Meeker’s Town Board of Trustees this week appointed a new board member and also voted to appoint a new vice mayor.
They also discussed the idea of allowing employees to carry concealed firearms on city property and into city hall.
Mike Melton, who previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees and then as Town Administrator, was appointed to the board.
Trustee Aaron Head, prior to the Trustees appointing Melton, asked him if he was sure he wanted to serve. Melton responded, “I’ve lived in Meeker since 2003, this is my town and I’m not going anywhere.”
With that, the Trustees voted unanimously to appoint him to the vacancy created when former Mayor Jeff Wilbourn resigned recently to become Meeker’s Town Administrator.
Mayor Donna Weber then administered the oath of office to Melton and he took his seat at the table with the other Trustees.
A little later, the board voted to appoint Head as the new vice mayor. He also served as mayor of Meeker for several years.
The Trustees discussed allowing employees to carry concealed firearms on city property and into city hall. They tabled the issue after Head suggested, “let’s pursue it and bring it back to the Board with all the information.”
One of Head’s concerns was would the Town’s OMAG insurance cover employees and officials.
Meeker Police Chief Trent Norton and Assistant Chief Scott Wilson encouraged the Trustees to allow him and Wilson to draft a policy that the Trustees can take a look at.
Trustee Lanny Thompson said many other towns and cities are already doing it.
The Trustees decided that beginning Monday, Dec. 27, City Hall’s daily hours would change. The new hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with employees taking 30 minute lunches and City Hall remaining open during the noon hour.
Employees will alternate lunches.
The Trustees voted to allow the library to move ahead with getting cost estimates for improvements. Mayor Weber explained the library is not asking the city to pay for it. “They have the money to pay for it,” she assured other Trustees.
Trustees voted to close City Hall Thursday, Dec. 23 with employees using a day of vacation and also Dec. 24 which is a holiday.
City Hall also will be closed Dec. 31 in observance of New Year’s Day which falls on a Saturday.
Trustees approved Roy William to rent Meeker Lake for a Friday and Saturday in August this summer for boat races for a test and tune.
Wilbourn explained that will require closing the water and boat ramp area that weekend to any other boaters.
Trustees took no action on the Planning Commission and tabled an item regarding the water usage of Growth and Development.
Meeting as the Public Works Authority, they authorized Wilbourn to make a decision to complete the project regarding water pipe creek crossing on the Wyatt property.