A years-in-the-making grant project to add sidewalks and street lamps in downtown Maplesville will cost much less than originally projected.

The town was awarded the state grant, which only requires a 20-percent match, several years ago. At the time, projections for the project put its price tag at approximately $181,000.

When bids were opened recently, the lowest bid was just over $93,400 — about half of what the state originally thought.

This means Maplesville will pay about $18,600 for its share of the project. Using the old projection, the town would have been obligated to pay $36,200.

For obvious reasons, the news was well received by town council members when announced during Tuesday’s meeting.

“I was very pleased to hear that,” said Mayor Aubrey Latham.

Eight bids were turned in to the state for the project, ranging from $163,400 to the low bid, which belonged to Powe General Contractors out of Hanceville. Town Clerk Shelia Haigler said the contractor told her he was able to have such a low bid because he employs mainly family members.

Work on the project, which will add sidewalks along the truck route of Alabama 22 and in front of the post office, would begin as early as late June. Contractors believe the work can be completed in 2-3 months.

In other business, the town council took the following actions:

•Announced the town’s new website, www.townofmaplesville.com, is up and running as of Saturday.

•Approved Brian Smith, Chrissy Harrison, Patty Crocker, Michael Drewry and Kurt Wallace to serve on the board board.

•Promoted Police Officer Scott Conner to assistant chief. The promotion does not include a pay raise.

•Purchased a quarter page advertisement in The Clanton Advertiser’s Graduation 2011 special publication for $510.

•Set a council work session for Tuesday, May 24 at 6 p.m. in the Town Library.