On Monday the Bremen City Council discussed an ongoing project involving the Department of Transportation and the Norfolk Southern Corporation.

The project, which was originally proposed in 1996, would allow Norfolk Southern Corporation, a large railroad company, to close railroad crossings in Bremen in exchange for funding a stoplight and road improvements surrounding the intersection at Pacific Avenue and Florida Avenue.

Though the project was initially proposed more than a decade ago, a contract could be signed on the project as early as January 2009, with work starting within a subsequent two-year period, according to the DOT.

According to Bremen Mayor Sharon Sewell, for the project to move forward the DOT has requested that the city council affirm the closings of the railroad crossings at Georgia Avenue and Sewell Road, as well as the construction of a new crossing at Ayers Street and an upgrade of the crossing at Fern Street.

There are also issues regarding DOT rules that have changed over the past 12 years requiring sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of U.S. Highway 78. Sewell stated that bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides of U.S. 78 were unnecessary and the council could ask for a variance from those rules.

According to Sewell, the only actions that city council is able to presently take regarding the project is to approve the crossing closings, upgrades and construction, and write an official letter requesting the variances.

The council voted to authorize the mayor and the city planner to write a letter requesting the variances and stating that the council’s approval of the project is conditional upon the council receiving final plans for the project. It is also possible that the mayor and city planner may add additional terms and conditions that they feel adequately protect the interests of city.

During the meeting, Sewell asked that members of the community express their concerns and opinions on the project. Bremen residents spoke for more than an hour, with many expressing concern that road construction would affect businesses along Pacific Avenue. Others raised concerns that the city should not close the railroad crossings without seeking more benefits for the city beyond the proposed road improvements.

Bremen City School Superintendent Stanley McCain and Board of Education Chairman Darrell Sellers raised concern that the project’s construction could delay or impact the construction of the new fine arts center at Bremen High School. Sellers also expressed concern that the grading of Florida Avenue could cause students to speed along the street.

Sewell stressed that the council would work to ensure the plan accommodates as many people as possible.

“It is the full goal of this council to come up with a plan that is the best plan for the long-term good of everybody involved,” Sewell said.

During the meeting the council also voted to appoint Bremen Police Department Chief Keith Pesnell to the newly created Animal Control Hearing Board.

The Animal Control Hearing Board, which was recently created by the Haralson County Board of Commissioners, will have the power to classify an animal as dangerous or potentially dangerous when the need arises.

The board will have six members, including one county commissioner, one official from the health department, and a representative of the mayor of each municipality. However, during a hearing, only three members will have to be present: the commissioner, the health department official, and a representative from the animal owner’s municipality.

According to Haralson County Animal Shelter Director Mike Pope, cases involving dangerous animals are rare and the board could go for months without having to meet. Since the shelter was opened three years ago, there has only been one case, which was heard by the board of commissioners last month.

“What constitutes a dangerous dog? It means any dog that inflicts a serious injury on a human being or other animal without provocation on public or private property, or aggressively bites, attacks or endangers humans or other animals without provocation,” said Commission Chairman Allen Poole, during a previous commission meeting.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for June 16.