Village of Hodge Fire Chief, Michael Heard, informed members Willard Willis and Martha Buchans as well as those in attendance at the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Hodge Council that 911 address signs would be placed in residence yards soon. Council member Steve Fox was absent.
The news was given during his department report at the session held on Tuesday followed by Police Chief Travis Reed stating that the Hodge Police Department wrote 56 citations during the month of June resulting in roughly $15,000.00 in fines and four arrests.
The meeting began following a Public Hearing where the 6.62 millage rate for the village and the sale of the old town administration building on Hwy 167 was discussed.
Also of interest to the residents of Hodge in attendance was the discussion regarding the proposed parking ordinance. Several made comments and offered suggestions to which Mayor Gerald Palmer replied to by saying he thought it would be best to squash the Ordinance.
“I believe that once we got the word out that parking on the streets was a problem that needed to be resolved that those who had been part of the problem started doing better,” said Palmer. “As result I now think that we don’t need to do anything other than ask residents to comply with not parking near intersections.”
Palmer also gave an update on the progress being made in the construction of the planned Dollar General store on Hwy 167 and on a couple of parcels of land in the corporate limits.
“The area behind the post office and apartment buildings is going to be cleared of the trees soon,” commented Palmer. “I have also been contacted by the School Board that Westrock is interested in purchasing the old Hodge School property as they plan to assist with a Habitat for Humanity home building project on the site.”
Palmer also addressed the issue of fireworks supposedly being popped within city limits during the 4th of July holidays.
“I received several calls from people wanting to know if fireworks were being popped,” said Palmer. “I am telling you now that this is not allowed in Hodge and violators will be fined.”
