The Reidsville Police Department (RPD) Reidsville Fire Department (RFD), Reidsville Public Works Department, and Reidsville Recreation Department (RRD) gave reports at the August 8, 2022, city council meeting.
RPD Chief Stacey Wilds reported 9 total accidents, 225 calls, 90 vehicle stops, 39 tickets, 47 warnings, one DUI, and 35 incidents. Twenty-two total cases were sent to the Tattnall County Criminal Investigation Division; 15 cases were cleared or the individuals were arrested.
RFD Chief Jimmy Brown reported two structure fires, one smoke alarm call, 55 city calls, and 46 county calls. RFD used 3,700 gallons of water and traveled 87 miles. Two lift stations need repairs; the council voted to bring in City Engineer Hayes Hofstadter with Hofstadter & Associates, Inc. to evaluate needed repairs once American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are available.
Public Works Department Assistant Director James Hester reported 18 new services, 26 turn-ons, 12 turn-offs, 24 re-reads, 19 checks for leaks, 11 sewer calls, 17 trash can deliveries, and six busted water lines in July. The water meter at the new North Tattnall Middle School has been read, according to Councilwoman Verdie Williams. They are in the process of billing. Councilman Prestage asked last month if the city had begun billing the School System. Councilwoman Williams was answering that question in her update.
One bid for the proposed public works building has been turned in, but the council is seeking more bids. A water leak on Hwy. 280 in front of Alexander Hotel has been looked at by the Public Works Department and will be further looked at by the Georgia Department of Transportation later this week.
The limb truck has been fixed and is only available to pick up small limbs, Councilwoman Williams said. She also mentioned that three streets are under discussion to be closed, and she believes there should be a policy to request the installation of speed bumps on streets.
According to Williams, 180 feet of 6” sewer pipe was replaced on Robinhood Drive in Reidsville.
Councilwoman Lindsay Bennett gave an update from RRD. Parents can sign up their children for cheer and football from August 16 to August 26. Two fields are in the process of being constructed and will be used for baseball and softball in the spring.
Councilwoman Carolyn Crume-Blackshear gave an administration report. Annual employee evaluations are coming up for the city and are due by the first week in September. The council is going to look at job descriptions of the city employees and update them where needed. An employee hire, a financial officer, has been discussed. Bennett and Prestage wanted to see a job description before they advertise to hire anyone.
Betty Adams, a former council member, passed away late last week, and Councilman Donald Prestage asked that the council and the citizens think of and pray for her family in the coming days.