By Scott Mims

The Thorsby Town Council voted Monday night to purchase an in-car video camera for the police department.
The camera’s estimated cost is $5,000, but there is room in the police department’s budget for the equipment with minor adjustments, said Mayor Dearl Hilyer.
“All we’re trying to do is keep our officers safe and be competitive with everybody else,” said Thorsby Police Chief Rodney Barnett.
Council member Tara Jewell said the cameras serve to assist with investigations and protect both citizens and police departments, especially from a legal standpoint. The cameras have the capability of storing up to two minutes of footage prior to activation.
On the downside, they are rather expensive, but Hilyer said Barnett did “a good job of saving money in other areas,” which freed up more funding for the purchase of equipment.
In other business, the council officially canvassed last Tuesday’s wet/dry vote. A majority of citizens voted to go wet, 310 “yes” versus 208 “no.”
The council also approved the purchase of a $2,500 dump truck, which was previously used by the military. The town recently declared an old truck surplus and was able to come up with the money.
Water Superintendent Terry Jackson said the portion of Iowa Avenue between Lincoln Street and Pitts Street would be closed next week for the replacement of a pipe in the area. He said the project was scheduled to start Monday, but that is subject to change.

By Scott Mims

The Thorsby Town Council agreed Monday night to place two additional “no truck traffic” signs on Alabama Avenue.

Because the avenue runs through a residential area and alongside Richard Wood Park and Sam Bentley Park, large trucks are prohibited on the roadway.

“The biggest thing is the safety of the kids and people,” Mayor Dearl Hilyer said. “A lot of people walk there, and they walk from one park to the next.”

Council member Tara Jewell reported seeing large trucks traveling through the area at relatively high speeds. Town leaders prefer trucks traveling north on County Road 37, which eventually becomes Alabama Avenue, to turn right onto County Road 29 and make their way back to U.S. Highway 31.

“Most of them do,” Hilyer said.

In other business, the council:

•declared a retired police car surplus at the request of Thorsby Police Chief Rodney Barnett

•voted to allow Officer Leah Wilkins to receive shooter reconstruction training at a course in Florence at a cost of $543, including hotel costs

•voted to allow Officer Gerald Purvis to receive training pertaining to gang-related activity

•did not vote to participate in the state’s sales tax holiday (measure failed due to lack of a motion)

•approved the municipal water pollution prevention report

•voted to purchase an ad in The Clanton Advertiser in support of the Thorsby High School Class of 2010, at the mayor’s discretion.

By Scott Mims

The town of Thorsby is one step closer to getting crossbars installed on all railroad crossings located within corporate limits.

The town council Monday night entered into an agreement with CSX and the Alabama Department of Transportation to maintain pavement markings and signs on all approaches to railroad crossings at Baggett Road, Jones Street, Franklin Street and the crossing near County Road 71.

Mayor Dearl Hilyer said the town would not be responsible for maintaining the crossbars themselves; only the reflective markings and signage.

“From talking with ALDOT, this is all we needed to do, and they’re supposed to get started very soon,” Hilyer said.

Crossbars are already installed at the Concordia Street crossing. Once the agreement is fulfilled, every crossing in Thorsby will have traffic caution signals, Hilyer said.

Over the years, several fatal accidents have occurred at crossings in and around Thorsby. Several years ago, the town installed speed bumps at some of the crossings to make up for the lack of crossbars and signals.

Monday night, the council voted to use some of the speed bumps on the entrance road to Sam Bentley Park.

Also, the railroad crossing near County Road 71 will be moved a few feet north in order to give traffic direct access from 71 across to the Chilton County Solid Waste Transfer Station entrance road.

In other business, the council:

•Announced that a community event has been planned for the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 6 at Helen Jenkins Chapel beginning at 9 a.m.

•Approved a proclamation declaring May 14 as School Hand Hygiene Day

•Agreed to continue its franchise agreement with Charter Communications

•Voted to continue its lease agreement with CRH, lowing the monthly rent from $4,000 to $3,500.

By Scott Mims

The Thorsby Town Council addressed speeding in different areas of the town Monday night.

Three new stop signs have been placed at the intersection between Thorsby First Baptist Church and the old elementary school. The signs were placed at the request of residents who complained about consistent speeding in the neighborhood.

But there are other problem areas, according to the council.

“If they don’t slow down on Third Street and Oak Street, kids are going to be hit,” said Council member Marvin Crumpton.

Tara Jewell also noted the high-speed traffic on County Road 50 east of Highway 31, also known as Collins Chapel Road. Jean Nelson said kids frequently play in the area where she lives.

Nelson asked about obtaining additional signs that alert traffic of children in residential areas, but Mayor Dearl Hilyer questioned the effectiveness of such signs.

In other business, the council approved the purchase of a tractor from Littleton’s Mower and Hardware, Inc. at $14,500.

Hilyer said the purchase was a good deal and that if the council had decided to wait, the same piece of equipment could have cost much more.

Thorsby Fire Chief Lee Gunn reported he expects the department to receive a $3,000 state grant for the distribution of free smoke detectors and batteries to the public. The detectors will be free to citizens, although a member of the fire department is required to install them.

The department plans to promote the smoke detectors at the upcoming Movies in the Park event in May at Richard Wood Park. More details will be announced at a later date.

“I think that will be a real big plus for the citizens,” Gunn said.

By Scott Mims

Thorsby is on pace to meet its annual budget despite decreases in revenue, Mayor Dearl Hilyer reported Monday night.
The town’s departmental budgets total about $1.6 million for the current fiscal year. Sales tax revenues are about $3,000 lower per month than anticipated, but Hilyer expects revenues to pick up during the summer.
Unless things take a turn for the worse, Hilyer said the town may get to purchase a new dump truck.
“That opportunity may present itself if we keep doing what we’re doing,” he said.
The budget numbers are based on figures from the month of January.
In other business, the Thorsby Town Council approved the purchase of $1,200 in athletic equipment.
The council must vote on all park and recreation issues due to the lack of a board.
The council also approved paying $150 to participate in a promotional video highlighting Chilton County and its municipalities. The amount matches that contributed by Maplesville.
Phillip Wigley of Thorsby First Baptist Church asked the council to look into placing new stop signs at the intersection between the church and the former senior center.
The facility was recently acquired by the church.
“People tend to fly through that area. We’ve seen people doing donuts in the parking lot of the old school,” he said.
The council agreed to look into the issue.
Also, Hilyer noted that 34 homes are in violation of Thorsby’s junk ordinance. He said letters would be mailed to each property owner as a warning to get their property in compliance.

By Scott Mims

Thorsby town officials want to remind residents to clean up any rubbish or litter on their property.

A town ordinance includes fines for failure to maintain the appearance of private property. The ordinance prohibits overgrown weeds and visible trash on front porches or in yards.

Council member Neil Benson said people who rent property in Thorsby have complained about the appearance of neighboring properties. He said trash is more visible this time of year because there are no leaves on the trees.

“People coming through that are looking for a home, they don’t want to see all that,” Benson said. “It doesn’t look good.”

Several months ago, Thorsby had a problem with abandoned vehicles in yards, Benson recalled. This is covered by a separate ordinance. People were asked to provide a reason for the presence of a vehicle and were given a set number of days to remove it.

While the town does not hesitate to enforce its ordinances, Benson said a friendly reminder is usually fairly effective.

He added that council members and other officials are expected to follow the same standards as everyone else.

“It could even be some of our own (properties),” he said. “We all need to get out in the spring of the year and clean up a little bit.”

For more information on town ordinances, contact Thorsby City Hall at 646-3575.

By Scott Mims

The Thorsby Town Council accepted a group insurance proposal for town employees Monday, Feb. 1 night.
The benefit package includes a $20,000 basic life insurance policy and $20,000 accidental death and dismemberment through 5 Star Life Insurance Company.
Thorsby Mayor Dearl Hilyer said the plan, which will cost the town about $120 per month, will cover all employees. The town of Thorsby employs approximately 40 people, including both part-time and full-time workers.
Hilyer said the town’s attorney, John Hollis Jackson, advised the council prior to its decision.
“He said that was a real good deal, and that it spoke well of us that we would look into a plan like that,” Hilyer said.
In other business, a public hearing on the proposed zoning ordinance will be held Tuesday night, Feb. 2 in the Town Annex at 6.
A representative of the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham will be present to answer questions and address concerns.
The council also voted to allow Officer Gerald Mims to attend drug training in March and skid car training in the fall. The only cost of the drug training will be fuel, and the vehicle training will cost $35.
Nick Watley, a part-time firefighter with Thorsby who serves full-time at Selma’s fire department, will now also serve as an auxiliary police officer.