Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council hears public‑safety updates: LEO grant, reserve officer named and proposed resident alert system
Summary
Council members reported an approved LEO school‑safety grant and the hiring of a reserve officer for school security, discussed tornado‑siren repairs and light‑bar quotes for a town vehicle, and considered a web‑based resident alert service; no purchase for lights or alert subscription was approved this meeting.
Medora council members received a cluster of public‑safety updates, including a signed LEO school‑safety grant, a newly hired reserve officer for school security, tornado‑siren parts en route and discussion of options for emergency vehicle lighting.
Agency official (S6) told the council the LEO grant for the local school “has been approved, it’s been signed,” and added, “We’ve got a reserve officer hired. He’s going to do school security. That’s Andy Wegman.” The official said siren replacement parts had been ordered and were expected to ship on the 12th and that technicians would visit to install them when the parts arrive.
S6 presented two quotes for a light bar to increase side visibility on one town truck: $1,300 for a 72‑inch option and $1,100 for a 61‑inch option; S6 said either would work and that the purchase could wait for budget consideration. Council members discussed visibility concerns for the truck’s sides and asked staff to follow up on sizing and budget timing.
Barnes (S1) presented a proposed web‑based resident alert/reverse‑911 service that would let households sign up for texts, voice calls or emails. He said the vendor quoted $351 for the first year based on an estimated 280 households and an estimated second‑year cost around $666 at that household count; Barnes said he would refine the household count and return next month with a recommendation. He suggested the town could use an existing membership to obtain a first‑year discount and said administrators (such as the clerk or designated staff) would manage outgoing messages.
Separately the council briefly discussed broader budget pressures affecting local emergency services; Barnes said he was tracking an estimated $20,000 shortfall in his department by 2027 and warned that changes at the county or state level to township roles could affect how those services are funded.
The council recorded acceptance of an OEO agreement with the school later in the meeting by motion. No formal purchase decisions for vehicle lighting or the resident alert subscription were made; several items will return to a future meeting or be handled within upcoming budgets.
