Priceville’s modern town hall, which is visible from I-65, symbolizes a growing community with a bright future. | Special to the Enquirer

Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

Priceville Mayor Melvin Duran feels good about what was accomplished in 2015 but admits that the leftovers are more than enough to keep the town’s elected officials, paid personnel and volunteers busy during 2016.

“We had a good year,” Duran pointed out. “Revenues exceeded expenditure and that left us with a nice surplus.”

Our main goal in 2016 is to continue to operate in the black and increase our surplus,” he added.

Listed as major accomplishments during the past year were:

•Initiated planning for a sports and recreation complex

•Opened a Boys and Girls Club in the old library building

•Constructed a new tennis court and basketball court in Veterans Park

•Purchased a new fire engine and made substantial improvements to the fire station on Bethel Road

•Completed a beautification project at the I-65 and Hwy. 67 interchange

•Sponsored shooter education classes with the participation of Priceville Police Department and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department

•Retired the indebtedness against the town’s sewer system

Looking to the New Year, Duran said priority would be given to making improvements in the town’s drainage infrastructure.

“Some of our drainage ditches, culverts and streets took a beating from the 7 to 8 inches of rain we had Christmas Day,” he pointed out. “Our street department is assessing damage and we’ll be busy making repairs in the days ahead. We’ll also be focused on finding ways to upgrade our drainage system and prevent problems from occurring in the future.”

“I’m also looking forward to the construction of a new sports complex,” he added. “That’s something that could be under way in 2016. I have talked with the folks at Merchants Capital in Montgomery  about floating a bond issue to finance the project. Before that’s done, however, we’ll need to get a bond rating.”
Other projects on the horizon include the completion of Marco Drive from the municipal building to River Road, a third fire station in the vicinity of the new Priceville High School and intersection improvements that will expedite traffic flow on Hwy. 67 and Bethel Road.

“We’re also working with an outside company to identify retail business prospects for Priceville,” Duran said. “We’re hopeful this partnership will bring results in 2016.”

“I believe the progress our town is making can be attributed in large part to a spirit of community team work. Elected officials, town employees, business owners, community organizations and individual volunteers are working for the common good of the town. “With that spirit continuing, I see only good things happening in Priceville in 2016.