The Vaiden Board of Aldermen convened for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 7. The session opened with the Board's approval of three items: the meeting agenda, the minutes from the September 9 meeting and budget public hearing, and the docket of claims totaling $13,457.69.
Derrick Scott, a candidate for the vacant police chief position, attended the meeting to present his application and introduce himself to the Board and audience. Scott brings a distinguished and extensive background in law enforcement to the role.
Alderwoman Lesia Hemphill asked Scott how he could better serve Vaiden, to which Scott responded, “I see myself as a public servant, so whatever the need is, I’m willing to do it. Whether that is helping with trash, changing a flat tire, it does not matter. Whatever the City of Vaiden needs, I’m willing to do it.”
Following a discussion, Alderwoman Hemphill moved to hire Derrick Scott as the new Police Chief for the Town of Vaiden. Alderman Curtis Meeks seconded the motion, with all in favor except Alderwoman Mary Lofton, who opposed.
The next hot topic on the agenda was the discussion of pay scales for town employees.
“What you have before you is the pay scale for 2024-25,” Mayor Stella Washington Bell began. “Remember that we approved the budget with the increases in the budget, but this right here is the breakdown of the line items for the positions.”
Mayor Washington Bell gave the Board an overview of the pay scales, but there were no exact numbers stated verbally throughout the entire discussion. Alderwoman Kimberly White then questioned why the City Clerk also had the title of Municipal Clerk.
“We haven’t hired a municipal clerk because we have our clerk right here working with us,” Mayor Washington Bell said.
“We can’t separate that job?” Alderwoman White asked.
“I don’t think with the amount of work that we have with that, I don’t think so, for the simple fact that it’s a lot to be done for the amount that we’re paying,” Mayor Washington Bell replied.
Alderwoman White sought clarification on the clerk's compensation, asking if it would include both the regular salary and pay for the municipal clerk duties. Mayor Washington Bell confirmed this was correct.
Alderwoman Lesia Hemphill then proposed that the Board, the Town Attorney, and the Mayor get raises this year, rather than the town employees.
“So, last year when we were doing increases, everybody across the board got raises besides the attorney, the mayor, and the Board. And I wanted to stick to just us getting a raise this year because the employees got a raise last year,” Alderwoman Hemphill said.
The Board and Mayor engaged in an extended discussion on the matter. Subsequently, Alderwoman Hemphill moved to increase salaries for the Board members, the Mayor, the Town Attorney, and the new Chief of Police, while maintaining current pay rates for other town employees. Alderwoman Mary Lofton seconded the motion. When put to a vote, Alderwomen Hemphill and Lofton, along with Alderman Theodore Purnell, voted in favor of the motion. Alderman Curtis Meeks and Alderwoman White opposed it. The motion passed by a 3-2 majority.
Dates to remember:
• The Vaiden Haunted School held at the old Vaiden High School will be opening on Oct. 17, 19, 24, 26, and 31 beginning at 7 p.m. There will be a $10 entry fee and free parking.
• The Vaiden Trunk or Treat event will be held on Oct. 31 at 5:30 p.m. at 201 Mulberry Street and the corner of Lee Street in Vaiden.
