Huntingdon Council Cedes Church Street to Missionary Baptist

HUNTINGDON (August 26) — The Huntingdon Town Council met Tuesday with a lengthy agenda including relinquishing the rights to Church Street to Huntingdon Missionary Baptist and allowing the fire department to increase its number of part-time firefighters. All council members, excluding Councilman Daniel Eubanks, were present for the Tuesday meeting.

Harold Webb, deacon, represented Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church to request the rights to Church Street. The road, owned by the Town of Huntingdon, connects Lexington Street to Moody Street and runs through church property. Webb presented a drawing of the road map for the council’s review.

The council unanimously agreed to relinquish the town’s rights to the street.

The council also voted to add more part-time firefighters to the town’s repertoire. The request, made by Fire Chief John Fordon, asked to increase the number of part-time firefighters from seven to 12.

In his proposal, Fordon said the town’s fire department wishes to deepen its pool of part-time employees to fill open shift spots without incurring overtime for full-time firefighters.

Councilmember Chad Barnhart was initially reserved, questioning how the additions would affect current part-time employees. Fordon, who was absent from the meeting, assured Barnhart in a private phone call beforehand that the department’s schedule of part-time firefighters will remain in its rotation.

After reviewing several bid awards for installing a 12 and a half ton rooftop HVAC system unit at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center, the council voted to accept J&S Professional Services’ bid of $22,429.00. The installation, which impacts the building’s theatre area, is funded by the Hal Holbrook estate.

Another renovation project on the agenda involved the Huntingdon Public Safety Building’s re-roofing. After considering bids, the council voted to accept JM Roofing Company’s bid of $62,121. The company, based in Milan, will install a complete Thermoplastic Polyolefin rubber roof.

The council voted to allow Huntingdon’s Street Department to purchase a $147,364.46 John Deere Backhoe Loader from Stribling Equipment through the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative program.

The council also approved the emergency procurement of a $19,750 Lime Feeder from BAR Environment Supply, Inc. for the water treatment plant.

Following the approval of a new property rate in July, the council held a public hearing regarding the new rate, but no one in attendance spoke on the matter.

The council then approved a decrease in the town’s property tax rate, based on the re-appraisal of properties in the town, on its second and final reading. The 2025 Tax Year Property Rate is $0.7744 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation.

On its second and final reading, the council approved to change language in the town’s municipal code referring to sewer services outside of corporate limits. The ordinance changes language from billing by the gallon to a flat rate monthly amount of $74.57 for customers not connected to Huntingdon’s Public Water System.

Council members approved requests to use Edwards Park for a 3-on-3 basketball tournament August 31 and a kickball tournament between VP Racing and Z-Line September 6.

The next Huntingdon Town Council meeting is Tuesday, September 23 at 5:15 p.m.