Chief wants new officer
Full-time relief officer needed for vacations
BY LELAND ACKER

While the meetings of the Alto City Council are becoming more harmonious, the challenges the city faces are not getting easier. Such was proven at the regular meeting of the city council Monday as leaders worked to resolve continued problems in the city's gas system, the decaying building which used to be city hall and managing the number of police reserves.

"I have five reserves right now," said Charles Barron, Alto police chief. "All but one are employed (elsewhere) full-time. To add anyone, I would want someone experienced who has been in East Texas for a long time."

Chief Barron told the council that one of his reserves is preparing to leave for Iraq, while another works for a university out of town. He explained what he needed is an officer who can relieve current officers so they can take vacation.

"What I need more than anything is someone full-time," Chief Barron said.

Mayor Pro-Tem Annie Walker suggested the council ask Municipal Judge R. E. Christiansen to look for reserve officers at the Angelina College Police Academy.

"Mrs. Mayor, why are you talking to the judge? Does he run the police department? Or do I?" Chief Barron asked. "Most departments have reserves who ride with the fulltime officers. Otherwise, they work football and basketball games. They do not patrol."

He explained that he was not interested in taking on more reserve officers. No action was taken.

The city of Alto faces more challenges from the gas system, as gas lines which service the Alto Housing Authority are constructed out of PVC pipe, a material which becomes breakable as natural gas moves through it. Utilities Supervisor Brandon Tyer told the council the breakable PVC lines created a safety hazard for housing authority residents as gas leaks could potentially infiltrate the sewage system.

Councilman Monty Collins made the motion to bid out the replacement of the PVC lines, with Councilman Kenneth Brethouwer making the second. The council approved the measure 5-0.

In addition to facing leaky gas lines, utilities personnel are subject to unsafe working conditions when they retrieve supplies from the building known as "Old City Hall."

"Utility workers are working in unhealthy, unsafe conditions," Mrs. Walker said. "The roof is caving in more and more."

Mrs. Walker and Mr. Tyer cited black mold buildup and large holes in the roof as safety issues. Mrs. Walker suggested renting a garage or temporary storage facility until permanent arrangements can be made.

The council tabled the issue to gather information on possible storage until the next council meeting.

In other action, the council approved the minutes from the March 10, Feb. 11, Jan. 23 and Jan. 14 meetings and approved accounts payable. The council voted to bid out a contract for the mowing of city property as Carey Palmer will no longer be able to provide the service due to health reasons.

Also approved were the closing of the front office from noon until 1 p.m. for lunch, getting estimates on installing a security door in the hallway of city hall and plexiglass in the front office, and a resolution declining a 1.46 percent utility rate increase from the Public Utilities Commission.

Denied were actions to lower the $100 reconnect fee on city utilities, changing the terminology of "utilities deposits" to "connection fees," an ordinance banning LED signs from highways inside the city limits and action to sell the city's Dodge Intrepid police car.

Councilmen Robert Pearman, Mr. Brethouwer, Earl Clark, Mr. Collins and Mrs. Walker were present for the meeting.