The Stuart Town Council approved a motion Wednesday to help in the bid to find a buyer for the hospital.
Following a motion by John “Mac” Deekens, council members approved granting authority to Mayor Ray Weiland, Terry Tilley, town manager and Chris Corbett, town attorney, to make legal and needed concessions to water and sewer rates to enhance negotiations with potential buyers.
The hospital filed for bankruptcy in 2016. It closed Sept. 15.
The vote on Deekens’ motion was unanimous among those attending the meeting.
Councilman Terry Dalton did not attend.
The motion followed a nearly hour-long closed session meeting between council members, County Administrator Tom Rose, Economic Development Director Debbie Foley and hospital administrator Jeanette Filpi.
County and economic development officials said last week they are trying to identify potential buyers.
A special called meeting will be held by the Patrick County Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority board at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, in the board room of the Patrick County Administration Building.
In other matters Wednesday, the council:
*Heard updates from Eddie Turner and Roger Beasley on plans to renovate the former Food Lion building. Turner, of the Lang group, and Beasley, are finalizing the plans.
A portion of the building will house the Stuart Volunteer Fire Department. Town officials have said they would lease the remaining space.
Last week, Patrick Henry Community College, in partnership with the town and the Patrick County Education Foundation, announced plans to expand class offerings in “space across the street from PHCC’s current Patrick County location.”
Turner and Beasley said the plans will be submitted to the USDA for review. When that agency signs off on it, the project can be put out to bid.
“The plans look great,” Weiland said.”The thing we’re looking forward to is getting this (project) out to bid.”
*Agreed to pay artist Grace Helms $200 to do the stenciling of letters and numbers on both sides of the caboose. Helms indicated the project is expected to take eight hours to complete.
The caboose was sandblasted, repainted and a sealer applied in July, according to previous reports. When refurbished, it will be the centerpiece of the Mayo River Trail.
