By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

The town of Mosses is seeking funds to connect residents north of the sewer lagoon to the town’s sewer system and to add sidewalks. It also voted to pave a stretch of road of the town’s, update its police and town employee manual and approve a fiscal year 2012 budget.

In a lengthy Town Council meeting held in the Municipal Complex Tuesday night, the council approved an application for a $385,000 Community Development Block Grant funded project to connect residents to the town’s sewer system.

Mayor Walter Hill said this grant brings a vision for the past 20 years to “fruition.” He said the residents have had to rely on septic systems that are costly to replace when they fail. Now, he said, they will be on a sewer system.

The project would be funded by $350,000 in grant funds and $35,000 in match funds.

While this phase concerns those north of the sewer lagoon, he said, the next phase would connect every household and present business to the sewer, as well as provide for future business growth.

The council also voted to take the necessary steps to apply for a Safe Routes to School Grant as well as agreed to resubmit an application for a previous grant it lost for payment of sidewalks.

The council also approved a paving project of Main Street that is not grant funded from Francis Lane to Corner Street not to exceed $8,000.

In yet another matter, the council approved a fiscal year 2012 budget with anticipated general fund revenues of $169,000 and expenses of $129,000.

In addition, the council approved for Mayor Hill to attend the Alabama Conference of Black Mayors in Mobile; the town clerk to attend a CDBG workshop, also in Mobile; the mayor to present a report of activities planned at the Municipal Complex; and the mayor to update the police and town employees’ manuals.

Tabled was a search committee and advertising for the position of police chief and to negotiate a salary for police chief.

The council approved the minutes of its Nov. 8 meeting, revenue and expense reports for November and December and the agenda of Tuesday night’s meeting.

The mayor updated the council on settlement agreement in one legal matter and a hearing set for another.

The next meeting of Mosses Town Council is scheduled for Feb. 28 at which the mayor is expected to deliver his state of the town address.