Centers kitchen to undergo remodel

The Shirley City Council approved plans for remodeling the kitchen at the Senior Center during it April 7 regular meeting.

Penny Stringer, coordinator of the Van Buren County Aging Program, said a grant has been awarded make the renovations. She said plans call for the kitchen area to be closed in with a locking door. Stringer said no one except the centers cooks are allowed in the kitchen area. Plans call for a kitchenette to be created in what is now the domino area for renters to use.

The new kitchen will include a commercial dishwasher, a three-compartment sink with an additional hand-washing sink, one large serving window and a separate tray return window, as well as a bigger prep table, the council was told. There is to be a hallway leading to the bathrooms between the walled off kitchen and existing wall, Stringer said.

Councilwoman Brandy Kimmons said she was not ready to OK the proposed plans and suggested waiting until the May meeting when she hoped all members would be present. Councilwoman Lisa Hackett was absent from the April 7 meeting.

Mayor Johnny Sowell stated that there was a deadline coming up for plans to be turned in on the project and he did not see a need to wait. A motion was made to approve the plans. It passed on a 3-0 vote, with Kimmons abstaining.

The council discussed the citys June Homecoming and unanimously approved the choice of Ray and Margaret Earnheart as this years grand marshals. It was decided that prize money would be awarded to the top three parade floats; a theme will be picked soon.

The next regular meeting of the City Council is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 12 at the Community Center. The meetings are open to the public.

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Centers kitchen to undergo remodel