Gassville City Council hires new fire chief, denies opioid lawsuit

wireready_02-22-2018-12-20-02_01751_gassvillesign

In Tuesday night’s session of the Gassville City Council the council approved hiring Christy Dewey as the new fire chief. Dewey has 10 years firefighting experience within the Gassville Fire Department and is also a paramedic. Her current position is as secretary within the department.

Gassville Mayor Jeff Braim told KTLO, Classic Hits 101.7 and The Boot news Buford resident Will Syfrett, who had been selected as the city’s new chief, has decided not to accept the position.

By a vote of four to two the council also decided not to support litigation recognizing the opioid epidemic in the U.S. and in Arkansas. Cities are being asked to approve resolutions to engage in litigation as a member of the Municipal League Defense Program against entities and people responsible for the rapid spread of abuse.

Mayor Jeff Braim says the council overall felt pharmaceutical companies do good work and they didn’t know the full extent of the repercussions of whom the lawsuit would effect. Braim says with any type of litigation “there is always a bottom line.”

Under old business, the council approved an ordinance rezoning property from commercial C-2 to residential R-2 on behalf of Riverside Church.

Under new business, the council gave approval of the 2016 water/wastewater audit, approved an agreement for traffic signal service and agreed to allow bids of anything over $6,500 and above for a 1980 Chevrolet fire engine.

The council also moved to waive the fee for an autism event to be held at the city park.

WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI