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  • Rep. Jeremy Oden, Rep. James Fields and Sen. Zeb Little presented a check for $5,000 to the Baileyton town council Monday night. The money will go toward a new heating and cooling system at the Baileyton Senior Center. TIFFANY GREEN

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December 9, 2009

Baileyton receives money for seniors

By Tiffany Green The Cullman Times

BAILEYTON — Rep. Jeremy Oden, Rep. James Fields and Sen. Zeb Little presented the Baileyton town council a check for $5,000 for the town’s senior center Monday night.

“It is a legislative grant to help with upgrades at the senior center,” Oden said.

Mayor Johnny Dyar was excited about the money.

“We will be able to use this for the heating and cooling the building,” Dyar said.

The Baileyton senior center has one of the largest attendances for any center in the county, averaging 60 seniors every week.

“We have done real well and continue to grow,” said Pat Gilbert, town clerk. “We usually have about 60 but have had as much as 80 and never had less than 45.”

The senior center is open on Tuesday afternoons for card games and on Thursday for lunch. Seniors bring a pot-luck lunch.

Gilbert said many people tell her how much they enjoy the center.

“It’s something special about this community,” she said. “I would love to see this community have a nicer place for them to go.”

The town council is hoping for a nicer place soon and asked for help for funding from Oden, Fields and Little.

“We were wondering if there’s any money to help fund remolding or building a new building for the seniors,” Dyar asked. “We just want to know what our options are.”

Oden said it may be hard right now to get funding approved.

“There’s money available, but it’s tight right now,” Oden said. “You have to know what it’s for and need to have figures.”

The town already has land to expand on and just needs help with the cost of constructing a building.

“It may be tough to get enough money to get to build a new building,” Little said. “But we will take a look at what’s available.”

Dyar said because of the building not accommodating the growth, they are having to turn seniors away.

“We want a place big enough for everyone,” he said. “The town would appreciate it.”

County Commissioner Doug Williams also attended the meeting to address any concerns council members may have.

The main questions were about the current water debate in the county. Williams said he will not sign the current contract presented by the City of Cullman, which wants to build a new reservoir on Duck River.

“The best answer as to why we’re questioning the Duck River contract is, I am not comfortable signing the contract.”

Currently, the county receives all its water from Lake Catoma, which is owned by the city. The commission has proposed pumping water from Smith Lake and creating a regional water board.

“The majority of the controversy is signing the contract,” he said. “They are asking for an open checkbook. Thirty years is a long time to sign a contract that we don’t know how much money is going to be spent.”

Williams said the county needs a second water treatment plant.

“We need another raw water source, but just as important is a second treatment plant,” Williams said.

The town of Baileyton will hold the first Christmas in the Park on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 5-8 p.m. at Baileyton Town Park. Santa will be there along with the lighting of the Christmas tree, music and caroling. Caroling will be provided by Shepherd’s Voice from Brooklyn Presbyterian Church, Joppa Church of God Choir, Peasant View Church and singing by Ray Kent. There will be candy, boiled peanuts, cookies and hot drinks.



Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.

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