Aldermen recognize local Scouts

Published 7:00 am Thursday, May 8, 2014

CIVIC AWARENESS: Boy Scout Troop 82 made a visit to the Poplarville Board of Aldermen meeting as part of criteria for earning a badge. They were recognized by Mayor Brad Necaise and Aldermen as being great representatives of their troop, organization and community. Jodi Marze | Picayune Item

CIVIC AWARENESS: Boy Scout Troop 82 made a visit to the Poplarville Board of Aldermen meeting as part of criteria for earning a badge. They were recognized by Mayor Brad Necaise and Aldermen as being great representatives of their troop, organization and community.
Jodi Marze | Picayune Item

The Poplarville Board of Aldermen met on Tuesday where they recognized Scout Troop 28 for civic leadership and community involvement, denied a request for a spot zone variance for property located at 26 Progress Rd., discussed acceptance of beer applications, viewed a presentation on proposed library and park projects that will put them in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and recognized Bill 1626.

Boy Scout Troop 28 attended the meeting as a requirement for a badge that they were working on. The troop is active in the city through troop and Eagle Scout projects.

The latest is a project by troop member Jarred Smith who built three mobile recycling units that will fit over waste cans during public events. Mayor Brad Necaise said the recycle units would be used at events such as Movies on Main and the Blueberry Festival.

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Alderwoman Shirley Wiltshire told the troop that she was thankful to see tomorrow’s leaders being so civic minded at a young age. Wiltshire said she looks forward to working with the troop on the city’s own recycling program, which is still in the works. As part of the city’s planned recycling program, the city purchased three large stationary recycling bins, which were paid for, but one of the bins cannot be found. It was unclear at the meeting why the bin could not be located. But the recycling effort will kick off upon installation of all three bins.

Necaise recognized the troop for their community involvement. He called them a credit to their troop, organization and town.

The board denied a request for a spot zone variance at 26 Progress Rd. The petitioner requested the property’s zoning be changed from residential to light industrial but met with resistance from community members and council members who were not convinced the location was large enough to accommodate the proposed needs and use.

The motion to change the zoning was unanimously denied.

The board also discussed applications for privilege licenses to sell beer and light wine along with special events. City attorney Martin Smith said he has a template of the privilege license and will make changes in time the next meeting to allow applications to be taken June 2. Necaise said he like this process to move forward to allow businesses time to secure their licenses so they can sell beer and light wine on the first legal date.

Walker and Associates engineer Jason Lamb presented proposed changes to the city’s park and library area by utilizing cost effective ways to make the locations ADA compliant. Lamb recommended converting a closet at into an ADA compliant restroom. He also suggested installing hard surface paths at the park so disabled residents in wheelchairs will have better access to the already complaint restrooms.

The board recognized the passage of Bill 1626 authorizing the Poplarville Historical Society to use a room at the old city hall rent-free. The intent is to use the room as a museum to recognize Poplarville residents who served their country. The room will also display memorabilia and is expected to open by Memorial Day.

In other matters the board:

—  Accepted resignation of Election Commissioner Ethel Batson.

—  Approved holding a workshop for automated meter reading.

—  Approved John Hancock to attend water operator training in Hattiesburg on May 15 and in Biloxi on June 3 through 5. Meals will be reimbursed, $175 will be paid for the Biloxi registration fee and no overnight lodging is required.

—  Approved Missy Lambert to attend the Court Clerk’s Summer Conference in Gulfport on June 23 through 24. Lodging of $119, meals and mileage will be reimbursed.

—  Approved Al Tynes to attend the 2014 D.A.R.E. International Conference in Grapevine, Texas on July 8 through 10. Registration is $296.25, lodging for four nights will cost $677.96, parking fees are $76.16 for four nights and meals will be reimbursed.

—  Approved Lynn Temple to attend a Meth Laboratory Awareness conference in Corinth on June 25. There is no registration fee, but meals and lodging will be reimbursed.

—  Approved Russell Miller and Chris McInnis to attend the Basic Narcotics Investigation conference in Petal on June 2 and 3. No registration fee or lodging is required but meals will be reimbursed. Also, a part-time officer will be needed to fill two shifts.

—  Approved additional costs for airport runway renovations after a miscalculation on runway markings increased the total to $6,205.

—  Discussed changes to the city’s and police department’s websites, which will now be using Survey Monkey to allow the public to provide feedback on city departments.

—  PRCC will transport the newly purchased fire truck from Jollyville, Texas to Poplarville to avoid putting mileage on the truck. Police will be escorting it into city upon arrival.

The board went into executive session for a personnel matter and will meet again on May 20 at 5 p.m.