HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The Hanceville Police Department was given approval Thursday night by the city council to purchase a new Ford F-150 to replace the Ford Explorer that was stolen and damaged Feb. 15 in a high-speed chase ending in north Cullman. The new truck will cost $32,462.
Hanceville Police Chief Bob Long explained, “Actually the truck is a little cheaper than a new Explorer. The Explorers have gone up in value over the last several years mainly because Ford has gotten a much larger share of the police package market. There’s a five to six-month backorder from what the dealership is telling me. You can get the pickup in stock in a week or so. It’s a matter of economics and convenience.”
Hanceville’s recent addition of a K9 officer also factored into the decision.
“Sgt. (Joshua) Howell was granted a brand-new K-9 unit cage that I think will cost approximately $4,000,” Long said. “It’s vehicle-specific and we need to know what kind of vehicle so he can tell the company. I think it’s going to work out good for us.”
Mayor Kenneth Nail said he met with Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) Director John Cooper Thursday to discuss a couple of project requests. The first request is a turn lane on Alabama Highway 91 by CVS. The second request is a drainage project to grade and fill the large drainage ditch off U.S. Highway 31 North between McDonald’s and Warehouse Discount Groceries.
Nail explained about the second project, “Mr. Cooper approved up to $50,000 for them to provide pipe and drain boxes for that project. I thought it was pretty nice for Mr. Cooper to approve that for up to $50,000. It’s really a safety issue, but it’s also an aesthetic issue right there in front of the college.”
The City of Hanceville will provide the labor, gravel and dirt for the project.
A leak was recently discovered in the magistrate’s office at Hanceville City Hall after wind caused the metal roof to loosen allowing water to begin seeping into the building, said Nail.
“We’ve got a second roof up there and that’s probably why we didn’t notice it,” he said.
The City is now awaiting an insurance adjuster to come assess the damage.
Recent rains have kept Hanceville’s water treatment plant busy.
Councilman Charles Wilson updated the council saying, “We billed 7,060,600 gallons. Gallons treated through the sewer plant was 34,685,000 gallons. So, we have a huge infiltration problem.”
The City’s plan is to put out flow meters in different locations until the problem areas can be identified.
The persistent rains and clouds have also resulted in a spike to the plant’s power bill with the February bill coming to $4,956 compared to $3,000 in January.
Wilson said, “That’s how much those solar panels help us with that electric bill every month. Back in October, when we didn’t have any rain, our electric bill was $2,165. Before we did the solar panels, our bill was nearly $7,000 a month. That’s some of the improvements and what we are working on over there now. Those solar panels will pay off if that sun will shine.”
Nail also added, “Apparently a lot of folks think it’s OK to throw different products in the sewer. Whether it’s sanitary products or wet wipes, them things kills the sewer. It kills septic tanks and people ought to know, don’t throw wet wipes or anything other than toilet paper in the commode!”
“The Hee Haw Show” will take place this Saturday, Feb. 29 from 2-4 p.m. at the Hanceville Civic Center.
The Hanceville Irish Festival will take place March 14 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in downtown Hanceville.
The council and Nail also congratulated the Hanceville Bulldog basketball team for an excellent season.
The next council meeting will be March 12 at 6 p.m.
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