GRAVETTE — Transitioning services for the Hiwasse area, which will become a part of the city of Gravette later this month, were discussed at the Gravette City Council committee meeting Thursday.
This involves providing police, fire and ambulance service to the estimated 6,000 additional acres and perhaps as many as 500 people.
According to Fire Chief David Smith, Gravette fire fighters and emergency service personnel have been driving the territory to become familiar with roads and how to most quickly respond to needs of citizens. How the fire department structure evolves is a work in progress.
Mayor Byron Warren said that the Centerton Fire Department wanted the countysupplied tanker truck, now stationed in Hiwasse, to be moved to Centerton, but that it will remain in Hiwasse along with supplemental equipment provided by Gravette.
In upgrading ambulance service, Smith presented a cost study for upgrading the present BLS (basic life support) to ALS (paramedic staffed) service. This is estimated to increase salary costs as much as $60,000, plus additional supplies and operating expenses. It will require visiting the service call rates set five years ago. The upgrade is to receive further study.
Police Chief Trent Morrison said his department is making plans for the transition. As part of the plan, he has asked the council for two more fulltime police officers, as well as an additional 20 hours per week for part time assistance.
Morrison said he wanted Hiwasse residents to know that “we are a kinder, gentler police department. We’re not out there hitting people with tickets; we’re out there for them.”
Mayor Warren said making improvements on the streets in the platted areas of original Hiwasse will be a priority. As funds become available from revenues of the annexed areas, further upgrading of those and other roads will proceed.
Water/Sewer Report
Cory Reardon, water superintendent, was given a tentative okay to purchase 300 new electronic reading meters to be installed in the water-west area. Working meters from that area will replace defective city meters installed several years ago. This project has been under discussion for some time.
Mayor Warren reported that latest estimates for bringing the wastewater treatment facility intocompliance with state requirements is less than a million dollars. Several improvements to the system have already begun. Draw-down of the lagoon system will allow correction of leakage problems.
Other Committee Reports
During committee reports, the council learned that security cameras will be installed in the library. A $14,000 grant is being used to repair the filtration system at the municipal pool, which will open in late May.A $2,000 project will provide additional score boards at fields in Pop Allum Park. The city has assisted in installing horseshoe pitching pits at the senior activity center.
Work is continuing on opening culverts and ditches to improve drainage in town. Old Town Park and cemetery work is continuing. Work is expected to begin within a few days to upsize water mains on Detroit Street N.E. and Ridge Road. “Midnight” spraying to control mosquitoes willbegin when required.
The next regular official meeting of the city council will be held at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 26, at the Civic Center.
News, Pages 1 on 04/18/2012