Union’s infrastructure is getting a boost from three projects that Mayor Wayne Welch covered in the January meeting of the Union Board of Aldermen last Tuesday night.
Welch said that city had finished completely with the upgrades and improvements on the County Line Water Association mandated by Mississippi regulatory agencies.
“We’re off the hook and it’s in real good shape,” he said.
The improvements included booster station upgrades, the addition of a 30,000 gallon water tank, and distribution improvements along CR 270.
He said the city will be ready to take bids soon for the drilling of a new water well.
Union has $449,500 in municipal grant money for the project that calls for a new 8-inch well that will provide 750 gallons per minute.
And, he said the city will be taking bids soon to use another $150,000 in grant money for repaving North Street from the South end up to Industrial Circle drive.
The aldermen also:
• Heard a request from Brad Capps for some relief from an overdue water bill.
Capps, who said he owns nine rental housing units, had a tenant who moved out, leaving a $700 overdue water bill that he knew nothing about.
Residents have been required to post a $150 deposit before water can be turned on. That figure has recently been raised to $300.
The renter’s deposit was used up and it is city policy to allow 60 days before the water meter is turned off. During that time the bill went up to the $700.
The city holds the property owner responsible for the bill before the water can be turned back on.
Capps’ contention was that the city extended the credit to the renter without his knowledge.
He argued that the 60 day extension is unfair. He said the water should be turned off as soon as the water deposit was used up.
“Y’all are extending credit to the consumer, but the owner has to pay the bill,” he said.
He said this was not the first time he has had to come behind a renter who defaulted to clean up the debt.
But Capps didn’t get much sympathy around the board room.
“If the water goes through the meter, it has to be paid for,” said Alderman Rex Germany.
Welch said that other rental property owners have been faced with the same dilemma. And suggested that he might want to consider putting the water bill in his name, so he would know if it was in arrears.
“And, maybe you’d be better off is you got a better clientele,’ said Welch.
But, Capps’ request apparently struck home with Alderman Paul Lowery who offered a motion that the $700 overdue bill be waived.
But since no alderman would offer a second, it never came to a vote.
•After hearing Brian Gordon make a request that the city name a portion of the Highway 15 Bypass in honor of his father, the late Circuit Judge Marcus D. Gordon, the aldermen voted to do so, without any discussion.
Gordon specifically asked for the stretch of highway between the Dollar General store past the old Marshall Ford property.
Union’s acceptance will now move through a process that calls for review and approval by the Newton County Board of Supervisors, the Miss. Department of Transportation and the Miss. State Legislature.
• Cancelled and dismissed a hearing on unkempt property with Robert Daniels, 208 North Decatur St.
“Progress is slow, but it is getting there,” said Germany.
• Heard an update from Police Chief Billy Pat Walker who said that the newly renovated Police Station at the South end of Bank Street was in the final touch up stages, and an open house would probably be held in a few weeks.
