The town of Bassfield is the recipient of a quality-of-life grant that will be used to improve the town’s water tower. The award issued through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is in the amount of $448,132. Mayor Pat Courtney made the announcement at last Tuesday’s monthly board meeting.

An initial inspection of the tank found that yellow jackets had made a home on the tower ladder. Work is expected to begin shortly on the project.

In other Board proceedings . . .

• The board voted to require Bobby Wilson, owner of the local restaurant Sip n Eat, to pay $100 per month as a lease agreement for restaurant equipment previously purchased with a grant.

Some of the equipment used in the building that Wilson rents on Highway 42 was purchased with a Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program that provides grants for projects that finance development of small rural businesses. The town was awarded the grant through the USDA in 2008.

Wilson’s counter-offer for rent was $10 per month for the equipment, contending that he has spent nearly $3,000 in the past year in repairs. “In the lease she wants signed, I am to pay $100 per month with no end, and pay for all repairs or replace anything that is broken or stops working with no limitations,” said Wilson.

Mayor Courtney explained to the board that it is mandatory to have a lease agreement and also that an inventory is taken twice a year. “We’re setting a precedent for future grants if we don’t charge fairly,” said Courtney. The town pays $300 a year on insurance for the equipment that originally cost $12,000, according to the mayor, but was used when Wilson began his rental.

The board agreed an inventory would be taken twice annually and that Wilson is responsible for equipment repairs. If Wilson chooses not to pay the rental fee per the agreement, the town would remove the equipment from the premises.

Other announcements were made at the meeting including:

• Mayor Courtney announced that Bradley Morris of Morris Oil is moving along with his plans to being construction on a feed store/gas station at the corner of Highways 35 and 42.

• The second Saturday in December will be the day for the annual town Christmas parade. On December 14 beginning at 2:00 p.m. the theme of the event will be “Songs of Christmas” with District Two Supervisor Charles Reid as Grand Marshall. It was decided previously that all of the Bassfield High School football players would collectively represent as Grand Marshall, but the board decided the players with their stellar playing season will receive plenty of well-deserved recognition in the parade. Following the parade, family events will be held in Faler Park concluding with fireworks after dark. The public is encouraged to attend.