LOXLEY, Alabama — The Loxley Town Council appointed a new member and mayor pro tem during a special council meeting on Monday, July 29.
Chris McCall was appointed to fill the Place 4 council seat vacated by Richard Teal, who was sworn in as mayor on June 24 after being appointed to finish the term of longtime mayor Billy Middleton on June 10.
McCall was one of six candidates who had applied for the position. Others included Dr. Philip Dembowski, Aaron Kirkland, Beth Lovell, Randy Smith and Ronnie Babb.
The council held a special meeting on Tuesday, July 16 to meet with the six candidates before McCall was appointed on July 29.
Teal is the first new mayor in the town of Loxley in more than 30 years, following the passing of longtime Middleton on May 17 at the age of 78 following a brief but hard-fought battle with cancer.
Teal will finish Middleton’s term as mayor, while McCall will finish the Place 4 council seat, both of which run through 2020.
Council member Casey Childress was appointed to fill the mayor pro tem position.
The council had 60 days to from the time of Teal’s appointment on June 10 to fill the vacant seat and name a mayor pro tem, Teal said. The council’s next regular meeting is Monday, Aug. 12.
In other business July 29, the council:
•Approved a resolution declaring an unsafe structure and public nuisance on South Oak Street. The structure will be torn down, according to town officials.
•Approved a measure to bring town sidewalks into compliance with ADA specifications.
•Approved a license and use agreement with Shirley Phillips for use of a circular drive on B Avenue.
•Adopted an ordinance to provide a $111,400 general obligation warrant for the purchase of police vehicles. The ordinance was initially passed June 1, but was refinanced because of lower interest rates.
•Voted to repave the walking trail at Loxley Municipal Park.
•Approved the purchase of an electric well motor.
•Approved wording for one of two historic markers to be placed at Loxley Municipal Park.
•Discussed a proposal by Teal to build a museum in Loxley with future plans to discuss what it would take to complete the project.
•Met in executive session to discuss a legal matter with the town attorney.
