Hayesville budget ok’d

The Hayesville Town Council approved a budget of $209,132 for 2016-17 at its Monday meeting, an amount about $110,000 less than the previous year, Mayor Harry Baughn said.

The reduction resulted because last year’s budget included funds for new public rest rooms attached to town hall and money for sidewalks.

The council opened the evening with a short public hearing on the proposed budget. When no public input resulted, Baughn called to order the regular council meeting and turned to the evening’s agenda.

The bulk of the council’s discussion revolved around the proposed awnings project for downtown Hayesville.

After lengthy discourse, Councilwoman Sarah Buckley made a motion that included several suggestions:

• If building owners agree to sign over their ownership of the awnings to the Town of Hayesville, the town would join in helping to finance the awnings upgrade.

• A maximum expenditure on behalf of the town would be set at $45,000.

• A public hearing would be scheduled to learn if any residents of Hayesville object.

• If the town takes over ownership of the refurbished awnings it will also maintain them.

Councilman Joe Slaton seconded Buckley’s motion. Councilman Josh Ashe did not vote for the proposal, saying: “I’m not there yet.”“I don’t think it’s a bad expenditure of taxpayer dollars to improve our downtown,” Buckley said. She suggested the project begin with two business owners on Sanderson Street. Then the remaining owners might see how much the awnings improve the appearance of downtown Hayesville and join in. Building owners and operators have met several times at town hall and generally agreed that the old  awnings are eyesores and liabilities and need to come down.They have generally agreed to replace them with metal awnings that resemble wood. They have not agreed on a color or a price.