The Westover Town Council has approved the purchase of a building to serve as Town Hall.

Meeting in special session on Tuesday, March 18, the council approved a resolution to purchase a home owned by Freeman Isbell at a cost of $130,000 on a 3-2 vote.

Voting in favor were Mayor Roger West and councilmembers Larry Riggins and Bobbie Bradberry.

Voting against the purchase were councilmembers Bobby Pardue and Lori Gardner.

Absent from the meeting was Councilmember Susan Wooten.

Pardue said he was not against the purchase of the property, but he felt the negotiated price could have been better.

Gardner echoed Pardue. She said she was not happy with the property appraisal.

In earlier discussion, West told the council, &uot;We would all like to see a better price, but I think it is fair.&uot;

Pardue also asked that the minutes of a previous meeting be amended to reflect discussion on purchase price negotiation.

According to the resolution approved by the council, the home for which the purchase was approved is a &uot;location suitable for application as a town hall, located within the corporate limits of the town …&uot;

It is also &uot;situated on approximately six acres of land suitable for development of a permanent municipal building and park complex.&uot;

The resolution approved by the council further states that the property is &uot;suitably priced so as to be of no significant financial burden on the budget of the town.&uot;

The resolution authorizes the contract of a mortgage with the First National Bank of Shelby County; that the town establish through remodeling and repair the existing building

as a temporary town hall

for conducting business of the town; and that the acreage be developed as a public recreational area for the citizens and that by-laws be adopted for the use and care of the property.

West said the home is a total of 1,634 square feet situated on six acres of land.

At the present time, the Westover Town Council meets at the Westover Fire Department building.

When asked how he felt about the purchase of a home for a town hall, West said, &uot;It’s a step the town needed to make as we progress into becoming a full fledged municipality. Doing this will enable us to show the townspeople that we are working for them.&uot;