New and repaired sidewalks for Murphy
Frank Bradley Sentinel writer

Both Cherokee County and the Town of Murphy have approved funding to repair the town/regional library building in the amount of $14,000 each. The repair work was requested by Marcia Clontz, Librarian of the Nantahala Regional Library. She explained that the building had damaged having been struck by three different vehicles over time and that there had been some problem with the design of the traffic pattern allowing access to the parking lot.

The Murphy Library is the smallest town library within the state according to coucilman Phil Mattox. The building is jointly shared by both the regional library and the town.

Mayor Hughes told the council that he expects the state to approve repair to the sidewalk that runs from Bulldog Drive to Valley River Shopping Center. "It's down at Raleigh, and I expect to be hearing from them soon," he said.

Hughes also announced that bids will be let this week for the construction of a 2,700 foot sidewalk that runs from the Learning Center on Regal Street to the new jail.

He told the council that the area taped off just down from the courthouse came about because it was noticed that marble plates attached to the old bank building (now occupied by the county) was getting ready to fall off. Work began on Tuesday to remove those plates and hence eliminate the danger; however this is being accomplished by the county and not the town. Hughes said he believed the marble plates would not be replaced on the building, but rather that the front would be covered with stucco.

The council received a proposal to sell some undefined property between the Depot and the river; however it is undetermined just how much property is involved and thought that the town might actually own the property from a previous purchase. Action on the proposal was tabled pending a study of the deed and possibly a new survey.