Eatonton City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on May 7. The meeting opened with a brief presentation by Lyn Hendren-Romine of the Eatonton Historic Preservation Commission (EHPC).
She reminded everyone that she would be presenting five EHPC awards on May 20 during the next scheduled city council meeting and thanked the council for its support, both figuratively and legislatively.
“We have five really great recipients this year,” Hendren told the council. “I’m just very, very proud of the ordinance and what it’s done to strengthen the protection for a lot of our historic homes and what people are doing in the neighborhoods and downtown, even on their own.”
Next, all seven council members approved an application for a “parade permit” from Eatonton Scout Troop 310 to hold a fundraising drive on May 24. Four to six Scouts will stand at the corners of Jefferson Avenue and Marion Street and Jefferson Avenue and Sumter Street from 4 to 6:30 p.m. for a donation drive.
“I don’t believe they’ll be selling anything,” Eatonton City Manager Gary Sanders said.
A certificate of appropriateness request followed for changes to the property at 300 N. Madison Ave. Sanders explained that the homeowners plan to re-deck and re-shingle the roof at that address but want to replace the wooden shakes currently installed with high-definition architectural shingles that will replicate the look. He added that EHPC had already approved the change in April, so the council unanimously agreed to issue the certificate.
Routine approval to maintain the tax-exempt status of the city’s Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System retirement plan followed with again unanimous approval, followed by a similar vote to continue Eatonton’s participation in the Georgia Classic Main Street program into 2025.
Much of the remainder of official business was dedicated to defining a date acceptable to all council members for a scheduled working retreat. An original plan to hold it at Rock Eagle’s Founders’ Lodge on Aug. 31 came into question as it interrupted the traditional three-day Labor Day weekend. Sanders presented several options through July and August.
Still, no decision was reached before Eatonton Mayor John Reid suggested all council members check their calendars to confirm a date later this month during the next scheduled city council meeting.
Ward 1 Councilor Mylle Mangum also reported on a request to add a streetlight on West Sumter Street beside the Dot 2 Dot Inn but said it was denied because the city typically installs lights only on every other light pole, and officials had concerns about a new light’s potential impact on nearby neighbors.
The city council will next meet at 7 p.m. on May 20 in Room 203 of the Putnam County Commissioners building (117 Putnam Dr., Eatonton).