Library board voices concerns

The Marshall County Board of Supervisors recently heard concerns and a report from the library board regarding conditions at the Potts Camp Library.

Suzanne James and Jane Heineke shared information regarding air quality checks and some mold problems that are a worry.

The air quality was tested and found to be good, James said.

And there is mold, but not the species that causes health problems, she said. The books and other materials are in good condition.

James said the mold should be cleaned and some rotting boards were found that need to be replaced. The boards have the bad kind of mold, she said.

Stan Moser, a certified mold inspector and tester out of Memphis, Tenn., did the inspection and air quality testing.

The library building is owned by Greg Gurley, according to District 5 supervisor Ronnie Joe Bennett.

Heineke said the cavity above the ceiling tiles and the roof decking seem to be retaining moisture. And the humidity level needs to be controlled. The HVAC system is running continuously to control the humidity and circulate air, she said. (Heat and humidity provide good conditions for mold growth.)

And the carpet should be cleaned or removed, she said.

Heineke said the ceiling tiles and rotting wood in the ceiling should be replaced and the areas around the vents should be cleaned. The estimate to do the work came to about $12,000, she said.

“That won’t even touch it and getting into that structural stuff – right off the top of my head will cost about $25,000,” Bennett said.

“A conservative estimate is $32,000,” said Larry Hall, county administrator.

James said the cost just for cleaning would be about $2,000.

Bennett said the building once was used for a laundromat.

“You start putting money in it and you still have an old building,” Bennett said.

Hall said a new roof and repair of the framing would likely be needed.

“The owner says he’s selling it all,” Bennett said. “That’s a lot of work.”

“So tar patching is working but this is a stop-gap thing,” Heineke said.

District 3 supervisor Keith Taylor suggested looking for a small place to put up a metal building as a long-term solution.

“You are throwing money away,” he said.

“We’re just presenting information as we have it now,” Heineke said. “The good news is that the mold is limited to the structure. Our books are OK. We have to keep it that way.”

James said there is good participation in use of the library at Potts Camp.

“So, we want to keep a presence there,” Heineke said.

Discussion ended, the board of supervisors passed a motion to take the matter under advisement.

Main Street Chamber

discussions

Holly Springs Main Street Chamber director Christy Owens dropped by the boardroom to thank the county for their support of the Chamber and to hear board interests.

District 4 supervisor George Zinn III asked where the farmers market will set up this year. He said two possible locations included the parking lot beside Thomas Gas and the empty lot beside the school district central office.

A permanent site has been discussed for years, Owens said. Lemon Phelps with the county Extension Service works with local growers to let them know the rules, she said.

“We wanted growers to dictate the times and where they would like a permanent place,” Owens said.

“Restrooms were a concern and some would like lights, and parking is needed. We’d like to see more participation from the community.”

Bennett said some complaints he has heard were that people would buy produce and bring it to the market rather than grow it themselves.

“They are supposed to grow their produce within 100 miles,” Owens said.

Chancery clerk Chuck Thomas said other farmers markets let people set up and bring in bought produce.

Owens said the community knows which vendors are following the rules.

Hall said the consensus has been that the market needs to be in a parking lot under a shade.

“If we had the fairgrounds they could set up inside,” Bennett said.

“Ripley has one because it is established. It could take five or six years to get 60 venders.”

Owens said the season starts out with three or four trucks with produce in the parking lot.

There are many people here who grow their own produce, including Carpenter Farms, a Main Street Chamber member.

The market is a way to reach out to small local growers as well. Venders are not charged because the market is not yet fully developed.

Growers like to be in the downtown area and under the shade at the west side of the square, she said.

A Thursday afternoon market was set up under the canopies in front of businesses. Participation was good but when it got hot, vendors stopped coming, Owens said.