HOLLY POND, Ala. – The Holly Pond Town Council on Monday night fielded questions about the Cullman County Board of Education’s “Project X,” the multi-use sports and event venue slated to be located in Cullman, on Alabama Highway 157 near its intersection with I-65, behind Warehouse Discount Groceries, on land donated to the CCBOE by Roy Drinkard. The new county half-cent sales tax, along with lodging tax money contributed by the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, will help fund the project which is projected to reach $30 million
A concerned citizen addressed the Holly Pond Council, asking if the town plans to join other Cullman County municipalities (Hanceville and Baileyton) adopting resolutions opposing the project.
“Is the town going to take any kind of position in the situation that’s going on with the big athletic complex that’s proposed out on 157 by the County?” the citizen asked.
Holly Pond Mayor Bill Oliver stated, “Probably not as a council, that’s not out purview to get into it. That’s a little issue that the (Cullman) County Commission and the (Cullman County) School Board really have. I think everybody, everybody, not just me and you, but everybody, has their own opinion about that. Even if we voted for or against it, we’re not gonna affect what happens. I’m not bringing it up. I feel like it’s out of our jurisdiction.”
Councilman Paul Brown and Councilwoman Carla Hart notified the mayor about an access issue with town storm shelters. Brown said some citizens who use wheelchairs have had difficulty accessing shelters because of the gravel around them. Brown suggested pouring concrete around the entrances and designating handicapped drop-off zones. A motion was made and passed to implement Brown’s suggestions.
Oliver updated the council on the progress of obtaining a grant for the town’s sewer upgrade/renovation, saying, “We’ve received verbal affirmation. They think it’s going through and we’ll be OK; nothing in writing, so right now we’ve not been approved but I think we will. The approval process will come with a little package that will allow everything in step-by step.”
Holly Pond has made school zone speed limits 20 mph and speed limits on all other roads within town limits 35 mph (with the exception of U.S. Highway 278). Roads with limits already less than 30 mph remain the same.
Oliver reported that a new town website name has been obtained. He said the town’s new website will be built and town employees will have new emails.
Oliver said it has been brought to his attention that culverts on Lick Creek Road are damaged enough to allow water to run over the roadway. Oliver proposed to the council that the Town pay for the repair of the culverts for the safety of travelers. A motion was made and approved.
Oliver also issued three proclamations:
- proclaiming April 2019 as Fair Housing Month
- proclaiming April 2019 Civitan Awareness Month
- proclaiming April 2019 Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month
Lastly, Oliver announced Holly Pond received the President’s Risk Management Award from the Alabama League of Municipalities. The award recognizes the efforts and accomplishments in risk management and loss control activities. The President’s Award is given to those municipalities which have been in the top 5 percent for five years.
The Holly Pond Town Council usually meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Guy Hunt Library. The next council meeting will be on Tuesday, May 7 since the first Monday coincides with the spring festival for Holly Pond schools.
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