Springville Boy Scouts took a big step towards meeting again at the Old Rock School at Monday night’s Springville city council meeting. The council voted to decline the St. Clair County Board of Education’s offering of the building in hopes it will be donated to the Springville Preservation Society to be repaired and used by scouts. Scouts had previously used the facility for over 20 years until two years ago when former mayor Richard Buckner closed it down. The scouts currently meet at Springville United Methodist Church.

Bill Fuqua, committee chairman of pack 134 in Springville said this is a very special year for the scouts. “We are celebrating 50 years in Springville and have agreed in principle with the preservation society,” Fuqua said. “We feel this is the most feasible and logical way to handle the building. Our hope is that the building is brought back to life with kid’s laughter.”

Springville Mayor William “Butch” Isley explained that the council could not accept Old Rock School, turn around and give it to the scouts. “It will take a community effort to save the building. We hope the school board will give it to our preservation society,” Isley said. Councilman David Jones said he was “interested to see that so many in the preservation society had such a passion about the building.” When the council voted to turn down the building applause erupted from the standing room only crowd in city hall. Scouts, parents and former students who attended Old Rock School celebrated the potential renovation.

St. Clair County Assistant Superintendant John Moore said he was contacted Tuesday morning by the preservation society. “We let them know when the next board meeting was so that they can present a five year plan for the building, it’s ultimately up to the board. If they put together a good plan, my feeling is the board will be amenable to potentially donating the facility,” Moore said.

Built in 1921, the Old Rock School is a local landmark and was named as one of Alabama’s most endangered places for 2008.

—Additional items on Monday’s council meeting agenda included:

* A total recycling program was discussed. Isley said this would not just be the normal plastics and aluminum. This recycling program would include everything that goes out of Springville. Rod Vera from Plasma Waste Recycling (PWR) gave the council a brief break down of the plan, which would include a 600-ton per day gasification plant in St. Clair County. They are also looking at potential sites in Mexico and Alaska. The project would cost about $120 million for PWR to build and would sit on five acres, which Vera said would be the showcase site for other interested parties from around the world. “Any metal or inorganic material not incinerated will be collected afterwards. There will be absolutely no odor,” Vera said. Vera also mentioned this operation would employ 40-50 people and would run at all times. PWR hopes to capture the waste stream from Springville and St. Clair County.

* The council reappointed Brenda Roberts as the city clerk.

* The council did not reappoint Police Chief Ron Black who has served as chief since 1997. Isley mentioned that St. Clair County Sheriff Terry Surles and St. Clair County District Attorney Richard Minor supported Black and that he was well respected throughout the county. Isley made a motion to reappoint Black but there were no seconds from the council. Isley then challenged the council to speak up and explain the reasoning behind their decision but there was no discussion. Black will serve on a temporary basis until a permanent appointment is made.

* The council reappointed Fire Chief Richard Harvey who has served Springville as a volunteer or a regular for 23 years. He has been the chief since November 2001.