COLONY, Ala. – The Colony Town Council announced Tuesday that the State of Alabama has made $39,000 in federal grants available to the Town under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economy Security (CARES) Act. In accordance with CARES regulations, the money will be used to promote COVID-19 response in the community, including the purchase of masks, cleaning supplies, coronavirus education and response training and more.
According to Town Clerk Patricia Ponder, Colony has already received its first shipment of gloves and sanitizer for distribution to area residents. She noted that the Town will need to be careful in spending the funds, as Colony must first pay for purchases then be reimbursed by the State. She also added that auditors at both the state and federal levels will review purchase records, and Colony would not be reimbursed for any expenses not found to be related to COVID-19 response.
Mayor Donnis Leeth showed council members signs promoting the COVID-19 response, and said the signs will be distributed around the community.
Town gym gets attention
The council also discussed recent cleanup work at the town gym. Leeth and Councilwoman Ethel Alexander praised Desperation Church for spending its day of service last Saturday working in and around the gym and playground, and said the church team plans to return in August to paint and make other repairs to the building.
Councilman Melvin Hammond, who could not attend Tuesday night’s meeting due to a medical issue, sent a message saying that a certified letter needs to be sent to the roofing contractor who worked on the gym roof, as part of the Town’s efforts to deal with leaks that have continued since the repairs were supposed to have been completed.
Council members talked about setting rules for gym use and determining who will open the gym and supervise the facility when open. Ponder told the council area youth who need community service hours for high school graduation can get credit for helping out and cleaning up around the gym, and any council member can sign off on their hours. After discussion, Leeth said he will supervise the gym for the first three months of operation, remarking, “I’ll set the standard.”
The mayor also said the gym’s rules will include a prohibition on firearms and other weapons on the property, including vehicles parked on the property.
Other council business
After complaints about certain residents being excluded from a recent distribution of food sponsored by the Cullman County Commission on Aging (COA), Leeth said all food distribution- including items from the COA, North Alabama Agriplex and Carpenter’s Cabinet food pantry- will now be supervised by Ponder. According to Ponder, several people who came to the last distribution to pick up food for disabled and homebound residents were denied boxes as distribution was limited to the number of people in the cars. According to Leeth, the food boxes are intended to be distributed on a first come, first served basis without limitation to the number of people in a car.
Leeth told the council that, after examination of projected amounts, he determined the County Road Department can repair Ward Hill Road for less than a commercial contractor, so he will talk to the County about having the work done.
The council voted to have Alexander get a list of qualified voters and deliver it to the town clerk’s office ahead of August’s Municipal Election. The mayor would normally do so, but is prohibited since he himself is a candidate.
The council also passed a resolution to distribute the signs displayed by Leeth.
The Colony Town Council meets for a work session at 5 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at Colony Town Hall, with its regular meeting following immediately after. The public is invited to attend.
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