The Town of Caledonia Board of Aldermen held a brief, special-called meeting Saturday morning to discuss a town employee’s harassment complaint against a former political candidate, but the topic was only briefly touched upon in what turned out to be a fairly routine agenda.
Three weeks ago, acting town clerk Krista Hill filed a workplace harassment complaint alleging incidences of indecent language and sexual comments allegedly made to her by mayor George Gerhart and political candidate William Darnell. Darnell has since withdrawn his bid for an alderman seat in the June 4 election. Gerhart is not running for re-election.
Saturday, the aldermen voted to table a workplace environment policy that will be posted in the town hall and other departments. The policy details are not being released at this time, said alderman and vice-mayor Bill Darnell, who led part of the meeting after Gerhart had to leave to attend other business.
The policy will remain on the table for 30 days before the aldermen vote to accept or reject it.
The aldermen then turned their attention to spring, voting on motions to spruce up the town and prepare for the upcoming baseball season.
County road crews will begin hanging 30 spring flags next week, said Caledonia resident and mayoral candidate Susan Bell, who is overseeing the project. The “Welcome to Spring!” signpost flags are white, featuring an image of tulips.
Bell said she hoped to have the flags in place before the town’s annual Easter egg hunt, which will be held March 30 at Ola J. Pickett Park.
“We want the town to look nice,” Bell said Saturday. “It’s a nice spring welcome to people coming through town.”
The aldermen also approved $2,000 for new baseballs and equipment to kick off the youth baseball season, which will begin next month and continue through the first week of June.
Opening day will be held April 6 at Ola J. Pickett Park, alderman Mike Savage said. Games will begin at 8 a.m. and finish up between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Around 350 children play Little League, T-ball, softball and baseball at the park each year. Adult church leagues play from mid-July through the beginning of August.
Savage said the hunt for a park director continues, with applications being accepted through March 31. The full-time position will pay a starting salary of $25,000 and will offer benefits. So far, six people have applied, Savage said.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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