New Glasgow DPW superintendent set to start July 31

By MELINDA J. OVERSTREET
for Glasgow News 1
A new superintendent of the Glasgow Department of Public Works was sworn into office on Monday during the regular Glasgow Common Council meeting, after a unanimous vote of approval of a municipal order appointing him.
Jim McGowan was administered the oath of office by Mayor Henry Royse, who said his choice for the job got his civil engineering degree from the University of Kentucky and has more than 19 years’ experience with Glasgow-based American Engineers Inc.
“We’re just so tickled to have him,” Royse added.
McGowan is scheduled to begin his work in the role July 31.
April Russell, the city’s grant writer and manager as well as stormwater manager, had been serving as the interim superintendent.
McGowan’s appointment followed an update from Judy Crabtree and Cynthia Watson on preparations for Barren County’s dayslong September celebration of its 225th birthday, particularly those on Sunday, Sept. 10, which will feature a musical performance from William Lee Golden and The Goldens, tables set up for each of the current and former high schools in the county, a celebration of Barren County veterans and the sealing of a time capsule.
Royse said Crabtree has been providing him with updates on the schedule and, “It’s absolutely grown, like a flower garden, with more and more and more events on it, and I really feel like this is going to be something that you don’t want to miss.”
The committee hopes to have the schedule of events finalized by Aug. 7.
In other business, with all nine members present, the following were unanimously approved:
— Applying for a spay/neuter grant for the Barren River Animal Welfare Association;
— Disposal of surplus equipment – such as as a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado truck and old playground equipment – from the police and the parks and recreation departments, respectively, via an online auction and, from the police department, 28 Glock 9 mm pistols, with the first option of purchase to go to the officers to which they had been issued for duty use; and
— Appointments to local boards and such: Glasgow Municipal Airport board of directors – Sam Chambers, Denise Dickinson and Terry Fisher, all reappointments; Barren County Economic Authority board of directors – David Daughdrill, new appointee; Board of of Building and Housing Appeals/Stormwater Advisory Committee – Greg Scott, reappointment; and Code Enforcement Board – Bill Anderson and Joan Norris, both reappointments.
The mayor also announced that the city pool had been closed Monday due to a motor malfunction, but a replacement has been found and it is believed the installation can be completed Tuesday.
The next regular meeting is at 6 p.m. Aug. 14.