Staff Writer

Alderman John Ravnum asked the board and audience for assistance in making the upcoming Civil War Weekend the best ever at the regular Cumberland Gap Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on Monday, March 3. On April 26 and 27, soldiers from the Union and the Confederacy will reenact the battle for Cumberland Gap in the town.

Ravnum said that planners need hay and firewood. Laborers are also needed for the weeks prior to the battle and money donations are needed as well. The town's sewage treatment plant operator Jessie Thompson made a $100 donation on the spot and challenged both town residents and those outside the town to match his contribution. Ravnum said that he is negotiating for a period band to play, subject to receiving enough sponsorship. Pledges can be made by calling the town hall at (423) 869-3860 or Park Distributing at (423) 869-2822.

The board heard a synopsis of the annual audit of the town presented by Richard Hill. The 2006-07 fiscal year was one of the best for the town in recent history. Expenses exceeded income by about $3,100, which is down from previous years.

Fire Chief John Adams reported receipt of a fire truck that was purchased with grant money. The only cost to the town was the registration fee. One of the conditions of the grant is that the truck being replaced not be used for firefighting in the future. The old truck will be sold at auction on govdeals.com. In other Fire Department business the board authorized Adams to work with the mayors of Cumberland Gap and Harrogate to develop an automatic aid agreement as required by the Municipal Technical Assistance Service.

At the February meeting the board agreed to use a dedicated sewage loan account to cover about $21,000 in shortfall for the sewage plant contract. Since that time town officials learned that the account couldn't be used for that purpose because of the wording of the original resolution. Therefore the town needs a line of credit from an outside agency. The board accepted a bid from Commercial Bank for a $30,000 line of credit. Interest must be paid only on the amount actually used and not necessarily the full $30,000.

An ordinance to adopt 2006 international building codes passed on first reading. Alderman George Davis was absent from the meeting. Mayor John Douglas opened the meeting then excused himself to be with an ill family member. Alderman Jerry Hopson presided on the departure of Douglas.

The board will conduct a study session on Monday, March 31 at 6 p.m. The next BMA meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 7 at 7 p.m.

Ed Baldwin is a staff writer for the Claiborne Progress. He can be reached via e-mail at ebaldwin@claiborneprogress.net.