INGALLS — It will be a Happy New Year for members of Ingalls Police Department.

At the Dec. 16 town council meeting, board members voted unanimously 4-0, with one member absent, to approve raises for all five of the full-time officers.

“Our police department does a fantastic job,” town council president Justin Gardner said. “Since Chief (Chris) Thompson has taken over, he has handled the management of the full-time and reserve officers, and we have seen improvements in the quality of work.

“He has done a fantastic job. There had been issues before (Thompson was hired), and I think there is now town-wide confidence in our police department.”

Thompson has been part of the Ingalls department since 1998. He became interim town marshal in March 2017 and was voted in as town marshal in July 2017.

Thompson and Captain Tony Keogh will receive 5% raises. Full-time officers Sean Waterman, Matthew Edy and John Gaw will receive 3% raises.

In 2018, the council amended the town’s salary ordinance to raise the town marshal’s salary from $48,537 to $50,000.

Gardner commended Thompson for restructuring, reorganizing and raising standards at the department.

Thompson took over as interim chief after Ricky Martin resigned following a suspension for conduct unbecoming an officer, neglect of duty and violations of standard operating procedures.

Final meeting

The meeting was the last for Gardner, who ran but lost the race for three council seats in the November election.

Gardner, a Republican, was appointed to the council in January 2017, taking a spot previously held by Dusty Smith.

Gardner had been council vice president. He was appointed president by the council after former president Chris Bradshaw resigned from the board in August.

“I’ve enjoyed serving with the town and with the other council members,” Gardner said. “I’ve had good relationships with them and other department heads.”

In November, Gardner was fourth of five candidates running for three at-large council seats. Republican newcomer Melanie Johnson received the most votes with 102. Democrat Teresa Egerton and Republican Scot Lawyer, who were also incumbents who had been appointed to council, were second and third, respectively, with 82 and 81 votes. Gardner garnered 77 votes. Terry Moody, a Democrat, received 70 votes.

Plan commission opening

The town will seek a new member for its plan commission in 2020.

The board accepted the resignation of commission member Dennis Cozart.