PELHAM – The solid wood pews in city’s Council Chambers are being sold for $100 each, said Finance Director Tom Seale.

The benches have been in the Council Chambers since 1973 and each measures 11 feet and 23 inches in depth. Seale said seven of the 18 benches have already been sold. If the remaining benches aren’t sold by the end of the week, Seale said they will be placed on the city’s online auction site.

Those interested may inspect the benches at Pelham City Hall during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Seale said the benches must be paid for up front and then they will be available for pick-up beginning Jan. 18.

“We’ve gotten a lot of inquiries,” Seale said. “We’ve gotten about a dozen or so phone calls.”

The city is preparing to make some upgrades to the council chambers. New flooring and seating will be installed and the walls will be painted. ‘In God We Trust’ will be displayed on the wall behind the City Council members.

Seale said the city’s goal is to work within a $20,000 budget. The project is expected to take three weeks to complete. The renovation is projected to begin on Jan. 18, the day after the Jan. 17 council meeting. The next council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 6.

Seale said if the project runs over three weeks the council meeting will likely be held at the Pelham Police Department.

The City of Pelham will accept cash or a bank cashier’s check as payment. Questions and inquiries should be directed to Seale 620-6404.

Update: All of the pews were sold as of Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 8 a.m.