By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

The Maplesville Town Council met Monday, Oct. 10 for a regularly scheduled meeting to discuss business.

The council did not approve a liquor license for the new Valle Grande Mexican Grill. The vote was tied 3-3, which meant the motion did not pass and the application was not approved.

The denial is due to an ordinance stating that alcohol cannot be sold within 100 feet of a church building, measured from the nearest exterior walls of the two establishments. The restaurant falls inside 100 feet and was therefore not granted an alcohol license from the town.

At the end of the meeting, one council member mentioned that there are other ordinances not being enforced in the town. To address this, the council will have a special meeting that is also open to the public on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. The council will discuss and review all ordinances for the town.

In other business:

• The council approved a quote for two Dodge Chargers to replace old police vehicles. One vehicle was totaled in a pursuit, and the other had so much mileage it was deemed appropriate to replace it. The cost for the two replacement cars is $47,534.60.
• Unlimited data from AT&T was approved for use in the patrol cars. The bid was $40 a month per box, and it has been ordered.
• Keith Crosby was approved as a volunteer fireman.
• The council approved the purchase of new equipment for the town’s fire truck using left over grant money.
• Joseph Romano was approved as a part-time worker in the Garbage Department.
• A motion was approved to replace all the recently stolen street department equipment. The Mayor is seeking a quote to install security cameras and lights in the street department lot.
• Two mishaps involving the garbage truck occurred in September in Maplesville. The truck pulled the corner of the roof off Marion Bank when it pulled away. The next week, the truck was driven over a pipe culvert and got stuck. It was pulled out and the brakes had to be repaired. The truck has been repaired and is in working condition.
• An accident occurred involving the street department truck, which has since been fixed. Insurance covered the repairs, and the town assumed responsibility for the other party’s trailer, which was involved in the crash.
• The council approved a $1,000 donation to Butterfly Bridge. It also approved a salary increase to $350 a month for the Municipal Judge and $300 a month for the Municipal Prosecutor.
• The setting of the town Christmas party has been tabled until the situation with the new restaurant is resolved.