By TRICIA NEAL, CJ Staff Writer
Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
If Somerset Acting Police Chief Doug Nelson is successful in getting what he's asking for, the city's police force will have quite a few new toys in the coming months.During this week's Somer-set city council meeting, Nelson obtained permission from the council to apply for several grants which would be used to buy some much-needed gadgets for his department.
The biggest item on Nelson's wish list is a boat, which could be purchased for approximately $62,000 and used for tasks ranging from rescues to incidents of domestic terrorism.Nelson said it has become increasingly obvious that "we need capabilities to have law enforcement on the water."
"With our infrastructure, it makes good sense," he added.The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife already patrols the waters which comprise Lake Cumberland, and the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department and the Pulaski County Rescue Squad own boats as well.
Nelson said only six grants of this nature are available across the nation.The Somerset Police Department is also requesting a total of $25,000 in state and federal funds to be used toward the purchase of new body armor for its officers. The body armor currently being used will be due for replacement in December, Nelson said.
The used body armor is donated to agencies which can't afford the equipment.A third application will be filed to receive a $7,000 grant to be used toward the purchase of hearing protection devices for the department's officers.
The SPD's firing instructors already use special digital headsets which amplify most sounds, but then deaden loud sounds such as gunfire. Nelson hopes to be able to purchase the equipment for all officers.The devices would be used during tactical situations and during officer training at the firing range.
In other Somerset city council business:• Councilor Tim Rutherford asked Mayor Eddie Girdler why two property purchases had not been brought to the council's attention.
In the last couple weeks, Mayor Girdler has authorized the purchase of property on Richards Court and Crane Street.Girdler said both purchases were "operational" - one being a home which was declared uninhabitable following flooding in May and another being land which the city would otherwise have had to condemn in order to relocate some sewer lift stations.
"We buy property every month," Girdler told Rutherford. "As mayor, I've got the authority to do that."Girdler said the property purchases were "standard" and were necessary "in order to do our job."
Rutherford maintained that the purchases should have been mentioned to the council.• Somerset resident Cathy Lee complained to the council about several problems she has been having with her property. A sinkhole on her property is getting increasingly larger, she said, adding that the area isn't safe for children. She also said the city's sewer system backed up into her house, forcing her to live elsewhere based on her doctor's orders.
Mayor Girdler said the city will need a property easement from Lee in order to do repair work on the sinkhole. He estimated that it will take as much as $25,000 to correct the problem there.Girdler also told Lee that the city would work with FEMA to help her resolve her issue with the damage done to her home when the sewer backed up.
• Councilors Tim Rutherford and John Ricky Minton asked why several city workers had been spotted doing work at the Lake Cumberland YMCA outdoor swimming pool when Mayor Girdler had previously told the council that the YMCA would be responsible for doing all the work there.The YMCA is attempting to have the pool opened for part of the summer, but it is not yet known whether the pool will be usable.
If the pool does open, it will be run by SomerSplash, which is owned by the City of Somerset.Mayor Girdler told the council that the work being done by part time city employees at the pool was "cosmetic only."
"I just thought it would be nice, if we did open the pool, to have it look nice," Girdler said.Girdler said leftover paint belonging to the city was used to paint the concrete, and that, other than paint, only caulking was used by the city employees.
• Councilor Tim Rutherford noted that some drain line work being done near Rocky Hollow was being performed by a contractor."The city bought a backhoe for $31,000," Rutherford said. "We should be doing some of the work ourselves. ... We spend a lot of money on contract work."
• Several council members said very little progress was being made on a project designed to control flooding on Richards Court.Mayor Girdler suggested that council members talk to city engineer Alex Godsey, however, several council members said Godsey was difficult to reach.
• Councilor Mike New said several residents are concerned about the messy state of their yards while work is being completed around Kennedy and Sagasser streets.Mayor Girdler explained that the project will take some time, and that cleaning up property owners' yards will be the last leg of the project.
• Kentucky League of Cities Legislative Director J.D. Chaney updated the council on his organization's recent activities. Chaney praised Somerset's government for acting as a "liasion to state legislature."• The council heard the first reading of a budget ordinance for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. No action was taken, and the ordinance is expected to be approved during the June 28 city council meeting. The budget will become effective July 1.
