By John Howell
Requiring burn permits for all outdoor burning in Como has reduced the number of grass fires, Como Fire Chief Randy Perkins said.

“It’s working; we’re not having any trash fires or grass fires,” Perkins told Como’s mayor and aldermen during their December 9 meeting.

Aldermen in July adopted a comprehensive burn ordinance developed by city attorney John Calvin Patterson, Perkins and Police Chief Earl Burdette.

“I’d like to encourage the town and the police department to continue to take these burns permits seriously,” Perkins said.

The fire chief’s monthly report included only two grass fires among the 15 alarms to which the department responded during November.

“The fire department made $2,250 on the butt roast sale, which continues to be our biggest fundraiser,” Perkins said.

The Como Volunteer Fire Department sells the butt roasts each Thanksgiving.

“We started our Cans for Christmas drive last Sunday at all the churches,” Perkins said, “so if y’all can bring cans to churches, I’d appreciate it,” the fire chief said. CVFD conducts a canned food drive each Christmas for distribution to needy families.

In other business during Como’s town board meeting:

• Negotiations continue with the Internal Revenue Service for Trust Fund monies not deposited by the town on its employees’ behalf dating back to 2006, Mayor Everette Hill said;

• Documents required for approval of the sale of Como’s natural gas distribution system to Mississippi Naturals have been submitted to the Mississippi Public Service Commission, Attorney Patterson said. The PSC has 60 days to approve the sale, clearing the way for consummation of the purchase;

• Aldermen approved payment of $32,739.80 in claims against $22,708.11 on hand in the general fund account. The motion included a transfer of $32,000 from the utility account to cover the payments. Alderwomen Dishmon and Heard and Alderman Walton voted for the motion. Alderwoman Rachel Powell voted against it.