One of Maplesville’s top priorities for 2010 is to keep from borrowing money. But there are several projects on tap for the new year, including sidewalks, streetlights and a park pavilion.

“Our goal is to survive the economy,” Mayor Kurt Wallace said. “Our short-term goal is to not borrow money. The debts we have incurred are things we are doing to improve the town, not to pay bills.”

Street repairs are another priority in 2010, as excessive rain has caused damage to many areas within town limits.

“We’re going to do a lot more work on our local streets as far as patching and repairs. We’ve got a lot of washed out places,” Wallace said.

Residents will be happy to hear of plans for a new pavilion at Maplesville Community Park. Churches and other groups will be able to hold various events there. Construction is expected to take place in spring 2010.

A $145,000 Department of Transportation grant will bring new sidewalks to the truck bypass and new streetlights to Maplesville’s business district.

The grant is also funding the construction of culverts along the bypass. The town is funding 20 percent of the project.

A long-term goal is to extend sewer lines to U.S. Highway 82. Wallace sees great potential for the thoroughfare within the next decade.

“I keep looking at where we are between Mercedes and Hyundai. There’s got to be somebody, but before you can do that, you’ve got to have infrastructure,” he said.