WELLSVILLE - The possibility of converting the former Main Street fire station into a tourism center for the village was broached at Thursday's meeting of the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Revitalization Committee President Candy Bangor addressed the chamber, saying the station is "a nice old building" but is falling into disrepair, saying she believes the committee could take on the project of turning it into a tourism center to house not only the chamber but meeting space for other groups.

"It would be a nice addition to Wellsville," Bangor said, suggesting it could be manned for the 2010 All-School reunion.

She said it could become a village project if individuals and groups became involved in the transformation.

Mayor Joe Surace suggested she speak with members of the Friends of the Old Fire Station, which had been involved in renovating the building many years ago.

"Maybe you could team up with them," he said.

Chamber President Randy Allmon, also a village councilman, said council expects the new grant writer to be on board in April and said perhaps grant money could be found for such a project.

Brent Haynes discussed the Wellsville promotional brochure which his company, DigiColor Advertising & Design, has been creating.

He said the colored brochure has "absolutely taken off," exceeding the goal of four large ads by 12, with 16 actually sold.

The tri-fold brochure will feature a "dynamic cover," and will be family-oriented, with three full-color panels of Wellsville information and ads for local businesses encircling a stylized map on which the advertising businesses will be highlighted.

Allmon said calls come in every day to the chamber regarding the village and once the brochure is complete, it can be provided to callers.

Connie Carmichael of the Alley Cat Aid Brigade spoke about the group's trap-neuter-release program, advising business owners and individuals that the brigade will assist in helping remove unwanted feral cats from their properties.

She advised checking the Web site at alleycataidbrigade.com for more information.

Carmichael commended Surace for suggesting a committee be formed to address the village's stray cat problem.

Surace introduced the village's new animal control officer Leslie Dean, saying she "really fits the bill," and "brings a professional background to the village."

Dean said she is trying to start an informational brochure that will explain the ordinances she works under and the different animal-related groups and their limitations.

She hopes to place the brochure in businesses and distribute them at fund raisers.

Air Waves was recognized as business of the month.

Welcomed as new chamber members were Kent State University-East Liverpool campus, Howard Hanna and Alley Cat Aid Brigade.

It was announced the auction fund raiser has been moved to summer and volunteers are needed to work on it. They can call Bangor at 532-5979 or Allmon at 843-3475.

Allmon announced a $200 donation was made to the Wellsville Fire Department toward the cost of a fireworks display later this year.