In a town meeting held on May 9, the Webbers Falls Board of Trustees gathered to discuss and take action on a range of important matters, including appointments, project updates and financial decisions.

The meeting commenced with Mayor Johnny Pollard calling it to order at 6 p.m. A roll call confirmed the presence of key town officials, including Danny Haley, Jewell Hall, Austin Alden, Robert Ross Jr, and Pollard.

During the communications portion of the agenda, key updates were provided by various departments:

• Pollard reported on the progress of the lagoon project, with a focus on the second phase to ensure compliance with DEQ regulations. He also mentioned a delay in the delivery of asphalt for road projects.

• Police chief Wayne Cartwright presented the monthly report, detailing ongoing law enforcement activities.

• Fire chief Shawn Smith noted a relatively calm period, with a few calls related to accidents and medical emergencies.

• The City Maintenance team reported the successful installation of tin horns on Weatherly Street.

The meeting also saw significant changes in town leadership, as the officials discussed and voted on key appointments: Pollard was nominated for the position of mayor and Hall was nominated for the position of vice mayor; and a unanimous vote led to the removal of David Chase and Meghan Johnson from all townassociated bank accounts, and to add Hall and Austin Alden to all town-associated bank accounts.

Furthermore, the officials tackled crucial financial matters, including the approval of the employee retirement system defined benefit plan for the town, as well as invoices for the fire department’s expenses, and to surplus a motor from a Dodge Charger police vehicle.

An intriguing discussion centered around tree removal in Webbers Falls Park, with the bid from Dependable Landscape ultimately winning approval to cut down trees and grind stumps.

The meeting concluded with a move to enter an executive session to discuss employment matters concerning Josh Pennington and Brandon James.

Pennington’s employment was terminated due to “good of the cause,” while James saw a wage increase to $14 per hour for completing CLEET, starting from the next pay period.

Budget approved in special meeting In a special town meeting held on May 16, trustees convened to address critical financial matters concerning the upcoming fiscal year. The central topic of the evening revolved around the approval of the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget.

The town accountant was present to address any questions or concerns. Through careful deliberation and comprehensive discussions, the trustees voiced their inquiries, and the accountant provided satisfactory responses to ensure clarity and transparency.

The meeting continued with the consideration of an engagement proposal from Wells, Wann & Company CPA, P.C. for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year. The official vote saw unanimous support, accepting the proposal, according to meeting minutes.