Residents were updated on continued efforts to fix the North Lagoon in Coldwater at the Board of Aldermen meeting held Tuesday, September 7.
Michael Stewart of Mitchell Technical Services, informed the Board and Mayor Glenn Billingsley that the north lagoon, part of the town’s waste water removal process continued to have issues with the filter system.
“It’s turning around, but we’re not there yet,” explained Stewart.
Stewart also addressed issues with the town’s drinking water. He said of the two wells responsible for Coldwater’s water supply, one is abandoned and the other’s water level is dropping and will need repairs.
“We’ve been putting a bandaid on an open wound,” said Mayor Billingsley.
The mayor explained the town was in the running to receive grants earmarked for water system repairs. The $450,000 in funds would be fully funded grants and not match grants which would fall on tax payers to fund.
“This is fully funded and will be no cost to citizens,” explained Billingsley.
The mayor stated a site visit was planned for the lagoons.
“To have a site visit means you’re a priority on the list, so there is a good chance we’ll receive the funds,” he said.
Coldwater’s Board of Aldermen were also addressed by:
-First Baptist Church to hold a Trunk or Treat on Main street on October 31, 2021 from 6-8:30 p.m. The event is free to the public and will have food, inflatables and candy. The board moved to make the event contingent upon CDC and state health guidelines.
-Jennifer Stephenson with First Regional Library addressed the board requesting $16,564, the same as last year’s funds provided by the town in order to support continued efforts by the library in the community. Stephenson said a portion of the funds would go toward purchasing 250-350 mobile hotspots- devices that provide internet connectivity remotely. She said the devices would be available for citizens to check out provided they had a library card. The board moved to discuss the matter at the public hearing scheduled for Sept. 15.
-Coldwater’s Fire Chief Jerry Cobb about the annual road block to be held Oct. 9. The event is held yearly in order to raise funds and awareness during National Fire Prevention Week. The board approved the road block contingent upon CDC and state health guidelines.
In other business the Board:
-Authorized opening a bank account for ARPA funds. As part of the grant, the funds must be held in a separate account. The town has received $188,440.33 of the total grant in the amount of $376,880.66. The ARPA grant money is earmarked to be used for water and sewer projects.
-Voted to change the monthly Board meeting time to 6 p.m instead of 7 p.m. The new meeting time will go into place at the next Board meeting set for Tuesday, Oct. 5.
-Approved advertising for a new engineering firm.
-Authorized the process to apply for a Farmer’s Market.
-Adopted a policy on returned checks. Per MS Code 97-19-55, the policy states: All checks returned for non-payment on water, sewer, any license issued or any payment paid to the Town of Coldwater shall be charged $40.00 in addition to their check amount.
-Approved a motion to adopt a new Water Payment Policy. The new policy states: All bills must be paid by the 10th of each month. If said bill is not paid by the 10th of the month, there shall be a 10% penalty added to said bill. If said bill is not paid by the 20th of the month, then a delinquent fee of $40.00 shall be added to the bill. Cut-off notices of service shall be generated on the 25th of each month with a reconnection fee of $50.00.
-Approved a fee of $5 for public record requests. The fee is a flat rate per report and not per page. After going to Executive Session, the Board also approved the hiring of Henry Lewis Wright as a full-time worker in the Maintenance Department.
