Webbers Falls makes strides in improvements, public safety initiatives

In a productive meeting held on September 20, the Webbers Falls Board of Trustees addressed key community issues and approved significant initiatives aimed at enhancing local infrastructure and public safety.

One of the highlights of the evening was a special recognition from Police Chief Mike James, who presented a retired officer badge to Mayor Johnny Pollard, acknowledging the dedication of local law enforcement.

Pollard thanked the department for the badge before reporting ongoing improvements at Garden Walk, where property owners are eagerly awaiting title finalizations to initiate renovations.

It was announced there were some software issues with the police department, which caused them to be “down” for a few days, while the fire department reported several calls for the month and the new fire truck was being picked up in Boise, Idaho.

In a notable development, the trustees acknowledged the successful completion of the Webbers Falls Wastewater Lagoon Improvement Project, allowing for final payments to suppliers. Additionally, the board made the strategic decision to transition workers’ compensation coverage from Comp Source to OMAG, ensuring better support for town employees.

Plans for future community enhancements were also on the agenda. The trustees voted to allocate park and river access revenue back into the local parks, focusing on improvements such as new playground equipment. They also established a new events account to facilitate town activities.

In personnel matters, the board moved to elevate part-time employee Caden Robinson to fulltime status with a 3 percent costof- living (COLA) adjustment. Furthermore, four new reserve officers were approved for hire, enhancing the town’s public safety efforts.

While the issue of overpopulation of cats in town was tabled for further discussion, the board remains committed to exploring solutions.

August meeting At the recent board of trustees meeting on August 13, Webbers Falls unanimously approved essential items, including a 3 percent COLA raise for full-time town employees and the purchase of 20 pagers for the fire department.

The board also moved forward with a resolution to apply for a 2025 REAP Grant, aiming to bolster financial support for local projects.

Community engagements were highlighted by resident Meghan Johnson, who also expressed gratitude towards the fire and police departments, who have been volunteering and helping with the events.

Ongoing discussions about property abatement and lawn maintenance underscored the town’s commitment to maintaining a clean environment.

It was noted during communications that the local apartments had been mowed, and Fire Chief Armstrong announced that the official ISO paperwork had been received, with the town now at a Rank 5.

The trustees also approved contracts with the police and fire departments with the Muskogee City County E911 Trust Authority for the upcoming 2024-25 Fiscal Year.

The fire department was given the green light to purchase 20 Motorola Solutions pagers at a cost of $8,160, while the trustees also voted to purchase two new lawn mowers.

No action was taken on a company vehicle policy, and the board tabled purchasing a new truck for the town.

The board voted to table taking action on the abatement of Herbie Poteete’s property, but approved an ordinance for an Open Records request search fee, along with a request form. Following a short executive session, no action was taken on the employment of Caden Robinson.

This news story is based on the unofficial minutes from the board meeting and could be in error if the minutes are changed prior to adoption.