By MICHAEL RODGERS
The Luverne Journal

At Monday night’s Dozier Town Council meeting, the council addressed several issues that have been facing the town for months.

Three of the six council members were absent – Bob Morrison and Linda Hutto were not present and mayor Karen Davis informed everyone that Ann Holland was out of town.

Davis also said that she was told by the Alabama League of Municipalities that she could count herself toward a quorum in order to make the required four out of seven present.

The League of Municipalities confirmed to The Luverne Journal that in a city with under 12,000 residents and a regular mayor/council government system, the mayor can vote and count toward a quorum.

A part-time police officer has been under consideration by Dozier, and that was the first issue brought up.
Davis reported that police chief Terry Mears had spoken with Alan Smith of the Dozier Housing Authority, and that Smith was willing to help fund a part-time police officer.

“That’s a positive thing,” Davis said. “We haven’t yet received any funds for this 20-hour, part-time police officer.”

The council approved the hiring of a part-time officer, as long as the funding becomes available.

The Bell Street issue was also brought up.

In past months, the status of Bell Street as an opened or closed street has been disputed.

A resident along the street has a post cemented into the pavement where the blacktop ends, and official right-of-way measurements will have to be obtained to see if that post is obstructing the road.

Davis said she talked to town attorney Johnny Nichols, and he said that a letter could be written to the homeowners asking them to remove the post until the issue is resolved.

The council voted to let Nichols begin the process of having the issue addressed.

If the obstruction isn’t removed following a letter, the council has the option of filing a civil suit, which would cost money, but which could be reimbursed through a judgment.

In other business, the council agreed to match Miller’s House of Horrors $1,000 donation toward the Dozier School roof fund this season.

Representative Charles Newton was on hand and presented the town with a check for $4,000 to spend as it sees fit.

“These are your tax dollars giving back to you to spend,” he said.

Beta Sigma Phi will also be holding a forum at the community center next Monday at 7 p.m. for all citizens and elected officials.