Thorsby applies for grant to replace bridge

Published 9:26 pm Tuesday, July 6, 2010

The Thorsby Town Council passed a resolution Tuesday night applying for a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant to replace the bridge on West Medical Center Drive.

The vote followed a public hearing held last week to gather input from citizens. No one in attendance at the hearing opposed the town’s proposal to replace the bridge.

If the grant were awarded, the town would provide a cash match of $4,639.75 in support of the project.

“Currently, the bridge lacks adequate weight requirements to legally carry school buses, service vehicles or emergency vehicles,” wrote Mayor Dearl Hilyer in a letter to Doni Ingram, director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

Hilyer was absent at Tuesday night’s meeting because he was on vacation. Council member Jean Nelson sat in for the mayor.

The council also approved a citizen participation plan stating how the public hearing, advertising and other aspects of the grant application process were handled.

In other business, Council member Tara Jewell announced a reminder that Bluegrass in the Park featuring G2 Bluegrass Band from Sweden will be Thursday, July 8 in Richard Wood Park from 7-9 p.m.

Movies in the Park will resume Friday at 8 p.m. with the film “Planet 51.” This will also be held at Richard Wood Park. Fire Chief Lee Gunn said attendance at this year’s movie events has averaged between 300 and 350 people.

Also, at the request of Police Chief Rodney Barnett, the council voted to let Billy Shields attend an educational course in Mississippi at no cost aside from transportation and lodging.