The Webbers Falls Board of Trustees held three meetings in October and November, where they addressed a wide range of community issues, personnel matters and town operations.

October 14 regular meeting

During the Oct. 14 meeting, no one signed up for the public speaking portion, allowing the board to move quickly into communications. Mayor Johnny Pollard announced that street paving was scheduled to begin the following week and noted recurring problems with stray cats.

Officer Curtis reviewed the monthly police report, while Fire Chief Armstrong reported that the fire department had been slow recently, aside from several busier weeks. City Maintenance Supervisor Fred Shamblin reported continued mowing and upcoming work on a tin horn at the school. while Code Officer Justin Ohl shared that he was working with several property owners on property cleanup and seeing progress.

The board approved several action items, beginning with raising the Freedom Hall Event Center deposit to $200, while keeping the rental fee at $100. They unanimously adopted a Paid Parental Leave Policy, with detailed amendments clarifying eligibility for part-time employees, spouses, and adoptive or foster parents. Leave time varied from one to four weeks based on work hours and the age of the child, while adopting a spouse’s child was excluded.

The trustees voted to surplus the 2011 Dodge Charger (Code Car) and begin accepting sealed bids starting October 20 with a minimum bid of $1,000. The board also set starting pay for fulltime employees at $14 an hour.

The Senior Nutrition Program was discussed at length and tabled, though Trustee Danny Haley requested it appear on every monthly agenda moving forward. A cost-of-living adjustment was debated and the board ultimately approved a 3% COLA for all full-time town and police employees.

At 6:38 p.m., the trustees entered executive session to discuss employment matters concerning Lisa Settlemyre, Justin Ohl and Jimmie Reed. After reconvening four minutes later, the board accepted Settlemyre’s resignation, approved a raise for Ohl to $750 per month due to his increased code enforcement responsibilities, and hired Jimmie Reed effective Oct. 15 at $17 per hour on salary. The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.

November 6 special meeting

A short special meeting was held on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. with all trustees present. The sole agenda item concerned tree removal at Vaught Cemetery. Trustee Robert Ross Jr. asked that city maintenance employees remove what they could before outside help was brought in, but after discussion, the board approved hiring Dependable Landscape to cut down two trees and remove two piles of limbs for $3,700.

The meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.

November 17 regular meeting

The regular November meeting was called to order at 6:13 p.m., with all trustees present. Bills for November and minutes from the Oct. 14 and Nov. 6 meetings were approved unanimously.

During public speaking, Brett Carter discussed two upcoming agenda items. He explained that his renters had been using the alley behind his property as a driveway and requested gravel be added. He also asked about future plans for the horseshoe pits previously located in the park.

In communications, Mayor Pollard again mentioned ongoing cat issues. Police Chief Alden reported 1,178 police interactions during October. Fire Chief Armstrong shared that the fire department had been exceptionally busy, responding to 19 calls in 20 days, including two structure fires, with crews out nearly every night. City Maintenance reported continued removal of cemetery trees and replacement of stop signs.

Jason Page was scheduled to discuss a planned 2026 spring revival at the park but was absent.

The sealed bids for the 2011 Dodge Charger were opened. Bids ranged from $1,258.18 to $3,100, and the board accepted the highest bid from Greg Freand. Trustees also approved repairing the 2020 Ford Explorer for $5,922.71.

Regarding the horseshoe pits, the board voted to let supervisor Shamblin decide the best location to reinstall them in the park. Discussion on Carter’s request to use the alley behind his property as a driveway led to concerns from Water Supervisor Shane Robinson, who explained that several critical water and sewer lines run through the alley. Based on the town attorney’s advice, the board tabled the issue for further research.

Meeting procedures were discussed next, with concerns raised about slow payment processes caused by requiring agenda approval for certain expenses. No action was taken on that discussion but the board later approved giving the fire chief andpPolice chief a $5,000 spending limit for emergency repairs and purchases, with the mayor to be notified.

The trustees proceeded to unanimously approve the 2026 calendar meeting dates and the 2026 list of town events, and a $750 net holiday stipend for full-time employees. They also adopted a resolution to apply for REAP funding.

The Senior Nutrition Program was revisited, with Mayor Pollard reporting that it was running smoothly and Trustee Haley noting that Cherokee Nation planned to provide $20,000 in January.

At 7 p.m., the board entered executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding Brayden Grant, Derrick Fieldgrove and Cecil Moore. After returning to open session, the trustees accepted Grant’s resignation, hired Fieldgrove full-time at non-certified pay until CLEET training is completed, and voted to hire Moore as a part-time employee—with Ross casting the sole dissenting vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

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.