Grant allocates $25,000 for historic courthouse plans
By Harrison Keely EDITOR

County commissioners entered into a $25,000 grant July 3 to make plans for the future of the historic Hayesville courthouse on the Square.

Commissioner Harry Jarrett said that the county previously lacked the funds to explore options for the building which has been vacant since the move of court offices last summer.

Grant money will be used for architectural drawings, Jarrett said, in order to form ideas of what renovation could be done, how such changes would appear, and what the final cost would be.

Commissioners also reappointed Fannie Watson to the town's planning and zoning board and Bobby Jones to the board of adjustment. Both terms last through 2011.

A county project budget ordinance on the expansion of the wastewater plant was also approved by commissioners, who looked at various revenue options available in a reimbursable grant.

Because the county, not the water and sewer district, applied for the grant, it must be under the county budget, commissioners said.

Commissioner Hub Cheeks said that the 20-year plan investigates using water from Chatuge lake and updating the water treatment plant.

Replacing old and outdated equipment would increase capacity from 300,000 to 475,000, County Manager Paul Leek said.

"We have to do that because we're being mandated by the state," Leek said.

Jarrett voiced his hope for a long term loan on the project while Cheeks said that a $500,000 loan would cost the county about $29,000 a year.

Leek also recommended an agreement with the department of transportation for what he called the best interest of citizens.

Considering any large-scale disaster in the area with debris littering roadways in the county, Leek said a new agreement would allow the county the option of contracting clean-up efforts to locals for reimbursement by FEMA.

"I think you all agree as commissioners that it's our responsibility to do the very best we can to get the information out so that we have a well informed public on the issue," Jarrett said, pointing to the set date for the land transfer referendum vote.

Cheeks said that although they had questions and answers, he hoped that the board would be prepared to answer some questions.

"I hope that we don't let outside entities enter into the decision making on this," he said.

Commissioner Sellers said he looked forward to the opportunity for the public.

"I think we have enough intelligence within our community to make that decision on their own," he said.

The vote on the referendum is set for August 29.

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