. He made the statement during the board’s Sept. 14 meeting.

His comment was in answer to the KT&FP reporter’s question: “Why did you vote no on approval of the consent agenda in both (town trustees and utilities authority) meetings?”

Jones said he’d seen some claims in the past, but not all of them, and the staff should be able to pull up that information on the town’s CIC (Computer Information Concepts Inc.) data base, and print them out for board members.

Town Administrator Tiffany Tillman said they’re still working to get caught up (since she came back on staff Aug. 30) and will make sure they are ready next month.

There was some discussion about making copies of purchase order lists the day before the meeting for board members.

Approval of claims is a routine consent agenda topic at the start of each meeting.

All trustees attended this month’s meeting: Mayor Clif Vogt, Vice Mayor Harold Shaw, Bert Gritz, Randy Bohnstedt, and Jones.

Department Reports Administrator – Generators – Tillman said since the fire station will get a new generator with its new addition, the old generator will be moved to the storm shelter. A quote from Farmer’s Electric is $2,703.40 and includes a monitoring system if there is a problem. Farmer’s is also preparing notes for generators at Town Hall, and the lagoons at the lift station. Utility Billing Issues – (1) When she returned to work she was told that a customer’s sewer bill was higher than their water bill, which shouldn’t have happened. Sewer rates are averaged (from November-February each year on July 1), but didn’t happen this year. It will be fixed on the Oct. 1 billing. (2) Another customer said their billing wasn’t calculated correctly. Tillman said she is working with the computer company about that problem. She said it appeared that customers are being billed for one more unit of water than they used. When all of the new meters are installed she suggested that customers be charged by the gallon and not by 1,000 gallons. Managers’ meeting held Sept. 8. Each month managers will prepare a monthly report about their work and if their department is on the board’s agenda they will attend, present their report and answer questions. Codes – Tillman also said she is getting draft copies made for board members of the recodified town codes. Special Meeting – Tillman said the town attorney wants the board to have a special meeting sometime after the week of Sept. 25.

Water Department (on agenda) – Supt. Alyssa Kubat reported on Sept. 1 inspection by the DEQ at the Reverse Osmosis Water Plant (six previous items corrected). Wells listed by numbers : Well 1, No sample tap available; 2, Vent needs screen; 3, Currently not operating, evidence of moss presence; 4, Need to be cleaned out building secured to prevent animals entering; 5, Wiring caulked into well. Needs conduit seal to prevent caulk from deteriorating; and Wells 6, 7 and 8, No violations.

Retention Lagoon (on agenda) – Supt. Bryan Burch made his report from DEQ’s Aug. 18 inspection. The report showed no critical items, but these three problem items out of 30 items: 1.3 slope not maintained in cells; small trees growing on the south cells, and recent rain has the freeboard high. Operator using land application to lower it.

August Police – 245 traffic stops, 145 citations written, 177 warnings written with fines totaling $34,818. Calls for service: Agency assists, 5; Alarms, 3; Animal complaints, 13; Arrests, 1; Business checks, 66; Check the area,15; Civil, 4; Debris on roadway,6; Domestic disturbance, 1; Fires, 3; Foot patrol, 35; Follow ups, 5; Juveniles, 2; Medical/ Ambulance assists, 8; Noise complaint, 1; Open door, 4; Reckless drivers, 7; Scam investigation,1; Some investigations, 2; Suspicious vehicles/persons, 3; Theft, 1, Welfare check, 2.

August Fire Department – 13 grass fires; 5 structure fires/smoke investigations/ fire alarm; 3 public assists/hazardous situations; 6 medical assists; Life EMS, 9 calls.

Other Business

• Trustees approved purchase of 88 electronic water meters from Utility Technology Services for $29,875.

• Approved $49,22.86 quote from Warrior Roofing Solutions, Oklahoma City, to repair roof at water plant from wind/storm damages. The insurance is $1,000 deductible.

• Approved repair of well 7 motor in case it is more than $500 (the limit that the town administrator may approve without board support). The board approved spending up $1,000 if necessary.

Volunteers Wanted for Planning, Adjustment Boards Trustees decided to ask anyone who is interested in serving on the town’s Planning Board, or Board of Adjustment, to stop by Town Hall.

Members must live inside the town limits. Both boards require five members.

Current planning members are Richard Hedrick, Dustin Munroe, Dustin Vinson and Rachel Rodgers. Adjustment members are Hedrick, Vinson and Logan Macy.

Vice Mayor Harold Shaw said it would be helpful if someone on the board could speak Spanish.