By Jodi Marze

Picayune Item

 

The Poplarville Board of Aldermen met Tuesday and discussed the March 25 special referendum on beer and light wine sales within the city limits, accepted a bid for sink hole repair, adopted a cap loan resolution to acquire a fire truck for the city and renewed the AAA Ambulance contract.

Board Attorney Martin Smith gave a handout to the board, outlining what will happen upon referendum voting results.

Smith said if the outcome was against legal sale of beer and light wine, the order would be entered and any subsequent election would not be held sooner than five years from the date of the election. However, if the outcome was in favor of such legal sale, an ordinance would be adopted establishing the conditions, restrictions and limitations under which the sales would be allowed.

Smith added that a public hearing would be held to receive citizen input in formulating the terms of that ordinance.

His handout also included a list of possible conditions and limitations for the sales, should the ordinance pass, which included prohibiting signs advertising the sale of such products outside of retail premises. This included signs, billboards or displays on or along public roads, highways or streets. It also suggested not allowing sales between the hours of 11 p.m. through 7 a.m., sales on Sunday, and prohibits sales on Christmas or election days.

Mayor Brad Necaise said, “The most important thing is that people in the community exercise their right to be heard on this matter. I do support the referendum and will vote yes for the sale of beer and wine. But, I will back the people of this community in whatever they choose. I do want them to come out and be heard.”

The board accepted an $8,315 bid to repair a sinkhole on North Street. The project will start soon.

The board adopted a cap loan resolution to acquire a fire truck for the city. Alderwoman Shirley Wiltshire said a favorable report was given by the fire chief regarding the vehicle. The fire chief had traveled to Texas and inspected the vehicle, which upon acquisition, the board hopes will help the city fire rating move to a six.

“We still have at least one more meeting to verify that this particular truck will meet our needs for a specified period of time, but everything looks positive at this point,” Wiltshire said.

The board renewed the AAA Ambulance contract with the city.

In other agenda items:

—The City cemetery contract was awarded to C and W, which was the only company to bid on the job.

—Court Collections, Inc. bid to handle warrant services was tabled until the next meeting.

— A sum of $3,200 was transferred to the unemployment fund.