Tuesday, the Poplarville Board of Aldermen discussed 25 miles of city roads that are in need of repair.
City Engineer Jason Lamb of Hattiesburg’s Walker and Associates presented the board a detailed evaluation of every street the city is responsible for, which included a priority rating, based on which roads will require the most work. Roads that fall into the priority one category are the most in need, Lamb said.
“An overwhelming majority of roads fell into the priority one category,” Lamb told the board.
Lamb also included the cost of a one and half inch overlay, and the roads that are in need of more repairs, he added a 30 percent cost for repairs that can’t easily be seen.
He also identified roads that were touched in some capacity by the sewage project of the late 1990s and those that were paved by the county in 2009.
Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise said the city will need to hold a town hall meeting to allow residents the opportunity to see the proposed plan, map and pictures for improving the city’s infrastructure.
The board scheduled a workshop on March 14 with Lamb to discuss the matter. A date for a town hall meeting was not set.
The board also discussed leasing of Railroad Park on South Main Street from Norfolk Southern Leasing.
Their plan is to utilize this area for community events.
Necaise said they require more defined outlines of parking, a green and a grating area.
The board engaged Lamb to enhance the presentation for Norfolk Southern’s consideration.
In other action:
–– On the recommendation of Public Works Director Sam Hale, the board approved the purchase and installation of two State Park grills, which are manufactured and sold by the Mississippi Prison Industries Corporation. The cost per grill is $150 and will be paid for with a $300 grant from the Blueberry Jubilee Council. They will be placed in City Park.
Hale also updated the board about quotes received for repairs to the building at 101 N. Main St. One has been received but will remain sealed until all quotes are in. Hale said he has been talking to different contractors about quotes for repairs.
–– The board approved travel and meals for Hale and water department employee Robert Bellias to attend the 24th Annual Training Coast Chlorinator Workshop on April 14 in Biloxi.
–– Laurie Jaufre, with Keep Poplarville Beautiful, informed the board about the upcoming campaign in April. The event is held in conjunction with the nationwide campaign Keep America Beautiful. Last year, according to previous Item coverage, the event drew more than 150 volunteers who collected more than 250 bags of trash around Poplarville. She asked for the board’s participation in the event and an active presence on the group’s Facebook page, Keep Poplarville Beautiful. She is planning an initial meeting to plan the event, which will be held at City Hall, at a date that has yet to be determined.
She also inquired about the recycling receptacles at City Park. Necaise said those are to be used by park visitors and only water bottles and aluminum cans are to be put in the bins.
The next aldermen meeting will be held on March 15 at 5 p.m. in the boardroom at City Hall.