Cameron Town Council has hammered out an agreement with Calhoun County by which the county’s building inspector will provide inspections for the town.

The town council on June 5 unanimously approved third and final reading of the ordinance, with the modification that Cameron will retain 10 percent of the fees collected by the county.

Also during the meeting, it was reported that the council had reached an agreement with CSX Railroad to close two railroad crossings on Second and Third Streets to prevent cutting down the town’s crepe myrtle trees along the railroad right-of-way. The town has requested that the highway department and CSX provide the necessary signage.

In other business, Mayor Russ Middleton reported that 911 address numbers are available at the cost of $15. He encouraged everyone to get one, noting that there is a significant fine for anyone who doesn’t have their address numbers posted. Middleton said the numbers are available by contacting him or Wayne Polin at the barbershop. The Cameron Fire Department will help in posting the addresses, the mayor said.

With the arrival of hurricane season, Middleton said the town will be contacting Cameron churches and other agencies to ensure that they are willing to offer assistance to evacuees in the event of a coastal evacuation this summer.

In other business:

-- Middleton appointed Town Clerk Kathy Wiles and Phyllis Ulmer to investigate the cost of additional Christmas decoration and of replacing the town’s Christmas tree that has become difficult to maintain.

-- Resident Helen Guinyard asked the council’s help with a 100 year-old sycamore tree in her yard. She said she couldn’t afford the $1,000 it would cost to have the tree removed and asked if the town could help remove some of the branches. She was told that the town was not responsible, however, the mayor said he would see if someone could help her.

-- Police Chief Chris Hales reported that 30 tickets were written in May. Police made two driving under suspension arrests; answered 29 calls for service; three calls for a suspicious acting, possibly rabid, raccoon which was not found; nine calls for tree and branch obstruction following a storm; assisted the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department twice; assisted the Highway Patrol four times; responded to four fire calls and four EMS first responses.

-- Fire Chief Charles Polin reported four fire calls for the month — one false alarm, two search and rescue and one grass fire.

He also reported, “The tanker is not leaking, it’s pouring.” The tank needs to be repaired, Polin said, adding that he will investigate a course of action. He also asked for and was given permission to park the oldest truck in the bay at town hall when the new fire truck arrives, since there is not enough room for all of them.

-- The town’s financial report ending May 31 showed revenues of $19,861.78, expenses of $12,625.06, a checking account balance of $129,415.72 and a savings account of $23,588.62, for a total balance of $153,004.34.

-- T&D Correspondent Larry P. Jordan can be reached by phone at 803-874-3276.

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