The Flomaton Town Council voted 4-1 to approve a grant to conduct a free assessment of the old Jackson Theater to determine if the building contains led paint, asbestos or other dangerous materials.
Debbie Nickles, town planner for Century, and Beth Norman with Cardno, an environmental group from Tallahassee, approached the Flomaton Town Council last month about partnering with Century for a Brownsfield Assessment Grant to study both public and private properties for contaminants.
Nickles and Norman said the grants are free and will not cost the town any money. They did say if contaminants are found the town could apply for matching grants to correct any problems.
Mayor Dewey Bondurant Jr., told the council that they have somebody wanting to rent the old Jackson Theater building and the town needs to know if there is something wrong with the building.
Crapps voted against the motion to accept the free grant saying he was against the town getting the old building in the first place.
“I'd rather take that money and fix pot holes,” Crapps said.
Mayor Bondurant and council members Roger Adkinson, Lillian Dean and Charlie Reardon voted yes. Councilman Jim Johnson was absent..
In other business Monday, the council:
- Approved a new agreement with the Flomaton Volunteer Fire Department that brings control to the town. Bondurant said the agreement was written from guidelines outlined by the State Fire College.
- Heard from Mayor Bondurant that he is still seeking donations to hopeful raise in excess of $175,000 to make improvements to Flomaton-Hurricane Park.
- Approved a $5,000 grant from the E-911 board to allow the police department to purchase five hand-held radioes. It was noted the town will spend the money and will then be reimbursed from the E-911 board.
- Voted to renew its $200,000 lines of credit at Escambia County Bank and United Bank.
