Henry named mayor, grant will repair water lines

The Gore Board of Trustees selected a new mayor and vice mayor, approved several ordinances, and received a grant for $150,000 to repair water lines going to Haven Heights during their monthly meetings in February, March and April.

Feb. 21 meeting

The trustees voted to approve a hiring policy and LEAD’s online contract for the police department.

Police Chief Jeremy Walters reported 14 citations and 38 warnings were issued by officers for the previous month, and two officers had started CLEET training. It was also announced one of the cars was in the shop but that it was under warranty, according to meeting minutes.

Gore Court Clerk Lisa Settlemyre reportedly collected over $3,800 in citation fees.

The fire department received six calls and said the auto extraction class was finished. It was also noted the Narcan class was a success and there are kits in all trucks now.

New doors have also been installed at the police and fire departments but new lights are now needed.

The board gave the green light on the purchase and installation of flooring at the Gore Municipal Hall by Stump Flooring, along with the purchase of a stove. They also approved a contract with Soloman Miller (In the Moment Productions) for website design.

After tabling the donation of the town’s retired military Humvee to Texanna Fire Department in January, they voted to take no action on the line item.

During the public works authority meeting, the trustees voted to approve the proposal from Holloway, Updike and Bellen, Inc. for preparation of the residual solids manage plan and preparation of bid documents for removal of solids from the water plant. They also approved authorization to advertise bids for removal of solids from the water plant.

Gore Public Works Authority Administrator Jeremy Lane said during his report that there was 10 water leaks, with the biggest being a six inch. Lane also reported an 11% water loss and four meter placements, and said the water leaks and meter placements where due to extreme cold weather.

Under new business it was announced Lane, Larry Pack and Settlemyre were attending an USDA funding opportunity meeting on Feb. 28 with a goal to obtain a grant for the sludge removal.

March 7 special meeting The trustees approved the Town of Gore Code Enforcement policy manual and two ordinances-No. 03-07-2023-1 on junked and abandoned vehicles and No. 03-07-2023-2 on dilapidated buildings-also passing them as emergencies.

An easement and right-of-way with Cookson Hills Electric Cooperative was also approved.

Following an executive session, the board reconvened and later voted to hire both Justin Ohl and Settlemyre as Code Enforcement Officers at a rate of $400 per month each. Both were then administered the town’s Code Enforcement Officer Oath.

March 14 meeting

The board received and reviewed the 2021-22 FY audit presented by Sidney Campbell, and approved ordinance No. 03-14-2023-1 regarding swimming pools, also passing it as an emergency.

Also approved was the purchase of lighting, paint and gravel for the police department and fence repairs at Ray Fine Park.

The trustees voted to donate a 1997 Ford Nutrition Center van to Gore Pirate Wrestling, surplussed a 1972 boat belonging to the fire department, approved contracts with the Gore Little League Association and Gore Youth Soccer, to purchase concrete for Municipal Hall, donated $500 in support of the Gore Easter egg hunt, and scheduled a spring cleanup day for Saturday, May 20.

The police chief reported two citations and 10 warnings for the previous month, and that officers were having CLEET training and would be setting up an active shooter class.

The fire chief reported five calls and two life flights, commending his department on great response times. The chief also said they are looking into putting in a life flight pad.

Settlemyre said the town received a check for $1,533.90 from OMAG due to good loss experience from FY 2020-21 property claims.

Lane said during the water report they’d received the report for soil samples and will start the bidding process for sludge removal. He also reported an 11% water loss.

April 11 meeting

After a discussion on nominating a new mayor and vice mayor for the town, Robin Henry was unanimously voted in as the new mayor and Larry Pack as vice mayor.

Oath of Offices were also administered to new Ward #3 Trustee Matt Holland and Ward #5 Trustee Gideon Miller.

An Ordinance and emergency clause were approved for No. 4-11-2023-1 for recreational vehicles, and Pack was also appointed as trustee to the East Central Oklahoma Gas Authority Board.

They also unanimously voted to remove former Gore Mayor Bob Warren from all financial records and to add Pack, and approved a contract termination with Heavenly Lighthouse Industries.

The trustees also made motions to approve a new town logo and Town of Gore Ward Boundaries, along with an event calendar.

In police matters, there were six citations and 31 warnings issued by the department, and over $2,500 was collected in citations. The fire department reported three calls, one brush fire, and two EMT assists. They will be focusing on swift water rescue training next, according to meeting minutes.

During the GPWA meeting, they approved engineering reports for water improvements and Mayor Henry announced a grant check had been received for $150,000 to repair water lines going to Haven Heights that were exposed due to severe weather.

Lane reported a 22% water loss, several big leaks and that they were applying for grants.