Tornado worries cause Sheldon to set policy

SHELDON -- The annual springtime threat of a tornado strike prompted the Sheldon Board of Aldermen during their March 10 meetingto adopt severe weather action procedures to ensure good communications and a coordinated response.

Alderman Robert Moran said he had written the plan, not to micromanage the fire department, but to establish a chain of command and eliminate confusion.

"I don't propose to tell the firefighters how to do their job, but we need a way of providing accurate information," Moran said.

He said that either the mayor or the first alderman who reaches city hall, assuming it is still intact, will take over and stay in command throughout the emergency.

Moran said citizens won't be released from shelters at the First United Methodist Church and Sheldon School Gymnasium until firemen driving around town announce "all clear" on their trucks' loudspeakers or sound three short blasts on the siren at the fire station.

Fire Chief David May had said no one on the Board of Aldermen has been immediately available during some past emergencies and that the siren could go off accidentally and send people outside with a tornado approaching.

In other business, the board reviewed its efforts to improve equipment in May's 12-man volunteer department.

The chief said March 11 that the Sheldon Fire Department's 1973 Ford truck, after getting a new engine from Liter's Automotive in Nevada, will continue playing an important role, but its 1971 Dodge will be traded when a new pump is installed for about $3,600.

May said Automotive Innovations in Nevada will evaluate the malfunctioning transmission in the department's 1969 International truck. "These trucks are past their due date when we get them," he said.

May also has two brush trucks and a small tanker on loan from the Missouri Department of Conservation. "We have an antique 1943 Mack that was the first fire truck Sheldon ever had," he said.

"We don't use it, but the city wants to keep it for historical purposes."

Moran credited May for doing an exemplary job but aired two criticisms of the department. "For the record, I'm concerned that this is not the way to go about engine repairs," said Moran.

"I think the trucks broke down because they were mistreated."

In a matter first broached in January, the panel contracted with Mid-America Collection Specialists of Joplin to pursue former residents who left town owing a total of $13,778 for water, sewer and trash collection services.

Members noted that no other companies had tendered a bid since Mid-America offered just after the first of the year not to charge the city for bills paid within 30 days and to take up to 50 percent for more protracted collections.

The aldermen tabled an offer from NTS Processing of Garden City to let Sheldon residents pay their water bills online. Other members who took part were Josh Lamb, Jerod Lamb and Mayor Rob Sewell. Larry Gardner was absent.