WESSON — Town officials are continuing to work with residentsin an effort to create a better appearance and image for the townby giving it a few boosts.

The Board of Alderman voted during the monthly meeting Tuesdayto send letters to some residents encouraging them to spruce uptheir property on Third Street and Spring Street.

“We will send them a letter and ask them to clean up theirproperty,” said Board Attorney Jeff Varas.

As part of the town’s drive to clean up “unsightly property,”property and home owners are notified by mail that they have aspecified amount of time, depending on the extent of the problem,to clean up before a fine is issued.

Town Clerk Linda Dykes pointed out to board members that theeffort had been successful in at least three businesslocations.

Board members noted the improvement in the areas, and decided tocommend the property owners with a letter of appreciation.

In other town improvement efforts, board members discussed atlength some of the types of limitations set on mobile homes.

The discussion was prompted by property owners James and AngieSmith. A mobile home, owned by someone else, is located on theirproperty, and the owner wants to use it as a rental source. That isprohibited by the town’s zoning ordinances.

“You can’t use it as rental property there,” explained Varas tothe couple.

The Smiths were upset because they had secured the property asfuture sites for their children’s homes, but they hoped theproperty would provide some income until that time.

“All y’all are trying to do is tie my hands for any advancementfor my kids,” said James Smith.

The Smiths challenged the specifics of the ordinance and why itwas passed a few years ago. They asked the board if some type ofexception could be made so the mobile home could become rentalproperty.

Zoning Chairman Bob Mateer suggested that the Smiths submit apetition for the board to change the ordinance or challenge itthrough the judicial system.

During the 45-minute discussion, the couple also questionedanother zoning ordinance concerning mobile homes. They said manyWesson residents did not agree with an ordinance that allowsproperty owners to object to mobile home locations.

The ordinance gives all property owners within 400 feet of thefuture site of a mobile home the right to object to it. Mateerexplained that the ordinance was adopted in order to give equalrights to all property owners.

“The board has felt and has always acted on the idea that asingle property owner has as many rights as another propertyowner,” he said.

Another town improvement issue addressed during Tuesday’smeeting was the current status on the Wesson Mills Park.

Mayor Pro-tem Lura Greer, who presided over the meeting in themayor’s absence, expressed the need to see some progress on theproject soon.

Board members discussed where to store water departmentsupplies, which are currently stored at the park site, looking intothe possibility of several vacant buildings around town.

The possibilities will be considered further at the nextmeeting, which is scheduled for December 5.

Board members did adopt a resolution, though, to officiallydonate a 1942 firetruck to the chamber of commerce for displaypurposes at the park. They plan on adopting a resolution about theproperty at the next meeting.

In other matters, cellular phone users may have clearerreception in the Wesson area after a satellite is placed on theCo-Lin water tower.

Town officials will also benefit from the addition with threefree cellular phones and 850 free minutes in air time every monthas compensation from the cellular company for use of the watertower.