Brookhaven aldermen Tuesday took the first steps toward a bondissue to fund the city’s portion of plans for a new industrialpark.

“I think this is a very positive move for the city of Brookhavenand for Lincoln County,” Mayor Bob Massengill said after aldermenunanimously approved a resolution of intent to pursue a $1.8million bond issue for the project.

Massengill pointed out the board action was not actual approvalof a bond issue, but was an indication of plans to move forward.Additional bond issue decisions would be made later.

Earlier, the city and county each agreed to pursue up to $2.2million bond issues to match approximately $500,000 in chamberfunds to purchase over 500 acres land west of the city and developthe cite as a new industrial park. The county approved a resolutionof intent on a bond issue in April.

Last night, Massengill proposed pursuing a $1.8 million bondissue and combining it with $500,000 in economic development moneythe city received from Wal-Mart. The approximately $100,000 overthe requested $2.2 million would be for attorney and other bondissue-related fees.

The mayor said the plan would leave about $530,000 in theeconomic development fund account to help attract new industry.

Earlier this year, the board agreed to use up to $1 million in”Wal-Mart money” to lure a new industry to town. However,Massengill said the industry decided to expand in its currentlocation and the city funds to construct a building would not beneeded.

Tuesday’s action also included a commitment to a newBrookhaven-Lincoln County Regional Economic Development Alliance,which will include two representatives from the city, two from thecounty and one from the chamber of commerce.

The alliance would oversee day to day decisions regarding theindustrial park. City members of the authority were not namedTuesday night.

Aldermen voiced support for the industrial park plan.

“The sooner we do it and get it done, the better off we’ll be,”said Ward Five Alderman Tom Smith.

Alderman at large Les Bumgarner approved of the plan to leavesome money for economic development.

“I like the idea of keeping some in reserve,” Bumgarnersaid.

In other business last night, aldermen delayed a decision on arequest by Cellular South to place a new antenna on the old smokestack. Company representative Chad Mullen said the antenna would bevery inconspicuous and would address some call problemsdowntown.

“Getting that there would improve our service tremendously,”Mullen said.

Mullen said the company would pay the city $18,000 a year rentfor space on the smoke stack.

He said the company’s second option for addressing its problemswould be to replace a tower on North Second Street. Massengillpointed out the smoke stack option would benefit the city whereasthe other option would not because the city does not own the NorthSecond Street site.

Some aldermen questioned whether other cellular telephonecompanies would want space on the smoke stack. Massengill saidothers could be considered if they make a request like CellularSouth had done.

“I want to make it available for everybody if we do it foranybody,” said Alderman at large Les Bumgarner.

Aldermen decided to wait two weeks before making a decision.Ward One Alderman Dorsey Cameron suggested having the city engineerreview plans for antennae placement on the structure.

Tuesday’s meeting concluded with an executive session with acemetery employee who was terminated because of excessiveaccidents. The board took no action and had no comment followingthe closed meeting.