The Calera Council discussed several matters at length Monday night, voting to table the issues upon further review.

Calera Mayor James Eaton said the town is having trouble because many homes and businesses are not numbered in accordance with the 911 system.

Eaton cited an incident where police responded to an emergency call and were unable to find the man’s address until it was too late.

Council member Vicki Barkley said residents need to post 911 numbers on their houses so emergency crews and police can see them from the road.

Vice Mayor David Westbrook said the council needs to be specific in the size and location of the numbers in any new ordinance that would be adopted.

Barkley asked how the town could enforce the policy.

Calera Police Chief Don Hyde said he doesn’t understand why residents would protest the ordinance because it’s a “no-brainer.”

“It’s important,” Hyde said, adding that the old system has ran too long. “If we approach this the right way, folks will adhere to it.”

Barkley said that if residents are unable to post the 911 numbers themselves, they could ask the town for help.

Eaton suggested that the council could send letters or handouts to residents, informing them of this option and that the ordinance is for their benefit. If enacted, the council would give residents 90-days’ notice.

Eaton said some longtime residents don’t want to change their address.

Barkley said residents might not have to change their address, just their house number.

She asked whether Calera already has an existing ordinance in regards to 911 addresses and whether another one is necessary.

If the town already has an ordinance, Council member Michael Hearon suggested revising it.

The council also discussed burn permits, fees and regulations.

Clerk Carmen Young said the town already has an ordinance restricting burning.

Westbrook said many residents don’t alert officials ahead of time that they will have a controlled burn.

He and Barkley mentioned an occasion recently when black smoke was seen behind Subway. A resident near the business had not alerted officials that he would be burning on his property. Crews responded and told the man to stop burning, and he apologized.

As the rules currently stand, Westbrook said residents cannot burn within two hours of daylight and sunset.

Barkley said no new ordinance needs to be adopted. The town just needs to better enforce the existing one.

Hyde said police currently respond by going to the resident and asking them to stop burning.

Treasurer Deborah Townsend said any residents who are planning to have a controlled burn need to call the communication center. Also, residents can only burn leaves, brush and organic matter.

Westbrook said the existing ordinance doesn’t say residents can’t burn during 35-mph winds; that’s just common sense.

Hyde said the police force will get with the fire department and council later to brainstorm how enforcement can improve.

Under reports, Town Superintendent Brad Davis said road projects have been delayed because crews can’t get pieces of equipment on the road due to rain.

Hearon, who works as a volunteer firefighter, reported that firefighters put out a storage building fire last week and took training classes.

Hyde said that, for the police department, “things have been running pretty smooth” and that the force has been working with the schools to educate students about safety measures.

He reported that a student in the police academy has been doing well and has scored 96 percent overall so far.

Calera Emergency Management Director Butch Scalf reported that Calera received 4.58 inches of rain since the last meeting and that the department responded to power outages.

He said the city installed a new storm siren at 506 D St. on Jan. 29, and power was connected to it Feb. 1. The 128-decibel siren runs on electricity and battery power. The battery is powerful enough to run the siren for 20 days.

The siren was funded with a $28,075 REAP grant. Scalf said the siren will be tested during good weather.

He said the Bryan County Emergency Management Director James Dalton is charged with setting off the sirens, but the Calera station has the capability to operate every siren in the county. All of the workers have been properly trained.

He also reported that he attended flood plain management and control panel training last week to further his training.

Under public appearances, Dianne Thompson, one of the owners whose storage building burned early Wednesday, thanked Officer Keith Barfield, who called in the fire.

According to a report, a dog shed in the 300 block of Third Street caught fire; four pets perished in the blaze.

Thompson described the experience as “surreal, something you don’t expect.”

She said the officer helped save their lives and is to be commended for his service.

Hyde said Barfield will receive a letter of commendation in his file.

Barkley praised the town’s officers, saying they go “above and beyond their duties.”