By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
City officials approved a new liquor license for the American Legion Post 79 that will change when the establishment can serve alcohol.
The Brewton City Council held a public hearing concerning a change in liquor license at the American Legion Post 79 on South Boulevard.
At a previous meeting, a request to change the license currently held by the organization from a private club license to a lounge retail liquor license was presented. Currently the license allows the establishment to be open for business to club members on Sundays while other similar businesses are prohibited from selling liquor from 2 a.m. to midnight on Sunday.
Council members Frank Cotton, Cary Barton and Anne Marie Sasser voted to approve the license change. Councilmen Henry Uptagraft and William McGhee abstained.
American Legion Post Commander Lonnie Barnes said his organization is looking forward to getting the license change into place.
ABC officials in Montgomery will make the final decision on the change in the license at the facility.
Also Tuesday, information concerning an environmental study at the old Shell Station located at the corner of Persimmon and St. Joseph Streets in downtown Brewton.
Angel presented information to the council stating the study would cost $20,000 to complete.
Angel said the testing would determine if further work would be required before moving forward with any project being considered by the city.
After discussion by the council concerning ownership of the property by the State of Alabama, the topic was tabled pending further findings related to expenses in developing or clearing the property.
Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin addressed the council concerning the donation of a plot of land being considered as a donation to the department.
McGougin said the property is adjacent to about a 20 acre plot of undeveloped land that joins property owned by T.R. Miller.
Cotton asked about problems surrounding an ordinance that prevents the discharging of firearms within the city limits. McGougin said that would not be a problem in a firing range atmosphere.
Sasser moved to accept the property stating the council and the police department would work out any concerns before moving forward with the proposed range. After a roll-call vote, the council agreed to accept the donated property on behalf of the police department.