Coffeeville Aldermen Award Contract To Paint, Repair Town’s Water Tank
Staff Report
COFFEEVILLE – The new town budget for 2010-2011 was adopted during the September meeting of the Mayor and Board.
Aldermen approved the $320,800 budget with a 40.257 millage rate on Sept. 7, according to minutes from the meeting.
Among other actions at the regular first of the month meeting, the Board of Aldermen:
• Adopted a resolution deeming property at 14290 Main Street to be a “menace to public health and safety.”
The resolution, which passed unanimously, came after a public hearing. The property owner, Jim Aaron, had been served notice of the hearing but did not attend, the minutes state.
• Denied a zoning variance for a beauty salon to be located at 38 Northwest St.
• Heard a request for police protection from Superintendent Eddie Anderson of the Coffeeville Schools.
Anderson asked the Board to have police available between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. and to have officers at the high school at 3:15 p.m. school days to help with traffic.
Anderson told the board that during a recent incident at the high school, they were unable to get anyone from the police or sheriff’s department to respond in a timely manner.
Coffeeville Police Chief Mark Martin suggested that school officials call 911 instead of the local police number when they need assistance.
Mayor Mack Burns explained that the police department is currently short handed with one officer attending the police academy. He added, the town would make every effort to address his request.
• Heard from Jennifer Waldo and Jan Willis of the Yalobusha County Food Pantry.
They asked for the board’s support for a food pantry in Coffeeville. Willis explained how the food pantry would work and answered questions from the Mayor and Board.
They requested the use of the old ambulance service building on Front Street for their pantry site. Town Attorney Larry Maxey is researching the request and will present a report to the Mayor.
• Approved travel for Rebecca McCullar to attend Court Clerk Training in Tunica on Sept. 9-10.
• Heard from Alder-woman Eva Longstreet regarding a ditch adjoining property owned by Mae Catherine Foxx.
Burns will meet with Foxx to access the ditch, according to the minutes.
• Awarded a contract to Robertson and Sons to repair the town’s water tank.
The company had agreed to perform the work for the available money with the exception of painting “Coffeeville” on two sides of the tank. The Town name will only be on one side.
The mayor asked how the board would like to fund the town’s $52,000 matching portion of the project. The options he offered were to secure a CAP (capitol access program) loan through the state or cut timber from Town property and use the proceeds.
After discussion, the Mayor will have the timber cruised for value and will check on the CAP loan.
• Paid claims.
• Adjourned.
Persent were Mayor Burns, Aldermen Michael Ayers, Joe Bourn, George Miller, Bryan McCullough, Alderwoman Longstreet, Town Clerk Brenda Gibson, Town Attorney William L. Maxey, and Police Chief Mark Martin.
