By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

The Lowndes County Commission heard a proposal for gravel pit services, approved a lease agreement for the Family Guidance Center and a liquor license among actions taken at its regular fourth Monday night meeting held Nov. 25.

The commission will rely upon the recommendation of County Engineer David Butts regarding a gravel service proposal from Wilson’s Pit in Collirene.

Deatrice Snow, daughter of gravel pit owner Gregory Wilson, appeared before the commission to make a proposal that the county use the pit for gravel services.

Snow said Wilson’s Pit specializes in the supply of gravel from a gravel pit of clay, gravel and topsoil off Lowndes County Road 12 in Collirene. She said the pit contains 11 to 12 acres of gravel.

Commission Chairman Robert Harris said, “We allow our engineer Mr.David Butts to make all the recommendations for gravel.” He said Butts would review the proposal and make a recommendation to the commission.

Butts was unanimously approved by the commission to hire Tolkisha Trussel as a secretary in his office. He said everyone interviewed was qualified and the selection was difficult.

Butts was also unanimously authorized to spend $21,000 for repair of a motor grader.

And Butts reported that a pre construction meeting for federal aid projects to resurface Lowndes County Roads 2 and 13 was set for Dec. 3.

According to Butts, Lowndes County Road 2 will be resurfaced from from Main Street in Mosses to Alabama Highway 21 for a distance of about four miles, and Lowndes County Road 13 will be resurfaced from Lowndes County Road 17 to Main Street in Mosses for a distance of about four miles, as well.

Butts said the Lowndes County Road 13 project would probably be started first.

The commission rejected bids for a Title III van from which the county would receive 20 percent and which was advertised by word of mouth.

After the highest bid received was $1,001, the commission unanimously voted to reject the bids and advertise the van.

The commission unanimously approved 010-Lowndes Retail Liquor Class I License for Club Secrets located at 4415 Lowndes County Road 17 in Hayneville owned by Sonya Kemp and Kamry Courtland.

No one was present to speak for or against the action.

Under the consent agenda, the commission unanimously approved:

*A lease agreement with the Family Life Center for the old library at a rent of $1,000 per month.
*A contract with the South Central Alabama Development Commission involving a grant of $28,639.08 to offset the cost of the senior citizens center.
*Minutes.
*Invoices.
*Hazard Mitigation Plan Grant Program in order to get federal funds in the event of disasters. The total cost $27,500 with the county’s portion being $6,875.
*Agreement with the Department of Corrections and towns of Lowndes County to house and feed inmates at the John Hulett Detention Center.
*An appropriation to the Lowndes County Board of Education Parent Student Teacher Association for $250.
*Appropriation to the Life Changing Community Outreach in the amount of $1,000.
*Appropriation to the Lowndes county Board of Education Head Start Program in the amount of $150.

The commission went into and returned from an executive session to discuss legal issues that require strategy, but reported no votes were taken and adjourned.