WESSON — A few questions about the town’s role in some newgrants were cleared up Monday during a special called board meetingto address that and other topics.

The town has received $590,000 in grants in its efforts torenovate the Old Wesson School for a leadership college. However,several aldermen sought Monday’s meeting after questions arose overhow the town would match the grant funds.

Mayor Bill Tigner explained how the town would match part of theSmall Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Grant and agrant from the Mississippi History and Archives that will help withphase one of the renovation project. He said “not a dime” would beowed by the town, rather the town could just get a line of creditfrom a bank for the matching amount.

“In order to receive the $250,000 grant, you have to show SmallMunicipalities and Limited Population Counties you have the$209,938 matching grant, and a line of credit suffices that,”Tigner told board members.

Then the town will take a loan from that line of credit toprovide the $68,000 matching funds for the History and Archivesgrant of $340,000.

“It’s taking funds from one account to match another,” Tignerexplained. “This is something that towns do with grant money timeand time again.”

That loan will be paid back almost immediately with the SMLPCgrant money, Tigner said.

His explanation, followed by a lengthy discussion, appeared toease the minds of board members who had asked for the specialmeeting.

“I knew, and most of the board members knew, we could never payback a $250,000 loan and that was my concern,” said Ward OneAlderman Robert Derrick.

Tigner further explained to them that taking out a line ofcredit would not be an expenditure for the town, even if they hadto use it to pay bills during the construction work.

“Any expenditures we have using this grant, they pay us backfor,” Tigner said, adding that using any of the line of credit wasunlikely because they planned to stay in budget.

The total $590,000 funds available will be used to repair theroof of the old school, which will become St. Ambrose LeadershipCollege. During the first phase, the towers at Old Wesson Schoolwill be renovated, along with the windows, doors and porches.

Derrick asked about how much the entire renovation project wouldcost and Tigner roughly estimated about $3 million.

“There’s a lot of work being done right now to secure theremainder of that,” Tigner said, mentioning how he and St. AmbroseExecutive Director Morgan Shands plan to seek federal funds duringa visit to Washington later this month.

He pointed out how securing the $590,000 in grants in just fourmonths was a very positive start to their campaign efforts.

Tigner said Wesson residents should see significant progresssoon at the school since the town only has eight months to spendthe money.

Money matters were the center of another discussion during theMonday night board meeting.

Board members also questioned how much money the town would haveto use for its participation in the Mississippi Main StreetAssociation.

“There will be zero funds from the town, unless the town wantsto participate financially,” Tigner said.

Ward Four Alderman Hollis Cowen Jr. pointed out that the wordingof the town’s resolution for participation in the program showedthe town would have to pay for the Main Street manager’ssalary.

The resolution was changed to show “the town of Wessonguarantees that a Main Street project manager with a travel andoperating budget will be employed, and funded with private fundsonly.”

Board members agreed the amendment had a better explanation ofthe town’s role.