Bainbridge continues on with improvement measures

BAINBRIDGE -- Even with the snowy weather the Bainbridge Town Council continues to make plans for change once the weather improves.

The comprehensive plan steering committee has had a bit of a rocky start. Council member Chuck McElwee had stepped down from the committee after attorney Jim Ensley informed McElwee and town council president Bonnie Osborn that only one town council could serve.

Osborn asked McElwee to reconsider due to his background with the project and in business matters.

McElwee believed that the council president should be on it and not himself. He stated that he did not want to put effort into it if his decisions would just be changed on a whim.

Council member Joel Thompson and Osborn agreed that McElwee should retain his position on the committee.

"I did not expect this," McElwee said. "I thought you would move on with your own agenda."

Osborn asked him to think over his resignation and get back to her on whether or not he would take the position back.

In other town improvements, the Park Board has decided to find a custom-made bike rack for the school to use the last of the Safe Routes to School grant. The board is looking to find a company to make a bike rack with a Cougar on it.

The sidewalk project from the same grant is finished, while some landscaping and signs still need to be completed. These will be done once the weather changes.

Town Marshal Rodney Fenwick made a request of the council to re-instate nine days of paid time off he lose at the beginning of the year. He believed that these were days that he earned and would need in the upcoming year.

Osborn was against the idea and stated that the time was use--or-lose, and that no company would give back the days. She was outvoted though when Thompson and McElwee voted to give Fenwick back the nine days.

The next Bainbridge Town Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 12.