Aldermen approve hazard plan, provide funds to museum

Published 7:00 am Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Poplarville’s Board of Aldermen held its monthly meeting in City Hall Tuesday evening to discuss several matters.

During the meeting, the Board approved a motion to adopt the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency District 9 Regional Hazard Mitigation plan.

The plan will serve to protect the citizens of Pearl River County and the two municipalities to reduce the risk of hazards.

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“It is the intent of the mayor and Board of Aldermen of Poplarville to protect its citizens and property from the effect of natural hazards, by preparing and maintaining a local mitigation plan,” Poplarville Mayor Rossie Creel said.

The plan will be in effect until Sept. 25, 2022. The Board also approved a motion to pay $297 as its portion of the cost to develop the plan.

The next item on the agenda entailed an update concerning allegations that an officer of the Police Department prematurely closed a “Friday Night Lights Concert” held by Flight 411 on Aug. 18 at the Pearl River County Fairgrounds. Representatives from Flight 411 were not present at the meeting, but requested the item to be moved to the agenda for the Nov. 21, meeting. The Board approved that request.

In the Board meeting held Oct. 17, Joan Bassett, from the Poplarville Historical Preservation Society, requested the city pay for renovations inside the Old City Hall, where the museum will be established. The Board approved a motion to provide the Poplarville Historical Preservation Society with $2,374 for that work.

The Board approved purchasing advertising on the new city map at a cost of $995.

“From a public relations point, I like it because we’re trying to boost our sales and economy,” Alderwoman Anne G. Smith said.

In other news the Board:

—Heard from Public Works Superintendent Sam Hale about the water well on Cumberland St. He said the well is complete and it is currently pumping 602 gallons of water per minute.

—Authorized a partnership with the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors to resurface Jacobs Road. The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors will provide machinery, equipment and personnel to complete the job and the city of Poplarville will pay $25,000 to the county for asphalt and any other necessary materials.

—The Board approved the purchase of a new 2018 Dodge pickup truck for the Water Department at a cost of $24,095. Hale said the purchase is necessary due to a transmission issue with a current city truck.

—Poplarville Fire Chief Jonathan Head said the Fire Department finished its annual fire safety presentations at elementary and preschools in the city of Poplarville. Over 1,200 children attended those presentations.

The next Board meeting will be Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. in City Hall.