Two new police officers sworn in at city meeting

Mayor Jerry Lowery administered the oath of office to two new police officers at the Sept. 19 meeting of Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

After the swearing-in of the new officers, Michael Shank and Aaron Light, the board made quick work of approving the items on the agenda including the declaration of a number of surplus items that had been owned or seized by the city. Items came from the police, water, electric, and street departments.

The board also approved the purchase of a new truck for the street department, recognizing that it was a budgeted item. They also approved the hiring of Eric Golden for a newly created position for water plant operator with the public works department as well as approving the abandonment of .25 acres on Oakland Drive and quitclaiming it to the adjoining property owner.

The board also approved the purchase and placement of visual surveillance cameras for the purpose of assisting law enforcement. According to the mayor, Walmart donated money to put the cameras at certain points to aid in the apprehension of people suspected of theft or damage on their property. The mayor explained the cameras on Walmart’s property could alert police as to which direction a vehicle had traveled, but they would need cameras on the city streets to assist in tracking a vehicle after it left their property.

“They won’t be used for giving tickets,” the mayor assured the aldermen. “They can see a vehicle leaving the parking lot and know if it goes right or left, then we can pick that care up on another camera to see where they are going and hope to be able to apprehend them.”

The cameras will come at no cost to the city. Administrator Tonya Tindle informed the aldermen that Walmart had provided $5,000 of the cost, with the county providing the remaining $1,000 it would take to purchase and install the system.

Other business included the aldermen acting as the city’s Beer Board to approve an on-site beer permit for Javier Ortiz for the purpose of opening a new location at 109 W. Bockman Way to be called 1938 Social.

Before the meeting adjourned, city codes officer Mike O’Neal informed the board that Dunkin’ Donuts is planning their opening for Oct, 8. He was also asked for an update on the rubble clean up from the East Bockman Way property where the old hardware building had been demolished. O’Neal informed the board that it had become a legal issue and they needed to refer any further questions to the city’s attorney. 

The next scheduled meeting of Sparta’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen is 5 p.m., Oct. 3, at city hall.