Newton’s new police chief has been officially sworn in.
Randy Patrick took the oath of office during the Newton Board of Aldermen’s Feb. 4 meeting. He is taking over for Harvey Curry, who was terminated two weeks before.
“Thank you to each and every one of y’all,” Patrick told the board after completing the oath. “I am humbled.”
Patrick was appointed during an executive session Jan. 21. He accepted the appointment and then worked a notice over from that time until the Feb. 4 meeting to be able to take the position.
Later in the meeting, Patrick’s salary was set at $51,472.42 per the motion made Alderman Eric McCalphia, who suggested that the salary could be increased $1,000 after a good evaluation following 6 months. The move approved unanimously.
Patrick also is looking to increase the number of officers who have access to a body camera. Before Patrick took over, the board approved purchasing four cameras for the department.
However, he wants every officer to have a body camera to wear while they’re on duty.
“It’s very important to me that we use body cameras,” Patrick said. “It’s important for us to help protect the officers and the public.”
After he reviews the current camera setup, Patrick may come back and make a proposal to the board.
In other business, the board of aldermen reviewed proposed changes to the water ordinance to reflect what the city’s current procedures are. If bills are unpaid, the city issues a $35 service fee regardless of whether water customers have their water service cut off.
City attorney Brian Mayo presented an ordinance that cleared up the language to reflect that. However, several aldermen said they can’t support that change.
McCalphia said the “reconnect” fee should not be issued unless the water is actually cut off.
“You shouldn’t get a reconnect fee unless your water has been turned off,” McCalphia said. “All the person who is turning off the water needs to do is to call city hall ot make sure they haven’t paid their bill before they cut it off. Then, the city can charge the $35, but not unless the water has been cut off.”
Public works Fred Snow, who is over the water department, said the issue would delay them cutting off water customers. Currently, it takes city workers a few hours on the morning of the 16th to cut off the customers on the disconnect list. He sees that it could take much longer, and he may have to have additional personnel in the field and at city hall to help make that happen.
“We’re going to need more help to be able to do that,” Snow said. “We can do it, but it’s going to take a lot more manpower to make it happen if our workers have to call up here every time they’re about to cut somebody off.”
