Plains police chief announces retirement plan

The Plains Town Council passed only four motions last Monday evening, but they passed on information amongst the group and to the dozen community members present at the hour-long meeting at City Hall, including the announcement that Police Chief Shawn Emmett plans to retire this summer.

"We wish him well in retirement. He's served the town of Plains for 20 years and we will miss him," said Mayor Dan Rowan, who added that they'll start advertising for his replacement in the near future. Another "member" of the police department will be returning to duty soon in a newer vehicle. The mannequin that is normally stationed along Railroad Street will be back, but in one of the department's newer cars, a Dodge Charger that the police chief had used.

"The locals all say they know it's a dummy, but they might be surprised," said Rowan. The mannequin officer, a female that Emmett named "Officer Bea," will be sitting in one of the department's reserve vehicles, which is installed with working radar equipment, unlike the old Ford Expedition that had been used. Rowan said a real officer could easily slip in next to Officer Bea and nab speeders, although he noted at the meeting that the objective isn't to raise revenue for the town, but to get people to slow down.

The mayor also let people know about some of the plans from the Parks and Recreation Committee, a volunteer group comprised of John and Kelly Dossett and Sandy Thompson. He also said the town might have some money for a proposed dog park along East Lynch Street next to Fred Young Park. Thompson is also a volunteer with the Plains Dog Park Community Planning Group, which is trying to raise money and volunteers to build the park. Even if the town has money for the project, Rowan said the park would have to be self sufficient. Shelley Bertrand, who heads the nonprofit group, said they are looking into fundraiser ideas, including a burger booth during the three-on-three basketball tournament at Amundson Sports Arena in June.

Plans are for three gazebos to be installed at the E.L. Johnson Memorial Park sometime this spring or summer. The gazebos will be made of cedar with metal roofs. The town has already spent around $4,800 for the materials. Plains resident Kurt Campbell volunteered materials and time to pour the concrete pads last fall and has volunteered to help erect the structures, according to Rowan, who added plans are to make ADA sidewalks to each structure. Rowan said they'd also like to install handicap compliant picnic tables at each gazebo. The Parks and Rec Committee would also like to provide additional benches at Fred Young Park. Rowan said the town will accept donations if people would like to help fund any of the projects.

Rowan also discussed plans for upcoming roadwork. He said they'd like to repave the second block of Farmer Street, where some of the potholes and ruts run almost six inches deep. Farmer Street is one of the avenues used by the Plains Ambulance Service. A portion of Willis Street is also an area the town is looking to repair. The mayor said part of the problem is the rising cost of asphalt, which he believes went from $59 a ton in 2021 to more than $85 a ton now. "Given the increased costs, we will not be able to pave as much as we did last year unless there is a significant change in the price of oil very soon," Rowan said at the meeting.

Councilman Scott Furlong of Ward 2 brought up a request from a resident wanting speed bumps on Clayton Street. The town moved a speed bump from Willis Street to Clayton toward the end of last summer after several complaints of speeders on Clayton. John Sheridan of Ward 1 also passed on requests from residents about four-way stop signs near Garber Street. "Some people are now calling for speed bumps," said Rowan. He noted that there was opposition last year to the installation of additional stop signs on Third Street, but he has also received favorable comments. "I did not want a stop sign there, but there are kids down the street and it is the right place for a stop sign," said Pat Killgore, who lives on the corner of Third Street and Second Avenue. Killgore said at the council meeting that there are a couple of vehicles that don't even slow down for the stop sign at his corner. Emmett has recommended adding stop signs to the corner of Willis and Stanton streets and Willis and Oak streets, said Rowan.