Arnoldsville’s Paul “Stags” Oristaglio requested permission to use an outside firm for inspections on his current renovation project, a boutique hotel and restaurant at 1147 Athens Road, with a coffee shop extension.
The council approved, with the condition that the city’s existing contract with Veritas doesn’t include a non-compete clause.
The hotel/restaurant, with a proposed name of The Waypoint at 1147, is planned for the former A&B Emporium building, next to Iris Inc. Realty. The coffee shop will be on Park Avenue behind the Barber Shop.
Oristaglio said Tuesday he projects opening early next year.
Ray Grimes requested a variance for his property at 520 Park Ave. to allow for cows due to the size of tract. The council voted to table the petition until its next meeting on April 14.
In other news, the Crawford City Council:
- Unanimously voted to approve the Display Sales quote for Christmas decorations out of the two quotes submitted.
- Discussed the option to adopt the Board of Commissioners' abandoned dog ordinance and tabled the issue for the April meeting.
- Discussed updating the city charter and employee handbook, and will consider a time for a work session.
- Unanimously approved the minutes and financial reports from February.
Arnoldsville
Adam Boswell, the Arnoldsville water superintendent, said the water department was temporarily out of compliance for lead and copper sampling due to a shipping error in a response to a notice posted in The Oglethorpe Echo.
Boswell said the city needs to take samples every three years. The department will receive new water samples this summer to stay on schedule.
Residents attended the March 19 meeting with complaints about recent drainage and paving issues, specifically mud and standing water near mailboxes following heavy rain.
The council promised the issue would be addressed once it dries.
“We don’t have all the answers,” Arnoldsville mayor Danny Morcom said. “We like input.”
The Arnoldsville Volunteer Fire Department also announced the city was awarded a fireworks tax grant, covering 90% of the cost for new equipment and six new members. The cost will be $1,800 instead of $18,000.
Additionally, the fire department expects to have an addition to the station by the end of August that will include a meeting room, kitchen and ADA-compliant bathroom.
In other news, the Arnoldsville City Council:
- Discussed materials for installing a fire hydrant for the fire department, which would cost about $5,200. The labor would be handled by city staff.
- Adopted an ordinance for the state to impose minimum construction and building codes, which the city has been informally enforcing for years.
- Passed a new ordinance allowing the city to set and amend application and permit fees related to land use and development activity through a resolution, instead of requiring a full ordinance amendment for every change.
- Passed a resolution to adopt the current fee schedule, with rates remaining mostly unchanged except the addition of a demolition fee.
- Discussed a draft ordinance for utility placement in city right-of-ways. This would require companies, such as cable, phone or internet providers, to apply for permits and pay inspection fees.
- Considered moving the city council meetings from the third Thursday to the third Tuesday of the month.
Lexington
Linda Moore will fill the final vacancy on the Lexington City Council.
Moore, chair of the city’s Downtown Development Authority, was appointed to complete a term set to expire Dec. 31, 2027. The seat was vacated on Feb. 28, when former mayor and council member Ronnie Boggs stepped down.
The five-person council also includes Cory Crayton, Jill Severn, Andrew Westbrook and Jennifer Whitlock.
Boggs was recently named chairman of The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy nonprofit, succeeding Dink NeSmith in the role, effective April 1.
The council approved the purchase of extrication equipment for the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department, selecting an $8,500 option following discussion of multiple, more expensive options.
The purchase will be partially funded through a $5,000 matching grant from Rayle EMC.
City officials are moving forward with paving projects on multiple streets, including W. Church Street and Platt Street, with plans to use LMIG and TSPLOST funds. The council agreed to hire CMS Services as a consultant to oversee the project.
In other news, the Lexington City Council:
- Approved an occupational tax license for Georgia Driveway Pros, owned by Glynn Segars.
- Received an update that the city water systems are operating normally, with repairs underway at the Montgomery well.
- Heard updates from the Downtown Development Authority on potential park improvements and future grant opportunities.
Maxeys
Water rates in Maxeys will increase in April, with a $10 monthly increase to base service and an additional 50 cents per 1,000 gallons used beyond the 1,500-gallon base. Monthly base rates will be $30 for in-city customers and $38 for those outside city limits.
Power has been restored to the Maxeys Community Center following recent outages.
Construction on the final section of the Firefly Trail within the city’s limits is tentatively scheduled to begin this summer, Mayor Edward Toledano said in an email.
In other news, the Maxeys City Council:
- Plans to install a HVAC compressor at the community center.
- Is applying for a T-Mobile grant to support the community center building refurbishment.
- Will install water service, slated for $850, at the Rotary Club Peace Garden.