Town Manager Jeff Morse said the town condemned the building on Church Street about four years ago but had to do so through the county.

Since then state laws have changed, allowing local governments to be more aggressive in condemning and removing old buildings, Morse said.

The Trail of Faith owns the property.

Gym to reopen

Tiger Gym will hopefully re-open in the upcoming weeks, Morse said.

The gym was closed three years ago because of budget restraints resulting from the need for significant repairs, Morse said.

The council chose to move forward because the funds are available now, Morse said.

Opening the gym will alleviate pressure on the gym at Valdese Community Center and provide more practice time for teams, Morse said.

The council awarded a contract to Standard Heating and Air to repair the heating system, windows and doors, Morse said. The total project cost is $25,000.

Cole House Renovation

Responding to a request from the Valdese Public Library, the council chose to earmark $20,000 from the capital reserve fund in next year’s budget for an expansion project.

The library is renovating the Cole House, which is adjacent to library, into a teaching center, Morse said.

Pet permits

Residents with more than three pets will now have an opportunity to appeal rejected applications for a permit.

The town’s animal control ordinance requires residences with more than three animals to have a permit, Morse said. Previously if the animal owner’s application was rejected there was no appeal process.

The process is available immediately and final appeals will go to the town manager’s office, Morse said. A $25 non-refundable application fee is also required to apply.

911 Center

The council approved an inter-local agreement with the City of Morganton and Burke County for consolidated 911 communications. The Morganton City Council also approved the agreement Monday, and the item is expected to be on Burke County Board of Commissioner’s Dec. 20 agenda.

The agreement is required for the county receive a $7.28 million grant from the North Carolina 911 Board. The grant will be used to build and outfit a consolidated public-safety answering point on Kirksey Drive.

The council also authorized an emergency repair to the roof at the Flowers building and paving a portion of Springwood Drive.

Members sworn in

Burke County Clerk of Court Mabel Lowman attended Monday’s meeting, swearing in returning council member Keith Ogle and new member Frances Hildebran.

Connelly Springs, Rutherford College

The Connelly Springs Board of Alderman and Rutherford College Town Council also swore in recently elected members.

Ramona Abee and Steve Smart were re-elected and Charles “Chuck” Mann joined the board of alderman.

The board also acknowledged Terry Childers, who served as an interim board member after Walter Gragg Sr.’s resignation.

Wayne Annas and Mark Stinson are newly elected members of the town council, and Bill Satterwhite begins his second term.

The council also moved its January meeting date to Jan. 9 due to the New Year holiday.