Alva Review-Courier -

The filing period for positions on the Freedom Town Board will be Feb. 6 – 8, with the election scheduled for April 4 in the event competitive races develop. Interested candidates need to file at the Woods County Election board in Alva.

At the Wednesday evening meeting, Jan. 11, Mayor Shad Brackin was absent. The meeting was conducted by Ty Harper. Rolando Galindo was the other board member present. Also absent was Miranda Galemore, town office manager; Cindy Reed, clerk; and Stuart Page, maintenance supervisor, were present.

The greater part of the meeting was an agenda item labeled “Scheduled Guests: Maria Gonzales.” She did not show up, but her two daughters, Estela Holguin and Marcela Holguin, came to speak on her behalf. The issue had to do with water damage underneath and in the bathroom of a house after the city had issued orders to turn off the water for non-payment. Page displayed several written orders about the property; one was to remove the meter back in May 2016, and then another order to re-install it so that “cleaning” could be done, and then another order to remove the meter in July.

Marcela Holguin said, “That didn't happen. I don't think it ever got shut off.” She was suggesting that because of this, considerable water gathered under the house and in the bathroom. Reed determined the meter readings showed 34,190 gallons of water had been dispensed between the initial reading of the meter in May and a photo of the meter dials taken by Marcela Holguin on her cell phone. The two daughters were worried about the size of a possible water bill and wondered if the city would be liable for the damage. Reed said Freedom water rates are $19.00 for the first 3,000 gallons and about $3.50 per each 1,000 gallons after that.

The two board members present gave the opinion that home owners are responsible for the water on their side of the city water meter. The matter was tabled with opinion expressed that the Freedom town board may want to consult with the city attorney.

Both Page and Reed signed a document that outlines the duties of the maintenance supervisor, office manager and clerk treasurer.

The board also discussed the codification code project for the town. The firm doing the work offered to include ordinances from another small community to cover some items not present in the Freedom ordinances. The board members rejected that idea and asked they proceed only with Freedom ordinances.

The board also tabled an agenda item about taking action on several continuing ordinance violations in Freedom having to do with junk or non-operating cars parked on residential properties.

In his report, Page talked of the problems of the burn pile at the city dump. Citizens are dumping items, such as mattresses, containing metal parts that won't that won't burn. They talked of requiring such items to be placed in a large roll-off container.

Page said a lady from Environmental Protection showed up and inspected the sewage lagoons. He said the ponds looked fine, although the weed and sapling growth along the sides needs to be handled.

Regarding the old Masonic Lodge, Page suggested the dingy ceiling tiles be replaced, which will brighten up the place, and the lighting be changed to LED lights, which will also brighten up the building. He said a wall-mounted “Blue Frame” heater really needs to be added. No action was taken.

Finally, he said he was preparing the town for the possible ice storm being forecast. A pile of sand is stored behind the town hall for spreading on the streets if needed. He also mentioned the very cold weather has induced some minor natural gas leaks in some risers and most of those can be fixed by wrench tightening the couplings. One of these is behind the saloon and another in front of the public school. Also, the city may use the robo-call system to notify residents if any town services go out.