By Adam Powell | Special to the Advertiser

The Thorsby town council met Monday night for its regularly scheduled meeting to discuss plans to apply for a block grant from the Alabama Community Development Block Grant Program.

The grant would supply the city with $188,813 to implement a School Demolition Project, with the town on the hook for an additional $20,979 to support the project.

A resolution was unanimously passed by the council approving the application for the grant and assuring that the town would pay its share of the project.

Town Clerk Crystal Smith discussed an upcoming class provided by the Retirement System of Alabama aimed at versing town accountants in new protocols for reporting retirement.

The council unanimously approved the purchase of a full-page advertisement in the Thorsby High School yearbook, a purchase the town makes annually.

The council briefly discussed ongoing work at the nearby chapel, which has suffered from leaks stemming from the bell tower – leaks originally attributed to the structure’s roof.

Further, workers have recommended that annual efforts be implemented to address old windows and other structural issues and a bill for the ongoing work will be submitted to the council once repairs are finished.

The council briefly discussed a storm shelter, which was requested from the state to be installed at the high school, which will double as a field house for students, but the state has yet to approve the effort.

The council unanimously approved the nomination of Wayne Nelson to the city’s Variance Board to fill the gap left when the former chairman resigned two months ago.

Nelson will have to be approved by the board, though the position of chairman will be taken over by a member already sitting on the board.

The fire department reported that its “Movies in the Park” event will occur this Friday.

Further, training and exercises are ongoing for the department, some of which has happened in conjunction with the nearby Forensics Department, and Garrett Nelson is hoping to come on board with the department to run calls.

Nelson’s schedule is being addressed and, once it is squared away, an official recommendation will be brought before the council.

The police department had nothing to report and Public Works Superintendent Terry Jackson was unable to attend.