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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – At a Pelham City Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 22, local student Sam Woodall highlighted the work he was doing to help make a difference in the city of Pelham for his Eagle Scout project.

Standing in front of the council and others in attendance, the Troop 548 Scout shared details about his project, which focused on cleaning and restoring headstones at the Pelham Cemetery.

“My plan is to enlist the help of my Troop 548 members,” Woodall said. “We’re going to locate military veterans’ headstones at the Pelham Cemetery. We would like to clean and restore these headstones using the D-2 biological solution. Another thing that we’re doing with this Eagle project is compiling research about the veterans and putting a book together for the Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge.”

The total cost for the project is estimated to be $119.32. Woodall cited that without the help of the Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge and the members of Troop 548, the project would be nearly impossible to complete.

Leon Johnston, a member of the Cahaba Valley Elks Lodge, addressed the council regarding Woodall’s Eagle Scout project.

“I would like to ask the council to endorse Sam’s project financially if at all possible,” Johnston said. “Also, I would like to ask the council to initiate a program to improve the overall condition of the city cemetery. It’s almost embarrassing for us. It needs our help.”

In addition to his project update, there were also several other highlights to the meeting, including an update from Pelham City Schools Superintendent Dr. Chuck Ledbetter on enrollment and hope for a new high school in the future. Details from that can be found in a separate story.

There was also an update on the Eagle Cove sewer lift station. Previously, the Eagle Cove Homeowners Association requested that the city of Pelham assume the maintenance and responsibility of the neighborhood’s sewer lift station. The station serves 42 residences in the Eagle Cove area and is approximately 20 years old.

Fire Chief Mike Reid also introduced a new position for a Chief of EMS and Training Division. The position is designed to manage all aspects of the EMS and Training division for Pelham FD, and oversee staff operations and training in the organization.

“What we’d like to do is consolidate our EMS and fire training divisions under one head,” Reid said.

The council voted to approve the position along with the pay scale.

There was also a resolution to enter into a broker listing agreement with Mark Dinan. This resolution was initially in the consent agenda, but was moved to new business to promote further discussion.

The agreement would cover the exclusive right to sell, trade, convey or exchange city-owned properties located at Oak Mountain Trail.

Council member David Coram was the only member to vote against the resolution.

“I’ve not been impressed with the body of work that’s been done (on the property),” Coram said. “So, I will be voting no, but I respect the decision of the council.”

The council also approved donating bleachers to the Pelham Board of Education that were no longer needed by Pelham Parks and Recreation.

Mayor Gary Waters also noted that the Jan. 22 meeting was Tom Seale’s last as city clerk and treasurer. Waters gave comment on Seale’s character in a touching moment.

“You’re a man of integrity,” Waters said. “You’re a hardworking man. You’re an honest man. I’ve enjoyed working with you all these years… It means a lot to me to be your friend, and thank you for all you’ve done for the city.”

The next Pelham City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3. For more information on the city of Pelham, visit Pelhamalabama.gov.