Other than questions posed by trustees (see related story) and routine items during the Hennessey Board of Trustees’ monthly meeting, the board last week took two actions: Waterline replacement – Amended a REAP infrastructure grant application to replace waterlines as part of the consent agenda. That new application asks only to replace waterlines for four blocks with fire hydrants along South Dunlap from 4th to 7th streets. An earlier application also called for replacing lines in the alley between Arapaho and Bonita streets between 4th and 5th streets. Town Administrator Tiffany Tillman said they had to make that change due to costs, but are working on an alternate plan for the alleyway lines. These are some of the “worst” lines (1-1/4-inch) in the town, board members learned in earlier meetings. The grant is being processed through NODA.

Daycare building – Approved an $8,500 bid from Jackson’s Wrecking to tear down the former building once used for a daycare located (east) behind the public library. “It’s an eyesore,” said Tillman, “and there has been vandalism and termites.” She said that cost included taking out the concrete and leveling the lot. Mayor Bert Gritz agreed. Note: For many years the town allowed Opportunities Inc., Watonga, use of that building for federally-funded Head Start pre-school programs for children whose parents qualified for assistance. The town board and the mayor’s appointed Library Building Committee has also been talking about needed parking at that complex.

At the Meeting

All trustees were present at the Tuesday, Oct. 11, meeting due to a Thursday night football game on their usual meeting night: Mayor Gritz, Vice Mayor Clif Vogt, Trustees Richard Simunek, Harold Shaw and David Jones.

Tillman was the only employee at the meeting.

Also present was Town Clerk Kati Walters, who also serves as minutes clerk. In the audience was Frank Patton.

Administrative Report

Tillman wants employee evaluation – During her monthly report, Tillman said since she is in charge of evaluating all of the employees, and has never had an evaluation from the board, she would would like for the board to do one each year.

Jones asked about her job description.

“There is one, but it’s very vague,” she said.

Jones asked if other small towns would have evaluations that the board might use as a gauge.

She said most use the state statute.

Tillman has worked for the town since January 2006, according to newspaper reports.

She started as office manager, then was appointed town clerk in February and was elected to that post until she resigned from it in 2020 due to “added responsibilities.”

She was hired as interim administrator (September 2006), then town administrator (January 2007) over budgets/finances, and personnel in police, fire, library and town hall offices.

A public works director was hired in 2008 to manage water, sewer, street, parks, cemetery, building permits, but in August 2020, the town did away with that job “due to decreases in sales taxes,” and budget issues.

Tillman has been in charge of all departments since then.

Mitchell/Cemetery road repairs – Tillman said she plans to apply for a Municipal Roads Drilling Activity Fund available for towns under 15,000 population to repair, or improve, roadways that sustained damage due to oilfield activity. She asked Cowan Engineering to help with the application for repairs on Mitchell and Cemetery roads.

Cemetery Pavilion – Tillman is working on quotes to install bathrooms and construct a west wall.

Drainage Project – Bid opening was Oct. 20. No info available at deadline.

Annual Town Board Planning Meeting – Saturday, Jan. 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Department heads will have reports completed by Nov. 15 and will be distributed to board in November.

Howdy Truck Plaza – During her report, Shaw asked Tillman how the water and sewer work is going there. Tillman said, “I haven’t met with the owner lately.”

Written Admin Report

New hires – Tony Hickey, full-time dispatcher, and Mikayala Beebe, children’s librarian.

Building permits – Approved: Porch addition, one; patio extension, one; patio extension and cover, one; mobile home, one, and new sign, one. Denied: Doublewide manufactured house, working on appeal, one.