LOXLEY, Ala. — Keep those sparklers to yourselves. Due to the state of the economy, the July 4 celebration in Loxley has been postponed. No date for the celebration has been set. Mayor Billy Middleton announced the decision of the 4th of July Committee at Monday’s town council meeting.

Town employees will be receiving a 2 percent cost of living adjustment thanks to a unanimous vote by the council. The change was proposed by Middleton, moved for passage by council member Richard Teal, and seconded by council member Katherine Breeden

The Loxley Town Council also voted unanimously approved an amendment to the town’s zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations requiring new subdivisions “reasonably near” the town’s water and sewer systems to “tie in” to those systems rather than rely on wells and septic systems.

According to the minutes of the meeting, no one spoke during the public hearing before the ordinance was adopted.

The council also granted a “perpetual, non-exclusive franchise” to Riviera Utilities to provide natural gas service in the town.

All council members with the exception of Derek Middleton were present at the April 13 meeting.

Teal moved the town accept two proposals from Jerdan services for $3,200 and $2,671 for “vegetation management.” That proposal passed unanimously.

The council also unanimously approved a “Municipal Water Pollution Prevention” ordnance, and a citizen participation plan for the Community Block Grant Program.

An ordinance that will change “water, sewer services and connection and impact fees and garbage rates” for the town was proposed.

The ordinance came up for its first reading and will be on the agenda to be passed at the next council meeting.

The council also voted to enter into a contract between the town and the Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross for $500 toward the funding of disaster services.

Middleton commended Glenn Hedden, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation and Tommy Hudson, Superintendent of Utilities and their staffs for the work they did in preparing for the Strawberry Festival.