Bainbridge preparing for spring and summer

BAINBRIDGE -- The Bainbridge Town Council held its monthly meeting Wednesday night. Several items were on the agenda, including the upcoming events for spring and election of officers.

It is never too early to plan ahead, and Bainbridge is doing just that. The Bainbridge Improvement Society (BIS) has hit Facebook, and has started to post a calendar of events that will be happening in the community.

Park Board President Susan Cope said there would be work done with the schools in the area to start fitness challenges. The board is also looking to start fitness challenges on walking trails near town, the only concern being having water access for participants.

Cope was told the group would have access to water for these challenges.

Utilities Superintendent Troy Elless told the council that the repair of downtown sidewalks has been completed and that the stormwater project was still on hold until the spring.

The town wastewater disposal unit would need some upgrading, Elless also stated to the council, due to high levels of ammonia during the winter months. The levels of ammonia can sometimes push the limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Instead of getting a new treatment system, the utilities department is looking for an alternative that would be cheaper for the town.

The beginning of a new year also brought some changes.

Jim Nelson, the official appointee to the planning commission, resigned. Nelson was then appointed as the at-large member, with Robert Hensley taking his place as the official appointment for the commission.

The council also elected Chuck McElwee to remain council president with Bonnie Osborn as vice president. Troy Elless was also appointed as the new flood plain administrator.

In other business:

-- Discussion on the event "Friends in the Park" was tabled until more information could be obtained.

-- Clean-up Day, it was announced, will be held the first Saturday in May.

-- Ordinance 2013-1 on salaries and wages was adopted.