Staff Writer

A Thomaston man who owns a building on the downtown square said a chain-link fence built three weeks ago by one of his neighbors is causing nothing but problems.

Ray Sewell, who owns a building at 109 South Center Street, said the fence was built by Warren Moore, who owns another building around the corner. The chain link fence encloses a parking lot on Hightower Street behind the buildings.

Sewell said the fence - which he believes is a violation of the city's Historic Preservation ordinance - not only prevents vehicles from getting to the back of businesses, but could also pose a problem for firefighters.

"You can rest assured that a chain link fence is not sufficient to stop that vehicle (a fire truck) from going in there to a fight fire," Mayor Hays Arnold said.

"I don't have any discomfort in the fire department being able to do their job, but they shouldn't have to use force in doing that job," Sewell said. "The fence totally blocks us from having access to the back of our building at 109 South Center Street. "He won't let us drive through his parking lot and through the gate, which prevents us from getting our vehicles off the street."

"Mr Moore locks the gate on the fence, which forces us to walk all the way around it to take trash to the dumpster," he said. "It just causes an inconvenience to not only us, but also Billy's Bagels and the Greer Store for Men.Council member Wallace Rhodes suggested that City Manager Patrick Comiskey and Frank Spraggins go and assess the situations and bring back recommendations to the City Council about what to do.

"I am aware of the problem, but you made an excellent point regarding the historical issue," Arnold said. "I think we need to check on that and see where we are there.

In other action, City Council members agreed to lease airspace to First Baptist Church for 49 years so they can construct a crosswalk over South Green Street. The church recently announced major renovation and expansion plans and the crosswalk is part of their plans.

And finally, Capt. Marvin Walker, second shift commander of the Thomaston Fire Department, was named Employee of the Month. Walker has been working with the city since 1980 and became a certified firefighter the following year. He and his wife Sheila, have been married for 23 years.