Correspondent

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen, of Cumberland Gap held the regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 5, followed by a Beer Board meeting.

Under the subject of financial obligations, the board voted to pay Gary McGill, engineer, $1,000 per month for the next five months instead of the lump sum $5,000 due him. That decision was in response to McGillâs statement at last months meeting that he is not rushing the town to pay him.

Mayor John Douglas announced that the town is seeking volunteers to serve on the Historical Commission which will make recommendations regarding the esthetics of new construction. Anyone interested should contact City Recorder Linda Moyers in the Town Hall.

The town will hold the annual pumpkin festival during the Halloween season. Joe Wolfenbarger has volunteered to coordinate the effort. Alderman Joan Webb reported that water loses are up slightly and that town workers continue to find and repair leaks.

The Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to release $250,000 (less administrative costs) toward the construction of the new sewer plant for the town. Work on that project will begin in the near future. The board tabled Ordinance 4-2006 until October. That ordinance would raise garbage rates from eight dollars to twelve dollars per month. In the final action of the evening, the board accepted the resignation of City Judge David Ray.

The Beer Board noted that two current beer permits are inactive. That inactivity is detrimental to the finances of the town. Representatives of both University Inn and the Tea Room reported that they expect the permits to become active as soon as possible. The University Inn reported that renovations are underway with plans to open the food and beverage area when they are complete. The Tea Room expects to close on the sale of that property within 60 days.

Chancellor Billy Joe White issued an order on Aug. 23 for the town to issue a beer permit to the UNC Club in response to litigation brought by the club. With three yes votes and one abstention, the board voted to appeal that ruling and no further action was taken regarding the UNC Club.