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Council authorizes mayor to seek tennis-court grant; discusses parks equipment and trailer options
Summary
Freeman's council authorized a resolution to pursue a grant for tennis-court repairs, approved seasonal hires and wage rates, and discussed options and pricing for a town trailer and park improvements including sprinkler installation and benches.
The Freeman Town Council authorized the mayor to sign a resolution so the town can apply for a grant to repair the tennis courts and discussed a range of parks equipment improvements and procurement options.
A council member requested authorization to proceed with a grant application for the tennis courts and expressly noted that applying does not obligate the town to accept or spend funds if awarded. The chair confirmed the council only needed to authorize the mayor to sign the resolution so the application may proceed; the council approved that action.
Council members then reviewed several parks items. Members discussed installing an app-operated sprinkler system to support a new magnolia tree at the golf course, citing vendor quotes and the need to establish watering during the first one-to-two years. The council also discussed replacing worn wooden benches with grant-funded, recyclable plastic benches on Main Street and in golf areas.
Staffing and travel: the council approved seasonal hires and hourly rates for summer staffing and lifeguards. The meeting identified specific hourly rates discussed in open session: Ella Waltner and Sofia Crotty at $12.50 per hour and Libby Ammon at $15.25 per hour; another seasonal hire, Shelly Waniger, was discussed at $13.50 per hour. A motion to approve those hires was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Equipment procurement: the council held an extended discussion about acquiring a town trailer to reduce reliance on personal trailers. One presenter described a 78"x14' utility trailer offered near $3,000 and contrasted it with a hydraulic PJ dump trailer (5'x10') priced at about $6,400. Members weighed trade-offs—size versus weight capacity and the ability to carry a skid loader—and agreed to request additional pricing for larger or more robust models before making a purchase decision.
Hazard mitigation and ordinance changes: members also brainstormed projects to submit to the county hazard-mitigation plan, including drainage studies, curb-and-gutter work and potential generators for community facilities. Separately, a council member reported the subdivision ordinance contains old flat rates that will be updated at the council's next meeting with a first reading of the ordinance.
The meeting concluded with the council moving to an executive session on personnel matters.
