HOLLOW ROCK, Tenn. — Police Chief Tim Reeves formally announced his retirement at Hollow Rock’s regular meeting Tuesday, March 17, leaving the town without anyone on the police department.
Reeves read his letter aloud to the board.
“After 46 years of law enforcement, including three years of service for the town of Hollow Rock, it has been an honor and a pleasure and a privilege to serve this community and its citizens,” he said. “I’m proud of our amazing Police Department for professionalism, accountability and community relations.”
Reeves also requested that any compensatory time, leave balances, or other benefits owed to him be paid in accordance with policy and law.
At February’s meeting, residents demanded answers about the department and lack of police coverage.
Mayor Webb said Tuesday that the town now has two or three prospects for the department and that interviews are underway.
Fire Department Lost a Point Due Partly to Water Supply.
Assistant Fire Chief Bob Dill brought the board an update on the department’s ISO rating, which measures fire protection capability and directly affects what residents pay for homeowners insurance.
The department lost a point on its most recent report, according to a report Dill presented.
He explained that part of the reason for the rating drop was due to the town’s water system being insufficient for fire trucks to hook directly to fire hydrants.
“If we start sucking water out of the lines, it’ll probably collapse them somewhere,” Dill told the board. “All we can do now is use it to fill [tankers].”
Dill said the department has a year to bring the rating back up and has already taken steps to do so, which includes doubling training from once to twice a month, updating equipment on the trucks, and preparing for upcoming pump and air pack fit tests.
“There’s no one really to blame,” Dill said. “It just is what it is.”
Water Operator Earns License.
Mayor Webb announced that Austin Ernsberger had passed his water distribution class and earned his license.
This brings him one step closer to earning his full water system certification.
“We’re going to give him a raise at this time, and we’ll give him a senior position,” Webb told the board. “We’ll be interviewing this week for some help on his job.”
The board voted unanimously to raise Ernsberger’s pay.
Other Business.
The board also approved the McKeel invoice for backhoe repairs, which came in over the original estimate of roughly $8,800 after additional issues were discovered once the equipment arrived at the shop in Kentucky.
Bob Dill also presented a roofing estimate for fire station two from Autry Roofing. The board will need to go through a formal bid process before any work can proceed.
The American Legion submitted a request asking the town to consider a donation in support of Boys State. No action was taken.
Hollow Rock’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21 at 5 p.m.