HANCEVILLE — The Hanceville Police Department will soon be able to add $11,000 worth of much-needed safety and protective equipment for officers in the field, thanks to a forthcoming grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

At its regular meeting Thursday, the Hanceville City Council passed a resolution signing off on the grant, which requires no matching contribution from the city. Police Chief Bob Long said the grant will be used to purchase bulletproof vests, reflective gear, and firearms racks for the department’s patrol vehicles.

“It’s free money and it requires no contribution from the city, so it’s a great opportunity for our officers that really just has no down side,” added mayor Kenneth Nail.

In other business at its regular meeting, the council:

Approved bills payable for the current month.

Approved the payment of a pair of unbudgeted invoices to be reimbursed through insurance claims. The first, for $2,956.76, pays Sharp Communications for the installation of communication equipment from a wrecked police patrol cruiser into a roadworthy one following an accident. The other, for $9,071.63, pays TriGreen Equipment for repairs to a city tractor damaged in a separate accident in October of last year.

Appointed Wade Smith to the remainder of a vacated term ending in Sept. 2018 on the Hanceville Water and Sewer Board. A motion by council member Jimmy Sawyer to appoint Doug Batemon to the same seat died on the floor prior to Smith’s recommendation by council member Kim Brown.

Appointed Pam Reid and Cathi Bradford to terms on the Hanceville Library Board. Each term runs through April of 2022.

Tabled until the next council meeting a discussion of installing a splash pad to replace the swimming pool at C.W. Day Park.

The next regular council meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 22 at Hanceville City Hall. A 6 p.m. public work session will precede the meeting.