slideshow

Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

Discussion about avenues available to save the city money highlighted a special called meeting of the Lynch City Council on Thursday. And, one action to reduce cost led the panel to withdraw from the Tri-Cities Heritage Development Corporation Main Street Program due to the high cost of dues.

With completion of the firehouse project nearing, suggestions were entertained about how to purchase interior furnishings and possible future use of the facility.

“This week they were putting down the laminate floors at the firehouse,” said Mayor Johnny Adams. “They have the lights up and are finishing the bathrooms. We’re going to have to begin making plans on how we want to use this building.”

Suggestions were made to partner with Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College in the use of the building. Other suggestions included using the building as a souvenir shop or renting it out for special events.

“I was thinking we could use the upstairs for a Bulldog Room, somewhere we could put all these pictures and the memorabilia we have in,” said Linda Adams, a council member. “We could possibly get a grant to re-frame all the photos and have them consistently framed to hang where Lynch alumni could come to visit and reminisce. I do want to get all these pictures done even if we don’t put them there.”

Council approved a motion to withdraw from the Main Street program due to the high cost of dues, which they say the city can no longer afford.

Financial Officer Bill Dean said the cost to participate is $2,400 per year.

“We had to put in for a grant just to pay these dues,” said Adams. “We’re in such a tight budget, we got behind in paying them. I don’t know if you think it’s necessary for us to belong or if we are benefiting from participation. I don’t feel we are getting much from our participation.”

Linda Adams said the city recently received a $1,000 grant for beautification, but “not much more.”

“If we’re paying $2,400 a year and only getting $1,000 back we’re going in the hole,” said councilman Winston Yeary. “Exactly what do they do for us? Is it just applying for grants or what?”

The mayor said the Main Street Program tries to tie the Tri-City area together so that when Cumberland gets a big grant they say it benefits Benham and Lynch. He said a lot of times he “can’t see the benefit to Lynch.”

The mission statement listed for the Main Street program is “To promote historical preservation, history and culture, and to aid, work with and participate in activities that would promote the local economy and to improve the quality of life for all citizens in the Tri-Cities area.”

“If we can’t afford it, then it’s best to get out of it,” said councilman Bennie Massey.

Adams said he and other city personnel can apply for grants on their own and have done so in the past to see results benefiting the city of Lynch.

A list was compiled for urgent needs in the city, which will be used in applying for Bob Frazier Foundation grant funds for the upcoming year.

Some of the items include a new roof for city hall, renovation of upstairs and downstairs interior of city hall, water and sewer plant renovations, new office furniture for city hall, signage, city grounds improvements and debt service.

In other action, council:

• Approved an Insurance Ordinance;
• Had first reading of an amended ordinance allotting the date and time of council meetings;
• Approved renewal of an unsecured loan at Commercial Bank totaling approximately $25,000;
• Entered executive session per KRS 61.810 (1) (C) and returned with no action taken.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com