LINDEN &8212; After securing money from a state incentive fund grant, the Marengo County Library is moving forward with their expansion project.

With their new location tentatively set as the former circuit clerk&8217;s office behind the Marengo County Detention Center, Librarian Joyce Morgan has been in the process of applying for grants to renovate the building to accommodate their growing needs. After a preliminary inspection of the property, Morgan reported to the County Commission the outlook was positive.

Perhaps the most promising part of the process is the recent news that the library was awarded $80,000 from the Alabama Public School and College Incentive Fund. Morgan said the check was already being sent to the county to be used at the library&8217;s discretion.

The only roadblock for the project now is getting an architect to design the project, which will ultimately determine the total cost of the project. Preliminary estimates for renovation have been in the $80,000-$100,000 range.

In the meantime, the commission gave Morgan the authority to seek out potential architects so the project can be bid out. She will also be applying for additional grant funds for the project.

Also before the commission was a proposal to close a county road in the south end of the county. George Robertson, chief forester for Scotch Lumber Company, asked the commission to consider closing the road opposite Apricot Road on the west side of Highway 43.

According to Robertson, the road has been vacant and the small group of landowners associated with is has already agreed to have it closed. Robertson said once the road was closed a gate would be put up with a lock and only landowners would have access to it.

The commission could not approve the request due to the necessity for a public hearing, but said they would begin procedures for closing the road.

According to Commissioner Freddie Armstead, once a road is closed and it reverts to private property, it cannot be reopened. This issue has been a concern among residents in the past, he said.

In other business, the commission:

4 approved a sales tax holiday resolution

4 approved proposal from Wells Fargo Insurance