HOLLY POND — Holly Pond officials took major steps to renew and maintain several of the town’s roadways Monday, Feb. 3.

Mayor Carla Hart informed council members that she was reapplying for a $281,030 Rebuild Alabama grant. If approved, the grant would fund a repaving project on County Road 795, locally referred to as Daniel Road.

Because the grant is more than $250,000, Hart said the town would be responsible for providing a local funding match of just over $15,500.

The town would also be required to cover any engineering fees associated with the project. Hart told the council that these fees could be as high as $60,000, but, based on previous quotes she had received, she hoped the actual cost was closer to $30,000.

Council members also discussed a new ordinance to protect its investment in Finley Circle, located just East of Jack’s Family Restaurant on U.S. Hwy. 278. The town approved allocating $300,000 of its annual budget to repairing damage to Finley Circle in November. Hart has shared that she believes the degradation of the roadway is largely caused by the frequent use of semi-trucks entering the Jack’s parking lot.

The town’s attorney, Dan Willingham, shared a draft proposal of an ordinance which would limit the amount of heavy traffic on Finley Circle. Willingham said he used an existing 2018 ordinance that prohibited “heavy truck traffic” from parking in “residential areas” within the town and included language to also regulate those trucks from driving in certain areas.

“Your previous ordinance covers this, but your roads are not designed to haul 18-wheelers. They can’t hold them up. Your shoulders aren’t sufficient for them to park on the side,” Willingham told the council.

Willingham said the ordinance will also provide a more clear definition of what is considered “heavy truck traffic” and add Finley Circle to the existing area considered to be residential areas.

The council approved for Willingham to complete the proposed ordinance for their consideration during its next scheduled meeting, but did not take any official action on Monday.

In other business the council:

— Approved increasing the mayor’s compensation to $600 per month beginning with the 2025 term.

— Approved increasing council member’s compensation to $200 per month beginning with the 2025 term.

— Accepted a quote of $99,224 from Dakota Lord, a licensed homebuilder, to construct a bathroom facility to be located in Governor’s Park and approved for Hart to enter into a contract for services with Lord.

— Approved increasing the rental rates of the town’s two event facilities by $50 to offset cleaning costs.

— Approved to transfer $2,000 into the town’s library account to fund a Summer reading program.

— Approved to add Martin Luther Kind Jr. Day to its list of paid holidays for employees.

— Reappointed Oakley Graham as the town’s park director.

Patrick Camp may be reached by email at patrick.camp@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 238.