The Hiram City Council unanimously reappointed Terri Holley city clerk, Jill Head city treasurer and Trey Williams interim police chief Jan. 12.

The council also discussed advertising for a new police chief through the Georgia Police Chiefs Association, Georgia Municipal Association and the Atlanta newspaper.

The city could pay the Chiefs Association $7,000 to $8,000 to recruit, screen and interview candidates, but Holley said that organization would be “looking at the qualifications for chief, not the needs of the city.” Mayor Carmen Rollins suggested forming a council committee to interview candidates.

“It’ll be a lot of work and take a lot of time checking backgrounds and records,” she cautioned, “but it’s a very important position and needs to be filled by the right person.

“Trey’s doing a great job as interim,” the mayor added. “Morale seems to be good.”

Rollins said two current officers have given notice that they are taking “good opportunities” in Smyrna and Sandy Springs, respectively, adding that their job searches preceded the resignation of Police Chief Johnny Shirley and Lt. Troy Hendricks in December.

The mayor briefed new council members on current city projects and said street projects have been on hold because of right-of-way issues being resolved with surveying. Plans are done for Powder Springs Street, “and we need to start on Seaboard Avenue.” Also mentioning Main Street and King Road, she asked council members to recommend other streets for improvement.

City Operations Manager Jody Palmer said the city will submit Nebo Road to the state for Local Assistance Road Program (LARP) funding again this year and will do preliminary deep patching when weather warms. Palmer added that the narrowness of some city streets makes them ineligible for LARP or grant funding.

The council discussed cutting trees that are compromising the dam in Ben Hill Strickland Sr. Memorial Park, and Rollins asked council members to assess the situation before the February meeting.