Still no decision on assistant New London police chief

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? Maybe no decision is a decision when it comes to the assistant police chief in New London.

The matter of employing Brandon Fowler as an assistant police chief has popped up on several agendas, including the regularly scheduled meeting in June and the subsequent special session. During the June special session meeting, no action was taken on the item. On Tuesday night, the matter again greeted the council.

Previously, the police department had employed a police chief and an assistant police chief. The two positions had alternated on-call shifts and thus reduced overtime for other officers. During the June meeting, the council decided to take a deeper look at the financials to see if having an assistant police chief, which is a high pay grade, would save the city in overtime.

City Clerk Kasi Howard, said despite looking at the facts and figures, the council still could not reach a decision on whether to make Fowler the assistant police chief.

Only four members were present during the meeting, with Kirk Miller being absent and the vote for Fowler?s promotion went to a 2-2 vote, Howard said.

Howard said the item could only be brought back onto the agenda at the request of a council member.

?If they want to bring it back so it?s a majority vote one way or another, they can do that,? she said.

As for Fowler, the council did approve a 90-day extension on Fowler?s vacation time.

In the way of construction, the council did approve making improvements on the library courtyard.

Howard said Meinen Constructions would re-pour the sidewalk and do some grading work for $5,950. Staley Nearing Construction was also hired to install new windows and brickwork around the windows for a cost of $5,814.56.

In other business, the council approved re-investing capital improvement funds in CDs for 30 months for 1.5 percent at Danville State Savings Bank.

The next meeting of the New London City Council will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, at 5:30 p.m., at the City Office.