The Gore Board of Trustees met on Dec. 16, approving several personnel actions for the police department while tabling decisions on proposed water and sewer rate changes during the Gore Public Works Authority (GPWA) meeting.

Mayor Robin Henry called the regular town meeting to order at 6 p.m. Trustees Matt Holland and Randy Foley were present, while Trustee Joni Couch and Vice Mayor Larry Pack were absent.

After approving the November meeting minutes, financial report and recent purchase orders, the board addressed property maintenance near Heath Orabanec’s land. Trustees unanimously approved allowing Orabanec to complete cleanup work along his fence line adjoining town-owned property.

The board then convened briefly into executive session to discuss personnel matters before returning to open ses- sion at 6:20 p.m. Following the closed session, trustees approved several employment actions. Tracy Christenberry’s pay rate was increased to $19 per hour. Justin Ohl was hired as police department chaplain at $100 per month and reclassified from part-time to full-time employment. The board also approved hiring Johnny Turner and Cassondra Truett as parttime police officers, each at $19 per hour.

In her mayor’s report, Henry said she recently participated in a conference call regarding the sidewalk project at Ray Fine Park and expressed hope that construction could begin soon.

Police chief Randy Taylor reported department activity for the month, including 34 calls for service, 92 traffic stops, 83 warnings, 20 citations, five arrests, seven agency assists and 18 reports. No fire report was given due to Fire Chief Justin Ohl’s absence. The town meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.

Immediately following, the GPWA convened its regular meeting where tustees approved prior meeting minutes, the November financial report and purchase orders.

Discussion items concerning a rate structure analysis from the Oklahoma Water Resources Authority, as well as proposed water and sewer rate resolutions, were tabled for future consideration.

In the GPWA administrator’s report, officials noted 20 work orders, 17 utility locates and a reported 14 percent water loss with the meeting adjourning at 6:26 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.