Hennessey’s Board of Trustees turned down suggested candidates offered by Oklahoma Municipal Management Services for the town’s vacant administrator job.

“They aren’t what we’re looking for,” Mayor Clif Vogt said after an hour in executive session during the Thursday, July 13, meeting.

“We’re going to re-open to search for other candidates,” he said. trustees in mid-March to conduct the nationwide, 45-day candidate search for $12,000 plus other costs for candidates.

OMMS recommended an interim candidate for the job last month. Trustees interviewed that candidate at their June 15 meeting, but took no action.

More Executive Session Decisions

Closed session topics this month included returning Acting Town Administrator David Treanor to his hourly wage duties.

However, the mayor asked Treanor if he’d continue the administrator job until the end of the month.

Treanor, who has worked for the town for 10 years, agreed to stay, but had said before their decision that he’d looked forward to going back to mowing.

Before his February administrative appointment, Treanor was the full-time parks and cemetery superintendent, pool and splash pad operator and building inspector.

Temporary employee Kolten Shaw was approved in a 4-0 vote as a permanent full-time employee in the street, parks and cemetery departments.

Vice Mayor Harold Shaw abstained since he is related to the employee.

Other Business

Food Truck Ordinance – Trustees approved, with changes, the third revision to a food truck ordinance that would allow Hennessey-owned businesses to have trucks without permit fees. It also made changes in permit costs and requirements for trucks to be a required amount of feet away from brick and mortar cafes and restaurants. Food truck vendors should check at Town Hall to see if they are required to pay for permits.

Water Towers – Trustees approved a $32,656 annual service payment to Utility Service Co. of Dallas for service to the town’s three water towers. Treanor was asked how often the towers are painted and he said every five years on the outside and every three years on the inside. Trustee Bert Gritz said there are radio antennas on top of the tower by the police department and lots of birds perch on the rail, which could cause problems. He asked if there could be a covering to discourage the birds, and Treanor said he’d check with the work crew.

Money Market Interest – An agenda item regarding the town’s current interest on money markets was discussed. Treasurer Shelley Burch said InterBank is checking the rates on money markets of $50,000 or more. Vogt asked her to check on the rates at both local banks.

Treanor’s Administrator Report Hirings – Brandon Scott, fire chief, and Georgie Tillman, accounts payable/ payroll clerk.

Projects – (1) Waterline project on Dunlap Street started June 21; (2) Drainage project on South Mitchell Road continues with “extra pipe and fittings delivered earlier than expected.” This is the addition of the earlier project on the west side of Mitchell Road.

June Building Permits Issued – 500 block North Manning, shed; 300 block Roughneck Street, solar panel installation; 700 block Wrangler Street, shop building.

At the Meeting

All Trustees were present: Vogt, Shaw, Gritz, David Jones and Randy Bohnstedt. Other officials at the meeting were Burch, Clerk Kelley Vaverka, who also serves as minutes clerk, and Treanor.

Other staff at the meeting were Sewer Superintendent and Reserve Police Capt. Bryan Burch, and Denise Meloy, Town Hall accounts payable clerk.

In the audience were State Auditor & Inspector attorney Mick Dodson of Tulsa; Crawford & Associates (town’s accounting service) President Frank Crawford, and citizens Tony Blackburn, Golden Chick owner, and Sharon Pollard.

( Ed. note: See Hennessey Board of Trustees discussion about open meeting wtate laws with State Auditor and Inspector attorney on Page 7.)