Brookhaven aldermen Tuesday voted to keep the status quoregarding a section of Brookway Boulevard.

In a unanimous vote during a short meeting, board members saidthe city will accept a deed to the section of the boulevard betweenHighway 51 and Highway 550 when it is offered by the countysupervisors. A recent title search showed the county owning theproperty, although the city has maintained control of the sectionof road for years.

“The county owns it. They want us to own it,” said City AttorneyJoe Fernald.

Fernald said the title search showed the state owning thesection of the boulevard west of the interstate and the cityalready owning the part from Highway 51 to Monticello Street. Whilethe search showed the county owning the remaining section, Fernaldadded the city has had “de facto” control over the section of theboulevard for many years in that it has enforced speed laws,removed medians and patrolled the area.

“I think we ought to accept it,” said Aldermen at large LesBumgarner.

County supervisors have not voted to deed the section to thecity. That vote could come at their next meeting.

In other business Tuesday, Fernald updated officials on arequest for an extension on spending $200,000 in state capitalimprovements loan funds on a Field Lark Lane sewer upgrade project.Facing a deadline to spend the money by last Friday, aldermen votedto seek an extension during a special meeting Thursday.

Fernald said a decision on the city’s request has not been made,but it appears an extension to Dec. 1 is possible. Another 60-dayextension could be granted after that date if needed, the attorneysaid.

“Everything is in order and we’re just waiting for word,”Fernald said.

In pursuing the sewer project, the city has encountered a numberof difficulties, including getting easements from landowners foraccess to do the work on their property. Fernald said an extensionto Dec. 1 should be sufficient to allow the city to move forwardwith the project.

Also Tuesday:

* Aldermen approved the sale of three acres of industrial parkland to Continental Carbonics Inc. for $18,000.

Continental Carbonics, which handles dry ice, is a sistercompany of Epco, which earlier bought five acres of land. Epcospecializes in the conversion of gaseous carbon dioxide into liquidcarbon dioxide, which is used in soft drink, poultry processing andother areas.

The two companies represent the addition of about 60 jobs and atotal $11 million investment in the industrial park.

* Police Chief Arlustra “Pap” Henderson updated officials on thestatus of the police department’s drug dog.

Henderson said the current dog is old and arthritic, and CanineOfficer Clint Earls is planning to acquire a new dog of his own.Officials approved an agreement to allow the department to useEarls’ dog and the city cover his dog-related expenses.

“We really need the dog,” Henderson said.

* Aldermen approved the purchase of a $1,200 beacon light, whichthe city won in an auction held by a Louisiana community, for theairport. Airport Manager Benton Furlow said the old light wasbroken.