By Scott Mims

A new sign beside Highway 31 welcomes motorists to the town of Thorsby and also bears a reminder of the town’s Scandinavian origins.

The sign, funded by the Thorsby Swedish Fest Committee, was a collaborative effort by several groups and individuals.

Located at the south end of town near Burnett Farms, the sign reads: “Welcome to Thorsby — A Scandinavian Settlement” and has two images of Thorsby’s Coat of Arms, which was designed by Swedes and voted on by town residents during last year’s Swedish Festival.

“I think it’s something that everyone in the town can be proud of,” said committee chairwoman Tracia Bussey. “We feel like it rightly represents what Thorsby’s all about.”

The letters and background are made of a high-density foam material designed for use in signage. The pieces were cut by members of the Cabinet Making and Carpentry Department of LeCroy Career/Technical Center in Clanton, using a CNC (computer numerical controlled) router.

Course instructor Jason Sosa said students designed and illustrated the sign using the computerized tool.

“It’s just a great collaboration with the career/tech center being able to work with a local community to provide a service,” Sosa said.

Thorsby resident Nancy Huett painted the sign, and her husband, Tom Huett, helped hang the sign along with Thorsby Historic Preservation Committee member Glen Littleton.

Town council member Marvin Crumpton oversaw the construction of the rock wall. City workers poured the concrete, and the wall and rock columns were contracted out. Raymond Huffstutler made and fitted the metal brackets.

Two signs were made, and the total cost for both signs and landscaping will come to about $8,000 — to be paid for with proceeds from past Swedish Festivals.

“We have the sign for the other end of town. We just lack a piece of property to put it on,” Bussey said.

Bussey thanked members of the Swedish Fest Committee, the Thorsby Historic Preservation Committee, Mayor Dearl Hilyer and the town council, and anyone else who volunteered their time or support.

By Scott Mims

The renovation of the old Thorsby Elementary School lunchroom will not be completed in time for this year’s Swedish Fest due to building code issues, the town council learned Monday night.
Tracia Bussey of the Swedish Fest Committee said the renovations could not continue without a certified architectural plan as required by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. This is because the building is being renovated for public use and it is owned by a municipality.
Initially, the old lunchroom was going to serve as the gathering place for a meeting of descendants of Thorsby’s founders on Oct. 15, but unexpected delays have forced a change of venue. The meeting will now be held at Helen Jenkins Chapel on Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m.
“We did not realize we would have to pursue an architectural drawing, so we did not figure that into the cost of the renovation,” Bussey said.
The committee had estimated the cost of plans would not exceed about $1,000, but Bussey estimates the winning bid will be at least $2,500. While the group plans on pursuing the project, the timing is not what they had hoped.
“It’s all on hold for now,” Bussey said.
Bussey hopes to complete the renovation so the structure can be rented by groups and families for events. This would free up Helen Jenkins Chapel for much needed repairs.
“That building is used weekly,” Bussey said, noting that the windows are in need of additional repair and there are soft spots in the floor.
Ed Angel of Clanton has put more than 400 hours into the old lunchroom, mostly for window repair. Bussey said his generosity has saved the town a lot of money.
“That kind of craftsmanship would normally be about $70 an hour,” she told the council.
The Swedish Fest Committee uses funds raised from past Swedish Fests to pay for projects in the town.
In other business, the council will hold a work session at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 18, followed by its regular council meeting at 7 p.m. The primary topic of discussion will be the town budget.
For more information, call Thorsby City Hall at 646-3575.

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 town of Thorsby is ready to begin Phase 2 of its lighting improvement project in Richard Wood Park, which will involve the installation of concrete light poles and several new lights.

Phase 1 required the placement of 10 lights around the perimeter of the park and an evaluation of how many additional fixtures would be needed for adequate lighting.

The town’s Swedish Fest Committee came up with the idea and donated $14,000 toward the new lights. The money was raised from two years of Swedish Fest events. The remainder of the project is being funded by half of a $12,500 grant from Rep. Jimmy Martin.

“We’ve been really pleased with how much light they give off and the whole appearance. It really looks nice,” Mayor Dearl Hilyer said.

The 10 working lights are affixed to poles made from PVC pipe. These will be replaced with permanent, decorative concrete poles originally made for the city of Memphis, Tenn. The city turned down a batch of 30 poles because they contained too much brown sand, Hilyer said.

Thorsby purchased all 30 poles for approximately $12,000, and the mayor called it a “good buy,” crediting councilman Neil Benson with locating the poles. He said about 15 would be used in Richard Wood Park, and the rest could be used elsewhere if the council decided to pursue a sidewalk grant.

Had the town decided to wait about purchasing additional poles, Hilyer said they could have easily cost twice as much.

“At first, we were not sure about the number of poles we would need (for the park),” he added.

After the study, Hilyer is confident that five additional lights will be enough for the park’s interior. The cost for all 15 lights was $4,500. There will be additional costs in labor and installation.

The mayor estimated the project could be completed within two to three weeks.

“That park is really the centerpiece of our town,” Hilyer said. “I feel like we have one of the nicest, safest parks in the county.”

The other 50 percent of the Martin grant will go toward improvements in Sam Bentley Park. The town is currently waiting on the Park and Recreation Committee to submit a plan for the improvements.

By Scott Mims

The Thorsby Council approved the town’s 2009 audit report Monday night.

The report, conducted by Hull & Russell, came back mostly positive, Mayor Dearl Hilyer said.

“There weren’t any big items. We just had a few small details that she (Janice Hull) mentioned we could do better,” he said.

For example, the report pointed out that with limited personnel, the town could not effectively implement separation of duties. Hilyer said the town conducts its business with only two clerks.

Both revenues and expenditures went down from 2008 to 2009. Total revenues decreased by about $150,000, from $1.05 million in 2008 to just below $900,000 for 2009.

Hilyer said the biggest factor in the difference was water.

“We had a wet year in ’09 and just didn’t sell as much water,” he told the council.

The town also cut spending to $1.06 million in 2009, down from about $1.6 million the previous year.

In other business, the council voted to purchase an ad in The Clanton Advertiser’s upcoming football magazine at a price to be determined, pending clarification about the ad’s size.

They also voted to buy a full-page ad for the Thorsby High School yearbook at $200.

By Scott Mims

There was no opposition to the town of Thorsby’s proposal to replace a bridge on West Medical Center Drive in a public hearing held Wednesday.

Currently, the bridge cannot support a school bus, fire truck or similar vehicle. Mayor Dearl Hilyer estimated that there are approximately 40 homes located within corporate limits west of the bridge.

Peggy Matthews, a grant writer for the town, urged each citizen to write a letter in support of the project.

“We really need support letters saying the problems you have,” Matthews said. “I can’t express how important [community participation] is. It could mean the difference of getting it funded or not getting it funded.”

Matthews said petitions are also acceptable but are not as effective as individual letters from residents. She said people do not have to live in the target area in order to submit a letter.

The estimated cost of replacing the bridge, not including engineering fees, is about $204,450. The original wooden substructure would be replaced by a series of concrete culverts. There would also be dirt work to raise the level of the road approaching the bridge, as well as some resurfacing.

The town will apply for a Community Development Block Grant, which would be funded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The grant must benefit at least 51 percent low- to moderate-income residents.

Letters may be taken to Thorsby City Hall or mailed to the town’s address, P.O. Box 608, Thorsby, AL  35171.

For more information, call 646-3575.