Hiram Police Chief Johnny Shirley and second-in-command Detective Lt. Troy Hendricks have resigned, and Walter “Trey” Williams III, formerly a sergeant, is now interim chief.

Mike O’Neal is interim lieutenant and second in command.

City Clerk Terri Holley said Hendricks resigned Dec. 14 and Shirley resigned Dec. 15, presenting a letter to the City Council at its Dec. 16 meeting, where the council accepted his resignation.

Holley said the job search for a permanent police chief will probably start at the first of next year. The department currently has 14 positions.

The council accepted bids to convert the Community Center into police facilities Dec. 16 and tabled action until further bids are received. “I think they wanted to look at other avenues,” Holley explained. “Everything may change. We have three new council members [Teresa Philyaw in Post 3, Derrick Battle in Post 4 and Earlene Graham in Post 5, who all took oaths of office Dec. 16] and we don’t know what they will want to do” about the facility changes.

The council unanimously approved water system modifications to relocate the Sweet Home Church and former City Hall water services from the water tower to Oak Street, spending $6,021 for 8-inch line and fire hydrant and $6,650 to put the church and former City Hall on water line so tower problems don’t affect water service.

City Operations Manager Jody Palmer updated the council on flooding damage repair costs that will be forward to FEMA for reimbursement: $12,950 and $11,850 for two culverts on Nebo Road and less than $3,000 for a culvert on Dallas Street.

The council decided to seek quotes for ongoing maintenance of the city’s water tower. Leary Construction, which performed recent tank improvements, proposed a contract of $6,290 annually for 10 years, and the council voted unanimously to seek other prices. “A maintenance agreement makes a lot of sense,” Palmer said.

The council discussed repairs of the dam at Ben Hill Strickland Park, which was compromised in this year’s flooding.

“We’re taking an extensive look at the dam and have tried to come up with a couple of solutions,” said Palmer. “It’s not yet to the level of safety we want it to be, and we want to look at other options to stop flooding from occurring and protect the dam, the park, the people who use the park and the people who live behind it.”

Tree roots have compromised the dam, and trees might have to be removed to protect it.

Tim Seals addressed the council about wrecker service rotation, and the council approved employee Christmas gifts ranging from $55 to $550, depending upon years of service.