By Rupert Howell
Como’s board of mayor and aldermen heard a report from that town’s Main Street Alliance and a request from First Regional Library for additional funding for upcoming fiscal year during their regular meeting Tuesday, August 11.

Karen Ott-Mayer reported on a summit held in Virginia where only two towns from Mississippi were represented and noted that national think tank continues to follow Como’s historic city hall roofing and restoration.

She also reported that discussions had been held with both roofing bidders and reminded the board of the upcoming, “Saturday by the Tracks,” that will be held September 19 and includes a 5K Run, antiques, arts, crafts, chili cook-off and live music.

Como librarian Alice Pierotti and First Regional Library Director Ed Hughes made an annual request for funding from Como, this year seeking a 2.5 percent increase or $13,653. They explained the increase sought reflected inflation rates and an attempt to get funding to return to pre-recession levels.

Hughes also explained that the figure given could possibly be, “a little high” and noted the library system attempts to seek funding in the amount $10 per capita.

Pierroti produced figures that revealed 640 kids signed up for the summer reading program, the library experienced a 58 percent increase in new library cards issued, and that library computers were used 11,269 times last year. Also the meeting room was used 89 times by community clubs and government organizations during the previous year.