Charley Gaines

Hartselle Enquirer

Priceville’s town council met Mon., Aug. 22, for their regularly scheduled biweekly meeting with several items added to the agenda to be approved.

With municipal elections Tuesday and one seat on the council contested, the council agreed to meet Aug. 30 for a special meeting to canvass the Aug. 23 election results. The seat contested for the 2016 municipal election is Place 1 with incumbent Larry Waddell, Joe Libsco and Mike Thornberry vying for the position.

The council donated $8,149 to Priceville Elementary School so they can become re-certified and continue the Leader in Me program. The school’s principal, Tanya McCain, was at the meeting and accepted the contribution on behalf of her school.

Priceville Elementary became a the 34th Leader in Me Lighthouse School in January of 2013, and McCain said she wants to continue that tradition so the elementary students can be a part of a Legacy School in the program.

“Priceville Town Council donated the $8,149 to our school to cover the materials and training needed for the re-certification process in order to continue to serve as a Lighthouse School.” Principal McCain said her faculty is involved with various training classes that prepare and equip them “depending on where we are in the implementation process.” She said the dues for the program turn around and have a tremendous impact on not only students, but teachers, parents and the community.

“Since we have been a Leader in Me school, our student leaders are exuding leadership skills and ownership of their academic as well as behavioral goals in ways that we have never seen before. Although it does come with a price tag, this program has given us the opportunity to build strong minds and capable decision makers as we teach leaders today how to become effective leaders of tomorrow.”

Priceville’s town council also approved Mayor Melvin Duran to sign a contract with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc., for the design and construction of a multipurpose civic center. Councilman Waddell said the plan is already in the works as they push forward with the plans, but this project is just in the planning stages at this point.

“Right now we just owe them for the initial design, but nothing else yet,” Duran explained to the council and attendees as the city leaders consider their options.

The council also adopted ordinance 2016-13 which is an agreement between Priceville and Wheeler Basin Utilities Service Co., Inc. The council voted for “renewal of the right and privilege (hereinafter referred to as the “Franchise”) to construct, operate and maintain natural gas lines over, through, under, in and upon public streets, alleys, lanes, bridges, viaducts and other public ways and places of the Town and other individuals and entities within and beyond the corporate limits of the Town.”  The renewal allows Wheeler Basin to continue its work in the town for 20 more years. It also insures the company will maintain a good working relationship with Priceville as they continue operation there.

Duran reminded everyone at the end of the meeting about an opening on the town’s planning committee that meets once a month. Priceville’s mayor put emphasis on the job saying it’s “pretty important.” He said Charles Atkins, former Priceville mayor, was on the planning committee for more than 30 years and suggested the council make a proclamation for him at a future meeting.

Other items of note:

-Payment of town bills totaling $31,631.93

-Special meeting called Aug. 30 at noon to canvass election results.

-Ordinance 2016-12, annexation of property owned by Mechelle Moody located at 3528 Deere Road, Decatur.

-Approval for Mayor to sign a contract with Morgan County Emergency Management Communication District (911).

-$200 to Priceville Band Booster for the 2016 football program business ad.

-$325 to Hartselle Enquirer for the 2016 Football Preview advertisement.

-$580 to Sharp Communication and Security Solutions for a proper 4pv body armor level 2A.