In addition to discussing the future of the building at 101 North Main St., the Poplarville Board of Aldermen also approved a number of upcoming events and city policies.
The building in question houses the Poplarville Chamber of Commerce and the Poplarville Historical Preservation Society’s museum. Recently, city officials discovered the presence of Formosan termites and the board is seeking ways to find a solution. At the Sept. 15 meeting, city code enforcement officer Guy Ray Holston condemned the building, on the basis that it is not safe for people to enter at this time. No official action was taken Tuesday.
Also during the meeting, the board approved Ruth Memorial Presbyterian Church’s request to hold their annual chili cook-off at city park, Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise said Wednesday. The event will be held on Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional details are forthcoming. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Brother’s Keeper Ministries, the mayor said.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so the fire department will hold its annual boot drive at the intersection of Highway 26 and South Main Street on Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Necaise said. The money raised will be donated to a local resident suffering from breast cancer.
The board also set a 9 p.m. trick-or-treat curfew for Halloween, which is on a Saturday this year, Necaise said. On Friday, Oct. 30, the merchant trick-or-treat event will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Poplarville.
Necaise said the board also approved changes to the city’s substance abuse and testing policy.
“If a city employee contributed or caused an accident while on the clock, they will have to undergo an immediate drug screening,” Necaise said.
The board also adopted a public comments policy, the mayor said, regarding citizens addressing the aldermen about matters pertaining to items on the agenda. Each person will have four minutes to speak during a meeting while political candidates will have eight minutes during election season, Necaise said.

In other action the board approved:
–– The renewal of volunteer fire insurance. Necaise said the firefighters would be properly covered when using their personal vehicles to respond to an emergency.
–– A grant application for Mississippi Community Oriented Policing services. Necaise said these funds would be used to fund supplies and equipment for school based resources officers.
The next aldermen meeting will be held on Oct. 20 in the board room at City Hall at 5 p.m.