The Cornersville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted down a proposal to move forward with development of a pavilion in Cornersville’s Town Park.

Town Administrator Scotty Brock developed the plan as a step to revitalize the downtown area and add additional amenities to the town.

He proposed expanding the current footprint of the park by roughly 40 feet to the west, adding a 30 foot by 30 foot concrete pad, and an approximately 24 by 30 foot pavilion on the pad for picnics or family gatherings in the park.

He emphasized that no tax dollars would need to be spent on the project, noting that an individual had already donated $14,500 expressly for the construction of the pavilion and the purchase of picnic tables for it.

“This won’t cost the taxpayers a dime,” he said.

Brock said that he had commitments from local businesses for the rest of the work other than the cost of the concrete itself for the pad, but that he would continue looking for a source for the concrete.

He asked the aldermen for a resolution supporting the plan moving forward, with the provision that none of the town’s funds would be used for the project.

Some aldermen expressed concerns about the project, especially its visual impact on the historic Cornersville United Methodist Church.

The expansion of the park would leave the proposed pavilion separated only by Mulberry Street from the front door of the church.

“I think it’s a very good thought, but I love the park the way it is,” said Alderman Doris Arthur, who is a member of the church.

“There’s always pros and cons to any project,” said Brock. “I just think this is a positive for the residents of the town.”

Alderman Sherry McClintock expressed concern as well for public perception after the increase this year of town property taxes after 22 years.

Despite the proposal not including any public funds, she was concerned that residents would think that the increase was being used on the park instead of the infrastructure issues for which it was intended.

She also expressed concern over the location.

“I wish there was another place we could put this,” said McClintock. “It just seems out of place.”

When the motion to support the project went to a vote, Arthur, McClintock, and Brenda Hasting voted in opposition to the project continuing. Aldermen MAry Johnson and Jimmy Wolaver voted in favor.

Brock said that the donation for the project would be returned since it was intended solely for the pavilion project.

Aldermen voted unanimously to appoint Matt Fox as chief of the Cornersville Volunteer Fire Department.

“We’re delirious over (Fox accepting the position),” said Johnson.

Fox currently serves as chief of the South Marshall VFD and is the operations manager for the Marshall County Office of Emergency Management.

He will continue to serve as chief of South Marshall, while also leading Cornersville’s department.

The South Marshall VFD board endorsed the move in a letter that was read into the record.

Fox said that he’d spoken to several people prior to accepting the position after no one had seen any problem with the arrangement.

Volunteer firemen will be allowed to serve with both departments if they so choose, although the departments themselves will remain independent.

Brock also informed the board that the water department would be working around town to raise the height of several manholes to prevent water from heavy rain events from overwhelming the system with storm water.