WESSON — Officials Tuesday took the first step toward seeking astate loan help to extend the town’s fire station.

Aldermen approved submitting an application for an up to $67,000capital improvements (CAP) loan. The money would be used to extendthe fire station to house a new fire truck the town bought lastyear.

“It needs a home,” said Mayor Bill Tigner.

Engineer Jeff Knight said the money would be available at 3percent interest for up to a 20-year repayment period. He said areserve fund of around 10 percent would have to be maintained andthe state could withhold part of the town’s sales tax rebate if itever defaults on the loan.

Tigner said the loan payments would have no significant effecton the town’s budget when paying over 20 years. Knight estimatedannual payments of around $4,000.

Aldermen supported the move.

“I don’t see any problem with it if we think we can afford to doit,” said Alderman Robert Derrick.

Tigner said the town could also work with firefighters onfund-raisers and other activities to help offset loan-relatedcosts.

In other business during the brief meeting Tuesday, officialsare weighing a proposal from the Canadian National Railroad and theMississippi Department of Transportation to close two railroadcrossings while upgrading two others.

Under the proposal, railroad crossings at Collier Street andSeventh Street would be closed. Crossing guards would then beinstalled at the Eighth and Spring Street crossings.

Tigner also said the closures would mean “significantcompensation” to the town. He said the town would receive in excessof $50,000 for closing the crossings.

Aldermen set up a hearing at the November meeting to discuss andpossibly act on the proposal. Railroad and MDOT officials will makea presentation on the closure recommendations.

“The townspeople would also have an opportunity to speak for oragainst those closures,” Tigner said.

Also Tuesday, lot cleaning activities got the attention of townleaders. Aldermen voted to move ahead with town workers cleaning uptwo lots and charge the work to the property owners, who have beenunresponsive to town requests for action. Tigner said the maximumamount charged would be $10,000, with a 25 percent penalty alsopossible.

One area targeted was the Lumley and Smith property on MainStreet between the cafe and the pawn shop. Officials expressedconcerns about safety and health issues and the property’s generalstate of disrepair.

“My opinion is the town has been patient enough with thisproperty,” Tigner said.

Aldermen approved the clean-up measures. The property ownerswere not present Tuesday.

Vacant, overgrown Berry property across the street from townhall was also approved for clean up. Aldermen indicated that weedremoval and grass cutting were the main concerns there.

“We need to clean it up and send them a bill,” said AlderwomanLura Greer.

Action on three other pieces of property was either tabled orproperty owners given an extension on clean up time.