Scott takes oath of council

A new member of the Roachdale Town Council was sworn into office Tuesday, filling a seat which had been open since February.

Barbara Scott now occupies the spot left vacant when Louis McKinney announced his resignation at the Feb. 7 meeting. McKinney cited time conflicts as his reason for leaving the council.

Scott was appointed by member Jack Jones and Council President Bill Long.

"Several people around town asked me to apply," she said of her reason for applying for the position.

Scott has lived in Roachdale with her mother, husband and niece for four years.

She said she originally moved to Putnam County for the small tow"n atmosphere.

"My niece can leave the yard to play," Scott said of the security she feels in Roachdale.

As for her goals for the council, she said she hopes to revitalize the town with business and maybe even bring in some tourism.

Meanwhile, at the meeting, Town Council President Long announced there will be an open round table discussion 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the sewage plant to discuss a possible change in the town's natural gas provider. Roachdale's contract with Atmos Energy will expire in October, and Long said he hopes the town can lower gas costs.

"We have had several consultants approach us," Long said of natural gas companies. "I'm not sure we will go with another company, we just want to (discuss) it."

In other business, council members:

-- Heard a new tornado warning siren had been installed by the TDS warehouse to replace the one that was struck by lightning last fall.

-- Heard from Water Supt. Greg Poole, who reported he would have to drain the water tower for an inspection on May 22 and water pressure could be affected in parts of town for a 24-hour period.

-- Tabled discussion on proposals received for work on the wall that had adjoined the town offices to the Old Hotel, which was destroyed by fire July 7.

-- Reviewed a building permit submitted by Keith Craft at 107 E. Oak St. to install a swimming pool and privacy fence.