The Poplarville Board of Aldermen took action on several ongoing matters during Tuesday’s meeting.
First, the Board heard from Peter Anthony, now an Eagle Scout with Troop 28, who donated two handicap accessible picnic tables to the city for use at their discretion.
Anthony said the project came about as part of his requirement to become an Eagle Scout and his desire to provide a useful service to the community.
A third table was also donated to Pearl River Community College, he said.
The Board thanked Anthony for his donation and Poplarville Police Chief Butch Raby, himself an Eagle Scout, commended Anthony for his achievement.
The Board also heard from Regina Melton, a representative of the Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District, about a second phase of grants for what is being called City Square Park on Main Street.
Melton said the grant process is becoming highly competitive among small municipalities across the state and Poplarville was fortunate to receive another one to continue the project.
With a total of $166,000 in grants, Melton said the project will aim to construct lighting, sidewalks, parking spaces and landscaping at the site.
The Board voted to appoint Jason Lamb as a coordinating engineer for the project due to his familiarity with the Board and their goals.
Mayor Brad Necaise also suggested the Board create two committees for ongoing projects, one for public works and one for downtown projects.
Alderwomen Maggie Smith and Shirley Wiltshire along with Alderman Byron Wells (who was absent from Tuesday’s meeting) were appointed to the downtown committee, while Aldermen Glenn Bolin and Jason Pearson were appointed to the public works committee along with Necaise.
The Board also heard from Lelani Rosenbaum, owner of Shroomdom Farms in Poplarville, about her work for the state Agritourism Board.
Rosenbaum presented the Board with an agritourism sign, to be displayed at the city’s discretion, which promotes agriculture in Pearl River County and across the state.
She said similar signs have been distributed to visitor centers across the state, promoting Poplarville and its agriculture industry.
Rosenbaum also said October is designated as Mississippi Agritourism month and hopes the city will promote the event later this year.
In other matters, the Board:
-Approved to extend a contract with AT&T through the end of 2024.
-Selected Nina Gilman to replace Lisa Lods on the Poplarville Planning Commission.
-Approved event requests from the First United Methodist Church to hold Good Friday Community Service and Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at City Park on April 14 and 16.
Other matters discussed at Tuesday’s Board meeting will be published in Wednesday’s Item.