Solar grant to Calhoun Utilities offers students a chance to learn

Solar Power

Calhoun Utilities in conjunction with Calhoun City Schools received a $50,000 solar grant from the Georgia Environmental Finance Agency.  The solar grant will allow the city to install a 60kW ground mount solar installation at the Utility Operations Building. It is a matching grant and the city plans to put $50,000 with it to fund the project. Larry Vickery, director of utilities, updated the city council about the project at Monday’s meeting.

Vickery said that while the project won’t generate a lot of energy, it will provide an opportunity for students to learn more about solar energy.

“They will learn how solar panels work, how the parts function, and how to determine how well they are working,” said Vickery.

While the grant is for the city utilities and city schools, Vickery plans to open the the project to the College and Career Academy and the county school’s as well.

HERE VICKERY'S COMMENTS

He said they are in the process of formalizing the bids and three companies have sent in bids.

“We are hoping to buy locally,” he said, adding panel manufacturers are located in Marietta and Dalton.

He added the grant was awarded in August with a deadline of October to have it installed, but the coronavirus delayed plans across the state.

Old business

The city council heard second readings on several new alcohol licenses, including:

• Second reading of a beer, wine, and distilled spirits package license at a location of 960 North Wall Street, by Dilip Patel of Calhoun Liquor. Patel will also serve as the store manager.
• Second reading of a beer, wine, and distilled spirits package license at a location of 241 Highway 53 East, by Kamlesh Patel (ABC Liquor & Tobacco Outlet). Mr. Patel will also serve as the store manager.
• Second reading of a beer, wine, and distilled spirits pouring license at a location of 165 Outlet Center Drive, Suite 5, by Craig Johnson (Guacamoles). Mr. Johnson will also serve as the store manager.

The public hearing will be at the Nov. 9 meeting.

New Business

The city council approved the following first readings:

• First reading of a beer, wine package license at a location of 295 West Line Street, by Vinod Patel of High Tech Fuel. Patel will also serve as the store manager.
• First reading of a beer, wine package license at a location of 1503 Redbud Road NE, by Ghanshyan Patel of Circle K). Patel will also serve as the store manager.

The public hearing will be at the Nov. 23 city council meeting.

• Approved a request from the Calhoun Recycling center to surplus the following on GovDeals.com:
  • 2016 Cardboard Baler and Compactor Serial# V63HD1506891
  • Unknown Cardboard Baler Serial# 2219
• Approved a manager change request at a location of 401 West Line Street, by American legion Post 47. The prior manager was Terry Bruce Henderson and the proposed manager is Donna Blair.

The following renewals are on the agenda for the next month:

• 2021 beer, wine and distilled spirits package license renewals.
  • CWL USA LLC
  • Liquor Mart
  • Party Liquor
• 2021 beer package license renewals.
  • Calhoun Food & Tobacco
  • KS Food Mart
  • LN Food Mart
  • N Wall BP
• 2021 beer, wine and distilled spirits pouring license renewals.
  • Applebee’s
  • Taco House
• 2021 beer and distilled spirits pouring license renewals.
  • El Rayos

WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING

• 2021 beer and wine package license renewals.
  • Calhoun Chevron
  • Love’s Travel Stops
  • Racetrac
  • Wal-Mart
• 2021 combination beer package/pouring at private club license renewals.
  • American Legion
• 2021 pawn shop license renewals
  • Check into Cash
  • Instant Cash loans
  • National Title Pawn