The Poplarville Board of Aldermen recognized the Poplarville High School varsity cheerleading team for bringing home first place in the 2A-4A medium varsity division at the Mississippi High School Activities Association competition in December during Tuesday’s meeting.
Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise commended the team for being the first in the district’s history to win at that level.
Cheer Coach Keri Smith thanked the Board and community for their support, noting the uniqueness of the season due to the football team’s own success.
In other matters, the Board approved a request from Code Enforcement Officer Guy Rae Holston to send cleanup notices to a number of property owners.
Also, Public Works Superintendent Sam Hale updated the Board about the cost to repair damages to the old City Hall building on North Main Street.
The building was damaged on Jan. 3 when it was struck by a log truck turning onto W. North Street, Hale said. The truck damaged the concrete sidewalk, the building’s gutter and a portion of the roof, he said.
An estimate from a contractor to replace the gutter and perform roof repairs was $1,234, Hale said.
City Clerk Jane O’Neal said she reached an agreement with the driver to pay for the damages in weekly installments.
Board Attorney Nick Thompson suggested a written agreement be signed to ensure payments are made.
Hale said an additional sum of about $925 would be needed to repair the sidewalk.
In other road matters, Hale said the county approached him about using additional grant funds to pay for some of the preconstruction survey for repair to Main Street’s drainage.
The Board voted to send an invoice for $749 to the county for reimbursement.
In response to an urgent drainage issue, Hale said the public works department completed work on Lake Drive to prevent several homes from being cut off from main roads due to a washed out culvert.
Hale said the preemptive measure saved the city money in the long run.
Lenoir Ladner, with the Pearl River County Master Gardeners, donated an Atlantic white cedar tree to the city, Hale said.
The Board approved the tree to be planted at City Park.
Poplarville Fire Chief Jonathan Head was approved to add several part-time firefighters to the department.
Head said he received several inquiries and plans to hire three or four new employees to ensure all shifts are covered.
In a separate matter, O’Neal briefed the Board on issues concerning the upcoming municipal election.
She said the establishment of a county Republican Party has been delayed for unknown reasons, and those who have already submitted their paperwork for candidacy as a Republican—including Alderman Glenn Bolin, who is running for mayor—must be informed of the situation.
Candidates can either wait until a Republican Party committee is formed, or file as an Independent by garnering signatures and paying a $10 fee, O’Neal said.
The Board voted to appoint election commissioners, who are not eligible to also serve on political committees, and send them to training in Hattiesburg on Feb. 16.
In other news, the Board:
• Approved Head and two full-time firefighters to attend the Mental First-Aid meeting in Hattiesburg on Feb. 2.
• Tabled final approval of a small municipalities grant awarded by the Mississippi Development Authority.
The $144,000 grant requires a $22,000 match from the city, O’Neal said. The Board decided to take the matter under advisement until the next meeting to review financial accounts.
• Approved O’Neal to attend the Mississippi Certified Municipal/Deputy Clerk program March 29-31 in Hattiesburg.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. in City Hall.