By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

The town of Lowndesboro is looking to extend its water service to the river and to lower its fire insurance rates.

At the Lowndesboro Town Council’s Tuesday, Oct. 11 meeting, Mayor Rick Pate said of anticipated water system expansion, “We’re going to get this off of dead zero.”

He said a meeting was planned with engineers and the South Central Alabama Development Commission for Wednesday, Oct. 26 from which a budget and plans could be made.

“After that I expect it to go full bore ahead,” said Pate. He said with a plan, impact fees could be determined for the people to whom water service will be extended.

Pate said this will not be a public meeting, but a public meeting would be held at a later date.

Pate and Council member Jerry Ingram said the town’s water service current ends at the St. Clair railroad tracks, but would extend down Robinson Switch Road to a subdivision on River Road.
According to Pate, the town is working with the United States Department of Agriculture to see what can be done with regard to funding.

However, he said, “Even if we have to go it alone, we are going to get water down there.”

Council member Dennis Blair said the newly reorganized Lowndesboro Volunteer Fire Department boasts 22 members with 12 going through what is called 160 certification.

He explained that is training that teaches all elements of firefighting, from personal protection equipment to the way fire behaves.

He said the department is under the direction of Fire Chief Brian Hudson.

Blair, who serves as president of the Lowndesboro Fire Association said 12 of the members have completed a first responder course and four have completed the hazardous material course for a total of eight.

He said the town is hoping its ISO rating will drop to nine and with additional equipment and training could go as low as eight.

The town is also planning an open house from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6 to show off Marengo House where the council meetings are now held.

The open house will be for town residents to meet council members and county officials.

Pate reported that work continues on the lettering on the new water tank and fencing around the tank. He also said the town’s water system passed a surprise inspection by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

In actions taken, the council approved its minutes from Aug. 9, acknowledged that a meeting was held without a quorum in September and approved check disbursements.