Hickman Police Dept. hires part-time officer

Hickman Chief of Police Scott McKnight updated the Hickman City Commission Monday evening during regular session, about his department’s staff status, as well as calls of service.

Chief McKnight provided the information to Commissioners John Wiley Gannon, Robert Griggs, Rob Hitesman, Richard Holloway, and Mayor Heath Carlton Dec. 12, which included five arrests and citations from Nov. 26 through Dec. 12 and calls for service, theft, 3; juvenile, 2; harassment, 1; motor vehicle assistance, 1; disturbance, 1; and armed robbery, 1.

“We have received applications for the Police Department from Trea Hopper for full-time officer, and Juan Guzman for part-time officer,” Chief McKnight said.

He reported the LEPP (Law Enforcement Protection Program) Grant for vests has been fully approved and the equipment can be ordered Dec. 13 and the USDA Vehicle Grant should close bids during the Commission meeting on Jan. 9, 2023.

Commissioners went into Executive Session pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(f) at 5:16 p.m. and returned to Open Session at 5:55 p.m.

The Commission tabled the hiring of Trea Hopper, pending his passing of a physical and the matter is to be revisited at the next meeting.

Commissioners then voted to hire Juan Guzman as a part-time police officer, with Chief McKnight explaining Guzman is already trained and just needs a refresher course to comply with the standards.

Alliance Water Resources (AWR) supplied an Operations Report for November as their representative was unable to attend the meeting.AWR.

The report included the treatment of an average of 394,333 gallons per day in November with a total of 11,830,000 gallons; the City assumed control of the wastewater treatment plant; the water plant is running well after the media replacement and the drainage around the clearwell is a concern and needs to be addressed, as it has been filled with silt requiring it to be dug back out and rocked.

John Amberg, Hickman Public Works, reported It has taken approximately four weeks to get the sewers cleaned out.

“Tybee and Bell Engineering are supposed to be here Dec. 13 to try and get the rakes fixed, or one in particular that hasn’t worked. We have been fixing things, cutting grass and picking up debris. The sample machines are here and working. They pull 24 hour samples to be sent off. You will see a little increase in our overtime, as the plant will be a seven day per week to get readings. There was an issue with a sewer on Harrison Street on the customer side of the line. It has been corrected. There were four small leaks and one a little larger on Myron Cory Drive. We lost over 60,000 gallons of water,” Amberg said.

He also reported Rogers’ Hydrants has been to Hickman and flushed all the hydrants.

“We are seeing an increase in gas usage. Union City Paving came and paved 12 streets and the cost is over what was budgeted. In the Fire Department, we were paged out 94 times for vehicle fires and house fires. With training now offered in Hickman, we have 23 firefighters and 15 of them have 20 of the required 31 hours of training needed. There are nine members with 31 hours,” Amberg said.
“I appreciate all the you are putting in and I’m glad the fire department is going in the right direction,” Mayor Carlton said.

City Manager David Gallagher reported earlier in the day he had met with CHODA about a housing project in Fulton County.

“We are looking for lots in Hickman to purchase for housing. I have pictures of a place on Allison Street. We are trying to find somewhere to build and these would be great homes for new teachers and families to move into. Later we will look into possibly rehabilitation for Seniors home,” Gallagher said, adding he had an application on the Clean Water Grant that needs a signature.

“We have until 2024 to complete the project,” Gallagher said.

Mayor Carlton told Commissioner Hitesman it had been fun working with him during his term of office.
“You have done a great job. We wish you well,” Mayor Carlton said.

The Dec. 26 regular Commission meeting has been cancelled as it will be a legal holiday for the City. The next meeting will be Jan. 9, at 5 p.m., at Hickman City Hall.

The meeting adjourned, followed by the new Commissioners and Mayor taking the oath of office for the upcoming two years.