The January meeting of the Allen City Council was held Tuesday, January 2. All members were present: Joshua Marshall, Dianna Brannan, Rhonda Skelton, Melinda Haney and Braylee Dickerson. City Manager Calem Woodward, City Clerk Kala Stephens, Police Chief Darrell Armstrong along with one guest Pam Price were present.

A short agenda saw the members discuss approve payment to our volunteer fire fighters for making a call: $5 per medical call, $10 per grass fire and $15 per structure fire. These funds will be paid from the Fire account that is funded through donations. Also, the fire department is requesting to trade in their current side-byside for a new one. The difference with trade in will be $20,187. The side by side is helpful especially during grass fires. A request will be sent to Pontotoc County to use tax funds for this purchase.

Chief Darrell Armstrong has had a busy first month back. He noted a list of calls, welfare checks, domestic disturbances and loose animals, lots and lots of dog calls. Among other things he has been searching for another officer. He is looking for a CLEET certified officer and has checked with the COPS program at ECU. He has also been working on stopping the drug transactions. If you see something suspicious or have any information, get ahold of Chief Armstrong. He would appreciate any help the local citizens could give him.

Finally received an insurance settlement offer from the hailstorm earlier in the year. The estimate of $50,000 is for all town buildings. Roof damage at city hall, skylights in the metal buildings that house the equipment and other various buildings were damaged. City Manager Calem Woodward is looking to get estimates to do the repairs.

The town has purchased new streetlights for the downtown area to replace the ones that have 5 bulbs to a brighter one light LED Lamp. The bases will remain the same and just replace the light part. They are in the process of replacing those in the coming weeks.

In the water meeting it was reported that Hinkle Plumbing has been repair lines at the water wells. Also noted is that long time employee Harry Ellis will be retiring at the end of the month, so if you see him stop by and congratulate him on his many years of service for the Town of Allen.