By Scott Mims

It will be early October before businesses in Thorsby can start selling alcoholic beverages, town leaders estimate.
The reason is because the state ABC Board is waiting until the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1 before mailing any beer or liquor licenses.
“It looks like it will be around Oct. 5 or 6 (before alcohol will be sold in the town),” Mayor Dearl Hilyer said after Friday’s council meeting.
The town has changed the date of its second council meeting to Monday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. to fall in line with the second of two public hearings on alcohol licenses for Mizzell’s Super Saver and Main Street Market. The hearing will precede the meeting at 6 p.m., and both will be held at the Thorsby Annex.
The Town Council voted Friday to amend its business license ordinance to include licensing regulations for alcoholic beverages.
In other business, the town is planning its proposed budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Town department heads reported to the council Friday with expectations for the new year.
Water Superintendent Terry Jackson said the generator at the town’s main well is in need of repair. The cost is unknown, but he said he would report it to the council.
“It’s something to run the whole plant if we lose power for any amount of time,” Jackson said. “It’s a valuable tool for us.”
Fire Chief Lee Gunn said his department has been purchasing two sets of turnout gear per year for nearly $3,000 until all sets are replaced. At Gunn’s request, the council approved the hiring of Shelby Lockhart and Jeffrey Blow.
Also, upon the request of Police Chief Rodney Barnett, the council approved new employee safety manuals.

By Scott Mims

The Thorsby Town Council unanimously adopted an alcoholic beverage license and fee schedule Monday night.
There are different fees set for numerous types of licenses, depending on what kind of beverages are to be sold in an establishment. The maximum fees are set by the state and range from about $400 to nearly $3,500.
Mayor Dearl Hilyer said once a business is approved by the state and submits an application to the town, it could take as long as 30 days before it is licensed to sell alcohol. This is because the law requires two public hearings to be held at 15 days apart.
“This is the same (schedule) that Jemison is using,” Hilyer told the council.
A majority of Thorsby voters voted to go wet during this year’s June primary election.
In other business, Hilyer encouraged council members to attend one of several upcoming hearings scheduled by the Chilton County Commission to discuss the possibility of a countywide referendum on a 1-cent sales tax increase.
Hilyer attended the first hearing, held at the Jemison Municipal Complex, on Thursday. A major issue addressed at the hearing was whether or not municipalities could benefit from the tax.
The next hearing will be Thursday, Aug. 5 at the Chilton County Courthouse at 6 p.m. The hearings are open to the public.
“That’s definitely something that could affect us,” Hilyer said.
The council also approved the purchase of a new rollup door for a building on Montgomery Avenue currently being rented by CRH North America. The price of the door is $2,625.

By Scott Mims

The Thorsby Town Council on Monday night approved an ordinance governing the sale of alcoholic beverages in the town.

A majority of Thorsby voters, 310 to 208, voted to go wet in a referendum held July 1 during the Primary Election.

The ordinance is based on similar ordinances used by other municipalities, Mayor Dearl Hilyer said. It includes regulations, such as alcoholic beverages cannot be sold within 100 feet of the nearest corner of a school or church building.

“The ordinance is ready for retailers to pick up a copy to get approval through the state before approaching the town and applying for a license,” Hilyer said.

The ordinance is also available for viewing at City Hall, though it may take some time Tuesday for the council-approved draft of the ordinance to be made available for copying.

In other business, a public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 30 at 5:30 p.m. in the Thorsby Municipal Annex to discuss the town’s submission of an application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

The purpose of the hearing is to gather input from citizens on community development needs in the town. For example, the town is proposing to replace the bridge on Medical Center Drive, the total cost of which is estimated at $169,760.

Anyone with questions should call town clerk Denise Gunn at 646-3575.

The council also:

•Voted to change the next council meeting date and time to Tuesday, July 6 at 6 p.m. due to the July 4 holiday, which will fall on a Sunday.

•Purchased a Swedish Fest program ad for $150.

•Purchased a Thorsby Athletic Department ad for $250.

•Announced this week’s Movies in the Park would be postponed due to a conflict with the Peach Jam Jubilee.