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said, and the loan request from the Farmers’ Home Administration is also under consideration.
According to Treasurer Brad Fisher, the $1.06 million project will be funded by several sources. The largest chunk, $700,000, is being requested from the state’s block grant program. An additional $231,000 is being sought in a low-interest FmHA Community Facilities loan, as well as a companion FmHA grant of $129,000.
Mr. Morehouse pointed out that if the block grant is not approved in full, another application could be submitted to FmHA for a larger amount to cover the difference.
After updating the council on the progress of the funding applications, Mr. Fisher took the council on a “tour” of the water system, tracing it with color slides from the spring near’the summit of Massie’s Mountain to its distribution to homes in town.
He said that the Environmental Protection Agency may require that a second well be dug to supply the town. Because the spring does not meet the definition of a “protected” supply under its draft regulations, it may not be useable for municipal water supply.
“The heck it’s not protected,” a voice from the audience quipped. “No one knows where it is!”
July Fourth redux
The July Fourth celebration “went great,” Mr. Morehouse said. “It just shows you how well this town responds to events like that.”
Nan Thomasson reported that she had one request from a resident for more patriotic music during the fireworks display.
“How much more patriotic can you get than the theme from Star Wars?” Mr. Fisher replied.
Jin) Thomasson, who coordinated the entertainment during the evening, told the council that the volunteer organizers plan to meet sometime in August to review the event and begin to plan next year’s celebration. “It’s important,” he told the council, “that we get an early start.” And, he added, the things that went wrong will still be fresh in mind and more easily remedied.
Mr. Fisher reported that the town spent approximately $2,000 for the celebration, including almost $500 for liability insurance for the day and another $1,500 on the fireworks.
Although he acknowledged that in the past he had been against the town Spending money on the celebration, Mayor Morehouse said he has changed his mind. “Look at the town’s revenue source - the tax on restaurants and B and Bs. Why not return some of that to the businesses by bringing in people for the Fourth from all over. They come for a nice day - and maybe they come back again. ”
The mayor suggested that the council retain the expense in the budget as a line item for nextyear.
Mr. Thomasson requested, however, that the funding be kept separate from the organisation of the event, which brought agreement from the council.
Mr. Morehouse told the council that the town is exploring the possibility of establishing a trust to administer the event. He noted that several hundred dollars in private donations toward the event have been received.
A trust, he said, would assure the availibility of
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