The Mosheim Board of Mayor and Aldermen last Thursday approved two ordinances on second and final reading that pertain to sign provisions for businesses.

The new sign provisions add portable signage requirements under the permitted use list for the Town of Mosheim's following zones: B-1, arterial business district; B-2, general business district, and M-1, industrial business district.

The signage ordinance would limit usage to one portable sign per tenant at each road frontage. Such signs would have to be 10 feet off the right-of-way, and not a danger in windy conditions.

No portable sign may be placed in such a way as to cause a sight distance problem, obstruction or a hazard, the amendment states.

A third ordinance, which includes regulations related to portable storage containers, was not passed on second reading because the board members decided that additional clarification of the definition of such storage containers was needed by the planning commission.

In other matters during the board meeting, a presentation was made by the town's accountant, David "Mickey" Ellis, CPA, on the town's 2011-2012 audit.

Ellis gave a favorable report regarding the audit, noting that the town's assets exceeded its liabilities by $11,721,737.

Additionally, Ellis noted that the town's total net assets increased $90,459 during the current year.

"Overall it was a very good audit report," Ellis said.

According to Ellis' written report:

* As of June 30, 2012, the town's general fund reported a balance of $3,092,631, which was a $220,535 increase over the prior year.

* The proprietary funds consisting of the Water Fund and the Sewer Fund had an $86,333 decrease in combined net assets for the year. Total net assets were $7,206,345.

The Water Fund increased its net assets by $30,443, while the Sewer Fund had a decrease in net assets totaling $116,776.

In other matters, the board authorized Jessie Lowery, who manages Mosheim's water and maintenance department and also serves as town's fire chief, to seek the purchase of a used utility vehicle, which is needed for the Town of Mosheim's maintenance use.

During the meeting, Tommy Gregg told the board members that the US Nitrogen plant is expected to have equipment installed by this fall.

At that time, he said, the flow to the town's sewer system is expected to begin.

Full operations at the US Nitrogen plant are not expected to begin, however, until 2014, he said.

Gregg also noted that a contract is still needed between the town and the US Nitrogen plant regarding sewer costs.

Gregg said that the town's sewer system upgrades are still needed in order to increase flow capacity.

He also spoke about the installation of a surge tank in order to contain additional flow, if needed, especially if the town experiences future flooding due to heavy rain such as the extensive rain week before last.

Following the Mosheim Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, the members reconvened as the Mosheim Beer Board to consider an application for off-premises beer to be sold at the Dollar General Store, at 8135 W. Andrew Johnson Hwy.

The application was approved by the board, with member Dave Long voting "no."

Long stated that he was concerned about the distance from the Dollar General store property to a nearby church.

A Beer Board called-meeting was set for Feb. 13, at 6 p.m., at Mosheim Town Hall.