The Ellisville Board of Aldermen cleared the way for the development of 25 townhouse-style apartments at its Tuesday meeting. The board also approved the hiring of new police officers and firefighters.

The townhouses will be built at the corner of Highway 11 and Dubose Street, the site of the old Beech’s Motor Court. Jeff Hall of Hattiesburg, the developer, said the two-story units will each be 1,000 square feet and will rent for about $800 a month.

Aldermen approved a variance in the ordinance of a 10-foot setback on three sides of the property. The 25-foot setback facing the highway was not changed.

The board approved the hiring of Jason Mills as a new police officer, and approved the promotion of Officer Wayne McLemore to sergeant.

Also approved was the hiring of two new firefighters — Brannon Wade and Allen Keeler — to replace two firefighters who left the department.

In other action, the board:

• Agreed to have the Mississippi office of USDA Rural Development to conduct sewer system smoke testing.

• Appointed James Holifield as chairman of a committee to raise money to purchase furniture for the new Ellisville branch of the Laurel-Jones County Library.

• Approved spending a federal grant of $68,785.98 as a library construction payment.

• Voted to continue the city’s cafeteria plan..

• Amended an ordinance to grandfather in existing manufactured and mobile homes, and add that the existing ones can be replaced.

• Approved Halloween trick or hours for 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.