Mayor Bob Massengill praised the Brookhaven Fire Department’sprofessional work and quick action in the downtown fire thatdestroyed four businesses on May 24 at Tuesday night’s Board ofAldermen meeting.

“I am proud, and I know you are, of the great job our firedepartment did in putting out the fire downtown two weeks ago,”Massengill said. “We really appreciate their work. They did anoutstanding job.”

The Mayor also recognized area volunteer fire departments thatcame in to help fight the fire and man the city’s stations duringthe emergency.

“And the job done by the police department was outstanding aswell,” he said.

Massengill urged the community to be patient with the owners ofthe destroyed buildings and businesses.

“There are decisions to be made by the property owners, andthere are various options being discussed,” he said. “We don’t wantto rush them.”

Alderman-at-large Les Bumgarner suggested a fact-finding projectto highlight both the successes and shortcomings of the events ofthe fire.

“It would be a good idea just to find what went right and whatwent wrong. It would just give us a standard operating procedurefor the future,” he said. “Something like this happens about every15 years.”

In other business, the board voted to allow the mayor to executea multi-modal airport grant that would enable expansion of theexisting ramp at the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Airport.

Airport officials have said that the current ramp space is notadequate to support the traffic of the airport, as it has beengrowing in recent years, and this expansion would allow the airportto adhere to standards held by the Federal AviationAdministration.

The grant, in the amount of $154,165, supports 99 percent of thetotal project cost.

The board also decided on funds to continue adding on to thecity’s Christmas decoration, approving $12,000 for decorations andlights to add on to the ones purchased last year.

Additionally, an executive session was called, and three motionswere passed.

With Independence Day on the way, many firework stand owners hadwondered how the annexation will affect their ability to sell ifthe annexation comes through.

The board voted to allow those who have sold fireworks in thepast to be allowed to sell them in the proposed annexation areaseven if the annexation is finalized, but just for this finalseason. Selling and setting off fireworks is still illegal withincity limits, however.

Densbury Seismic will be allowed to place receivers inside thecity, but “thumper trucks” will not be allowed to operate in thecity or anywhere where the city has water and sewer systems.

The board also approved putting two trash cars in the fire areasdowntown for up to a month.

“It’s for the health and safety and to expedite the cleanup,”said City Clerk Mike Jinks.

The business owners will not be charged for the use of the bins,but will be charged tonnage for the garbage.