Published: December 18, 2007 09:52 pm            

Colony seeks to annex Damascus

COLONY — Residents of Colony met with their neighbors from Damascus Monday night to discuss a possible annexation next year.

Colony Mayor Earlene Johnson told those in attendance there was nothing to lose but everything to gain by annexing Damascus into Colony.

“All that met tonight were for it,” Johnson said. “We don’t know about those that didn’t come, but this is the first step.”

Johnson said Colony welcomes residents of Damascus with open arms. She said she is delighted to have them as possible residents of Colony. Johnson told residents of Damascus if they annex they will be able to run for council seats and mayor, something not offered to them now.

Colony attorney Rita Nicholas said the town hopes the annexation will improve roads in Damascus, while also allowing Colony to apply for more grant money. Nicholas said the first step has been taken, but now mapping has to be laid out and property owners have to be contacted.

According to the 2000 census Colony has a population of 385, while the population of Damascus is unkown.

Nicholas said after the property lines are identified, a petition will be sent out to all the property owners bordering the new lines. She said if all goes well and the property owners unanimously sign the petition, the proposal, petition and maps will be taken to the Cullman County Probate Judge Leah Patterson-Lust.

“We are going to try to get a unanimous consent from the property owners by mid-January,” Nicholas said. “If they all sign the petition, a resolution would be prepared by Colony’s city council and taken to the probate judge. Maps, property lines and a legal description of the property being annexed would also be taken to the probate judge to be approved. Once approved by the probate judge the resolution will be sent to the Federal Justice Department for approval. After the approval the annex will be official.”

Nicholas said the best case scenario would have Damascus annexed into Colony by late March or April 2008.

        

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