Paoli council reestablishes volunteer fire department, updates police and fire pay and amends agenda rules

The Paoli Town Council unanimously approved three ordinances at a March 27 special session that together reestablish the Paoli Municipal Volunteer Fire Department, revise police and fire pay, and change how items may be added to the town agenda.

Town Attorney Lyn Tucker Fullen presented Ordinance 2026‑03 to reestablish the Paoli Municipal Volunteer Fire Department. Councilman Danny Hickman moved adoption and Councilwoman Donna Dillard seconded. The ordinance passed on a unanimous roll‑call vote.

Fullen then presented Ordinance 2026‑04, an amended salary ordinance. The changes set the Town Marshal/Chief of Police salary at $60,000, the Deputy Marshal/Assistant Chief of Police rate at $27.19 per hour, and add a Fire Chief salary of $15,000. Councilwoman Dillard moved approval; Councilman Brian Shipman seconded and the ordinance passed unanimously.

Attorney Fullen also presented Ordinance 2026‑05 to amend section 30.18 of the town code to allow departments and citizens to be placed on the agenda for items requiring specific action. Councilwoman Dillard moved adoption, Councilman Shipman seconded, and the council approved the ordinance by unanimous roll call.

As part of the session, Fullen presented a Transfer Disclosure Form for the Fire Training Facility and asked that President Theron Owen be authorized to sign the disclosure and any documents necessary to finalize the property transfer. Councilman Danny Hickman moved to approve the disclosure and to authorize President Owen to sign; Councilman Shipman seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

All three ordinances were moved and seconded by council members present and recorded as adopted without dissent. The actions signal the council’s immediate focus on reconstituting volunteer fire operations, setting explicit pay bands for police and fire leadership, and formalizing a process for placing items on future agendas.