A recurring theme during Monday’s monthly Maplesville Town Council meeting pertained to the recent approval of an alcohol sales referendum that was voted on during the primary election on March 1.

Now that the referendum has passed and sales will be allowed in Chilton County, the council has until an effective date of July 1 to decide how they want to approach the sale of alcohol in the town.

Steven Miles, from The Insurance Network, attended the meeting to discuss liquor liability insurance and bonds.

He briefed the council members on common questions that may be asked by business owners looking into the process of getting a liquor license, which is a requirement from the state for any establishment selling alcohol.

According to Miles, Maplesville is in position to take advantage of its newly allowed alcohol sales due to its proximity to Bibb County, which remains dry.

He stated that Maplesville could see residents from Bibb County crossing over into town to purchase alcohol.

John Hollis Jackson III, the town’s attorney, has talked to the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and is working on the possibility of the board meeting in front of the council for a special meeting.

The meeting would further explain the nuances involved, as well as the steps taken as a town and the ordinances that will need to be in place moving forward.

In other business, the council approved the purchase of a 2016 F-550 for $119,896 to be used as a rescue truck by the Maplesville Fire Department.

Councilwoman Sheila Haigler motioned to have the money taken fully from the general fund.

“I think it’s crazy to burrow money and pay interest when you have money in hand,” Haigler said.

The council took a vote with Mayor W.C. Hayes Jr. the only member not in favor of the proposal.

He stated that though he agreed with the need for the truck, he did not want to take the full amount from the general fund.

Jeannie Smith spoke on behalf of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life to be held on April 30 at the youth football fields in Clanton.

The council agreed to spend $1,500 to be a Gold Luminaria sponser for the event.

The recognition gained with the sponsorship includes advertising such as display of a banner and a prominent logo placement on the participant’s t-shirts. About 1,000 t-shirts are estimated to be handed out during the event.

In other news from the meeting:

•Josh Hubbard will attend a training class in mid-April with the focus on child abuse and how to handle and interview with the laws in place.

•Two open police investigations are currently ongoing with one civil and one narcotic.

•The council approved the placement of “No Littering” signs on County Road 310, as Patty Crocker motioned and Sheila Hall seconded the motion.

•Maplesville Town Hall and the library will close at 3:30 p.m. due to court reviews being held on the third Monday of each month, except for January and February, which will take place on the fourth Monday due to holidays.

•The council approved $500 to help sponsor the Maplesville Athletic Club Fishing Tournament.

•Town limit lines were discussed and will be looked at in more detail in future meetings.