BLUE MOUNTAIN – Blue Mountain’s mayor and aldermen took care of the following items of business during their regular meeting Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008,according to the most recently available board minutes.

Present were: Mayor Edward Burge, aldermen Gene Lansdell, Jim Kelly, Carol Robbins, Attorney Joe Gay, City Clerk Jo Ann Yale, and Police Chief Mac Lowrey. Also present was Jack Griffith.

Mayor Burge called the meeting to order.

An opening prayer was given by Carol Robbins.

Board members approved the Nov. 6, 2008 regular board meeting minutes of the mayor and board of aldermen.

The board approved the December 2008 claims docket #543 - 586.

The board approved authorization to transfer $10,000 from tax collector to general fund.

Mayor Burge and Jack Griffith briefed the board of aldermen on recent lagoon project developments. The board approved a Prairie Construction invoice for submission to MDA. Jack Griffith stated the invoice is due to Prairie Construction in the amount of $51,912. Mayor Burge informed the board that the town will have to reroute the discharge line as no easement will be granted by one of the landowners whose property is involved. The mayor proposed an alternate option that would route the line parallel to the railroad. ESI engineers agreed with the plan and will prepare drawings to be submitted to railroad officials for their approval.

With the change in plans, the board authorized Jack Griffith to prepare and submit a CAP loan application if needed.



The board approved a request from the Southern Sentinel for the town to purchase a Christmas ad for $102.



The board took action to resolve the Vera Prather/Maxine Spright water bill. The board took the following action: Advise Vera Prather to pay the $211 water bill due. If not paid, service will be discontinued. The board voted that after Jan. 1, 2009, there will be no adjustments to water bills with the exception of sewage being adjusted in the case of water leak.



The board voted that the Betty Hearn apartment water bill be adjusted due to a leak. This bill was adjusted by $33.95.



The board discussed changing the water deposit to non-refundable fee. The matter was tabled until the Jan. 8, 2009, meeting.



The board voted to rescind a 1917 ordinance that prohibited fireworks being shot in the corporation limits.



The board discussed implementing a city tax. No action was taken.



The board discussed Christmas lights. No action was taken.



The board discussed installation of city signs. The board unanimously directed Mayor Burge to install the "Welcome" signs at the precise location that MDOT has previously approved. This location is not on private property but on the highway ROW.



The board discussed purchase of police car. Chief Lowrey made a presentation on the purchase of a 2002 Crown Victoria police car from the Union County Sheriff's Department. The board agreed that the current car be kept until the condition of the car being purchased is known. The purchase of the proposed car was approved.



The board voted to terminate officer Will Rogers as a reserve officer.



The board voted to reschedule the January 2009 regular meeting of the mayor and board of aldermen scheduled for New Year's Day which is a holiday. Attorney Joe Gay advised the board that they should come by City Hall on Dec. 31, 2008, to approve the Claims Docket so the city clerk can pay the bills.



The meeting was adjourned until 6 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009.