BEATTY -- The Beatty Medical Clinic is not closing, contrary to some misinformation afoot in the community.

In fact, it will be receiving a number of improvements, thanks to action taken by the Beatty Town Advisory Board at its Nov. 12 meeting.

The board approved a proposal by Samantha Brashears, representing Beatty Health and Welfare, to spend up to $30,000 on clinic upgrades. The money will come from hospital tax money that was returned to the community. The board had previously agreed that it should be used for medical services.

Brashears assured the board that such items as paint and new countertops were not merely cosmetic. She pointed out, for instance, that cracks in walls and seams in countertops could harbor infectious agents.

Besides paint and countertops, the improvements include such things as plumbing and electrical changes, making the restroom and doors ADA compliant, new roof covering and gutters, possible lead lining of walls in the X-ray area and more.

The work is to be carried out mostly by Nye County buildings and grounds personnel, with the assistance of a professional cabinet maker, so most of the $30,000 will go for materials.

Brashears, who has decades of administrative experience in the medical profession, told the board she could be "the most needlesome little woman" and that she would supervise the work closely.

Joannie Jarvis and Teresa Sullivan, the board members appointed to work on clinic matters, reported they were well impressed with Tom Chase, the new medical director for Nevada Health Centers, and that they were confident a new contract between NHC and the county could be worked out. In the meantime, the county has extended the existing contract to the end of the year.

They also said that Dr. Merutka, who has been working at the clinic on a temporary basis, has expressed the desire to stay. An interview is also scheduled with another prospective physician for the clinic, and Chase has said NHC would like to find a female nurse or physician's assistant to help out at the Beatty and Amargosa clinics.

On other matters, town secretary Janet Rogers noted new carpet had been installed in the town office and in the Community Center conference room.

Rogers also said the bid for installation of the town's decorative streetlights had been awarded to Lahaye Electrical of Pahrump in the amount of $40,400. The only remaining piece of red tape in the streetlight saga is the publication of a 10-day intent-to-proceed notice.

The board and citizens in attendance reviewed a revised and updated set of maps being used in the master planning process. The main area of discussion seemed to center around naming of the toad habitat area on the map's legend.

Brad Hunt objected to the use of the word "boundary," saying it could lead to a rigid legal definition of the area.